Wide/Zero Drop Shoe Options

Bought that shoe last summer. They are not particularly wide but are comfortable. The midsole is an old style EVA that was pretty much dead after a month of normal wear. They haven't come apart, but I only wear them walking around now. I wouldn't chose them again for hiking or trail running.

If it helps any, Inov8 is supposed to be coming out with a "wide toe box" version of the X-Talon 212's…

Thank Chad but I doubt that will work. For reference I bought the "wide" version of the New Balance Minimus V2 Trail Shoe and right now I think I will send them back.

I went ahead and ordered those Topo Athletic shoes because they were on sale at REI. I'll report back after spring break on how they compare to Altras.

Were the V2's not wide enough for you?

I look forward to your thoughts on the Topo shoes Luke. Until Altra ungrades the rubber and tread I can't see myself buying another pair of their shoes.

The new LaSportiva Helios SR might be my next purchase. But wide for Sportiva is probably not very wide.

I'm looking forward to Topo MT comments as well. My Inov-8 235's have 1500 miles on them and are badly due for replacement. I like the 235's but a more durable upper would be nice, so maybe I'll gamble on the MT's.

In the review below, the MT looks to have quite a bit more toe box than the 235, although I've been happy with the 235.
http://runblogger.com/2014/01/topo-mt-mountain-trainer-review-a-non-tabi-topo-trail-shoe.html

Justin – Yeah the V2s are a bit tight on my small toe. My problem is a have square feet so shoes with pointy ends don't work well for me.

Dan if you can wear Innov8s then the New Balance V2 or La Sportiva Anakonda might fit you well. I really liked the La Sportiva Xcountry (early version of the Anakonad). The only issue was they were a bit tight for me.

I'm about to leave for spring break so I won't get to see the shoes until sometime after the 14th but I'll try and give you guys a comparison as quickly as a I can. I can at least compare the fit to that of the Lone Peak 1.5s. If they fit okay I don't see any reason not to keep them and try them out.

If the Topos are a bust I'll probably go back to the Merrell Trail Gloves. They have fragile uppers like the Lone Peaks and they are a bit thinner. However the bottom rubber is better.

"Until Altra ungrades the rubber and tread I can't see myself buying another pair of their shoes. "

What shoes didn't you like? On the PCT I averaged about 700 miles on my altra lone peak 1.5's. Im still using the last pair I had with about 400 miles on them, they're getting pretty worn down, so they make a great road shoes, ha!

Thanks Luke. Appreciated.

The rubber on the Lone Peak 1.5s somehow manages to be both not durable and not sticky. Usually you can expect at least one.

I am breaking in a pair of Topo MT's right now, and am planning on starting my PCT thru hike in them, so I'll keep you posted on how they do.

I like them so far, but wish they had more cushion. Hope my feet get used to it…

I've tried on the trail glove 3's. They are thicker and stiffer than the old trail gloves. That's good or bad depending on your preference. They also had a noticeable arch bump for me.

I order size 9.5 and size 10 in the Topos. I now have the 10s but not yet the 9.5s. I would say the fit is similar to the Lone Peaks but a bit narrower. I think they will work for most people though.
The sole feels sort of like vibrum rubber. Time will tell how it compares to the Lone Peaks but anything short of Cinderella's glass slipper should be an improvement there.
The upper has good looking rubber overlays but they are very thin, the mesh on top is actually thinner then that on the Lone Peaks. So time will tell which upper is stronger.
I really want the V2s to work because they feel the most durable and have the most aggressive tread. But I still wish they were wider.

Edit – It appears Merrell has discontinued the Ascend Glove and replace it with the Bare Access Trail which is more or less the same shoe just a bit thicker. Might be a good time to snag a "for sale" set of Ascend Gloves. They don't last super long but I did like the traction a lot.

I bought a pair of the Topo Athletic MTs back at Christmas for a very good price. I then used them only for around town because as you know once you've worn them on a trail they are then dedicated to that use. I really like they way they fit (basic D width) and good toe box where your toes can move without being constricted. Well, I finally took them out last weekend on a very tough hike (for me) and again today (Saturday). I can say I like them allot. They have good traction in dry conditions on dirt, rock, etc. After all the use, the rubber looks very good. My reference is the Salomon Comp XA line. I've had the XA 5 and the XA 7 mesh shoe. Those are both wider then the MT and they are very solid stable shoes. There is little downside to the MT; it maybe squirms a bit more on foot, but for me, not uncomfortably so and I do appreciate the lack of drop. I like the fact that they shed some serious weight over the Salomon's too. I only hike 100 to 150 miles a year, so take that into account. I am trying to decide if they will go on my next Sierra's trip or if I will use my Salomon's. Hope this helps.

I have been running in the Topo women's road shoe for a couple of months (REI dividend!) and like them very well–a really nice fit. It has a very squared off roomy toe. Coming from the Merrell Road Glove, I think these seem relatively cushy! I have a pair of the Topo trail shoe in the mail (they have steal-of-a-deal pricing through STP) and a pair for my husband, too. Will see how those work out. I'm used to a Trail Glove, so am not worried that these will be too minimalist.