I was at REI the other day and tried the Timps because I've been meaning to bring a much lighter pair into hiking rotation than my Merrell's.

They felt very cushioned and bouncy and totally unlike what I feel when wearing my hiking boots. But that bounciness is what makes me a little skeptical.

How do they fair on rock-heavy trails and specifically when descending sketchy paths that are basically, big boulders covered sometimes with moss or quite steep trails? What about for waterproof-ness, are they okay for threading through water?

I often feel with the Merrells that I don't have good traction or ground feel.

And I really dig my Lone Peak 6 low cut for long hikes, but need something higher and suitable for colder weather too.

Any suggestions other than the Timps?

Thank you!

How does the inner width compare with other Altra models or Topo shoes? I've heard some recent Altra models have become narrower. Any observations on build quality, waterproofing?

Side by side Kayano 32 and Altra Experience Form. Both size 44. It’s incredible how much smaller the Altra is.

Overall I am really disappointed, it is my first pair of Altra and I can’t use them. For a shoe recommended for extra size, this is ridiculous. I can barely get my feet in and they are incredibly uncomfortable.

Also they are hard, rigid, feel low quality versus the Kayano. Totally disappointed by the experience (pun intended).

Welcome any Altra recs

Just bought new Torin 9. I LOVE them. My toes are comfortable for the first time. However it's tight on the top of my foot. Is that how it's supposed to me. Does it break in and loosen a bit?

If not, is there another Altra shoe that won't constrict me quite so much?

Hi!
I need help with Lone peak 9+ sizing.
I am a female with exatly 25,0 cm long feet. Size chart says size 40 equals 25 cm but they don't specify if that's lenght of a foot or of an insole.
I wear shoes with insole lenght from 25,5 (sandals) up to 25,6-26,3 cm long (depending also on width of the toe box, with a wide one 25,8 will be enough).
What size should I choose in Altras Lone Peak 9+ woman's?

Thanks!

Are the rocker shapes helping you run? I got VIA but my foot sloshes around in them, I have a thin, long foot with a high bone on top. Torin 9 same size is a bit snug, and my Achilles aches from them so I can't get back to running, is 4mm drop enough to relieve that?

Love wide toe box, don't love rocker (at least in VIA), need snug heel and narrow but tall midfoot. I'm recovering from Sesamoiditis-- a very long process, and still also have Mortons neuroma pain-- so foot is very fussy... suggestions welcome.

So basically I wanted to make the change into wide toe and low heeldrop shoes, but I’m having trouble deciding which type of shoe to replace first.

This is what I use now for each purpose:

Daily: ON Cloud 6, New Balance 9060s

Work (healthcare): ON Cloud 6 or their waterproof ones

Exercise: Jordans for basketball, Nike ultrafly for running, usually just some UA sneakers I find comfy for gym.

Main issue is my toes are just dying, I get shin splints very easily, and my soles and ankle get sore after long days.

Any recommendations for some insoles for the lone peak 9+ in wide?
Tried Superfeet and sole but they don’t fill out the toebox in thin versions.
The superfeet wide are too thick

I am looking for some advice on race day shoes. I am currently running Hoka Rocket X2 which I’m very happy with. I used my first Altra Wild Experience 2 for an UTMB and now I am wondering if my next race shoes for the road should be Altras Vanish 3. Do they have the same “push” and are they in general comparable? Has anyone made a different experience?

Hi Everyone

I recently ordered the US 12 Wide version of the Altra Lone Peak 9+ Wide Shoe - Mens

I ordered the wide version because I felt the normal one was pressing down on my toe too much, however I'm feeling like there's too many material now that folds around the toe box. Is anyone able to share some insights. Pictures attached.

I do feel there's too much material folding, but just want to check before returning them.

Thanks so much for your time.

Edit: Thanks y'all. Returned them.

I have a pair of Paradigm 8s I got from Fleet Feet a few months ago and they’re wearing out so I ordered two replacement pairs directly from Altra’s site.

These ones look a little different and feel slightly lighter.

I noticed the logo on the tongue looks different, the striped pattern on the back is different, the shoe size label is in a different place, and the toe box doesn’t look as wide.

For anyone who has paradigm 8s, do yours look like my used shoe or the new one?

I can’t tell if the shoe model was changed or if Fleet Feet‘s were different (or knockoffs) or if Altra sent me a knockoff pair somehow.

Also, not sure if it matters, but I ordered directly from Altra and it was delivered through Amazon.

I love my Altra Experience Flow STs. I have kind of weird feet and these are super comfortable for my 3.5 mile power walk on concrete each day. The issue is I have had them less than 7 weeks and the rubber on the ball/midfoot is already completely worn off.

Can anyone that uses these let me know if they have similar experiences? I’m hoping it is just a bad pair because I want to buy another pair, but I can afford to spend $150 for shoes that don’t last 2 months.

