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Shoe List

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We typically recommend the same kind of shoe for most activity: flat, wide at the end of the toes, and flexible. This includes sports activities and hiking. The human body does best when the foot can move as it should and feel and respond to the changing terrain encountered during hiking. The human foot is specifically designed to hike in uneven terrain. For that reason, we recommend wearing the following shoes rather than the traditional stiff-soled boots that are typically recommended. Going without the “support” that most hiking shoe companies recommend will actually prevent injuries—especially ankle sprains.

Hiking

• Chaco (REI Portland, www.orvis.com)
o Suggested Model: Red Rock Cross, Barefoot Trail
o Pros: flat, flexible
o Cons: narrow at the toe box for some, slight toe spring

• Steger Mukluks (http://www.mukluks.com)
o Suggested models: any
o Pros: Light, flexible, flat, wide, extremely warm, look good, come in wide and extra wide
o Cons: Expensive, not fully waterproof

• Minnetonka Moccasins (http://www.minnetonka-by-internet.com)
o Suggested models: Fringe boots
o Pros: Light, flexible, flat, some models are wide
o Cons: Many models are tapered in the toes; not waterproof
o Notes: Moosehide moccasins come in wide sizes for both men and women.
o Crepe soles are super flexible and last longer than a soft sole

• Crocs (http://www.crocs.com) (REI)
o Suggested Models: All Terrain (Winter), Off Road (Summer)
o Pros: Flat, flexible, wide, waterproof
o Cons: ?

• Birkenstock (http://www.birkenstockexpress.com)
o Suggested Models: Rockford(pictured), Sierra, Torino, Perth and Waterford
o Pros: relatively flat and wide at the toe box
o Cons: some toe spring and heel elevation, somewhat flexible

• Keen (http://www.keenfootwear.com) (REI, Shoe Mill at Lloyd Center)
o Suggested Models: **Delany**, Pacifica, Toronto, Humboldt, Newport (Summer), Bend, Ventura Canvas
o Pros: Mostly flat, wide, waterproof, many styles, local company
o Cons: Relatively stiff sole, have toe spring, some models have a heel
o Note: Models designed for casual wear typically have a more flexible sole and would therefore be more acceptable as a hiking shoe.

• Teva (REI, www.teva.com)
o Suggested Models:
Women: W Cape MID, W Shay Slip on
Men: Kendal

• Sanuk (www.sanuk.com) (www.ems.com)
o Suggested Models: High Desert
o Pros: flat, wide, flexible
o Cons: not waterproof

• The North Face (REI Portland) (http://www.Zappos.com)
o Suggested Model: Hayden Shoe
o Pros: flat, flexible, some toe spring
o Cons: narrow at the toe box for some

Boots/Cold Weather:

• Steger Mukluks (http://www.mukluks.com)
o Suggested models: any
o Pros: Light, flexible, flat, wide, extremely warm, look good, come in wide and extra wide
o Cons: Expensive, not fully waterproof

• Sorel (REI Portland) (http://www.sorel.com)
o Suggested Model: Bota Bag(men)
o Pros: flat, wide and flexible
o Cons: some heel elevation, slight toe spring

• Keen (http://www.keenfootwear.com/)
o Suggested Model: Shay Boot
o Pros: flat, flexible
o Cons: some toe spring, not wide enough at toe box for some

• Minnetonka Mocassins (http://www.minnetonka-by-internet.com)
o Suggested Models: Sheepskin boots
o Pros: light, flexible, flat, wide, look good
o Cons: no fully waterproof

• Crocs (http://www.crocs.com/home.jsp)
o Suggested Models: Georgie, All Terrain
o Pros: Waterproof, flexible, flat, wide
o Cons: ?

