Stiff and wide…

Yeah it's a shoe thread, but it's for trail runners!  

I'm looking for a trial runner or low cut hiking shoe with a wide toe box and stiff shank / foot bed. I've tried the Ultra's but they're just too soft. 

Any of you have any recommendations?

Which Altras did you try?

Might wanna check out the las sportiva x2

Not a runner, but the 5.10 Camp Four has a pretty darn stiff sole, moreso than a lot of the other similar-looking shoes (e.g. low-top Merrells).   While marketed as an approach shoe, I think it is basically a durable "light hiker" that is quite stiff for a low-top.

ze dirtbag wrote:

Which Altras did you try?

Lone Peak 3.0

Lewis H wrote:

Might wanna check out the las sportiva x2

I've tried La Sportiva's before, they're way too narrow for my feet. 

The trail Altras come with a rock guard insert that makes the sole stiffer. Have you tried that?

So I have the Lone Peaks, don't they have the stone guard built in or is this a separate insole?

Tried a pair of the Altra Superiors,.. they actually fit my slightly wide forefoot and didn't want to slide off my narrow heel!  BUT,... two major issues were that dumb paddle off the back of the soles did nothing but flick mud all over the back of my legs and after only three runs one lug started tearing off one of the soles of the shoes!  Back to REI they went!  

Tried the REI exclusive Sportiva trail shoe (can't recall the name.."Askyra" maybe??),.. felt good,..until about my 4-5th miles, then toe pain in both shoes.  Not the greatest at all if it only takes 4-5 miles for pain to set in!  They're goin back!  Totally bummed.  Trying to find a pair that serves my needs is very needle in haystack at this point.

Maybe try the Brooks Cascadias. They are wide, with a medium amount of stiffness.

Chad Miller wrote:

So I have the Lone Peaks, don't they have the stone guard built in or is this a separate insole?

Mine came with a separate gray plastic footbed insert. 

Salomon XA Pro are very stiff. This is my go-to hiking shoe, but I do not trailrun in them due to the weight, but for hiking they are great. 

Also, the Montrail, (Columbia), Mountain Masochist. A wide forefoot, but not as stiff of a midsole as the Salomon, but still decent.