Lems - Trail Blazer

Very disappointing to find out you're correct. Was trying Lems as a transitional option since they're a bit thicker, but they're narrower than my Keens and Oboz. Also they've never heard of speed hooks I guess.

Not the Primals. These Trail Blazers are built on a narrower last.

Lems are hilariously narrow for being a barefoot shoe. There ever so slightly wider than xero and vivo, which are already pretty narrow. I'd recommend Softstar, Realfoot, and Bohempia for shoes that are actually wide

I can second the Trail Blazer. I've been using them for a few months and they're some of the most comfortable shoes I've worn. I have a pair of the Outlander waterproof boots for the wetter months.

If you use an outside shoe a lot, it will last only a year. You should expect to replace once per year. It depends on if your feet require wide or if you have a slimmer foot. Nike has great shoe lineup for trail but are expensive and more narrow. Adidas seem to be the standard and what the GOAT uses, as well as Simon. I have been using Lems Trail Blazer and really like it. The only thing I don't like about them is the colorway options.

yeah the trailblazers were narrow for me and my foot is pretty low volume

I'm absolutely loving the Lems Trail Blazer, wide toe box, durable af, waterproof, and actually comfortable. Going on half a season with them now and they are still looking brand new. Highly recommend.

They said these were wide. I got a women’s 9 and normally wear an 8.5, I don’t know if I should just return them.

I wear Lems Trail Blazers. Comfy for me. You'll get a lot of Altra and Topo recommendations. They're the most popular these days. Just be sure that if you try a Altra/Topo/Lem's zero drop or low drop shoe, that you get used to wearing zero drop shoes first. There's a break-in/foot-strengthening period for zero drop shoes, and you do not want to start that on the trail. I wear zero-drop 100% of the time, so it's no big deal on trail. I prefer breathable shoe with a wool sock most the time, but in the winter mud/slush/cold season I wear either a Lems Outlander or Foresake Hiker, which are water proof and high ankle but still quite light and flexible. The Outlander moreso

The current popular advice is that hiking boots should be reserved for those with ankle issues or hiking with heavy packs, and trail runners for pretty much everything else. Ideally wide toe box trail runners to allow your toes to splay. And the old mentality of getting waterproof shoes has largely shifted to getting breathable shoes, as waterproof shoes tend to trap moisture within, where as more breathable shoes will dry out more quickly. All personal preference of course. Amongst thru-hikers, Altras, Hokas, and Topos seem to the most popular. I like my Lems Trail Blazers and the new Lems Trail Thrasher looks appealing. But if you've never worn a zero-drop shoe it might be something you want to ease into. Edit: surprised at the downvote for just saying what the current popular opinion is (in the US). Obviously everyone should find what works best for them.

Yes, return them. They're too narrow to you. Okay, maybe they wouldn't be if you would size up like two sizes or something, but you shouldn't get shoes longer than those either. I though Lems to be unisex. Some brands have women's shoes as more narrow, so if there is men's sizes for you that could be better. You could ask them.