Best XC shoe 2017?

digitalanimal wrote:

I need a cross country shoe with no cushioning, no heel, not crazy narrow, under 8 oz, no arch support and no stupid plastic hard plate that prevents the shoe from flexing with the foot as I'll be training in them full time.

What does "cross country shoe" mean?

If it's for the occasional 5 mile race, you wear spikes on race day. There are plenty of XC spikes on the market with grippy heels.

If it's for all your everyday mileage on trails and grass, wear a normal running shoe.

If you want a spare pair for when it's really wet and muddy, or you want a bit more support than spikes give you in a race, then there are "trail running shoes", but the rubber lugs aren't going to last long if you do ten miles a day in them.

The Inov8 Mudclaw does exactly what the name suggests, by the way. After a lifetime wearing XC spikes for races , I was stunned how well they gripped a saturated wet muddy course last weekend.

digitalanimal wrote:

I need a cross country shoe with no cushioning, no heel, not crazy narrow, under 8 oz, no arch support and no stupid plastic hard plate that prevents the shoe from flexing with the foot as I'll be training in them full time.

Race in spikes. Adidas Avanti.

Train in trainers. Adizero Adiois.

/thread

Try the saucony endorphin racer. Low cushioning, zero drop, and thin upper.

I run XC in college and train on average 9 miles per day. I use the brooks ghost 10 and I love them because they are relatively light and can perform well in pace workouts and long runs while keeping your legs fresh. However if you want a slightly more minimal shoe that can still take some milage the brooks launch 3 are awesome shoes and the brooks launch 4 is good as well. My favorite shoes ever were the launch 3 cause they are fast but can also take some milage.

digitalanimal wrote:

I need a cross country shoe with no cushioning, no heel, not crazy narrow, under 8 oz, no arch support and no stupid plastic hard plate that prevents the shoe from flexing with the foot as I'll be training in them full time.

Well if you are looking for a cross country shoe, nearly all of them will either be spikes or flats that are crazy narrow.

Good minimalist shoes that meet your criteria are hard to find but they're out there, online. Since you like the vapor glove I'd recommend Vibram Fivefingers, I wear the KSO EVO and that has a 4mm sole and no other support. If you don't like VFFs then try Xero shoes, they have a shoe called the Prio that's very minimal. Otherwise if you like sandals or huaraches, they have those too at the most affordable prices compared to other brands.

And if you don't like any of those, there are some other ones out there:

Inov-8 Bare XF

Topo ST-2 (16mm stack height but it's wide and flexible and zero drop)

Altra One 2.5 or V3 (also cushioned but I still like them)

Skora if they ever come back

Or just go barefoot!

AND if you want to be cheap, then just buy a narrow flat and cut open the toe box. It's actually a lot better than it sounds:

Have you considered getting a pair of just waffle shoes for training? They are more durable while still being quite light. If I was you I would get 2 pair one for racing/minimal use and a pair of waffles/flats.

Thoughts?

Hoka Evo Jawz. Assuming you want grip for mud and stuff. No cushioning, 3mm drop, but super aggressive lugs. If you don't want the lugs, then look into Topo or NB WT10