• Merrell (http://www.merrellboot.com)
o Suggested Models: Women: Spirit Tibet Low, Spirit Tibet High
o Pros: Wide, flexible?, flat, water resistant, most Merrell boots work with crampons
o Cons: Most Merrells are too narrow (above models are exceptions)

• Ulu (http://uluboot.com)
o Suggested Model: Portillo
o Pros: very warm, look good, relatively flat
o Cons: stiff sole, too narrow for some

• Ugg (REI) (http://www.uggaustralia.com/) (Shoe Mill)
o Suggested Models: Classic Mini Boot, Classic Short
o Pros: flat, wide, flexible
o Cons: too narrow for some in the toe

• Keen (REI) (http://www.keenfootwear.com/)
o Suggested Models: Winterport, Dakota
o Pros: wide toebox, relatively flat, warm, waterproof, local company
o Cons: stiff soles, toe spring

• Teva (http://www.teva.com, REI)
o Suggested Models:
Women: Mimmick, Roslyn
Men: Mimmick
o Pros: flexible, no toe spring, no arch support, waterproof
o Cons: some heel

Work

• Skidbuster
o Suggested models:
Men: SB108, SB109
Women: SB208, SB209
o Pros: Relatively wide, good traction on slippery work surfaces,
o Cons: slight heel elevation

• Shoes for Crews (http://www.shoesforcrews.com)
o Suggested Model: Steel toe voyager
o Pros: relatively wide, steel toe
o Cons: slight heel elevation, somewhat flexible

• Crocs (http://www.crocs.com)
o Suggested Model: Velocity
o Pros: Ideal for the food service, hospitality and healthcare industries. Flat, wide at the ends of the toes and flexible
o Cons:?

Professional/Dress:

• Keen (Shoe Mill at Lloyd Center, http://www.zappos.com)
o Suggested models:
Women: Calistoga (pictured), Berkeley, Barcelona Mary Jane, Sydney II, Sofia, Carmel, Seattle
Men: Briggs (pictured), Austin, Presidio, Delany Clog, Ashland, Boston II, Providence, Portsmouth, Boston
o Pros: wide, flat, some are flexible
o Cons: some are too narrow particularly in the women’s models, not very formal

• Merrell (http://www.merrellboot.com) (REI, Shoe Mill at Lloyd Center)
o Suggested models:
Men: World Leader, World Summit, Topo Oxford Pro?, World Peace
o Pros: somewhat flexible, relatively wide, relatively flat
o Cons: too narrow for some, not formal enough for some

• Dansko (Shoe Mill at Lloyd Center, Nob Hill)
o Suggested models:
Women: Any of the Chelsea collection
o Pros: flexible, relatively wide, mostly flat
o Cons: has a slight heel, toe spring, has arch support, may be too narrow for some

• Rocket Dog (Journeys at Lloyd Center)
o Suggested models: Sonova, Salt loafer
o Pros: properly-shaped toe box, look good, flat, flexible
o Cons: may be too narrow for some

• Clarks (Shoe Mill at Lloyd Center, Journeys at Lloyd Center)
o Pros: formal, relatively wide, flexible, flat
o Cons: will still be too narrow in the toes for most

• PG Lite (Shoe Mill at Lloyd Center)
o Pros: Wide, removable extra liner to provide extra room in the shoe
o Cons: too narrow for many, has a heel, stiff

• Finn Comfort (http://www.finncomfort.com/Home/index.cfm, Shoe Mill at Lloyd Center)
o Pros: Wide, flexible
o Cons: arch support, some heel, too narrow for many

• Crocs (REI Portland, www.crocs.com)
o Suggested Model: Yukon Clogs, Off Road
o Pros: flat, wide and flexible
o Cons: ?

• Naot (http://www.naot.com/index.html, Shoe Mill at Lloyd Center, Nob Hill)
o Suggested Models: Women: Minke (pictured)
o Pros: wide, flexible, only slight heel, thick removable cork liner (could replace with thinner more flexible liner
o Cons: slight heel, too narrow for many

• Aravon (http://www.aravonshoes.com), Shoe Mill at Lloyd Center)
o Suggested Models: Everyday Collection
o Pros: comes in widths, flat, flexible
o Cons: still too narrow for many, some toe spring, office collection models have heels

