Topo Athletic  Connect Trail-Running Shoes - Men's

I hate to do this. First of all, I have used TA's for years. From the 1st iteration of the Terraventure, transitioned to the Runventure, branched out to the Fli-Lyte, fell in love with the Runventure 4, and still have unopened boxes of the Runventure 4 since they discontinued that model. So I was super excited to see another zero drop, wide toe box, "trail" shoe debuting in their line-up. It crushed me to find out, as soon as my full foot was in the shoe, that this model absolutely does not have a roomy toe box. Especially not the roomy toe box that any of us have come to expect from Topo Athletic. I didn't have to give it a chance either. I ordered the same size as every other Topo shoe I've ever ordered. My pinky toes were smashed into the sides by how narrow this shoe is. I thought for a moment that maybe I need to wear it in until the upper relaxes. But, then I realized I've never had to do that with a Topo Athletic shoe in my history with the brand. The sizing isn't off either. Side by side, it is as long as my other Topo Athletic shoes. I'll admit, it frustrated me that the Runventures were discontinued. That was the all time favorite shoe of my feet. And, my displeasure grew with their expanded focus of max cushioned shoes. But, I understand, they need to do what they think they need to do to in order to continue making money. But, the pains I have gone through in trying to find my perfect shoe have been conjured up with this let down, and I am now more skeptical than I previously was for a renewed relationship with the brand.