It has more protection around the midfoot on its outsole, keeping the shoe from fraying during activities like rope climbing.

It comes with plastic midfoot overlays and a heel collar for extra support during lateral movements, jumping, and rapid acceleration or deceleration. If you believe that your product has arrived faulty or developed a fault within the warranty period, simply fill out the form here. While I can relate to the feedback on the outsole separating from the midsole (it happened to my current XT2 pair, but not to the original XT), this is still, hands-down, the best training shoe out there. Max cushion offers underfoot protection and comfort while our Original FootShape™ Fit gives your feet the space they need to sit naturally. The front of the toes — the spot on shoes that you always stub or use to open doors and kick stuff — is also just regular mesh with no protective reinforcement.For those transitioning into zero-drop shoes and barefoot shoes, I often suggest they explore the Solstice XT 2 because it can somewhat serve as a bridge shoe.

BALANCED CUSHIONING™: Our Balanced Cushioning™ platform positions your heel and forefoot at an equal distance from the ground, encouraging better alignment, better form, and a low impact landing. It’s 2024 and you’re looking for a wider training shoe that will help you transition from traditional running and training shoes to barefoot shoes.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. I have worn more minimal zero drop shoes but I do like the small amount of stack height these shoes offer to give my feet a break. Comfortably combine your gym workouts with short runs-no matter how you break a sweat, the Solstice XT 2 is always up for one more rep. Another drawback to this shoe is its durability for outdoor training when you’re tackling workouts on concrete and asphalt.

Another thing that I like about the Altra Solstice XT 2 is the Innerflex tech throughout the midsole.Most cross-training shoes have toe boxes that taper a fair amount which can leave them feeling tight. Finally, the flex grooves are well-placed to allow natural foot movement in the forefoot while stabilizing the midfoot and heel.

It is sticky on gym mats, concrete, grass, laminated hardwood, and tracks — essentially all the cross-training surfaces. If you prefer to combine sprints and short runs with your gym days and cross-training, the Solstice XT is the shoe for you.The Solstice XT is a rare exception that gives users comfortable, natural foot movement during exercises as wide-ranging as box jumps, Turkish get-ups, ladder drills, and 400m track repeats. The shoe is also lightweight, with a weight of 10 oz, making it easy to wear for extended periods of time. Slim Fit: The slimmest-fitting Altra option still allows room for your toes to spread out naturally. They’re not really limitations, just restrictions on who will have a good experience with the Solstice XT.