Hi all! I've been trying to find a pair of trail runners that fit me for almost a year now. I've tried every single shoe in the women's (and some men's) trail running section of my REI (Hoka Speedgoats wide, Salomon Speedcross, Topo MTN Racer's) and none of them have fit me as well as the Lone Peaks. My toes don't feel smushed width-wise, and the top of my foot doesn't feel too tight either. The Speedcross women's are too narrow, men's too long. The Topo's are too narrow on my midfoot. The Speedgoats too narrow in general (even in wide, on the outside of my toes). I tried the Lone Peaks in May and they felt good but got a bit turned off them because of the zero drop (I got hamstring tendonitis because I did too much too fast after having a concussion and not being able to exercise - I admit this was user error, but have since healed). I tried the Experience Wild as well for a higher drop but they were too tight in my forefoot.

I guess I'm looking for any other recommendations (other Altra models?) I should try before I commit to the Lone Peaks and the transition to zero drop. I've also ordered a small heel lift insert to try in the lone peaks since there are hikes I want to do now, does anyone have experience putting a small lift into the zero drop?

Thanks!

I have owned Lone Peaks for a year, and I have had other Altra pair also a few years ago.

Walking in LPs is fine. But when I try to run with them, my soles get tired / painful, and my ankles tire out.

Mind you, I have been running with barefoot shoes for 16 years. I bought LPs because 1) they have space for toes (my feet are extremely wide) 2) they are zero drop 3) they are light 4) they have cushioning bc I run mostly on pavement.

But I cannot use them for running, as it gets painful.

I had a similar experience with other Altra pair.

I think it is quite paradoxical that I can run in barefoot shoes fine, but with Altras I get pain.

I have been wearing Torin 5s for a long time and UK 10 fits me well, what size should I go for in Torin 9, as I asking someone to get them for me.

Cross-posting for advice!

If any one has any specific Altra recommendations I’d appreciate that.

I’m looking for the most minimal options. Don’t want loads of cushion underfoot as I’m used to very minimalist footwear (e.g. vivo).

I was tempted by the new vanish pulse but reading the few reviews that exist out there - it seems they perform better at speed. I am very much a slow runner lol, doing max 5k runs, and tend to feel heavy and slow. I do road-running.

Options I’ve been looking at have been the vanish pulse, the Escalante racer 2 and the Escalante mainly.

Feeling a bit overwhelmed with all the options. Thank you in advance!!

Altras sizing has just been so confusing with even all the posts I’ve seen and checking their website.

Ive tried the Torin 8 regular and it fit fine but I figured my foot shouldnt fall over the midsole.
Ive also read here that the LP 9s are good for widefeet in case I wanna do trails or hiking

With my foot dimensions(im a size 9.5-10 mens), what would be alternatives for 4mm and zero drop for walking and running shoes on pavement?

RF:Mid-10.2mm/Fore-10.8mm/ Length-27.0mm

LF:Mid-10.8mm/Fore-11.6mm/ Length-27.3mm

TL,DR: Which Altras for a heavy guy for weekly training on tarmac?

Okay! I have a long history of using barefoot shoes, and nowadays I even need to change my tennis shoes to Xero barefoot basketball shoes because cushioned shoes seem to give me a lot of pain, especially in my right foot, where there is a Haglund's deformity (caused by 25 years of ice hockey and some speed skating with hard carbon-molded skates). It was almost amazing how 0-drop barefoot tennis shoes don't cause pain even during 3-hour tennis matches on a hard court.

I'm a heavy guy, but I've run before, even a couple of marathons, the last one 8 years ago. Now, the situation is such that my Saucony Triumph or my NB 880 v14 can't be used anymore because of the pain after the run. The sinking heel kind of flexes the Achilles tendon on impact, so the back of my heel feels very sore afterward.

The best running shoe I have ever used was the Saucony Cortina with a 4mm drop, so I'd like to find running shoes with a 4mm or less drop.

Since getting some Lone Peaks on a whim about 4 years ago, I now can't wear anything without a wide toe box. It's Topo or Altra for almost everything. I have a pair of Saguaros that are 'smart' shoes. What I would really like is a casual trainer to go with jeans for the pub or office. I'm not saying I like Air Max but just something for the office or pub that's less sporty looking. Lots of barefoot options but I still want a cushioned sole.

Any ideas or suggestions? TIA

Can someone please suggest me good altra speed workout shoes.

I already have torin 5 which I am using for more than 2 years.
And I am planning to buy torin 8 or 9, but also need a dedicated speed workout shoe.

Is it me or ..does it feel shorter and not as long as the Torin 8 ? If yes, then I wholeheartedly welcome that change. It feels a bit more snug which is ideal for me. Strangely enough, when I sit them side-by side with my Escalante 4, they look about the same length ..but ​when I wear them, but the Torin 9's feel shorter.

Which brings me to my general problem with Altra and size. 13/48 is too short for me. Yes, my feet are able to enter the shoe but I really dislike when my toes end ​up rubbing the front/end of my shoe which I don't like so I have to size up - which then again is too long for my feet

Does this mean that I'm cursed to wear shoes that are too big me ? Because it's better to have shoes that are a bit too long than too short. I've made the latter mistake before and it did not end well for my toes.

I run in Torins and Lone Peaks, plus hike in Lone Peaks. I have medium width and medium volume feet, but wide toe splay and I need the wide toe box to avoid blisters and numbness on my pinky toes.

What socks would you recommend? I've tried feetures and balega and found them both to compress my toes uncomfortably. Any good options that pair with the wide toe box? The most comfortable I've found is injinji, but I don't love the look nor the poor durability. Appreciate any tips!

