8,108
edits
Changes
m
comment: batch update
=Road Shoes=
Altra's road shoes vary quite a bit in their weight, cushioning, and target market. There is no easy way of putting the shoes into categories or organizing them naturally, so the order below is based on my shoe rating.
* '''Escalante'''. The Escalante is my "best of the best" road shoe. The use of long-lasting, springy TPU foam, a comfortable upper, and lightweight make this an outstanding shoe. This is not only my top recommendation for experienced runners, I also recommend it as the starting point for all new runners. [[Altra Escalante| Altra Escalante Review]]. * '''Escalante Racer'''. There's a lighter weight version of the Escalante that works nicely. It's about 1oz lighter, 2mm less midsole, a little firmer but it still has plenty of bounce. It's one of those shoes that encourages you to run further.
* '''Solstice'''. The solstice is Altra's entry-level shoe, and is cheaper than many others. I've been amazed by how comfortable and long-lasting it's proved. This is not only a great introduction to the Altra approach to running shoes, but it's one of the best road shoes they produce. [[Altra Solstice| Altra Solstice Review]]
* '''Vanish-R'''. This is Altra's first "racing" shoe, and is by far the lightest, weighing only 5.3 ounces. While that's not to the standards of the best ultralight racing shoes, it's still a pretty light shoe. It has good cushioning-2-weight ratio, but I found a number of flaws. Like a number of Altra shoes, it has a very little height in the toe box. I also had some longevity problems, retiring my pair after only hundred and 35 miles. I'd still recommend it, as is one of the few options available for an ultralight shoe that will fit a healthy human foot. [[Altra Vanish-R| Altra Vanish-R Review]]
* '''Paradigm'''. I've just bought a pair of the The Paradigm 4.0, which is has the same TPU midsole as the Escalante. My initial impression is that , but it has doesn't have quite the massive cushioning same bounce. It's as softly cushioned as many of a classic the Hokarange, with but it doesn't match the the bounciness of the Escalante, and the Altra shape[[Hoka Clifton]]. [[Altra Paradigm| Altra Paradigm Review]]
* '''Duo'''. The Duo is somewhat firm with a moderate weight (8.4oz/240g), and has a good height in the toe box (overcoming a common Altra problem.) The sole acts as a magnet for tiny stones, which can be quite annoying, and a lack of longevity is a concern. However, if you're after a shoe with some protection from stones or uneven surface, but don't want to much soft cushioning, this may be a good option. [[Altra Duo| Altra Duo Review]]
* '''Instinct'''. I loved the instinct 2.0, and I still have a pair I run in occasionally. They were amazingly soft underfoot, and had an upper that was so padded you could mistake it for a skateboarding shoe. The last version I've tried, 4.0, returned to that earlier style after a number of versions that were overly firm. I've not yet tried in the 4.5, so I can't comment on the latest iteration. [[Altra Instinct| Altra Instinct Review]]
* '''One'''. Like the Instinct, the One has had a bit of a roller coaster ride over the various versions. The earliest versions were as comfortable as a pair of slippers but lasted like they were made of milk chocolate. The latest version I've tried, 3.0, has good longevity, but is neither as soft nor as comfortable as the early versions. The biggest problem with the One is the existence of the Escalante. While the One is cheaper than the Escalante, the difference in longevity means that I believe that the Escalante will be cheaper on a per mile basis. [[Altra One| Altra One Review]]
* '''Torin'''. I haven't run in the Torin 3.0, only the 2.0 and prior versions. While it's not a heavy shoe, coming in at just under 10 ounces, it's quite firm. It has similar firmness to the Duo that weighs a little more. (I haven't tried the 3.5 yet.) [[Altra Torin| Altra Torin Review]]
* '''Provision'''. This is an Altra shoe designed to reduce pronation. Because I dislike shoes that interfere with natural biomechanics, I've not reviewed the Provision, nor do I plan to in the future.
=Trail Shoes=