Running, Anyone...?

**phatty** · 08-19-2025, 05:59 PM

Originally Posted by ironhippy

I've been lucky with shoes, as long as they fit they seem to be good to go.My buddy is a gear head and has given me 5 pairs of shoes (in mostly unused condition) over the last few years. He always finds something wrong with them, I just lace 'em up and go.

I'm the same way. Fit wise I've been fine with most everything. Grip is the area where I will move on. Have some Nike Zegama (1st Gen) that fit great and are comfy but don't have enough grip for me.

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**Dantheman** · 08-20-2025, 09:04 AM

I have a super wide foot (Euro 40, EE width) so a lot of shoes are too narrow for me. I don't like tons of stack for scrambling so prefer to keep the stack to 25 mm max. Rock plate is also pretty much mandatory.

My biggest gripe is soles that have strips or dots of rubber with foam in between, as I've found that the foam between the rubber gets shredded and the rubber strips have a habit of tearing off before the lugs wear down. Give me wall-to-wall rubber. Of course, these Merrells I just ordered have exactly that style of sole, but I bought them from REI and am prepared to use that REI return policy if they disintegrate prematurely.

**Dantheman** · 08-20-2025, 09:10 AM

I have a super wide foot (Euro 40, EE width) so a lot of shoes are too narrow for me. I don't like tons of stack for scrambling so prefer to keep the stack to 25 mm max. Rock plate is also pretty much mandatory.

My biggest gripe is soles that have strips or dots of rubber with foam in between, as I've found that the foam between the rubber gets shredded and the rubber strips have a habit of tearing off before the lugs wear down. Give me wall-to-wall rubber. Of course, these Merrells I just ordered have exactly that style of sole, but I bought them from REI and am prepared to use that REI return policy if they disintegrate prematurely.

**Dantheman** · 08-20-2025, 09:21 AM

My penchant for bombing the descents is also pretty hard on shoes period. I'm usually lucky to get 150 miles out of a pair.

**aanev** · 08-20-2025, 09:28 AM

Originally Posted by Dantheman

I have a super wide foot (Euro 40, EE width) so a lot of shoes are too narrow for me.

Are the Merrell MTL Skyfire 2 Matryx actually wide? I was a big fan of the Bare Access (especially the 4s) before they got discontinued. Right now I`m running in Altras - MT King, Lone Peak 6, and Escalante Racer 2 - and I really like the roomy toe box on all of them, with the MT King being the best IMHO.

**muted reborn** · 08-20-2025, 09:50 AM

I've never heard of a rock plate. Does that prevent your feet feeling most or all rocks under it? Is it super stiff? Sometimes the bottom of my feet feel beat up after long pointy rock descents. It doesn't stop me from running but reducing that feeling would be nice.

**stapes** · 08-20-2025, 06:27 PM

Got up to a few local ‘peaks’. I see these both everyday from town. Hadn’t been up one in over 15 years and was the first time on the other. Nice day up high.

**Dantheman** · 08-20-2025, 06:39 PM

Originally Posted by aanev

Are the Merrell MTL Skyfire 2 Matryx actually wide? I was a big fan of the Bare Access (especially the 4s) before they got discontinued. Right now I`m running in Altras - MT King, Lone Peak 6, and Escalante Racer 2 - and I really like the roomy toe box on all of them, with the MT King being the best IMHO.

Merrells generally run on the wide side. Historically it's been brands like Salomon and La Sportiva that are known to run super narrow that have been problematic for me.

I used to have a pair or two of King MTs. I had no idea they brought them back. I stopped buying them because for some reason they seemed tippy and I rolled my ankles more in those than any other shoe I've owned.

I also had a pair or two of Lone Peaks years ago. Can't remember which model, but either the 2 or 3. On sidehills I remember them having poor support, like my foot just wanted slide right off the sole. Since they're up to the 9 now I should maybe revisit them.

Originally Posted by muted reborn

I've never heard of a rock plate. Does that prevent your feet feeling most or all rocks under it? Is it super stiff? Sometimes the bottom of my feet feel beat up after long pointy rock descents. It doesn't stop me from running but reducing that feeling would be nice.

Yes, just what it sounds like, a layer of stiffer material that keeps pointy rocks from penetrating straight to your foot. Stiffness varies between brands. Many retailers have it as a filtering option when you're shopping.