Yes, I agree do that the Neo sole is tough. But, I found that the Neo was more likely to rub my pads as the foot is able to slip around just a little (& I notice this a lot if charging downhill or going up something steep). If you want to cut the chance of long run pad blisters or minimise annoying any Mortons issues (if you have them) then you don't want any rubbing (which I don't think is a thing just the Neo does, nearly all wide toe box shoes can do this). The Ultra solves this problem. The longer the run the more this can add up so for me I am happy to have to replace my Ultras sooner but have happy pads.