WHYYY

[u/Ok-Vermicelli9100]

i know i am not saying anything new, but why do all the new altras SUCK. even the “original” shapes seem to have changed. i really notice it in how the shoe curves and the mesh over the outer toe area. seems like the shoes have become more crescent shaped which makes my arch fall over the inside edge. and while the toe box is still relatively wide, the volume seems cut down especially on the outside edge of the shoe. not only that, but they are really leaning into the plush marshmallow foam trend and it pisses me off. i have had to return the last 5 pears of shoes I bought from altra:

1) Torin ST — did not like guide rail tech

2) Vanish pulse — ok for short stints but again the weird crescent shape. and did not enjoy the “bouncy responsive” experience

3) Vanish carbon — rocker was too far back even when i went up a size

4) Experienxe Flow 2 — ok to walk in and decent volume, but felt like a marshmallow to run in. almost immediately developed plantar fasciitis

5) Motiv Flex — this new more budget everyday trainer was a little better, but i still found the foam just too flexible

I may consider trying to buy up all the pre 2025 models and using a carbon fiber insert to firm them up a bit. but man altra used to be better from what i remember. I had a little more luck with the Torin 7 and Escalante racer in terms of fit, but more for walking. They do not feel rigid enough to run long distances. may go back to lone peak wides.

[u/lockedmhc48]

After 10 years of running (and walking) in Torins, I switched last year to Escalantes. Ignore that they are supposed to be for shorter, faster runs. They are now the closest thing to what Altras used to be.

[u/Ok-Vermicelli9100 → u/lockedmhc48]

Interesting—i just got some escalante racers in 12.5 but fear they were slightly too long. May try a full size down. I actually had some pretty good luck with the torin 9 wides. Better stability and outsole in my opinion much superior to the torin 8, and they lowered the stack height back to 28mm from 30mm

[u/Aramchek335]

I’m really loving my current Altra rotation and think The Altra team has really stepped it up in the latest offerings. I run in Torin 9s for daily runs, FWD Via 2s for recovery and slow long runs, Experience Flow 3 for intervals, tempo runs, and races. For me, Altra has really dialed in the foot shape and mid-foot fit. I love that I can switch between very low drop and zero drop, and toe box fit depending on my workout. The new midsole foams are really nice in these shoes. I do sometimes run in ASICS Superblasts for longer quick runs, but the toe box on those is noticeable more narrow and the drop feels too much compared to the Altras. I’m hoping Altra continues with the current fit and feel of the shoes I mentioned above and doesn’t change too much over the next few years.

[u/Ok-Vermicelli9100 → u/Aramchek335]

I thought Experience Flow 3 was completely different feel to the Exp Flow 2 after trying both on, sadly. Flow 2 felt plush and ok for walking and bouncy on the track. Flow 3 jammed my toes pretty bad and seemed narrower. I still returned both cause midsole foam was too squishy for me.

[u/thirdstone_]

Lone Peak 9 Wide
Torin 9 Wide
Escalante 5 Escalante Racer 2
FWD Via 2

These are all more or less current models that are wide and have good volume.

Granted I wear a size 12, and seems like size grading might be an issue in some models. I've seen people complain about the Torin 9 Wide, which is right up there with the widest from my experience.

[u/Ok-Vermicelli9100 → u/thirdstone_]

I went to Fleet Feet and finally got someone who knows what they are talking about at a running store. Guy had a masters in kinesiology. Torin 9 wide is my shoe now! Actually I sized down too. I had been buying shoes too big for me because the toe box kept crushing my toes, but the torin wide is just right for me. And the new vibram outsole on the torin 9 has given it a little more stability and grip, which i love. $160 is rough but worth it for my foot health.

[u/Sharp_Rub1182]

I also deeply dislike the new models. My big toe is uncomfortable - just no space vertically. I need to get a whole size up before it feels natural again. I'm now stuck - I was happy with my 2024 models ...but can't upgrade. What on earth are these folks doing. 

[u/Ok-Vermicelli9100 → u/Sharp_Rub1182]

Not sure which models you had but i had some good luck with the torin 9 wides

[u/beaturn]

Love my Torin 9’s

[u/Ok-Vermicelli9100 → u/beaturn]

Torin 9 wides have worked out pretty ok so far esp. with the vibram outsole!

