My road running shoes are Pearl Izumi Peak and my everyday shoes the Roclite 370. It is also difficult for me to guess if it is the less cushioning or the terrain the cause of the pain, but i think that the X-Talons are a more "specific" shoe for fell racing and especially soft muddy surfaces, while for fire roads or rocky paths a better choice would be the Roclite 285/295 which are more of an "all round" shoe. I think the bigger studs are suitable for mud, soft surface and not for rock.