Our FootShape™ toe box, Balanced Cushioning and Fit4Her™ technology work together with the full rubber outsole for better fit and performance.

The soles have come apart from the sides, so when you're on the leg press, for example, your feet will start to slide even more because of this. It also allows a balanced foot position for dynamic movements that require a lot of coordination and precision foot placement. He’s been formally reviewing shoes and training gear for over 7 years and has hand-tested over 300 pairs of shoes. I like the low-profile Balanced Cushioning in this model and high-abrasion EVA foam does a good job of providing you with a comfortable ride.I figured "whatever I'll just deal with that annoyance" but it was raining one day when I left the gym, and because the soles have come apart, water pits in through the bott of the shoe. The center portion of the sole is exposed, which could be a little unpleasant if you catch a hard stick or sharp stone.

The only concern I have with this model and running is that if you train outdoors and you’re running through mud or wet surfaces, then be very conscious of this shoe’s midsole and outsole durability. For those who like having natural posture and good feet and ankle articulation, the Solstice XT beats others with its unique features — having a “foot-shaped” toe box and a zero drop . Firmer caged upper - engineered mesh provides lightweight, breathable comfort, while a liquid rubber cage increases durability around the heel and midfoot, and toe reinforcements enhance toe protection. The shoe is also lightweight, with a weight of 10 oz, making it easy to wear for extended periods of time. The entire toebox is just mesh, allowing all sorts of air (and water) into the shoe to cool your feet off and pull out moisture (again, unless it's wet out).That confers more protection against both abrasion and the sort of degradation that would come from constantly being stretched and flexed. Generally, however, those of us with longer second and/or third toes will not fit as easily into them. One thing to note about the sizing of the Solstice XT 2 is that they don’t come in half sizes for 13, 14, 15. Still, I could imagine that the upper’s lightweight, the breathable fabric would get quickly eroded if experiencing direct friction. This makes it not ideal for running on surfaces other than soft grass or maybe tiny bursts on mats or the track.

Acceptance of the VF Employee Discount policy is required to receive the discount on your purchases. Depending on the manufacturer, nature of fault and time of year, warranty claims can take 1-4 weeks to resolve. If you prefer to combine sprints and short runs with your gym days and cross-training, the Solstice XT is the shoe for you.

So, for anyone doing cross-training that involves basic lifting, plyometrics, running, and more, then the Solstice XT will be an excellent choice. Finally, the flex grooves are well-placed to allow natural foot movement in the forefoot while stabilizing the midfoot and heel. Altra’s unique FootShape™ toe box and Balanced Cushioning™ platform create a natural fit that follows the shape of your foot, instead of squeezing your toes and raising your heel.