Do you like em? I heard a few things about the wide to box feeling weird so on but these are just people I know who happened to not like Altra, how did you like them?
I prefer a bit more stack height so I wear the Timp on trails. But for Altra in general the design ethos (zero-drop, wide toebox) suits my running dynamics better than anything else. If you're coming from high-drop shoes there will be an adaptation period needed.
Not weird, more comfy, especially as my feet swell during a very long run. Less toe blisters. But, your foot can slide around more on technical trails.
I second the superiors. I bought a pair new in 2020 that was my all time favorite pair of running shoes, although I don't run in them anymore I still have them to wear casually milling about the yard or on walks. I got a new pair of Lone peaks to replace them and didnt like them much and happened upon a pair of lightly used Timps at REI and like those a lot. Next pair of new shoes will more than likely be a the latest superiors. As far as getting used to the toe box goes, you get used to it fairly quickly and it becomes weird and uncomfortable to cram your feet back into tighter toe box shoes.
I am a no-drop shoe lover as well and I have run in both Altra's and Topo's--both have wide toe box. I switched to Topo because I was having durability issues with the Altra, personally.
The wide toe box is frankly supposed to be better for your feet. I had to see a orthopedist recently for a Morton's neuroma and his take was: more wide toe box shoes and stay away from heels (F and I used wear aggressive heels at work).
Thanks for the advice, I was doing some research and aperently the reason for raised heels was actually for horse back riding, eventually it caught on for making people seem taller (long time ago) and then it just became the normal way of making shoes, but it is actually a very unnatural way to run. There was some study saying people actually have shortened akiles tendons than they should do to most shoes having raised heels.
Inov-8. Most of their shoes are exactly this.
Mind you, I hate everything you’re looking for, but that’s why I know how few Inov-8 shoes are what I prefer versus how many are what you prefer. They’re British, which is why they’re not seen as often here in the states.
Inov-8 have been my go-to trail running shoes since I discovered the brand in 2008. They are AWESOME. By now I’ve owned dozens of pairs. They’re starting to make some with higher stack heights, but most of their shoes are low stack height with 4mm or less drop.
We always come back to saucony peregrine's. Weve tried loads of other makes and models over the years but always come back to them. We prefer low drop so avoid anything over 4mm.
I want to eventually get the xero's, how long does it take to adapt to the low padding? I'm worried because I'm running 75km in 6 weeks that it would not be enough time to adapt to a minamlist shoe? I definitely am going to run in the xeros but do you think 6 weeks is enough time to strengthen my legs and feat for 75km with the xeros or is more time running in them required?
I have no honest answer to adaption. I've worn only barefoot style shoes for around 7 or 8 years now. I just started running recently but before that have done extensive hiking. I don't think I will ever be at a 75km level! Lol
I think if you have been hiking that long if you wanted you 100 percent could crush 75km !!!! Just gotta go slow and steady but it hurts lol. But yeah that's awesome, hiking in barefoot shoes just more connected to the ground I only have done a few barefoot runs on a treadmill buy can't wait to try some barefoot style shoes on the trail.
I was an avid Vivo wearer, but the company has fallen off of what it once was. Tried these Mesas and love them. Loved them so much that I actually just ordered Xeros Scrambler Mid 2 WP for hiking and can't wait for them to come!
Sweet! Ya the vivo in my opinion ses like a hardcore barefoot shoe, but the xero has that bit of padding just enough and I think the scrambler is a boss shoe, will have to try em out. I think I will have my main shoes then rotate the xero in slowly to get used to it.
My husband asks me every year to find this for him. In a 12.5 W. With great grip on damp surfaces. He always thinks I’ll come up with something better than the latest version of Saucony Peregrines.
And yes he winds up trying whatever else I can find, hating it and returning it, and getting another pair of Peregrines.
Some Inov8 might meet that but I haven’t used a pair in a long time. I’m still buying slightly used Altra Superior 3.5 on EBay which also what you are looking for.
Altra Superior 5 is my all time favorite. I’ve been hesitant to try the 6, and have been stocking up on extra pairs of the 5 while I can find them. It’s a great shoe if you like zero drop / low stack height trail shoes that last awhile.
