running-sneakers

At long last, the worst — by far — fitting pair of Asics running-sneakers I’ve ever owned is being consigned to the mighty Flint landfill.
I’ve bought Asics for years; not out of brand-loyalty, but because they fit. I have the genetic Hughes small-and-wide foot, 6&1/2-D; so small I have to order.
The store stocks size 7, but it’s a canoe. So we gamble and order Asics size 6&1/2 — they fit well enough to have never refused an order.
But this pair didn’t. Okay lengthwise, but tight in the ball of my foot. I’ve had them probably a year, but only wore them regularly about six months.
Running-shoes stretch; which was what I was hoping these would do. But they fit so poorly I’d have to trade off with my old running-shoes.
It took months to “break them in;” i.e. a long time to be able to toss my old running-shoes.
And they were so tight they exploded; i.e. they began coming apart and holes developed.
The hole in the right shoe was huge: two toes; enough for the Physical Therapist to notice.
As such they are now rather floppy; and their replacements fit pretty good.
Years ago I tried two pairs of special-order New Balance: 6&1/2-D and 6&1/2-EEEEE. They were unbearable; they felt like swim-fins. I couldn’t run in them at all.
Asics scrunch your toes into a point; New Balance didn’t. So much for New Balance.
About that time I also tried orthotics; all custom-made, and one of which (the left) was about a half-inch thick.
Fiddle-de-dee! Far as I was concerned they were a waste of money. I walk/run on the legs/feet I have. So much for orthotics.