Altra Men's AL0A546V Solstice XT 2 Cross Training Shoe

Product Information

Ask questions, try on multiple models and sizes, and keep an exploratory state of mind. Five years from now, you might be wearing a very different barefoot shoe than your first one. That's OK! This could be your favorite gym shoe right out of the box, but it's equally at home for daily wear, walking, and all manner of sports. It might be just the shoe to convince you that barefoot shoes are, in fact, real shoes—and ones that are really worth wearing day in and day out. What We Like

For the Altra Solstice XT 2, you should be safe going true-to-size. This model’s length fits true-to-size and they have ample width in the toe box for neutral and wider feet. Should you find that your foot is not configured for the Altra shape, there are a few good alternatives. The On Clouds have a more sculpted feel, and the sole is a very different design, but the performance is comparable - maybe a bit more sinking on the landing. If the overall design of the Solstice is appealing, and you'd like a sleek, speedy shoe without the toebox concern, take a look at the Brooks PureFlow 7. It feels a little bulkier because it has more padding, both in the collar and the midsole, but it is still super fast and won't disappoint. WeightWhen it comes to CrossFit, the Altra Solstice XT 2 will be capped in two different areas. First, their durability isn’t the best for this style of training since they don’t have features to prevent breakdown from things like rope climbs. Second, as mentioned above, the stability in this model could be problematic for those that will be training heavily in their CrossFit sessions. Altra Solstice XT 2 for HIIT Workouts, Plyometrics, and Versatile 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 to Any barefoot shoe can be a great walking shoe, but the Altra Solstice is a particularly solid fit for someone who prioritizes walking as their primary form of fitness or commuting. It's also a likely fit for nurses, food service staff, and anyone who puts in long hours on their feet. The traction is as good as any shoe out there, the upper is luxurious and form-fitting, and the feeling of the "cushioning" underfoot is firm, but still substantial enough that it will bear the brunt rather than your tootsies having to. What We Like Best Slip-On Barefoot Shoes: Vivobarefoot Opanka Leather Shoes - Men | Vivobarefoot Opanka Leather Shoes - Women 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.To the first limitation, if you’re going to be doing activities that require a lot of foot protection and abrasion resistance—like rope climbing—a shoe with a more robust upper will be preferable (I’m looking at you OCR crowd). As part of Reebok’s [Ree]cycled initiative, at least 30% of the Nano X3 is constructed from recycled or repurposed materials. Choose from a range of color options. However, if you’re a hardcore lifter, doing mostly running, or needing a lot of protection for rope climbing, then look for another shoe (see some suggestions in “the Competition” section below). So, if you’re a cross-fitter doing a lot of work on ropes or an OCR racer, then a shoe with a more robust upper might be preferable (see some ideas in “The Competition” section below).

Compared to the running version of the Altra Solstice, the Solstice XT’s upper is relatively well-structured. It comes with plastic midfoot overlays and a heel collar for extra support during lateral movements, jumping, and rapid acceleration or deceleration. 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?

Triathlon

A soft and durable upper is made from Flexweave knitthat allows your foot to move and breathe when it needs to (toes included during flexing exercises), yet it remains solid during weight-centric movements. Plus, Floatride Energy Foam gives the shoe its lightness, but it also acts as a soft cushion for heavier landings, which means this shoe is suitable for short-distance runs. 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. They're tough enough to last multiple seasons, but more importantly, are also soft enough to make blisters and hotspots things of the past. This is a well-designed tool for specific conditions, and also for enjoying a beer after you pull into port. What We Like This model has exposed midsole laters in the forefoot and midfoot, which isn’t a problem in most settings. However, on concrete and asphalt, if you’re cutting or digging your feet into the ground, then you may run into some issues with the outsole peeling away from the midsole in this model. Performance Second, the shoe has no arch support. Those with excessive pronation or other stability issues might look for more stable options.

So, if you’re powerlifting, where planting and a solid base is critical, look for another shoe. That is, unless you like sinking into a sponge every time you grip a barbell. This gives a somewhat clamped in feeling (not as bad as some of the Adidas Ultra Boost shoes), where you gotta go for a few runs to decide if this shoe is right for you. The Metcon and Nanos are both heavier than the Solstice XT and the F-Lite 235. They also both have really high heels and snug toe boxes that feel unnatural and obstruct lower leg biomechanics. Conclusion Maybe because these have their roots on river trips, they are also surprisingly tough and long-lasting, especially considering how light and flexible they are. In a pinch, you could also go for a run and/or lift in them (within reason). What We Like While it’s not a CrossFit shoe per se, the Altra Solstice XT 2 hits the mark for casual CrossFit goers who are moderate lifters but still enjoy longer runs. As a ‘low-to-the-ground’ shoe infused with innovative technological features, it provides a great platform for stability when performing light to intermediate lifts and intense cardio workouts.

Running Events

It's also worth mentioning that wider feet might find the seams along the front of the lacing across the midfoot a bit annoying, but some runners appreciated the overall snugness of the midfoot. It's a decent way to keep the upper responsive and affixed while allowing the toe box to be so open. 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. Another aspect to the upper that stands out is the offset stitching that runs behind the heel and down the laces. This stitching holds in a puff of extra foam around the cuff of the heel and reinforces the top of the lace area. Adidas’Dropset Trainer is promoted as a versatile training shoe for a variety of workouts, including strength training and cardio. The shoe has a dual-density EVA midsole that blends cushioning at the forefoot for comfort with firmer foam at the heel to bolster your lifts. 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.