• Birkenstock (http://www.footprints.com), Shoe Mill at Lloyd Center, Birkenstock Store downtown)
o Suggested Models:
• Men: London, Corvallis, Leon,
• Women: Boston, Tokyo, Limari, Merida, Annapolis, Cambria, Eden, Madera, Corvallis, Pavia,
o Pros: wide, flat, no toe spring, built-in metatarsal pad, work well with a brace
o Cons: stiff, arch support, expensive

• Madden Girl http://www.shoes.com)
o Suggested Model: Lazzo
o Pros: wide and flexible
o Cons: slight toe spring, slight heel elevation

Dance

• Coast (The Glass Slipper on NE Broadway)
o Suggested Models: Rita (high heel), Star (flat)
o Pros: The upper is completely adjustable using the laces (Rita). Soft upper, and flat (Star).
o Cons: These are really a “lesser evil.” High heel (Rita), too narrow for most

Casual

• Sanuk (http://www.sanuk.com, REI, Next Adventure)
o Suggested Models: Almost all are great, Donna(pink)
o Pros: flat, wide, flexible, no toe spring (most models)
o Cons: ?

• Crocs (http://www.crocs.com, REI)
o Suggested Models: any
o Pros: flat, wide, flexible, no toe spring
o Cons: risk of slipping in wet weather

• J-41 (REI Portland)
o Suggested Model: Libra
o Pros: flat, flexible, slight toe spring
o Cons: narrow at the toe box for some

• Keen (REI Portland)
o Suggested Model: Keen wear around slip-on
o Pros: flat, flexible
o Cons: too narrow for some at the toe box

• Birkenstock (http://www.footprints.com, Birkenstock store downtown, Shoe Mill)
o Suggested Models:
Men: Oklahoma, Tassil, Tobis, clogs
Women: Lindsey, Torrance, Pittsburgh, Manon, Zamora, Annapolis, clogs
o Pros: flat, wide, no toe spring, work well with a brace, built-in metatarsal pad
o Cons: stiff, arch support, expensive

• Merrell (http://www.merrellboot.com, Shoe Mill, REI)
o Suggested models:
Men: World Outlook, Topo Moc Pro?, World Sensation, World Piece, World Passport, World Renown (pictured), Zen (pictured)
Women: Carousel?, Tetra Wave Slide?, Primo (pictured)
o Pros: Flexible, relatively flat (most models), look good
o Cons: Most models are too tapered

• Ulu (http://uluboot.com) (Shoe Mill)
o Suggested models: Tuktu (men) (pictured)
o Pros: Flexible, flat, look good
o Cons: too narrow for some

• Terra Plana (http://terraplana.com)
o Suggested Models: Aqua(female and male)
o Pros: Flat, wide at the toe box and flexible
o Cons: Some toe spring

• Minnetonka Moccasin (http://www.minnetonka-by-internet.com, Norman’s Shoe Service in Sellwood)
o Suggested models: Clogs, Moosehide, Women’s Concho (pictured)
o Moosehide comes in wide sizes
o Note: Women should buy men’s shoes if there is a similar model in order to get a wider shoe.
o Pros: flat, flexible, expansive upper, no toe spring, no arch support
o Cons: too narrow for many, not water proof

• Reebok (http://www.shoes.com)
o Suggested Model: Temptra
o Pros: flat, wide and flexible
o Cons: narrow for some at the toe box

• Born (http://www.bornshoes.com)
o Suggested Models:
• Women: Glen, Knoll, Sabina, Joni, Pavane, Kavan, Rodeo, Hillspire, Jamba, Sylvan
• Men: Wess, Brink, Tribune, Clipper, Ronan, Nomad, Reign, Towen, Volk, Battue*** *(pictured), Courier, Sequim, Kendal
o Pros: somewhat flat and flexible, selected models are wider in the toe box
o Cons: have some heel, many models will be too narrow for many, toe spring

• Keen (http://www.keenfootwear.com, REI, Shoe Mill)
o Suggested Models:
• Men: Delany, Pacifica, Austin, Presidio, Silverlake, Portsmouth, Bronx, Brooklyn, Diego, any of the BLVD designs
• Women: any of the BLVD and Market Street designs
o Pros: wide in the toes, durable, many styles, waterproof varieties, mostly flat, local company
o Cons: stiff, toe spring, some have heels
o Keen’s casual shoes have the most flexible soles of all their shoes

