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I ordered a pair that arrived yesterday but the upper material is very stiff and digs into the side of my foot when it bends. Do they soften up over time?
Other than look they look and feel great, but as it stands they'll be going back.
I'd say the fabric does soften, yes - some of the stiffness is because of the laminated overlay rather than the fabric itself, if that makes sense, Â but the bulk around the lace anchoring points is intrinsic to the design and isn't going to change. Ditto the positioning of the laces.
So, if the shoes are digging in because of where the lace is running or because of the hard bulk where the lace anchoring point is attached, that isn't going to change. Likewise, if it's a fit thing and down to the flex point of the shoe, that won't change either. Is it the point kind of behind the big toe where there's a combination of overlay, lace anchor and a flex point? I can feel that in my shoes, but I still find them comfortable in use.
If in doubt, I'd send them back. I don't think there's as instantly comfortable as the X Ultra shoes, which are a little heavier and bulkier, but more comfortable. Fwiw, my Outpaths after moderate use do feet slightly stiff sat about in the house, but I didn't notice it being an issue actually using them. Which is odd, but there you go.
If there's any leather in them, getting them wet will shape them to your feet. If they're synthetic, you might do better to send them back.
Or the short version, yes, but it depends on what's digging into your foot. No leather involved btw. They're a fabric shoe with a laminated - ie heat glued - overlay and a fast-lacing system that has an odd extension at the big-toe end of things:
Oh, also, don't overtighten the laces, the way that lower bit sits makes them feel bad if over tweaked.
The lace system feels OK. It's just where the upper creases at inside and goes into the side my foot at the base of my little toe, on that picture it would be level with the 2nd lace anchor point
That is where all my Salomon shoes have failed over 10+ years of wearing them.
Design fault IMO
I'd just go with gut feel tbh. If that's the shoe's natural flex point and it doesn't suit your foot, then there's a good chance it'll simply stay that way I think.
I have a rule if a shoe doesn't feel right straight away, it never will, and I walk away. Pun lol.