One of the trickiest parts of trying a new running shoe brand is figuring out what size you need. Buying shoes online without a test run always makes me nervous. For the R1, the sizing runs mostly true to size. The upper is stretchy and gives a snug fit, though the toe box is a bit tapered. There's decent room up front, but it’s not what I’d call generously wide.
The midfoot fits pretty standard, anchored by a gusseted, padded tongue. The shoe includes a dual-lacing setup top laces help with lockdown, while the lower laces adjust more easily as your feet swell. Typically, you go up a half size in running shoes, but ultramarathons can bring on even more swelling, so this setup lets you create extra space when needed. Being able to loosen the forefoot makes the shoe much more comfortable later in a run. I really think more brands should adopt this kind of design because your foot is rarely the same at the start and end of a run.
The heel is structured and padded with a firm counter, but it didn’t bother me at all. Plus, the insole is removable if you need to use custom orthotics.
Great running shoes should almost vanish once you start moving, and the R1 mostly pulls that off. I haven’t had any rubbing or discomfort, and the adjustable upper has been a great feature.
For reference, I wear a women's size 10–11 wide depending on the brand, and the size 11 in this model fits best. It’s got a bit more width than I expected, but it doesn’t qualify as a true wide. If you need more room, going up a half size might be your best bet.