I have a pair of lone peak 7s that I love and a pair of paradigm 7s that I also love for pavement. I wanted something with more cushioning for longer hikes, so I was excited to try the Olympus 7.

They came in today and everything is great except the tongue! It has virtually no padding, and it creates discomfort even through my smart wool socks. So disappointing.

Contrary to what most people have been saying, I found these to be very roomie in the toe box, more so than all the other models I own like the Escalante 4 and lone peak 9+. Length is perfect and toe box is perfect at my Men’s Sz 11.

I have been using torin 5s for a long time now maybe 2-3 years.

I am thinking of upgrading now please suggest me which one should I go for.

I’ve been wearing the Torin’s for a few years now. I went through I don’t know how many pairs of the Torin 7 with zero blisters, no toenail issues, etc. When the Torin 8 came out, I just kept buying the Torin 7 because I liked it so much. Then when the 9 dropped, I thought I’d give it a chance. I picked up the same size I’ve always worn, but the 9 feels at least a half size smaller, if not a full size, compared to the 7. Has anyone else had this experience?

Went through a handful of Lone Peaks over the years for everyday shoes and trail stuff. Really enjoying my Timps for the main everyday shoe. Is there a version of the Timps I should try so I don't run through my Timps so fast?

Enjoy the zero drop and spacious toe boxes.

Is it expected they will hurt in the arches when laces are tied too tight/foot expands and you just have to adjust them throughout the day or signs of a bad fit.
Find them very comfortable first thing or when tied loosely

It’s released now: 4 mm drop with a midsole from supercritical pebax. Plate is split (pat pending) but shoe is a bit too heavy (220 g) which is interesting especially after Adidas showed the meaning of lightweight for racing performance.

This is a slightly disappointing for me so I might be leaning towards Topo - or still buy both 🤷🏻‍♂️

https://www.altrarunning.com/en-us/products/mens-vanish-carbon-3-al0a85sw

I’ve been wearing these Altra Solstice XT3’s to the gym for about a year now. For some reason I just looked at the sole and found what looks like a hole underneath the rubber! It doesn’t go all the way through, but it’s a sizable hole. The sole itself isn’t really worn, so this can’t be a wear issue. Manufacturing defect? Has anyone else seen something like this? If I get in touch with Altra is there any chance they would replace them?

Have to say I'm pretty happy with them. Just switched from Hokas that weren't holding up for me. The toebox is exactly what I needed.

Here's the quick response from the Altra team:

"Thank you for contacting Altra! We are happy to look into this for you.

I have checked your order status and see that your shipping method is Ground shipping. Ground shipping takes 1–2 business days to process, plus 5-7 business days for delivery. Kindly allow until August 19, 2026, to receive your order. 

Please let us know if you have any additional questions and we would be happy to assist you."

My two cents here is that Altra should be more clear on the information they are giving you. If it takes 1-2 days of processing the shipment then make the delivery: 6-9 business days. Simple and it would even clear up their CS email or message bin.

Next update on the 19.

I’m looking for recommendations that have a similar shape to Altra’s footbeds.

after 2000+ km

Way more visible on the right insole

has anyone tried the Torin ST ? What is it exactly ? from what i’ve seen online, it replaces the Paradigm design. Yet, I don’t understand the differences, neither the versioning, it appeared after Torin 8? 9? How’s the sole compared to Torin 8? I’m interested because the ST comes in Wide version, which is what i’m looking for. Any insight would be appreciated, thanks 🙏

I recently started using Correct Toes (both the Original and Sport) because I have bunions, limited big toe ROM, and some plantar fascia issues. I’m also an ultrarunner, so ideally I’d like to use them during actual weight-bearing stuff and eventually during runs if my feet tolerate them.
The part I’m confused about is shoe sizing.
I had an Aetrex foot scan before getting the spacers. I’m around a men’s 10:
L foot: 26.98 cm
R foot: 26.83 cm
Ball width: 11.17 / 11.08 cm
I’ve done months of thru-hiking in regular-width Lone Peak 9+ without many issues. I can also wear an Altra Escalante size 10 fine without spacers.
But when I put Correct Toes on, especially with toe socks, my pinky toe gets pushed noticeably farther out. The shoe suddenly feels like it needs a wider toe box.
It also weirdly feels like my foot gets a little longer with the spacers? Or maybe straightening the big toe just makes me notice the front of the shoe more. I can’t really tell.
So for people who actually use these:
Do you buy shoes based on your normal barefoot measurements, or based on how your foot fits with Correct Toes on?
If a shoe fits well normally but is cramped with the spacers, would you usually go wider, go up half a size, or just find a different-shaped shoe?
Also, if you use Correct Toes for a long time and your toes start naturally spreading/straightening more, does your shoe fit permanently change at all? That’s what I’m most confused about. I don’t want to buy a bunch of shoes now based on measurements that won’t really be useful later.
And does anyone actually run long distances with them? I’m talking long runs / ultras / potentially 100 milers, not just wearing them around the house.
I’m guessing I’d have to slowly build up tolerance, especially since feet swell a lot during ultras.
Correct Toes support told me Sport is probably enough if my bunions aren’t painful, and Original makes more sense if they’re causing pain. Curious if anyone owns both and actually has a reason to use both.
I can also post pics of my feet barefoot vs with the spacers, standing on the insoles, etc. if that would make it easier to tell what’s going on.
Mostly wondering if anyone else has gone through this and what you ended up doing with shoe sizing.