• Doc Martins
o Suggested Model: 8B97 (Journeys at Lloyd Center)
o Most Doc Martins are unacceptable but the model above is flexible, flat, but is still too narrow for many

• Vans
o Pros: Flat, flexible, no arch support or toe spring
o Cons: too narrow

• Josef Seibel (Shoe Mill at Lloyd Center, Nob Hill Shoes)
o Pros: flexible, wide
o Cons: some heel

• Romika (Shoe Mill at Lloyd Center)
o Pros: flat, flexible, light, relatively wide
o Cons: too narrow for many

• Patagonia (Footwise in Broadway) (www.Patagonia.com)
o Suggested Models: Larry, Kauri, Loulu, Wollemi
o Pros: Flat, wide and Flexible
o Cons: Narrow in the toe box for some

• Timberland (Shoe Mill at Lloyd Center)
o Suggested Models:
• Men: Lazarette Venetian, Springbank Venetian
• Women: far too narrow
o Pros: flat, flexible, warm, waterproof models
o Cons: too narrow for most, arch support

• Rogue (Shoe Mill at Lloyd Center)
o Suggested Models: any
o Pros: flat (has fake heel and some heel build-up in the removable liner), wide, local company, little toe spring
o Cons: somewhat stiff

• Diesel
o Suggested Models: Ivalo (pictured)
o Pros: flat, flexible, light, stylish
o Cons: most models are too narrow in the toes

• Camper
o Suggested Models: Mini flat, Peu Egg Flat, Peu Ideal Boot, Twin Pinstripe Flat,
o Pros: flat, some are flexible, little toe spring,
o Cons: some toe spring, too narrow for some

• Haflinger
o Suggested Models: most are good
o Pros: flat, wide, warm, stylish
o Cons: stiff sole, arch support

• J-41
o Mary Janes
o Pros: removeable insole, flat, wide in the toes, flexible
o Cons: toe spring

• Tsubo (Nob Hill Shoes)
o Suggested Models:
Women: Psit, Sylv, Cyrt, Asios
Men: Sycorax, Incan, Exim, Pogo, Rhyt, Entom
o Pros: many have wide toe boxes, flat, flexible
o Cons: little toe spring

Running

• Inov8 (Fit Right Northwest) (REI Portland)
o Suggested Model: 250, 230
o Pros: flat, flexible, light, expansive upper, relatively wide
o Cons: too narrow for some in the toes

• Adidas (Foot Traffic)
o Suggested Model: Adizero
o Pros: flat and flexible
o Cons: some toespring, slight heel elevation and narrow for some at the ends of the toes

• Ahun (REI Portland)
o Suggested Models: Delta water, Lodi Cross, Tamalpais II
o Pros: flat, flexible, light, expansive upper
o Cons: too narrow for some at the toes

• Asics (Fit Right Northwest)
o Suggested Models: Gel-Hyperspeed 2
o Pros: flat, flexible, light, expansive upper
o Cons: too narrow for some at the toes, very slight toe spring

• Fila (Fit Right Northwest)(While supply last)
o Suggested Models: Corsa Otto (Corsa Sette) (unisex)
o Pros: flat, flexible, light, expansive upper, relatively wide
o Cons: too narrow for some in the toes, sole is too thin for some for running on rocks, etc.

• Mizuno (Fit Right Northwest)
o Suggested Models: Revolver
o Pros: mostly flat, slightly more supportive that the Fila Corsa Sette for those who want more support while transitioning to non-supportive shoes from motion-controlling shoes.
o Cons: Too narrow in the toe box for some.

• New Balance (Fit Right Northwest, New Balance Store downtown)
o Suggested Models: 790
o Pros: mostly flat, flexible, light, better grip for trail running than most other flats
o Cons: Many find the sole too hard, too narrow in the toe box for some

• Crocs (Northwest Foot and Ankle, Washington Square Mall, (http://www.crocs.com)
o Suggested Models: Islander, All Terrain
o Pros: flat, wide, flexible, no toe spring
o Cons: get wet in rainy weather (Islander) or do not breathe (All-Terrain), slippery in wet weather when the sole gets too worn
o Many people find this their favorite running shoe much to their surprise.

