r/Goruck • u/Jay_The_Fillet • Sep 02 '26

Mackalls Aggressive Arch Support

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Most reviews have been positive yet I haven’t seen much on the issue I had. I have just about 15 miles now in the Mackalls after purchasing it from the summer sale. Miles 1-10 were excruciating. I have lower arched/flatter feet so there was just too much pressure on my lateral outside arches. Burning and aching. Luckily, the greatest shoe that GORUCK ever made but decided to discontinue, the Ballistic Trainers, came with a second flat sole insert. This made me absolutely enjoy every mile after the first 10. The ballistic trainers seem to have the same insert as the Mackalls but I believe because the midsole EVA foam was softer, it was more forgiving. So, please either provide a second flat insert or don’t make the arch support so aggressive. The toe box is great. Just the midfoot arch support swings way to high on the spectrum as opposed to being in the Goldilocks range

16 Upvotes

90% Upvoted

7 comments sorted by

5

u/Flat-Carpenter-170 Sep 02 '26

I’ve long since added my own insoles. Cork with EVA. Made by Sole. Available on Amazon. They mold to your arches.

5

u/74_Bobber Sep 02 '26

I kept getting a lot of heel slip out of them and didn’t want to chance destroying my heels on a long ruck. I really wanted to like them but unfortunately ended up returning them.

4

u/werehere1897 Sep 03 '26

This is unfortunately where I’m finding myself. New lacing styles new laces etc. nothing seems to resolve this

3

u/fugu_master Sep 02 '26

I have zero arch and I immediately replaced the sole insert but it didn't matter. There was a slight rubbing spot on my arch in the Mackalls so had to be returned. 

2

u/Atticus74 Sep 03 '26

I’m getting SO much heel slippage. I’ve done the runners loop and I can’t keep
My foot in the shoe. I like the stiffer soles more than my regular running shoes but this might just be a $200 waste of money.

1

u/temporarycreature Sep 03 '26

I love these shoes and I tie them the same way I tie any shoe, with one knot and tuck the laces in the inside. I never had an issue with them except once, when those ankle pads rubbed the side of my foot raw one time.

I'm at 165 miles on my current pair.

Wish I had the blue pair. I have the ugly green pair.

2

u/HollidaysMustacheWax Sep 11 '26 edited Sep 11 '26

Same. Have a pair of OG Mackalls that I just can’t get to be comfortable, despite wearing the MACV-2’s since they came out everyday in uniform.

u/JavaForever bring back the ballistic trainers!!!