The F-Lite also has a firmer foam in its midsole, making it better for heavy lifting (although a little clunkier for running). The only recourse you have to improve heel fit is by tightening the laces, which will produce this cage discomfort. The first drawback is that this shoe is not going to be your best bet for heavy lifting and serious CrossFit workouts. With their flatter construction and low cushion, you get a nice blend of stability and versatility for different styles of training.

However, if you’re not that into this shoe and you want to save a little money, then you can certainly find more budget-friendly cross-training shoes. I wanted to start a warranty claim, but I was so annoyed by the process that I just gave up - also I do not want another pair of these.This weekend I played tennis, soccer, hiked, and walked around SF in these shoes and loved every minute. The problem doesn't happen to all runners, though, and if you're not the sort who likes to be locked-down, you're unlikely to run into this issue. You can access, rectify and delete your data, as well as exercise other rights by consulting the additional and detailed information on data protection in our Privacy Policy. 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.

Anyway, I wonder if Pavel would have added the Solstice XT to his list of shoes if he uttered those words in 2020 instead of 2006. The caged upper is firmer than the previous model, and the toe reinforcement promotes toe protection.I have worn this shoe for 4 months about 5 days per week and I am a PE teacher so I am actively on my feet. It’s the ultimate cross-trainer, built for all your workout needs and ready to get out on the road for a run. Most cross-training shoes have toe boxes that taper a fair amount which can leave them feeling tight.

The Altra Solstice XT 2 is not going to be the best cross-training shoe for maxing out your lifts or for CrossFit.To keep the shoe responsive and supportive, they added the cage over the midfoot, which is slightly tight. I've purchased several pairs and have used the Solstice for the past four-five years, mostly in the gym. The landing platform is quite wide, so your toes can splay out, and there's no knuckle/metatarsal-grinding with the toes. I have had three pairs (previous two lasted about 18 months) and the newest pair that I purchased back in August 2023, the black part of the sole is separating from the white midsole.

Third, the wide “foot-shaped” toe box, as opposed to most training shoes , is extremely comfortable. The only caveat is that the external support structure, the cage, can rub a bit if it's tied too tight at the far end near the forefoot. I think this shoe will work really for anyone that will be using them for more recreational lifting.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. It's certainly not like a big Brooks shoe with expansion joints and buttressing and all of the other things that go into snapping your foot back into position.