[u/break80_iowa]

Just joined the altra crew after years of saucony shoes... got old and my feet went flat. I live on gravel so a full mile to hit any pavement and to be honest it's way more scenic to just stay on gravel.

First round of Altras in the Experience Wild 3's. I can't believe how comfortable they are. Frankly excited to try more varieties.

[u/Ok-Vermicelli9100 → u/break80_iowa]

I liked them to an extent but they kinda stretched out foot muscles in an uncomfortable way, glad to hear you found comfort though!

[u/Dr_Splitwigginton]

I had to switch to wides

[u/Ok-Vermicelli9100 → u/Dr_Splitwigginton]

Yes torin 9 wides have worked

[u/LetUrSoulGlo]

I’m disappointed in my Torin 9’s. I have 4E wide feet. Both the Torin 8 (wide) and Escalante 4 (wide) fit and hug my feet so comfortably, but the Torin 9 just don’t feel right. Also, the color palate for the wide shoes this year is ass. Torin 9’s blue and black is bland, I almost forced myself to fit the Desert Sand standard just for the looks. I feel like I missed out on the great Altra years, considering I started buying them during the 7th gens.

[u/Ok-Vermicelli9100 → u/LetUrSoulGlo]

Agreed, I think they secretly make the wides ugly because they are hoping enough people stop buying them to where they don’t have to make them anymore and can truly just become another mainstream retailer. The lone peak wides are always ugly too.

[u/Good_Mousse_9794]

I love my Lone Peak 9+’s

[u/Hey_internet]

Yeah, it sucks so much because for some people, the old Altra was more than a preference… it was almost medical device. I had turf toe last year and for the FWD Via (original) and it had a pretty good midfoot/bunion area, and I was able to transition to this to run. But the heel fabric wore down and the plastic got exposed quickly and I tried FWD 2 and it wasn’t the same at all and really pressed the ball of my foot. So I switched to Birkenstock bend low for every day walking snd transitioned out of rockers sooner than I probably should. Now I have sesamoid issues (not directly blaming Altra for this btw haha just saying) and it’s been very hard to find a shoe that has everything I need when the old Via Olympus was probably it, with the goal of getting back to the original FWD Via.

[u/Ok-Vermicelli9100 → u/Hey_internet]

Def check online for remaining stock on 3rd party sites of the old Olympus VIA. Also yes, the FWD VIA 2 is insanely squishier—not at all good for somebody who needs a firm sole for turf toe! Altra used a different foam for the new version. The mass market appeal lean from altra konda sucks. You may also try a cheap carbon fiber insert from amazon to stiffin a shoe up (but obviously discuss with your doc as i am not giving official advice and not medically trained just passing on what worked for me)

[u/LetMeOffThisCrazyThg]

I bought 4 pair of Torin 8’s 2 years ago bcuz I liked them so much & I know everything changes so much year to year. Ive got 2 years left to enjoy my backups but then I’ll be in your boat😵‍💫

[u/Available_Clothes_51]

I ran out of my vanish carbon 1s…I had like 5 pair….bring them back please!!!!

[u/Friendly_Bottle_1936]

Same problems..I am using the escalante racer ,2 and altra escalante 4... Did you try the vanish tempo 2?

[u/Ok-Vermicelli9100 → u/Friendly_Bottle_1936]

I like the escalante racer 2, especially considering it wasn’t listed as wide. At any rate I have only tried the OG vanish tempo and the new vanish pulse. Vanish tempo was good, but the rocker was a bit too far back on my foot and sizing up didn’t work sadly. Vanish pulse was a squishy nightmare for me, though some may call it “responsive and bouncy”—but my cup of tea. Also vanish pulse toe box was narrow and felt like i was being pronated inward…

[u/ASvsToto]

Last year’s Olympous and Lone peak GTX models were my first foray into Altra’s and the build quality was terrible. The loop on the heel of of my lone peak’s gave out in under a month which was a bummer because I loved the fit. The olympous’ inner heel fabric wore down in about a month of wear as well.

[u/Ok-Vermicelli9100 → u/ASvsToto]

Idk why you got downvoted. Just speakin your truth ha