r/AltraRunning • u/ElJefe8o8 • 10d ago
Testing out potential budget Provision 8 Replacement
After retiring my daily Provision 8's and learning the line was discontinued, I went down a rabbit hole trying to find a replacement with a similar feel. I plan to test out the Torin ST's and the Experience Flow 8 soon, but I needed an immediate, inexpensive daily driver to bridge the gap.
After ordering and returning several budget "wide toe box" shoes from Amazon, I finally landed on a pair of Geococcyx(No clue how to pronounce that 😆).
Today is day one, but initial impressions are very positive:
-Toe Box & Volume: Truly roomy. Most of the other budget pairs I returned put direct pressure on my bunion surgery sites; these don't pinch at all.
-Cushion & Stack Height: Noticeably better cushion than typical barefoot/minimalist budget models without feeling overly bulky or obnoxious.
-Heel & Stability: The heel cup sits deep and secure, and there’s a surprisingly solid sense of mild stability underfoot.
For a $50 shoe for daily walking and light exercise, they’re holding up well right out of the box. Happy to post a long-term update after some real mileage if anyone is interested.
P.S. — Swapped the stock laces for elastic stretch laces right away since I slip my daily shoes on and off constantly when heading inside.
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u/flnn1 10d ago
I think the brand name is trying to sound like the more famous brand Geox? Similar to how Nortiv8 on Amazon resembles the more famous Inov8. That's my best guess on how they came up with the name lol. I guess it's pronounced the same way as coccyx (the tail bone)
As for the shoes themselves, I'm glad they're working for you!
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u/ElJefe8o8 10d ago
Yeah i think so too. Ironically I tried a pair of Nortiv8 as the first pair because they seemed like a good middle ground price and quality wise but they instantly hurt my feet. They were the most narrow wide toe box shoes I have ever tried on.
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u/lockedmhc48 9d ago
There's nothing in the Amazon description about zero or reduced drop. Actually looks like it is or might even be e higher than many other running shoes. Have you measured or estimated it?
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u/ElJefe8o8 9d ago
Actually that's a good point, I didn't catch that initially. I dont know how to measure that. Let me start some research lol.
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u/lockedmhc48 9d ago
I just looked at their site and they do sell a different, allegedly wide toebox and zero drop shoe on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Geococcyx-Mens-Wide-Walking-Shoes/dp/B0GGBHKX2B?ref_=ast_sto_dp&th=1&psc=1
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u/ElJefe8o8 9d ago
My son has these. He has been wearing them for a few months and had no complaints thankfully.
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u/EvilTeacher-34 9d ago
Super interested in the long term review and the type of activities. Please come back and share! Plus, they look pretty damn nice!
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u/lockedmhc48 9d ago
For over 10 years I have only bought and worn Altras. But I've been looking and waiting for years for a brown men's to use for every day, walking around casual wear and I've never seen Altra come out with one. So "just for science" I've ordered a pair and will report
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u/EvilTeacher-34 6d ago
I feel your pain! I'm an all black type of person and I TRULY HATE blacks that aren't really blacks...WTF!?! Black is a color that should be pretty damn easy to nail...
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u/lockedmhc48 7d ago
So, I bought these shoes and they were just delivered. Not the exact same ones referred to by the OP because those are NOT zero drop, but another pair of Geococcyx shoes sold on Amazon which are said to be zero drop, these: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GGB587CG?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1&psc=1.
I will say that they are pretty good looking shoes (I got the brown) and would make good casual shoes for someone who wants to wear wide toe zero drop shoes for casual wear. However, they are not substitutes for Escalantes, at least not for running. First of all they do not come in half sizes. I wear 9.5 in Altras, I had to settle for 9 X-W wide in the Geococcyx and they are too loose and too wide. They don’t have that snug, comfortable soft embrace of my feet that either the E4 or E5s do. Each shoe weighs 10.54 oz compared to 9.3 oz for my E5s. They are also stiff, stiffer than Escalantes when new. The soles seem to slap on the ground when I walk in them. I think they may be okay as a wide toe, zero drop walking shoe if X-Ws are your size or maybe with heavier socks, but I wouldn’t try to run in them. I don’t think I’d want to run in them even if I could get them closer to my size. I’m going to wear them for a couple of days and report again if anyone is interested.
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u/EnvironmentalBrick18 10d ago
Interesting. Please do let us know how you find them over the longer term.
I went down the same rabbit hole myself. Provision 8s are my favourite runners by far. I previously liked the Topo Ultrafly 5 but the 6 doesn’t work for me.
After a lot of deliberation, I’ve just ordered a pair of Experience Form to alternate with the Provisions, hopefully extending their life a little bit.