Flat wide feet in Speedcross?? Blasphemy!
Ok, so I bought these, so no free chicken here. I have size 11, wide / flat feet with a tendency to roll ankles & experience the dreaded guitar-string arch-fall. This has occurred my whole life, mind you. I’ve struggled to find good shoes / hiking boots.A few years back I grabbed a set of these on a whim (ok, desperation) after my Asolo GTX hiking boots rubbed my heels raw for the umpteenth time (also, did I mention I have Achilles bone spurs? They’re on my heel bone & curve to poke my Achilles tendon—convenient, amirite?)… I had to flex to my military combat boots to finish my elk hunt (Lowa Zephyrs). I resolve to find better / lighter footwear after the hunt.So I snag these things and yep.. they feel tight & narrow, just like the reviews. I stick with em. No blisters. No Achilles tendinitis / discomfort from the spurs. Just a bit of “dang these are tight” for the first few weeks.After a few weeks, I take these suckers up the Moanalua hike in Oahu. Yes, this is the legal way to the radar site of the “Stairway to Heaven” fame. A serious day hike for committed hikers.Zero probs. You’re Spider-Man in these things. Afterwards, I was smoked, but no foot problems. A week later, we do it again. No probs. Again. I watched my buddies in “normal shoes” eat it on slick mud / roots, etc. No probs for these, the BFG MTRs for your feet.So if you’re like me, big hobbit feet & in your 40s with sufficient gumption and income to absorb the cost of a failed footwear purchase or a willingness to take on the Amazon AI returns bot, you have nothing to lose by trying them.This is my third pair. I put em on.. said “dang these are tight” and stepped it out for 6 miles. They’ll loosen up! Still zero blisters. Zero spur probs. Zero tendonitis.I’m convinced these are the BEST SHOES MADE (that I’ve found). The tread will wear quicker than your average gym shoe… but the treads are super aggressive trail lugs… if you’re a townie speed walking concrete, you’ll rub the nubs off quick! Keep these to the trail & they’ll last you a good amount of time.And let’s be honest—the looks and the laces.. are fire!Initial reviews are cool and the gang, but 6 years of Bigfoot slinging lugs in mountainous terrain might be useful for the buyer on the fence.Be patient & step it out.
✔ Verified Purchase
Best trail shoes I've found for running in North East fall/winter conditions.
I'm really really impressed. The tread has worked flawlessy so far for me through grass, gravel, mud, tree roots and general matted trails. I understand now why they market the Ortholite cushioning so much. It's a great balance of giving but firm, comfortable to run in but still sturdy enough to inspire confidence regardless of terrain. The goretex shell is really why I bought these and I'm not disappointed. It's done well wrapping over the sole and will keep you dry thru a few inches of deep mud, snow, or puddles with ease. The lacing system I was skeptical about, I've tried various sport laces in the past with road sneaks and was always left disappointed. But these work great. Very easy to loosen and tighten, the actual lace is more like braided wire than a fabric shoelace and it does not give at all. The fit was great, they really hug your foot. Might feel a bit tight at first but after a few miles it'll form to your foot and all is good.Just be aware, these are meant for crummy conditions. If all you encounter are smooth dry trails there are other shoes that you'll like more. But if you're running thru snow, mud, rain or just really rough trails these will fulfill your needs.
✔ Verified Purchase
Great Trail/Winter/Wet Running Shoe
I needed to replace my older Brooks Ghost GTX winter running shoes and after much research and review reading settled on the newer Ghost GTX, the La Sportiva Kaptiva GTX, the ASICS GT-2000 8 G-TX and the Speedcross 5 GTX. The Ghost and Asics were rejected as they were just the regular running shoe with a Gore-Tex lining in that they did not put in any additional toe or side protection from the elements and I don't trust Gore-Tex to last long when continuously exposed. The La Sportiva had a wading sock like system inside which may make sense for debris control but was too constraining for winter use.This led to the Speedcross and after many miles of snow/trail/wet road running I have been very pleased. As a pronator, I was worried about the neutral rather than supportive design but have not experienced any issues. The aggressive sole with widely spaced lugs has been really impressive and confidence building on the trail and snow and surprisingly, is not noticeable when running on the road (not sure how well they will wear though). The water resistance is the best that I have ever seen for a low rise GTX running or trail shoe. The overall design, the material and DWR finish shed water like crazy and I have no hesitation to run through inches of slush (with running gaiters on). Being a more trail-oriented shoe, I was surprised how light they are and that there is really no noticable weight or flexibility penalty for road running while at the same time feeling supportive on the trail. With all these positives, I am OK if the sole ends up wearing out early (no evidence so far) as long as another pair is available when I need it.
✔ Verified Purchase
M
Marcus Jude Gerardi
September 23, 2025
Awesome shoe
I love these sneakers so much! They fit snug on purpose cause of running and hiking. So pretty much true to size. I would definitely buy again.
✔ Verified Purchase
L
Lisa M. Thackray
August 14, 2022
Fit as expected, don’t count on treads.
I am a steadicam operated who walks backwards on random terrain. After 13 twelve hour days half the tread on the interior of each shoe is almost gone. Which is a bummer because the fit is great and the breathing is next level. My sweaty feet were gone wearing these shoes. Super comfortable, stylish, treads were great until they were gone. They go fast, I was not wearing them outside. Only inside on a flat studio. That being said, at work I do about 12,000 steps per shoot. After 20 or so wears the interior where the ball of my foot meets the floor the treat is nearly gone. When I first got them I gained an inch in height, now they are basically flat but still comfy.
✔ Verified Purchase
