I haven't been able to fit in anybody's toe box except New Balance for years without going to a wide (which doesn't work for my 4A or 5A heel), so I just go to the New Balance store anymore. Going to either of the local running stores just results in hours lost and frustration for both me and the people working there, so...
Anyway, I tend to go back and forth between stability and motion control shoes. (High arches AND pronation - go figure). My past orthopedist and orthotist want me in motion control (and probably so does my right knee), but fit always wins. My last shoes were NB1012. My most recent pair are still in decent shape, but the old ones I wear for hashing are completely smooth on the bottom leaving me at risk of busting ass. So...
New ones are NB 1260V4. OMG they are SO MUCH LIGHTER than my old shoes. And squishy. I'm also trying a new insert that has a firmer metatarsal support. Will probably alternate with my old inserts. I'm mostly walking and only a little running right (like, I'm only up to a mile). But I'm excited about these shoes. I'm NEVER excited about running shoes.
I also bought some NB hiking boots. Not quite as excited about those. I ordered a wide, which means they slip a bit in the heel if I don't lace tightly enough, but I needed the room in the toebox. And while they ARE mids, I'd prefer they were 1/2 inch higher; they're low for mids. But they fit better than anything else so far. And they accommodate decent insoles. I'll probably keep looking as soon as I get the opportunity to get to Nashville for an REI or something. I hate to have an expensive pair of not perfect boots, but I HAVE to have hiking boots and my old ones really are shot and the rubber has split (probably from the pressure of having always been a tad narrow).
