I have big feet and i need good running shoes

I have Nike Shox in 15 and they are too small. 

I can wear size 14 (UK size) doc martens with no discomfort. the
equivalent US size is 15.5 i guess, but they are pretty wide. if they
are equivalent to a doc martens 14, they should work for me.

I DO want:
running shoes, good for short or long distance running at high speed
high-quality shoes, such as those costing $100 and up from nike,
adidas, asics, newbalance, and saucony
size 16 or 15 extra wide.

I DO NOT want:
basketball shoes (these are easy to get in large sizes but suck to run
in),
cross-trainers (ditto),
boots/regular shoes (anything i can't run in),
cheap/bad shoes (no-name brand, <$50)
etc

If you want to comment about good casual shoes in 15+, that would be
great and i would appreciate it (the only casual shoes i can find are
a few models from timberland, and the doc martens), but the answer i
am looking for will be a specific url/manufacturer/style combination,
or a store in the SF Bay Area that sells RUNNING shoes in size 16 or
15 EEE (along with the specific shoes)

here's pics of good shoes (anything like this = mucho gusto)
http://www.weplay.com/Asics/running/shoes/2060/2060-w.jpg
http://www.runningcenter.com/images/Fall00/Nike-Converge-Max-w.jpg
http://static.epinions.com/images/ext/sprt/294/sprtRunningNike_Air_Max_Tailwind.jpg
http://www.kicksology.net/images/reviews/nike/review_jetflight_sole.jpg

here's some pics of bad shoes (i don't want shoes like these)
http://www.runningbear.co.uk/images/Nike%20Air%20Storm%20Pegasus.jpg -
these are more for trail running
(cleats)http://static.epinions.com/images/ext/sprt/301/sprtBasketballNike_Air_Jordan_XIV.jpg
basketball shoes (big clunky soles not made for distance or speed -
these are made to stop and turn)
http://www.instyleshoes.com/images/kicks/830119101s.jpg - more
basketball shoes
http://www.runningnetwork.com/images/productreviews/merrellterrator.jpg
- and more trail running shoes

you would think it would be easy but it's been really hard. money is
no object - in fact, the more $ they are, the better (the Shox i dont
wear cost $150).

if you can't find any, PLEASE DON'T ANSWER.

thanks

First, I think you may need 16, if 15 doesn't fit you. It seems many
models of running shoes run a little small. Be aware of that when you
buy - you may need a bit larger size than your regular one.

New Balance is the major brand name that makes running shoes that
size. I personally recommend these ones, they are very comfertable and
with good support. I also found nice Eccos (which is one of the best
brands in the world, in my opinion) - However, Ecco don't do running
shoes. Their shoes are very comfertable for hiking, working, etc. The
problem with New Balance is that their factory ships only in
continental US. You can of course make an order through a store in the
UK; or buy through the Internet.

So, are New Balance Shoes good for you? There are plenty in your size.

http://www.aperfectdealer.com/cgi-bin/SoftCart.exe/scstore/c-Men6s_Running_Shoes.html?L+scstore+mvgt3874+1022927364
- you can also chose the width, and not only the size, in this store,
so you can chose narrow 15s;

here you have them again - up to 17 - 
http://www.jseigelfootwear.on.ca/newbalance.html 

http://reliant.igdc.com/cgi-bin/tame.exe/genesshoes/mshop.tam?cat.ctx=mens&text=Men's%20Shoes%20at%20Shoe%20Connection
- They also have nice men's shoes - again running shoes are New
Balance's.

I also refer you to this discussion group on running -
http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF8&oe=UTF8&group=rec.running
They may be able to offer you other advices and tips.

---

Request for Answer Clarification by chattanoo-ga on 01 Jun 2002 14:00 PDT

sorry - i should have been clearer - my 15's are too small, so 16 is
probably the smallest i can use.

Of the three links you gave me:

The first link has nothing over 15

The second link says "these shoes can only be sold in the store" -
which is in Canada, so that doesn't work for me. plus they only had
cross trainers in my size anyway.

the third link has a single model of cross trainers in 16 - MX608 -
along with lots of walking shoes

Can you do a little better? one pair of cross trainers is an answer, i
guess, but not a great one.

---

Clarification of Answer by politicalguru-ga on 01 Jun 2002 16:33 PDT

First, let me apologise for not adding the most obvious link, New
Balance's site, as noted under (by firefly-ga), I somehow saw the UK
size and skip the line that wrote clearly that you're looking for
stores that ship to SF (which New Balnce do, of course).