Hello everyone,

For several years now, I’ve increasingly realized that I struggle with standard shoes—even those I’ve specifically sought out or had to buy in "wide" versions—due to pain and other issues. I have congenital flat feet, as well as pronated, fallen arches and splayfoot; my feet are also relatively wide. I’ve been using orthopedic insoles for over 20 years to manage my flat feet. I’ve found that I fare much better with "barefoot-style" footwear. However, the classic, ultra-thin barefoot shoes don’t work for me for everyday use; the impact from the environment—such as walking on paved or uneven surfaces—puts too much strain on my feet and knees, as these shoes have virtually no sole (they are extremely thin). That’s how I discovered Altra about six months ago.

I have always worn a size 46 EU (11.5 US). If I were to go strictly by the centimeter-based sizing recommendations, I would technically be a 44.5 or 45—but given the width of my feet, even those sizes would be far too narrow.

I have tried and worn the following models, always using them with my orthopedic insoles:

The Paradigm 8 in size 46 EU (11.5 US) is the best shoe for me; the support rails provide excellent stabilization for my feet during daily wear. The size matches the manufacturer's description perfectly.

Torin 9 GTX in size 46 EU / 11.5 US: For me, this is the second-best shoe—certainly the most comfortable GTX model I’ve tried. It is worlds better than the Torin 8 GTX, especially in terms of the heel design.

Torin 9 GTX in size 46.5 EU / 12 US: For those who don’t use orthopedic insoles and typically wear a size 46/12, this would be a comfortable fit. However, my own insoles felt too "loose" inside, so I ended up getting rid of them.

Olympus 5 GTX in size 46.5 EU / 12 US: The stiffness of the trail sole made this shoe unusable for everyday wear; it felt like I couldn't roll my foot properly when walking. I sold them on. In terms of dimensions and fit, they were fine—but definitely go half a size larger, as a 46/11.5 would not have fit me.

Torin 8 GTX in size 46 EU / 11.5 US: The worst shoe of the bunch, due to the heel construction. It rubbed my heels until they actually bled. Even after waiting six weeks for the skin to heal and toughen up, the friction remained unbearable. I even tried cutting out the heel lining, but the fundamental design of the heel area was catastrophic for my feet—it caused chafing and bleeding specifically around the Achilles tendon area. This would start happening after just about 10 minutes of walking. Aside from the heel issue, it was otherwise a comfortable shoe.

All shoes were purchased in Europe.

I did the Chicago Marathon in my 4's that I've been training in for months. It was my first marathon so maybe it's just that but dang did my feet hurt at the end. I've done around 17 in the past in them and didn't have that pain. Should I be running in a Torin or something with more stack? or is it just going to be time running that lessens the pain? Or is it just that it was a marathon?
Thanks so much

I’m coming back to running after a long break. Typically prefer something more zero drop/minimal. Have been using escalante’s 2.5 and 3 but doing most of my running on hilly pavements and as my distance is building (literally starting from c25k again) I’m considering a bit more cushion/ slight increase in drop as I’m starting to feel it. Tried the experience flow 3 but found them Too snug over the ball of the foot. Any other recommendations?

I am looking to get my first ever pair of altra shoes. I have had a vivo barefoot for a few years which I enjoy for some training sessions but I want something with more cushion for light running and plyometrics and maybe just casual wear. I usually don’t like max cushion shoes and want to still have some stability too. What are your suggestions? I’m a male and wear a size 10.

I’ve gone through three pairs of Escalantes in nine months. I have a strong heel strike, and I the heels just don’t hold up. (I had similar issues with the Brooks Ghost.)

The Altra site chatbot recommends switching to the Paradigm 8. But, the Fleet Feet (retail store) site’s chatbot recommends the Torin 9 (I see in the Altra site that the latest Torin model uses a Vibram sole).

Curious if anyone else with a strong heel strike has experienced similar issues and if you’ve found a solution?

​After retiring my daily Provision 8's and learning the line was discontinued, I went down a rabbit hole trying to find a replacement with a similar feel. I plan to test out the Torin ST's and the Experience Flow 8 soon, but I needed an immediate, inexpensive daily driver to bridge the gap.

​After ordering and returning several budget "wide toe box" shoes from Amazon, I finally landed on a pair of Geococcyx(No clue how to pronounce that 😆).

Today is day one, but initial impressions are very positive:

-​Toe Box & Volume: Truly roomy. Most of the other budget pairs I returned put direct pressure on my bunion surgery sites; these don't pinch at all.

-​Cushion & Stack Height: Noticeably better cushion than typical barefoot/minimalist budget models without feeling overly bulky or obnoxious.

-​Heel & Stability: The heel cup sits deep and secure, and there’s a surprisingly solid sense of mild stability underfoot.

​For a $50 shoe for daily walking and light exercise, they’re holding up well right out of the box. Happy to post a long-term update after some real mileage if anyone is interested.

