TRAILFLY

Interesting that you don’t like the trailtalons for longer distances. I’m running in a pair now. I’ve used the trialfly over 50+km but I hear you on the energy return issue. To deal with that problem earlier this year I switched to Trailfly max for a 125km in the Pyrenees, they were a disaster (I’d rather stick to the regular trailflys). That said they do a trailtalon max version and if you are one of the many who do get on with them, those might be a great option for you.

I’d suggest inov8 Trailfly . I’m on my 3rd pair and I find them perfect. They recently redesigned their last placing a specific emphasis on brining in a much wider toe box. Lug dept is 4mm and offset is 6mm. Great for dry trails. If you live in an area where it gets wet and muddy in the winter then you could go for the trailtalons, basically the same shoe but with a 6mm lug - same offset. Much better in the mud. Because of the deeper lugs they take (in my experience) about 50k for the outsole to wear in, but I’m finding them great now. Good luck.

Interesting that you don’t like the trailtalons for longer distances. I’m running in a pair now. I’ve used the trialfly over 50+km but I hear you on the energy return issue. To deal with that problem earlier this year I switched to Trailfly max for a 125km in the Pyrenees, they were a disaster (I’d rather stick to the regular trailflys). That said they do a trailtalon max version and if you are one of the many who do get on with them, those might be a great option for you.

Inov-8 Trail Flys are cracking shoe from a UK brand. They have a natural (aka wide toebox, slim heel) foot shape and come in two widths, very breathable upper with TPU round the edges which I find helps keep puddle splashes out, and a durable outsole (none of this exposed midsole nonsense you see on Altras). [https://www.inov8.com/trailfly-mens-trail-running-shoes](https://www.inov8.com/trailfly-mens-trail-running-shoes)

I love the V1 and have hiked everywhere from Glencoe to Death Valley in mine. Durability is excellent as there's a decent outsole and the overlays on the upper provide toe protection and mean they don't get soaked the moment you step in a puddle. Fit-wise I wish they were a little more snug around the heel but love the generous toe box. Another favourite shoe of mine is the Altra Superior - noting that the Trailfly's are not zero drop and have bigger stack height. The fit is similar if a little more snug in forefoot on the Altra.

I run a lot of trails in various shoes but I actually use my Trailfly V1s for walking and the gym so might be in a good place to answer this. They're a great everyday shoe, and fit brilliantly. I've had them up some relatively technical trails in Italy at speed too so confirm they work there.

Long reply here but I understand this quite niche problem all too well. I have a bunion in the same place on left foot but actually have skinny midfoot so always struggle to get a lockdown in 'wide' shoes. The Inov8 Trailfly and their new range works well here. I'd actually go for the standard fit over wide as the toe box is already foot shaped. The width I think is in the midfoot. For example, I have a pair of precision fit Mudtalons and get a super snug midfoot lockdown but the toebox still lets my foot spread. The problem you actually have is that a lot of 'wide toe box' shoes still carry that super straight line on the inside of the foot which obviously doesn't work. Even the Prodigio Pro mentioned is quite accommodating but suffers from this to a degree as the bunion pushes the mesh out and can become uncomfortable by forcing your foot or all toes away to the side. Salomon shoes are quite bad for this, even though I suck it up and wear them as the midfoot just suits my feet. The Trailfy is the comfiest shoe I've worn in years, and I've even cleaned mine up and now wear them for walking around daily and the gym. They do a Trailtalon too if you need more softground grip, plus a road shoe. Edit to add: if anything like me, mine is just on the one foot so if I buy wide shoes, the other is super sloppy. This is why a better shape toe box works better than a wide fitting shoe in my opinion.

The old Inov8 Trailfly G300 were perfect for this. They’ve been replaced with the new Trailfly but they have nowhere near as much cushion now and the max version with extra cushioning is a huge stack height so makes me prone to a rolled ankle. GYX shoes in my opinion aren’t great in the UK, bogs go in the top and you end up with your feet swimming because the water can’t get out. I much prefer a well draining shoe and a good pair of merino socks so you don’t get blisters My first trail she were the brooks cascadia which I’d I would recommend as a first trail shoe tbh. But for once you start doing more bogs/ deep mud/ grass etc they’re not great so are definitely a beginner trail shoe/ dry trail shoe (dry trail is hard to come by in winter though!)

I have a pair of Tomir 2 that I've stopped running with, they are too narrow for me. They are size UK 11, which is EU 46? Get blisters and my forefoot feels cramped. For reference, Inov8 Trailfly (V1) fits me perfectly at 45,5. Rebel Fuelcell V2 at 46. So I also get the impression that the Tomir 2 is just a bit narrow. But the grip is sooo good. I use them for scrambling etc.