I also recently switched to Speedgoat 3s and have loved them although the upper is falling apart quicker than I was hoping.
+1 on the hoka slides
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On a number of recommendations from this thread, I tried some Topo Athletic runners. I was looking for a road biased shoes with good cushioning, some drop, and a wide forefoot to accommodate a tailor's bunion on one foot. I tried the Ultrafly 2 in 11.5 (my normal size) and the Phantom in 12 after the Ultrafly 2 had proven just a bit short.
I never ran in them, but I couldn't get them to work for me. The footbox was wide, but it really widened up a bit late for the extra room I need for my specific feet and it seemed to me that more of the extra room was on the inside than outside of the foot. I really wanted to love these, but the fit wasn't quite right, so I never really tried them outside the house.
I ended up with a pair of New Balance Fresh Foam Beacons in 11.5 EE. So far so good. I like the stretchy upper and while I don't need the width in the back, I think that it will be fine unless I'm on really steep stuff. I've now done 3-4 short runs (all my runs are pretty short) mixing asphalt, dirt paths, and some singletrack and they've been working well.
First run out on Xodus ISO 3. 7.5mi and 3K of elevation with snow from the trailhead. Reviews are correct that they are heavy, but grip on the trail and on snow was insane. Was hoping they would be a little more plush, but it was 32*, so not really surprised they were firm. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...10f870899e.jpg
That's pretty sweet (for running stoke anyway ;-)
My arthritic toe (too many years wrestling) is getting worse. It has been stiff for a decade. Now it hurts like hell. Probably getting a cortisone shot in a couple weeks. Thinking a shoe with a stiffer sole or stiffer insole is worth a try because that toe dislikes bending.
Anyone else deal with this? Recommendations for a trail shoe that is stiffer fore-aft with a narrower heel and widish toe box? My recent go-tos have been Hoka Torrents and Saucony Peregrines, but they are pretty flexy. Just started using wide Peregrines which are a bit loose in the heel, but I think the added toe room helps
Or should I try a stiffer insole designed for aging, crumbling bodies? I'm seeing an orthopedist. Should I hit up a podiatrist too and get outfitted with footbeds for running?
I use a salewa hiking shoe with carbon fiber inserts, pretty good. The trick is to find one where the heel will not lift up.
For hiking, nothing beats a mountaineering boot made to accept crampons, stiff sole and rockered
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A couple thoughts:
1. Scarpa Spin Ultra. My jam, been through ~20 pairs. Stiff foam limits the flex (I care more about pronation control vs. fore-aft flex but it's definitely not a flexy shoe). It's not rock hard though.
2. Scott Trail Shoes. I tried one (Supertrac RC 2, I think?) and it was STUPID stiff. I like a stiff shoe and it was too much. If you can try Scott on, consider this the nuclear option. I'm not 100% sure on the model but think it was that one.
3. The new batch of carbon shoes.. some aren't stupid expensive. I use the Asics Magic Speed 3 as a road shoe and it's quite stiff. It's also rockered which I'm not sure would be good or bad for you. Consider rocker the wildcard. It helps with that tip-over and might mean less toe tweakage... but it might be even worse since it forces you into a certain forefoot form? Worth considering, not sure what you've tried like that.
In general, I would say they run a half size small but EU vs. US sizing can be all over the map. I'm 45.5 aka 11 2/3 in Scarpa. 11 in Adidas, 11 in Asics (Magic Speed being exception with their race fit.. 11.5 there), 45 aka 11.5 in La Sportiva Kaptiva. With the Euro brands maybe reference your EU size in familiar shoes and shoot a half size up?