Salomon - GENESIS GORE-TEX

The best ones are the ones that fit!! I have wide toes and wore Solomon trail runners for a long time. I switched to Merrell Moab hikers a couple of years ago. Both are 13 Wide (EEE).

The downside of trail runners to me (Solomans) was I would sometimes get foot bruises on sharp rocky ground. I switched to hiking shoes (Merrell's) and I feel it's a better compromise between trail runners and boots. Pretty light and more comfortable.

My Solomans had a rock plate (thank you for pointing out my omission), but I feel a big difference with my Murrell Moab's. To each there own, I know trail runners are the favorite, the Moab works better for me (I have dainty feet, I guess).

Both Asics gortex and Salomon gortex Ive found to be the best I've used.   I get probably 2-3000km out of them?   Say 8km a day of sandstone gravel fire trails and rocky escarpments for a year. I  would get 12-18 months out of them.   Sometimes I just wear out heel rubber and foam is still good so I build it back up using Sikaflex or something to go another 6 month lol 

Best shoe for mixed UK terrain in terms of grip is the La Sportiva Mutant in my opinion. Sticks to wet Lake District rock and is decently lugged. Would be perfect for the ultra. Of the ones you mention, I’ve raced the Thundercross and the Genesis and got on fine. The sense ride would be less grippy than those 2 although a great shoe in itself. What didn’t she like about these? I’ve not ran in it but apparently one of the best shoes for UK out there at the moment is the new Inov8 Trailtalon. Looks great.

For what it’s worth I have a pair of Salomon Genesis that I got the Key Cobbler in Keswick to resole with Vibram Litebase. Specifically used them for Lakes Sky Ultra at the weekend. Super technical/steep and wet race and they were brilliant.

I have the same problem as you and the shoes that block my heel best are the NNormal Kjerag and various Salomon models such as the Genesis

They are good everywhere except wet rocks on technical trails

FYI: I’m a very wide boy, but the Salomon Speedcross and Genesis both fit very comfortably. None of their other shoes do, but those are both great shoes you might want to try. Hoka also has nice wide options across their lineup. If it‘s grip you want, I find the Speedgoat is second only to VJ Shoes - but VJ run narrow.

Yeah I’ve been through 2 pairs and they only have about 100-200 good rocky US northeast running miles in them. I'm chonky for a trail runner though (190lb). The wet rock grip is atrocious anyway so I’ve moved on, however they are the still the comfiest shoe I’ve worn so it’s a shame about the outsole. Have a look at the Genesis for a more modern outsole.

Solomon Genesis. Matrix upper and super fast, but significant lugs and great traction that goes well with wintry mix weather. Gets a bit clogged up in thick mud, but nothing too bad. Price is pretty great, too.

Salomon Gore Tex sneakers. My second choice are Saucony Gore Tex sneakers.

Definitely not waterproof and I wouldn't want that for an ultra because I'd rather have quick drying feet than water stagnating inside the shoe when I inevitably cross a stream. I also feel like they would be really bad at being everyday shoes but YMMV.

I love my Genesis but find if the trail has paved bits, it kills my heel. I hate that one part so much I just got Pegasus trails for mixed situations.