MT-5

You've asked for the holy grail of shoes and you'll find it doesn't exist. Basically there is a spectrum from hiking boots to formal shoes. Some are versatile (I've listed my favorites below) but nothing will cover the whole spectrum. My favorites: \- Topo Athletic MT-5 trail runners in dark grey: Excellent for hiking in all but the most aggressive terrain. My only pair of shoes for a 10-day trip to Switzerland. I wore them with jeans and a wool button down in some fairly nice restaurants, but would have been self-conscious in very upscale establishments. \- Blundstone boots (I have the 550 model): Look good enough for all but the finest restaurants. Adequate outdoors, but you'll wish for a more precise fit if you're in steep or uneven terrain.

3.) If you like the roomy toe box of Alta’s, try some Topo Athletics. I have a wide foot box and narrow heel so liked the basic fit of Altras but the zero drop was not for me. I’ve been running in Topo MT 5 and find they are just about as roomy but with enough drop to keep my mid foot happy. 2.) I’m happy with my cheap INOXTO vest from Amazon. I think it was like 30$ (including the bladder) and sounds like it would match what you are looking for: includes 1.5L bladder. There are 4 pockets in the front. I usually stuff those with snacks and my phone but have also put an extra 300cc silicon water bottle in there without a problem. Plus there is a back pocket which fits a windbreaker. If you hate it, it is Amazon and easily returned. 1.) My go to is English muffin with peanut butter and jelly + banana about 1hr before I get started and the Clif Bloks through the run with plenty of water. Cramping is also a sign you maybe going to hard. Fuel, slow down, drink water, enjoy the ride 🙂 Happy trails✌️

does Saucony make a wide toe box trail shoe? my experience with Peregrines is that they are medium to narrow in the toe. I switched to Topo for the wider box - I love both the MT-5 amd the Terraventure.

I had 3 pairs of superiors shred apart on the upper on both inside and outside just above where it connects to the base of the shoe. Same for 3 pairs of outroads. I've never had a non altra showle do this. They all died at under 250km. I have ~1800 km on a pair of nordas right now, and ~700 and 400 on a couple pairs of Topo mt5s. Ive put over 1000km on each of the last 3 pairs of topo phantoms I have had. I have a pair of timps and they have held up well, and the paradigm 4 was an amazing altra shoe. Altra is absolutely hit and miss and this topic comes up a ton. It isnt and OP thing. Its an altra thing.

Not under 100 bucks but IMHO worth every penny and my joints and back thank me, ToPo brand MT-5 model (5’s just launched a week ago so 4’s might be on sale now). Edit to add Salomon XA Pro 3D’s are my faves too

Love my ToPo mountain racer 5’s! Love ToPo! Phantom model for my daily walkers and gym time

Yes love my new ToPo MT-5’s (mountain racers)

Not sure if they’re trail runners but I made the switch from Hoka Speedgoats and zero drop Altras to Topos with a 5mm drop. The Topos are still going strong on the soles.

Topos are reasonably normal (whatever that means), widely available, wide toe Bos, and low drop shoes.

Try Topos in the wide width. I speak from experience. My feet are EEE width.