Altra Men's AL0A546V Solstice XT 2 Cross Training Shoe

Product Information

Even the laces are thoughtfully constructed with an added foam layer on the tongue to allow for more secure tying without the ‘lace bite’. The heel and collar also feature padding that acts as a buffer, reducing the likelihood of blisters and hotspots. They breathe well and are lightweight which also helps increase their ability to perform in HIIT, class, and running contexts. This is one of the better, if not the best, shoes on the market for this style of training for wider-footed athletes. These are also solid shoes for walking and standing for long periods of time. Altra Solstice XT 2 Cons Third, the wide “foot-shaped” toe box, as opposed to most training shoes , is extremely comfortable. However, it may feel loose or sloppy for those with narrow feet or those who enjoy foot bindings. That said, if none of those caveats apply to you, please keep reading. In the context of walking and standing all day for work, this model is comfortable and has become one of my go-to’s for walking the dogs, doing housework, and wearing for work. I like the low-profile Balanced Cushioning in this model and high-abrasion EVA foam does a good job of providing you with a comfortable ride. Altra Solstice XT 2 Sizing Everyday casual use is probably the best way to wear barefoot shoes! This will help you to build up neglected muscles and proprioception (body awareness) in your feet and lower legs. When you wear a sport-specific shoe like basketball sneakers, climbing shoes, or heel-elevated shoes for squatting, you'll still experience benefits from all the hours you spent in your minimalists! How often should I wear barefoot shoes?

Altra started out as a trail-running brand, but has expanded into the road-running world in the last few years, as well as hiking-oriented footwear. Nike’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. The upper feels race-ready. It’s a thin fabric in most places, and reminds me a bit of the Brooks Hyperion. Unlike the Brooks Hyperion, the fabric on the upper of the Solstice has a seam at the base of the tongue to change materials. Given how much I have already described the sole design in the intro paragraphs, I could possibly skip this sole section! But I won’t, since I actually have even more to say. Its wide “foot-shaped” toe box allows metatarsals to spread and toes to engage while performing fully.The first thing to like about the Altra Solstice XT 2 is their Footshape feature. Altra uses a proprietary feature in pretty much all of their running and training shoes called Footshape. Essentially, it’s a feature that replicates the anatomy of the foot to provide a more comfortable and seamless fit in shoes. 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).

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. What is frustrating is that Altra knew this would reduce the durability of the shoe and they did add a tiny patch of rubber, but only on the heel, and not on the toe where most other shoe manufacturers dab a bit of rubber toAltra maintains one of the most devoted followings in the minimalist market, but for years, their durability was questionable. Their newer models are up to the challenge of putting in serious miles. What We Like Those who are more weightlifting-oriented and less running-oriented will probably prefer a lower, firmer midsole to stabilize their feet while under heavy loads. 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. The upper works well. It’s breathable and lightweight yet very supportive during dynamic cross-training movements.

These three advantages just can’t be found altogether in competing shoes in the market. So, for anyone doing cross-training that involves basic lifting, plyometrics, running, and more, then the Solstice XT will be an excellent choice. The Solstice XT has a low-level midsole that provides a stable platform when lifting. It also allows a balanced foot position for dynamic movements that require a lot of coordination and precision foot placement.However, if you’re not wedded to zero drop and don’t mind a narrower toe box, then there could be some preferable options to the Solstice XT. The Inov-8 F-Lite 235 is lighter than the Solstice XT. It has more protection around the midfoot on its outsole, keeping the shoe from fraying during activities like rope climbing. 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.