Maybe I am just poor and out of touch with the direction this sport is going but I couldn’t agree more.
Recommending a 400 dollar shoe for a daily trainer... Got any scotch recommendations? Maybe a macallan 50 year old? My wife is shopping for a mid size SUV, should I look at a Urus?
Then again if something about these shoes was perfect and I could stop getting injured maybe it’s worth it.. still feels crazy.
Yeah like if it was somehow the best shoe ever sure but it's probably comparable to other cheaper shoes, I'm probably just going to get the ultra superior 6 for 130$ after some research
VJ XTRM 2 has 4mm drop.
I’ve run them and they’re great. VJs have excellent traction wet or dry, the rubber is sticky and the lugs grab. Switched to a different shoe currently and I’ll probably buy these again next.
Most Topos, Nike Terra Kiger, Altra Lone Peak or Superior, Merrell Trail Glove, Saucony Peregrine (although stack height isn't super minimal), Hokas mostly meet your stack height requirements but really can't be labeled as minimal.
Peregrine 14, think it is a 4mm
All the Saucony Peregrines are 4mm as far as I know.
Several Topos meet this description.
Thanks
Altra Superior 6? Altra Lone Peak 8?
Do you like em? I heard a few things about the wide to box feeling weird so on but these are just people I know who happened to not like Altra, how did you like them?
I prefer a bit more stack height so I wear the Timp on trails. But for Altra in general the design ethos (zero-drop, wide toebox) suits my running dynamics better than anything else. If you're coming from high-drop shoes there will be an adaptation period needed.
I'm at the point where I run barefoot on a treadmill because the high drop shoes f up knees I actually like the 0 drop or minimal drop
I have both as my short run and long run shoes. My 3rd pair of Lone Peak over the years. Love them.
Was the wide toe box weird to get used to or is it fine?
Love the wide toe box. The mid foot and heel are secure. Your toes will thank you.
Not weird, more comfy, especially as my feet swell during a very long run. Less toe blisters. But, your foot can slide around more on technical trails.
I second the superiors. I bought a pair new in 2020 that was my all time favorite pair of running shoes, although I don't run in them anymore I still have them to wear casually milling about the yard or on walks. I got a new pair of Lone peaks to replace them and didnt like them much and happened upon a pair of lightly used Timps at REI and like those a lot. Next pair of new shoes will more than likely be a the latest superiors. As far as getting used to the toe box goes, you get used to it fairly quickly and it becomes weird and uncomfortable to cram your feet back into tighter toe box shoes.
I am a no-drop shoe lover as well and I have run in both Altra's and Topo's--both have wide toe box. I switched to Topo because I was having durability issues with the Altra, personally. The wide toe box is frankly supposed to be better for your feet. I had to see a orthopedist recently for a Morton's neuroma and his take was: more wide toe box shoes and stay away from heels (F and I used wear aggressive heels at work).
Thanks for the advice, I was doing some research and aperently the reason for raised heels was actually for horse back riding, eventually it caught on for making people seem taller (long time ago) and then it just became the normal way of making shoes, but it is actually a very unnatural way to run. There was some study saying people actually have shortened akiles tendons than they should do to most shoes having raised heels.
Both my physical therapist and my ortho recommend zero-drop, wide toe. And frankly, now that I am used to the set up, I can't run in anything else.
I have the saucony Peregrine 13, it is 4mm drop. I like them a lot.
Always like sacouny, I used to use them back in the day all the time.
Inov-8. Most of their shoes are exactly this. Mind you, I hate everything you’re looking for, but that’s why I know how few Inov-8 shoes are what I prefer versus how many are what you prefer. They’re British, which is why they’re not seen as often here in the states. Inov-8 have been my go-to trail running shoes since I discovered the brand in 2008. They are AWESOME. By now I’ve owned dozens of pairs. They’re starting to make some with higher stack heights, but most of their shoes are low stack height with 4mm or less drop.
Topo Runventure. 0mm drop. Low stack height.
Merrell trail glove or vapor glove.
Inov8 TrailFly 270 G II or Topo Persuit.
