u/Drizzleshard

I started wearing barefoot shoes beginning of this year. I mostly like the fact that they have a wide toe box and are foot-shaped. Zero drop is a plus bit I don't need an ultra thin sole. I have some Groundies to wear casually. And if I need to walk longer I wear Altra Lone Peak (so these are not 100% bf because thicker sole).

For fencing I now have Nike Air Zooms. And my toes begin to hurt in them. I want a shoe for fencing with a wider toe box. But I still need some cushioning so no ultra thin sole like 100% barefoot shoes.

I came across Altra Solstice Xt 3. Has anyone used these for fencing?

Any other advise on which shoes to try? I am living in Europe so I need to find them here.

I think at this moment anything will feel more wide than the Nikes I have..

I’m looking to add a smaller daypack to my collection for short trips.

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​I currently use an Osprey Hikelite 18 for most of my hikes, and I’m a big fan of it—the carrying comfort is exactly what I like. The only downside for me is that the side pockets are a bit too loose, but I plan to keep using it for longer hikes anyway.

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​For these shorter outings, I need something in the 8–12 liter range. I just need enough space for a water bottle, a small lunch or snack, and some essentials like tissues.

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​Since I love the comfort of Osprey, I’m definitely leaning towards their packs, but I’m open to suggestions from other brands if they offer similar comfort and quality.

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​Does anyone have a favorite pack in this size range?

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Edit: I like to have a mesh back padding and I live in Europe so not all American brands are easy to get here.

I’m looking to add a smaller daypack to my collection. I currently use an Osprey Hikelite 18 for most of my hikes, and while I really like it, it’s sometimes a bit overkill for shorter trips.

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​I’m looking for something in the 8–12 liter range. Essentially, I just need enough space for a water bottle, a small lunch or snack, and some essentials like tissues. My main priority is that it’s comfortable to carry.

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​While I’m happy with my Hikelite (aside from the side pockets being a bit too loose for my water bottles), I plan to keep using it for longer hikes. For this new, smaller pack, I’d love to hear your recommendations for comfortable bags that are perfect for quick outings.

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​Does anyone have a favorite pack in this size range?

And any experience with Osprey Synchro, Talon or Tempest?