This is beyond a doubt the best athletic show I have ever purchased. I have had chronic foot problems all my life and also have a fractured lumbar vertebrae. I purchased these shoes from a small independent athletic store locally, so I received personal assistance with my needs from an individual who really knew what he was talking about. I had never heard of Altra at that time as they were a relatively new company. I will be forever grateful to him for his recommendation. Altras have the zero drop technology which keeps your heel lower than your toe and assists with vertebral alignment. Widetoe box is amazing. I will never go back to any other shoe including Brooks and Mizuno. BEST SHOES EVER!!