I really wanted to like these shoes but in the end I hated them.  I've been "barefoot"/"minimalist" running for a few years (ie. run ~4hr marathons), and I have run in many different minimalist shoes including: xero shoes, vibrams, kilkenny, barefoot, etc...

When I tried them on, they felt snug (like wearing the kilkennys), but as I started training in them I found they were unyielding (notice the band across this area) where the toe contacts the sidewall, therefore developing corns between my "pinky toe" and "ring toe".  So if you don't have narrow feet definitely try with caution (the kilkennys are narrow as well, but the mesh yields, and is not an issue).  Going a size larger made it too long.

The waffle toe leaves "holes" or gaps in protection.  I prefer the full sole of a typical XC sneaker.

I won't buy these again.