I can't find the type of boot I want for riding. I have simple requirements, and I used to be able to find what I want, but boot manufacturing technology has changed. For years, I wore a hiking boot made by Merrill that went just above my ankle. I'd buy a pair and take it to a shoe store that did work on shoes and have them delaminate the sole, slide in a wedge (that raised the inside of my feet 1/4 inch and the outside zero), and glue it all back together. I had them do that because my ankles are a bit pronated, and when I'm pushing on a pedal with all the strength in my body, they don't like it. The wedge put them in correct alignment. With the orthotics I wear inside the boots, it was great. One more thing: those boots had almost flat soles.

Here's the problem now: Merrill still makes a boot I'd love to ride in, but the sole is one piece molded (so it can't be delaminated for the wedge) and it has an exterior "arch" which looks spiffy and doesn't bother my walking--but it ruins it for pedal pushing in my case because I place the pedal back toward the heel from the ball. Having the exterior arch there, as so many hiking type boots do these days, means that my ankles' tendency to pronate is given full range because there's no sole there to prevent it rolling over onto the inside. Pedaling off the ball of my foot is not an option. At least, it seems so after frequent trials over the years. My theory is that the pronation, as it occurs on the downstroke, induces rotation in the lower leg which affects the knee.

Does anybody know of a source of high quality, rugged, high support hiking-type boots that would work for off-road riding--and have basically flat soles, not one piece molded, and no exterior arch? Of course, other suggestions of how to solve to my problem are also welcome. Thanks.

Does anybody know of a source of high quality, rugged, high support hiking-type boots that would work for off-road riding--and have basically flat soles, not one piece molded, and no exterior arch? Of course, other suggestions of how to solve to my problem are also welcome. Thanks.

I can't really think of many boots that are made that way anymore, but several low-cut options come to mind in the form of approach shoes. I think garmont, la sportiva and possibly five-ten still make some with the laminate soles, not the one-piece. From what I gather something like this? (http://www.mgear.com/pages/product/product.asp/level1_id/6/level2_id/10/level3_id/21/item/102920/level2_title/Men%27s+Footwear/level3_title/Approach+Shoes) might be what you're looking for. Good luck, hope this helps.