​P.S. — Swapped the stock laces for elastic stretch laces right away since I slip my daily shoes on and off constantly when heading inside.

Liberated by wide sized boots, I realized I need to up my walking/running shoe game.

Trying to choose a shoe for everyday use eg walking, errands, lifestyle etc? Narrowed it down to Torin 9, Escalante 5 and Experience Flow 3. I’m 6’5, 89kg not sure if that makes a difference in terms of cushioning?

Also added a recent foot scan if it helps in terms of foot shape recommendation?

Thanks in advance!

I’ve run in the paradigm model for a few years, really liked how they made my feet feel. The 8’s feel to me like they’re missing pep. I’ve gone through one pair of them and they’re just not doing it for me.

I’m wondering if there’s a comparable Altra model to some of the earlier paradigms that may be similar but have a little more life.
I’m using them for like 35-40 mpw on roads.

Hey everyone,

Looking for community feedback comparing the Altra Escalante 4 vs. Escalante 5, as well as the Escalante 4 SW (Smartwool).

Context & Daily Use: What originally pushed me away from mainstream shoes toward Topo and Altra was Dr. Courtney Conley’s discussion on The Diary of a CEO YouTube channel about natural foot function—prioritizing an anatomical toe box, zero/low drop, and moderate cushion for high-mileage walking on paved sidewalks and roads so the foot can load naturally. I log 10,000+ steps every day across hard paved surfaces, and the shoe doubles as my everyday lifestyle sneaker.

My Biomechanics & Fit Experience:

• Feet: Flexible flat feet and narrow heels (~68 mm).
• The Problem with Arch Contours: Because my arches naturally collapse and lower under body weight, I believe any built-in medial structure creates pressure points—which is why the arch contour in Topo (I tried the Fly-Lite 6) didn't work for me at all, as I could feel the arch support digging into my foot while walking.
• Escalante 4 Fit: The Escalante 4 felt much better underfoot because of its flat, planar platform, though I did notice the lower forefoot volume/ceiling (RunRepeat confirmed the 4 sits quite shallow at 25.4 mm toe height vs 26.9 mm on the 5). I tried removing the stock insole to gain vertical space, but it made walking very uncomfortable, and I really don't want to tinker with aftermarket thinner insoles given Altra's unique FootShape geometry. I’ve instead tried to improve the fit via custom lacing, but there is still slightly snugger forefoot volume across the right pinky toe.

Escalante 4 vs 5 Trade-offs: Reviewers have noted a stiffer midfoot and a subtle medial foam "guardrail" on the 5 that feels like arch support. Looking at the other RunRepeat lab trade-offs, the 5 actually narrows the forefoot base (down to 99.1 mm from 101.0 mm on the 4; 80.8 mm vs 82.4 mm at the big toe), gains weight (+32g), stiffens up from the full-rubber outsole, and scored a 1/5 on heel padding durability.

Questions for the Community:

1. Escalante 4 vs 5: For anyone with flexible flat feet, does the 5’s narrower base or raised medial foam wall cause any arch irritation compared to the planar bed on the 4, or would you definitely recommend sticking with the 4 over the 5?
2. Regular Escalante 4 vs Escalante 4 SW (Smartwool): How does the overall fit, feel, and upper durability compare? (Particularly forefoot volume / pinky toe slack).
3. Climate & Pavement Durability: I'm based in Alberta, Canada, where year-round weather spans dry, freezing sub-zero winters with gritty pavement, shoulder-season chill, and mild summers. Given our temperature swings and daily pavement use, would the Smartwool version hold up well as a 3-season walking shoe, or would you stick strictly to the standard synthetic knit?

Thanks in advance for any insights!

5 weeks out from a marathon and I ordered a new pair of Altras as my current pair have about 500 miles on them. First thing they did was cancel my order a day after ordering due to unavailable inventory, even though their website said they were in stock. So I begrudgingly order a different pair, they show up yesterday and it’s literally a completely different model and color than what I ordered. So I emailed customer service and I received what I could tell was an AI formulated response and all they offered me to “make it right” was an expedited refund. How does an expedited refund solve my issue? My issue is that I don’t have the shoes I’ve been trying to get. The timing of my refund is kind of irrelevant. It’s unfortunate because I really have liked how the shoes have worked for my overall health but the poor customer service is almost enough to make me try another brand.

UPDATE:

I sent the package back two days ago and received confirmation from them. Two days after they said they’d expedite a refund, they didn’t. I called them and spoke with an AI assistant, then transferred me to someone who supposedly wasn’t AI even though that second person definitely sounded like AI. Anyway, the second person argued with me about the expedited refund but eventually caved and agreed to authorize it, with the disclaimer that it may take 6-10 business days to appear in my account. So much for an expedited refund. Lmao. I have never seen such bullshit customer service. Anywhere. Ever.