ALTRA Women's Provision 4 Road Running Shoe, Ice Flow Blue, 6.5 B(M) US

I'm 63, female, and although not an athlete, am very active; housework, yard work, grandkids, etc. I learned earlier this year that my right ankle bones are collapsing. Podiatrist says I was "born with those feet," and offered nothing but NSAIDs to help. Thank the LORD I found these ALTRA PROVISION 4.0 shoes with the Guiderail feature, which helps a LOT to keep my ankle from rolling to the inside. There is a very unique lacing system that pulls support from under the foot across the arch to help lift and keep the arch in place. I've never seen anything like it in a shoe. Add to that some very stiff, high arch support orthotics from a major online merchant, and I am almost pain-free. These have saved my ankle and bought me some time. The shoes are very supportive, but not stiff. There's enough bounce to keep me rollin', but not so much that I'm all over the place. I'm going to see a bone and joint surgeon (fortune teller, really, to tell me my future!) to see if anything more can be done, but in the meantime, these wonderful shoes have allow me to continue to live my life. Yes, my feet get tired and it's painful to stand in place for very long, but I can get around just fine all day, everyday. I bought 2 pairs of Provision 4.0 and intend to buy a couple more this year to keep in reserve.

First, when I say feels true to size, I always order a size up in Altra and they all work with my regular size inserts. I was a bit concerned about some of the reviews, but went ahead and ordered, as feet are so incredibly individual. I've only been wearing Torin Mesh and Escalante, so not familiar with the last Provision as a comparison. Altra has been a life saver for me, as I have pretty bad bunions and Altra has a pretty great toe box. When I first put the Provision on, I was delighted with the support, while still having such plush cushioning. I only walk and do aerobic/strength/core exercise, so no comment on running, but I wear them all day. The only piece that bothered me was what seemed to be a slightly narrower (and better looking) toe box. I put the inserts from the Torin and Provision together, and in one section the Provision is maybe 1/8" narrower (see photo of insert toe box section). I measured because I felt some pressure on my bunion. Given the mesh top, which I love, I decided to wear them for a couple of days and see if it's stretched out adequately to relieve the pressure. Sure enough, it did and at no time did I have any pain. I do have to pull the laces a little bit tighter than I ordinarily would on the Torin and Escalante as I have a narrow heel and the heel on the Provision seemed a bit looser. The shoe, the laces, the support are all very comfortable, and I appreciate the extra bit if rigidity. Esthetically, I'd prefer not to have a light gray rubber piece at the toe of a black and darker gray shoe. Personally, I'd prefer black. But if that's the only con, I said to myself, it's a keeper. Bottom line is I'm very happy I got the Provision. Like my other Altras, I don't want to take them off and just wish the rest of my body felt as cushioned and supported as my feet.