The Sandwiched StoneGuard was first introduced in the original Lone Peak trail shoe in 2011. Typical trail shoes with rock protection plates put the plate next to the ground—this provides the necessary protection, but often results in a more unstable ride and rolled ankles due to the hard surface against the ground causing the shoe and foot to pivot. The Sandwiched StoneGuard put the rock protection plate up closer to the foot to provide the protection while allowing rocks to deflect & absorb in to the soft midsole close to the ground.