As a result of this “toe freedom”, you may feel the need to clamp down on the laces. Be careful, you might over do it. I’ll get into the lacing system in the upper section later. The Altra Solstice XT 2’s performance for lifting is okay. This model doesn’t have mind-blowing stability, however, I do like this shoe for lighter and moderate loads. I’ve squatted up to 315 lbs and deadlifted up to 455 lbs in this shoe and I’d suggest using these numbers as baseline thresholds for stability. Once I hit these numbers, I started to notice a little compression in this model’s midsole. Best Barefoot Trail Shoes: Vivobarefoot Primus Trail Weather - Men | Vivobarefoot Primus Trail Weather - Women That said, I did put the Solstice XT through agility drills, sprinting, plyometrics, jumping, and other exercises that put a lot of lateral stress on the upper. I can report that it holds up perfectly well in these conditions.

This leaves altra in a unique market, where every sub category of shoes that they make with this zero drop, wide toe box platform have no competitors. You might find that exchanging the laces for something with a bit more stretch works for you as the standard laces don’t flex around. Regarding the second limitation, if you’re looking for a genuine running shoe , keep shopping around.This gives a somewhat clamped in feeling (not as bad as some of the Adidas Ultra Boost shoes), where you gotta go for a few runs to decide if this shoe is right for you. It's also worth mentioning that wider feet might find the seams along the front of the lacing across the midfoot a bit annoying, but some runners appreciated the overall snugness of the midfoot. It's a decent way to keep the upper responsive and affixed while allowing the toe box to be so open. For the Altra Solstice XT 2, you should be safe going true-to-size. This model’s length fits true-to-size and they have ample width in the toe box for neutral and wider feet. Maybe because these have their roots on river trips, they are also surprisingly tough and long-lasting, especially considering how light and flexible they are. In a pinch, you could also go for a run and/or lift in them (within reason). What We Like Ask questions, try on multiple models and sizes, and keep an exploratory state of mind. Five years from now, you might be wearing a very different barefoot shoe than your first one. That's OK!

The sole is made of EVA foam, which does the job at being a foam for running shoes. I know that was a pretty bland way of describing the foam, but that’s how it sits within the shoe market. First, those with limited lower leg mobility may have issues because of the shoe’s zero drop. It would be better to opt for a shoe with a more traditional heel elevation (see some ideas in “The Competition” section below). To the first limitation, if you’re going to be doing activities that require a lot of foot protection and abrasion resistance—like rope climbing—a shoe with a more robust upper will be preferable (I’m looking at you OCR crowd). Time spent obsessing over shoe weight is usually wasted time. All of the models in our guide are lightweight enough that they'll feel like nothing at all compared to a traditional hiking boot or shoe. That said, descriptors like "barefoot" and "minimalist" might make you think that lighter is always better, but that's not the case. When you're starting out, don't be afraid to go with something a little tougher, like a hiking model. MaterialsNike’s React foam, Saucony’s EVERUN foam, Adidas’ Boost Foam, and many other specialty foams stand above regular EVA, which is why Altra isn’t tooting their horn that the Solstice has EVA foam. Thanks to Rope-Tec, you can cruise through rope climbs courtesy of blade-like grooves along the sides of the shoe that grip the rope for support, even on tough climbs. Other specs include a lightweight upper that prevents sweaty feet from stinking up your workout, and elongated rubber padding at the front of the shoe is positioned to protect your toes through difficult movements. All of their women’s shoes also feature the brand’s “Fit4Her” design, which essentially means that they modify the fit of the shoe to accommodate the slightly different shape of women’s feet. In the context of CrossFit, this shoe can technically work for some more casual CrossFit sessions, but as a whole, I think you’ll be capped with this shoe’s performance. Its durability isn’t going to be the best for things like rope climbs, and again, their stability may be an issue for this style of training.

Its wide “foot-shaped” toe box allows metatarsals to spread and toes to engage while performing fully. However, if you’re a hardcore lifter, doing mostly running, or needing a lot of protection for rope climbing, then look for another shoe (see some suggestions in “the Competition” section below). For their comfort and versatility, you're going to be hard-pressed to find another shoe at this value. They're not cheap, but they're reasonably priced for all they offer. Conclusion The most important priority to keep in mind is that a barefoot shoe feels like it fits your foot. Nobody else's! Online barefoot pundits tend to talk in hyperbole, but ultimately, this is about feeling good, helping you do the things you love, and building up your body's weak links. So, if you’re a cross-fitter doing a lot of work on ropes or an OCR racer, then a shoe with a more robust upper might be preferable (see some ideas in “The Competition” section below).

What to Look for in Barefoot Shoes

I should also mention a couple of other caveats. They’re not really limitations, just restrictions on who will have a good experience with the Solstice XT. The Solstice leans more towards a daily trainer than a racer, but doesn’t have all the signs of a daily trainer like a high durability outsole or a reinforced heel counter. The upper’s mesh is breathable to keep your feet from overheating, while the outsole is lined with grooves that allow the shoe to bend with your foot and provide excellent grip on indoor surfaces. Since debuting their first shoe in 2011, Altra has gained popularity with both trail and road runners of all levels. The brand now offers shoes with a wide variety of cushioning, support, and traction.