Their M991GL, M991NV,  M1121MC, M587NV,  M854WN, M879NS, M805AT,
M805NV, M498WN are sold in 16 (but M991NV not for very narrow feet;
only  M1121MC and M587NV are trainer).  Check out more here -
http://www.nbwebexpress.com/category.asp?type=mrun

Fleet Feet (2086 Chestnut St., San Francisco, CA 94123, (415)
921-7188) may be able to place a special order for you.
www.fleetfeet.com The name of the store manager is Mitchell Masia ,
you can email him at sanfranciscoff@aol.com

For casual shoes, let me recommend Ecco again (with lifetime
guarentee). http://www.ecco.com/ - size 50 is the European equivalent
to American 16. They have shoes in that size. They also have sports
shoes (try this model: Receptor Light Men 25554-342 and Receptor Light
Men   25554-107 ; the first is not available in US stores but can
probably be ordered in the Ecco Flagship Store in San Francisco: 236
POST ST, 94108, Phone: 4159563462)


Other stores you should consider: 
http://www.customatix.com/customatix/common/homepage/HomepageGeneral.po?
- design your own shoes.

http://www.fdsports.co.uk/running2.html - These offer other shoes, but
in the UK

Hope that helped, please contact me again if you need something and I
hope you'll find the right running shoes.

he went through a lot of effort but the end result is a link to new
balance. all his other links are irrelevant - either generic shoe
sites (fleetfeet, ecco) that i can find on my own, or to places with
large sizes but not running shoes, which are also easy to find. maybe
the only answer was to point me to the new balance site, but that took
a clarification and a lot of extraneous stuff. i don't feel confident
that this person is an "expert" on the subject, and i guess that's
what i was expecting. i feel like i spent more time on my question
than he/she did on his answer. no hard feelings though.

Hi Chattanoo!

I think politicalguru forgot to add this website. I have placed a link
below to the actual New Balance Website and to the specific section of
their website that sells men's running shoes for training. In briefly
reviewing their site it looks like most shoes run at least through 15.
New Balance Website:
Http://www.newbalance.com
Men's Running Shoes - Training
http://www.newbalance.com/productbrowser/product.html?product_type=shoe&gender=Men&sport=Running&feature=Training

Also, i personally have large feet, and i found that the best shoes
for me were the Nike Max Moto series -- because my feet are long and
narrow.

As for local running shops, I HIGHLY recommend the runner's high in
Los Altos / Menlo Park (not sure where in the San Francisco Bay Area
you are). They have a trained staff that could easily answer ALL of
your running shoe questions, and I am sure they would be able to
special order shoes for you to test/purchase. I bought my Max Moto's
there after trying on 5 different shoes (they make you run in them to
check out your foot falls etc), purchasing a pair, then returning that
pair and trying on two more pairs of shoes before eventually buying
the Max Moto's.

Runner's High Website:
http://www.runnershigh.com/
(650) 325-9432 

As a second resort, I would check out Metro Sports. They are similar
in that they also have a trained staff, i've just found their staff
experience level to be a bit more spotty.
Metro Sport
Town & Country
37 Embarcadero Road
Palo Alto, CA 94301
(650) 321-6453

As a last note, I would consider trying out the Mizuno Wave Rider --
it is a wonderful shoe and a favorite with the serious athlete.
Mizuno Wave Rider - Avail in size 15
http://www.mizunousa.com/products.nsf/2C2522B7EECE0F16852569BD00768A5E/E2DCC6A7F56FDFA2852569E40066B029?opendocument

Good Luck. I'm sure you'll be able to find a great shoe. 

Firefly

Just a vote of confidence... New Balance has a long history of making
"serious" shoes for running and athletics... historically, they have
been known for the comfort of people with large, wider feet.

Just re-read your post and see that you are interested in a casual
shoe as well.  I'm only a size 13, but have had great luck with
Mephisto shoes.  Mephisto is an Italian shoe company making high-end,
contemporary walking shoes.
You may want to check out "The Originals", "Slackers", and "City
Hikers" to see if that's your style... though they have a number of
styles.  They go up to size 15 in their regular stock.

http://www.mephisto.com/
(It's a framed site, or I would have provided direct links to the
shoes).

I can't remember whether I bought mine at a Mephisto store at the
Stanford Mall, the Great Mall, or the Valley Fair Mall... it was a few
years ago, and I don't live in the South Bay any more.  (I just did a
check and I didn't find Mephisto on the store list of any of those
malls).

SF Union Square Shops
Arthur Beren Shoes
222 Stockton Street
(415) 397-8900
Shoes: Ferragamo, Arche, Mephisto and more for women and men. 

You may find the best prices and selection at a store that only sells
Mephisto shoes.  A Google search for Mephisto will lead to many stores
(though apparently they don't allow their shoes to be purchased via
Internet).  These are expensive shoes, so if you can live with "last
year's" style at a clearance price, your wallet will be happy.

thanks for the comments - i have a pair of mephistos in 16 and they
are ok. other shoes in 16 are still too small, and others in 16 are
too big. most dress shoes fit in 15EEE, but the equivalent running
shoe is still too small.

i like ecco's but they don't make them in my size, even to special
order them.

I have a pair of stepsons with extra large feet. The one with 19's has
all his shoes custom made. Were we ever glad when he started buying
his own shoes! But the the one with "small" feet wears 16.

I called him to ask where he's shopping for shoes these days. He tells
me he's special ordered a couple of pair of Nike's (he called 'em
cross-trainers) through a local running accessories store, buys
Birkies in a shop at the local mall, and has ordered online (with
satisfactory results) from BigShoes.com. Nowhere near Northern
California, but I thought these methods might apply just about
anywhere.

~larre