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The R 260 is actually extremely unstable for several reasons. The Xtep RC 260 is a neutral shoe and there are no major methods of stability outside of a heel counter. Thus, this shoe wears more like a lightweight trainer, and those who can tolerate the design will get a solid amount of miles out of these at a decent price ($135).
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I have over 30 miles on my pair and there is really no wear on the outsole (minus some dirt). The durability of the RC 260 is excellent. There is toe spring, but the nylon plate does flex especially the harder you push off. It is not stiff and feels mildly flexible. Once you get over this, the forefoot transitions decently with the nylon plate. This is especially noticeable during slower paces and recovery efforts. The narrowness of the sole at the midfoot and flexibility of the plate at this point causes the midfoot to give a bit during the midfoot transition. The heel transition is soft and rolls forward to an odd midfoot. As the sole breaks in this is no longer an issue. The lateral flare causes my foot to pitch in during initial contact, so those that land extremely lateral at the heel should be cautious at first. The heel has a large bevel that is centered. The weight of this shoe puts it more as a lightweight trainer, with enough underfoot protection for mileage but being bouncy enough for some workouts mentioned above. However, for tempo efforts, the bounce is enough to provide protection and some turnover. The sole is too soft for extremely fast paces as it does not respond quickly enough. The ride is soft no matter what the speed and feels best running at uptempo/tempo paces. The ride reminded me of a softer Saucony Endorphin Speed but with a far narrower and less stable sole. There is a nylon plate that provides mild to moderate stiffness, but the amount of give from the midsole dampens this.
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The Xtep RC 260 features a full-length PEBA sole providing a soft and bouncy ride. Overall the Xtep RC 260 is best for those with narrow feet wanting a stiff heel counter and an upper with a high number of overlays. I had to spend extra time making sure it laid down flat, as I experienced some bunching. I had to tighten down the midfoot even more to get a secure fit as my foot was hanging off the medial aspect of the midfoot. There is no last eyelet to lace lock the shoe. The fit in midfoot is more normal width and I had to tighten the laces to get a solid lockdown. For those with heel sensitivities, this is not an optimal shoe. It was noticeable and caused me some irritation at my Achilles insertion. There is mild cushioning around the heel collar that covers a prominent and stiff heel counter. For that reason, I would suggest using socks if running in this shoe. The inner aspect of the upper keeps the toe guard against the foot, which combined with this taper caused me to blister on anything longer than shorter efforts. There are thick overlays on the upper of this shoe that are especially prevalent upfront, which contribute to a narrow and tapered toebox. It is narrow, particularly in the forefoot.
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The Xtep RC 260 fits me true to size in my normal US men's size 10. The Xtep RC 260 is best for uptempo efforts, tempo workouts, and potentially daily training if your mechanics are stable enough to tolerate it. The upper is stiff and narrow, providing a tapered fit that will work for those with narrow foot shapes, especially in the forefoot. An extremely soft midsole is paired with a narrow last and a moderately stiff nylon plate. The Xtep RC 260 is a nylon-plated, PEBA soled lightweight trainer for those with narrow and stable feet.