What's the drop on the shoes you usually run in? Because if you're not used to low-drop (6mm or lower) shoes, most of my advice will be relatively worthless... or you must convert to these shoes with caution. Firstly - if dirt road running is what you're most likely going to be doing, why not stick with the road shoes? Or get some road shoes with a bit more tread than some of the completely flat-soled ones. If not, why not try some of Salomon cross-over range, which is suited to both. (And I also think they have a higher drop, if you're more accustomed to that.) I also run in Salomon Sense Pro's (the original version), which has very little tread - 6mm drop. Sense Pro's 2's uppers are really dodgy, so stay away from them - and they have a much more blocked tread. But fully agree on the stance that the more racy shoes do not last. My Sense Pro (not my go-to shoe of late) has I think more than 700k's (of trail running!) behind them and still looks good. Friend of mine "works" his front foot a lot and he bald-patched his front foot area in about 650. Both of our uppers are fine. He then bought the 2's and got uppers torn after 200. Then went to Brooks Mazama, which is a very very similar shoe to the Sense Pro (original) and still using it. So that may be something to consider as well. (I know some guys that swear by Brooks Cascadia as well, but heard they are pretty narrow.) The Mazama comes in a pretty shocking yellow. And ironically two ladies also run in them in my regular group. Their shocking red-pink option is (to me at least!) much better looking than the yellow... but that's just looks. The old Mantra's are pretty darn close to road shoes as well, but you don't get them any more. I's personally have loved a pair of those. I run a lot in Altra Superior 2's, but they do not like hardpack. Mine is wearing down on the knobs rather rapidly. But look at Altra if you want the widest shoes available - maybe another model/or road shoe. Super super comfy - somebody recently called them "the crocs of running!" (I also train in their Instinct road shoe). Zero drop on Altra's, so beware of this! My preferred shoe - I love them! - is Saucony Peregrines. 4mm drop, wicked grip (which you won't need and my feet just love them - well, for that matter between Altra and Saucony, my feet seem to be very happy. I use the old 5's obtained in yellow ticket sale, think they're up to model 7 now, so not sure what the changes are that was made. NB also make some awesome trail shoes, some also with relatively smoother tread. And their toe boxes are usually also nice and wide. Think they have a Leadville trail shoe that had less tread on it than the road shoes I used back then from them, but I presume with more protection. And still, I have not had experience in the Inov-8's, but have not heard anything bad from them. May think of more stuff as the day goes on and/or other comments come in.
