MT Series

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.

Im a former altra guy. Topo is it for me. Fully worth a try. I also like the norda 002, but they are not quiiiiiite as wide, but I have ~1800 k on my first pair, and 600+ on my second pair.

That's weird. My terraventure 2 lasted 1000+ kilometers, mtn Racer 2 ~900km and also had the mt-5 that also lasted for 700km or so. I currently have the mtn Racer 4 and no issues so far (although they only have 100km)

Hey guys, I really like my Topo MT-4 (which are most similar to the Trail venture 4 now) they have 25-22mm stack. I am looking at getting another Topo that has a bit more cushion for longer runs. I usually do around 8-12kms but I may look at doing a 50km soon. What model should I go with? I live in Interior BC so there's a lot of steep rocky stuff, packed dirt and not much mud at all. I'm between the Pursuit 2, MTN Racer 4, and the Ultra venture 4.

Yeah I immediately swapped my insoles in the MT4\terraventure to a cork sole and they have been great. The original insole had my foot sliding all over the place and stayed wet for ages. I'm on the fence about just getting a fresh set of terraventures. They felt quite good in the store when I tried em on.

Everyones feet are different. I tried Altras, then womans topos both of which have a big toe box for my wide feet. Both of them were not good for my toenails. So I ended up a size bigger in mens topos. My feet are now happy. It's an expensive trial and error but shoes that fit you are essential. I also went to a running store to get an idea of their suggestions. The place I went to had a one month return policy. If you are in the states, I'd suggest getting a membership at REI. They have a return policy of up to a year if the shoe doesn't fit.

Everyones feet are different. I tried Altras, then womans topos both of which have a big toe box for my wide feet. Both of them were not good for my toenails. So I ended up a size bigger in mens topos. My feet are now happy. It's an expensive trial and error but shoes that fit you are essential. I also went to a running store to get an idea of their suggestions. The place I went to had a one month return policy. If you are in the states, I'd suggest getting a membership at REI. They have a return policy of up to a year if the shoe doesn't fit.

I had the same problem and ended up with sized up mens topos (I'm a woman). I suggest trying out REI if you're in the states because if you are a member, you can buy a pair and have up to a year to return them for something different. edit to add I tried the Altra LPs and my toenail almost fell off (probably should have sized up tbh but this was before I knew about REI)