Altra Men's Provision 4 Shoe

This is my 2nd pair of Altra running shoes. My first pair was a MEN'S ESCALANTE RACER '19 - which was the most comfortable and well designed running shoe I have ever owned. When it came time to replace it, and since the ESCALANTE was no longer available; I chose a MEN'S PROVISION 4 instead. Although it is supposed to have a "Footshape" toebox, it is uncomfortably tight in the toe area. Maybe Altra had some complaints that the "Footshape" toebox was too wide for some people. But I have read several other reviews that agree with my assessment that the design for the toebox has become too narrow. I don't think there is a one-size-fits-all solution. I think Altra needs to start offering their shoes in regular and narrow size options. If the next Altra shoe I purchase is also too small in the toebox, then I am done purchasing Altra shoes.

Got my first pair of Provision 4's and have been putting some miles on them. I really want to love these shoes - they are 90% there but not quite doing it. I've been running in the Torin 4's and love the fit of those shoes, but the foam in the soles wears out too fast so I was looking for something with a similar upper but more stability underfoot for the long haul - hence the Provisions. My main complaint is that the lacing and heel counter don't work together as well as I would like. Basically, the heel is too wide causing my heel to lift up but the lacing with those tongue things is designed to pull your foot down but not back. So, my heel lifts when I run, but the laces pinch over the top of my foot if I try to tighten them to hold my heel down. It also means that my foot slides forward going downhill. Aside from that, they are great - they feel light and responsive and the mesh upper holds the rest of my foot well aside from the heel, and they don't feel quite as mushy underfoot as the torins.