• Vibram 5 Fingers (http://www.vibramfivefingers.com) (Kayak Shed in Hood River)
o For those who really want to experience barefoot running but don’t have the tough soles necessary. These are great for water sports.

• New Balance (New Balance Store downtown)
o Suggested Models: RC 750
o Racing flat

• Puma (Fit Right Northwest) (http://www.puma.com)
o Suggested Models: Road Racer
o Pros: flat, wide, flexible
o Cons: too narrow for some at the toes, has slight of a toe spring

• Mizuno (Foot Traffic)
o Suggested Model: Ronin Racing Flat
o Pros: flat, flexible
o Cons: Slight heel elevation, narrow for some at the ends of the toes

Sandals

Our recommendations for sandals are the same as shoes: they should be flat, wide, and flexible. Luckily, this is much easier to find in the sandal category. One of features of many sandals to watch out for is a tapering toe box of a strap that pushes the great toes in toward the other toes.

Active/Sports

These are sandals that strap on well and are typically waterproof. Many companies specialize in sport sandals, but they often have the same problems that hiking boots have—they are too stiff with heel elevation and arch support.

• Teva (REI, www.teva.com)
o Suggested Models: Hurricane 3, Volterra Alp, Volterra, Spoiler 5
o Pros: wide, mostly flat
o Cons: some have toe spring, some have elevated heels, some are inflexible

• Keen (REI, Nob Hill, Shoe Mill, www.keenfootwear.com)
o Suggested Models:
Men: Newport, Venice, Zerraport, Napali, San Clemente, Tijuana
Women: Newport, Venice, Catalina, Zerraport,Napali,Sarasota,Tijuana

Casual

• Sanuk (REI, www.sanuk.com)
o Suggested Models: Almost any—avoid those with elevated heels.
o Pros: flat, wide, flexible
o Cons: a few models have elevated heels

• Keen (REI, Nob Hill, Shoe Mill, www.keenfootwear.com)
o Suggested Models:
Men’s: Aruba, Shanti, Barbados, Waimea, Monterey, La Jolla, La Jolla Clog, Francisco
Women: Waimea, Barbados, Shanti, Monterey, La Jolla, La Jolla Clog

• Teva (REI, www.teva.com)
o Suggested Models:
Men: Old Town, Downtown Flip, Sorrento, Beachside, Maceo Cork, Corrado Cork, Tamarindo Cork, Mush, Cuban,
Women: Hurricane Slide, Downtown Ola, Macea Cork

• Sanuk (REI Portland)
o Suggested Models: Summit (pictured) most all models
o Pros: flat, wide and flexible, very slight toe sprin
o Cons: ?

• OluKai (REI Portland)
o Suggested Models: Kekai, Kumu, Hiapo and all other models
o Pros: flat, wide and flexible
o Cons: ?

• Ahnu (REI Portland)
o Suggested Models: Tilden II, Redding
o Pros: flat, wide and flexible
o Cons: slight toe spring, narrow for some at the toe box

Dress:

• Teva (REI)
o Suggested Model: Cardenas Fisherman
o Pros: flat, wide and flexible
o Cons: narrow for some at the toe box, slight toe spring

• Keen (REI, Shoe Mill, Nob Hill, www.keenfootwear.com)
o Suggested Models:
Men: see casual models
Women: Rosarita, Isabella Slide, Carmel

• Teva (REI, www.teva.com)
o Suggested Models:
Women: Ventura Cork, Ventura Thong, Ventura Slide

• Born (www.bornshoes.com)
o Suggested Models:
Women: April, Lillias, Mersey, Maita, Sinchi, Sutera, Cota, Fairport, Boosey, Jasper, Seris, Mecca, Oberon
o Pros: Very stylish, many models are flat, variably flexible
o Cons: Many have toe spring
o Recommendations: Stick with flat sandals that do not exert pressure on the 1st toe.