Altra SOLSTICE XT 3 Man - Black

(Instructions for choosing the right size and "Petri's Product Description" see below. Size and color inquiries: info@petrisbarefoot.com)

Zero drop - Wide toe space - Moderately light - Moderately flexible and thicker sole - VEGAN

Lace up and lift heavy! The Solstice XT 3 is designed for flexibility, stability, connection, and comfort, so it’s ready to train as hard as you do. An A-frame quarter panel is designed for stability assurance, to help you tackle lateral movements. The updated mesh upper is engineered for breathability and a padded heel collar helps keep your foot comfortable. Re-designed overlays are designed to add protection and a rubber outsole helps bring the durability. With zero drop and Altra’s signature FootShape fit, you get plenty of room to help your toes move more freely, with a secure midfoot. Go ahead and throw it in your gym bag now because the Solstice XT 3 is soon to be your new favorite cross-training shoe.

FEATURES

• Best for: gym, indoor sports, walking, casual
• Midsole: High Abrasion EVA
• Outsole: Athletic Rubber Outsole
• Drop: 0 mm
• Stack Height: 23 mm (Petri's NOTE! 26 mm with the insole)
• Upper: Mesh
• Footshape: Standard
• Cushioning: Low (Petri's NOTE! Moderate at Altra)
• Weight: 310 g

CHOOSING THE RIGHT SIZE

NEVER CHOOSE YOUR "OLD SIZE" if you haven't worn the exact same shoe before! Sizes vary between different models even from the same manufacturer and the size of the shoes you've worn before may have been wrong in size, etc. - there are many possibilities for error.

Also, note that manufacturers' own size charts are often far from accurate. Also, too often only one size chart is used even though the same sizes for different shoe models actually differ from each other, etc.

To find the right size, do the following -

1) First check the length of your feet according to the following instructions. Measure with an assistant if possible (Note! Read the shoe model description below to make sure that you are choosing the right shoe for yourself!):

1. Place the paper on a hard floor next to a wall and step on it BAREFOOT, making sure that your heel slightly touches the wall behind you.
2. Mark the end of your big toe or the outer part of your toes on the paper and repeat the procedure with your other foot. (Note! Make your foot as long as possible to make the measurement easier, keep all your weight on the foot being measured)
3. Finally, measure the distance from the edge of the paper to the end of the big toe or the outermost part of your foot at 90 degrees angle to the paper and write it down for yourself.

2) Add about 1-1.5 (2) cm of room to the measurement of your longer foot you got above to get the required shoe size (inner length of the shoe). (NOTE! Also the wider your foot is compared to normal, the the bigger size you should take, because the width of the shoe also increases at the same time.)

3) Choose the right size from the table below, but also take into account the things below the table! We have checked the inner dimensions of this model at PETRI'S BAREFOOT as follows -

Altra Solstice XT 3 Man inner lengths:

EU 41 - 26,5 cm

EU 42 - 26,8 cm

EU 42.5 - 27,3 cm

EU 43 - 27,6 cm

EU 44 - 28 cm

EU 44.5 - 28,4 cm

EU 45 - 29 cm

EU 46 - 29,2 cm

EU 46.5 - 29,7 cm

EU 47 - 30,2 cm

EU 48 - 30,6 cm

EU 49 - 31,5 cm

4) Check the length of your foot again. The longer foot is the one you are looking for! The correct size rarely matches the full EU size.

1. If you have a wide foot compared to the shoe model, always choose the larger size if you are between two sizes. This applies especially to those with a significant width and/or chest in the middle of the foot in relation to the shoe.
2. If you have a narrower foot, you can consider a smaller size as long as there is at least 0.8/1 cm of extra space.
3. If the arch of your toes differs significantly from the arch of the toe of the shoe, you should choose a larger size if you suspect that one of your toes may touch the front of the shoe at a point other than the longest point of the shoe.

5) Finally, if you can't decide, you can always order two pairs of shoes of the same model for fitting. However, remember to return the wrong size soon because someone is probably also waiting for them, thank you!

PETRI'S PRODUCT DESCRIPTION 

Altra's Solstice XT 3 gym and training shoe is perfect for those who want a footshaped, zero drop, stylish, functional and slightly more cushioned shoe for gym training and other indoor sports like tennis, padel, badminton etc. Solstice has a bit of torsional stiffness, which is suitable for purposes where lateral movement is also present. Of course, Solstice also has casual elegance, so it also works well in leisure time and on walks.

Please note that the men's model is sized quite snugly in terms of the inside measurement, compared to many other Altra shoes. Choose the right size according to the instructions above! The shoe fits relatively snugly from the ball of the foot and if your foot has a lot of volume, the shoe may not be suitable. It will fit narrow, normal and slightly more spacious feet, but not if the width and/or height are quite large.

The shoe's midsole can handle removing the insole if you want. The volume increases considerably and on the other hand the ground feel improves - the shoe is still very cushioned even without a 5 mm insole, especially when measured on the barefoot scale.

On the scale of thin-soled barefoot shoe - semi-cushioned - thick-soled barefoot shoe, I would classify Solstice as a "thick-soled barefoot shoe".

Suitability for barefoot shoe beginners

I can recommend Solstice as your first (thick-soled) barefoot shoe, because it is safe to exercise, walk and run in right from the start. Of course, the zero drop may require a little getting used to at first, so listen to yourself before rushing into a half marathon with your new shoes.

Take the insole off from time to time and notice how the ground feel and the shoe changes! Also remember to do foot training (especially the balls of your feet) and after a few months you can also get thinner barefoot shoes according to your own preferences. Try to avoid heavy heel stepping before getting thinner-soled barefoot shoes - if you want them.

Suitability for experienced barefooters

Solstice is a stress-free and casual shoe that looks good. Remove the insoles and the ground feel starts to resemble a barefoot shoe - all the other features of a good barefoot shoe are present in the shoe, except for the thicker sole.