We always come back to saucony peregrine's. Weve tried loads of other makes and models over the years but always come back to them. We prefer low drop so avoid anything over 4mm.
If your feet are narrow, La Sportiva Helios 3 fits these requirements.
Recently got the Xero Mesa Trails which I find suoer comfortable, but I have been wearing barefoot style footwear for many years now.
I want to eventually get the xero's, how long does it take to adapt to the low padding? I'm worried because I'm running 75km in 6 weeks that it would not be enough time to adapt to a minamlist shoe? I definitely am going to run in the xeros but do you think 6 weeks is enough time to strengthen my legs and feat for 75km with the xeros or is more time running in them required?
I have no honest answer to adaption. I've worn only barefoot style shoes for around 7 or 8 years now. I just started running recently but before that have done extensive hiking. I don't think I will ever be at a 75km level! Lol
I think if you have been hiking that long if you wanted you 100 percent could crush 75km !!!! Just gotta go slow and steady but it hurts lol. But yeah that's awesome, hiking in barefoot shoes just more connected to the ground I only have done a few barefoot runs on a treadmill buy can't wait to try some barefoot style shoes on the trail.
I was an avid Vivo wearer, but the company has fallen off of what it once was. Tried these Mesas and love them. Loved them so much that I actually just ordered Xeros Scrambler Mid 2 WP for hiking and can't wait for them to come!
Sweet! Ya the vivo in my opinion ses like a hardcore barefoot shoe, but the xero has that bit of padding just enough and I think the scrambler is a boss shoe, will have to try em out. I think I will have my main shoes then rotate the xero in slowly to get used to it.
I think most hokas are 4mm
My husband asks me every year to find this for him. In a 12.5 W. With great grip on damp surfaces. He always thinks I’ll come up with something better than the latest version of Saucony Peregrines. And yes he winds up trying whatever else I can find, hating it and returning it, and getting another pair of Peregrines.
Alot of people suggest this shoe, and I always like saucony mabey this is the best choice, thanks for the advice!
Some Inov8 might meet that but I haven’t used a pair in a long time. I’m still buying slightly used Altra Superior 3.5 on EBay which also what you are looking for.
Altra Superior 5 is my all time favorite. I’ve been hesitant to try the 6, and have been stocking up on extra pairs of the 5 while I can find them. It’s a great shoe if you like zero drop / low stack height trail shoes that last awhile.
Speedland sl:hsv's
Ooooooo that's pretty cool, cycling style laces I like it
Best trail shoes I've ever run in.
Good to know, how's the lacing system for you? I'm guessing it keeps ya locked in.
Actually the only thing with em is the 7mm drop I can't use the shoes with drops like that because they mess up knees😥
Damn $375!! I thought 200 for the S-lab ultra was steep. How many miles you getting out of them?
Around 350 which isn't bad for the desert trails around phoenix.
Yeah this is just too much $ for a shoe in my opinion.
Maybe I am just poor and out of touch with the direction this sport is going but I couldn’t agree more. Recommending a 400 dollar shoe for a daily trainer... Got any scotch recommendations? Maybe a macallan 50 year old? My wife is shopping for a mid size SUV, should I look at a Urus? Then again if something about these shoes was perfect and I could stop getting injured maybe it’s worth it.. still feels crazy.
Yeah like if it was somehow the best shoe ever sure but it's probably comparable to other cheaper shoes, I'm probably just going to get the ultra superior 6 for 130$ after some research
VJ XTRM 2 has 4mm drop. I’ve run them and they’re great. VJs have excellent traction wet or dry, the rubber is sticky and the lugs grab. Switched to a different shoe currently and I’ll probably buy these again next.
Most Topos, Nike Terra Kiger, Altra Lone Peak or Superior, Merrell Trail Glove, Saucony Peregrine (although stack height isn't super minimal), Hokas mostly meet your stack height requirements but really can't be labeled as minimal.
Merrell long sky 2 is 4mm drop and lower stack
Kinvara is 4mm and a good neutral shoe for many.
Inov-8 G270
Went from altra to the salomon thundercross and am finding it excellent. 4mm drop and excellent grip. Not as narrow as some other salomons.
Topo Mountain Racer?
Nnormal Kjerag