Intro
When considering a new running shoe, there are so many similar-looking shoes on the market being made by so many different companies, it is virtually impossible to (1) know where to begin; (2) quickly figure out which one or two products from a given brand might work well for you; and (3) determine what products from other brands might be the most similar and also worth considering.
So in our “Blister Brand Guide” series, we provide an overview of the entire product lineup of a brand; highlight how each product stands out from the rest of that brand’s lineup; and help you figure out quickly and easily which shoe might work best for you.
In our individual product reviews, we go very deep into the details of particular products. With these Brand Guides, the goal is not Depth, but Breadth. Our Brand Guides and full reviews are designed to complement each other — provide a broad overview of entire company lineups, and then also very detailed reviews of individual products.
Altra: Brand Background
All of Altra’s shoes are based on two key design principles that set them apart from most other shoe companies’ lineups. Altra’s shoes all have a zero-drop heel-to-forefoot platform, and a wide, “foot-shaped” toe box. Many runners love this combo, but for people coming from shoes with higher heel-to-toe drops or narrower toe boxes, it may take some getting used to.
Since debuting their first shoe in 2011, Altra has gained popularity with both trail and road runners of all levels. The brand now offers shoes with a wide variety of cushioning, support, and traction.
As a general rule, Altra shoes have a wider and higher-volume fit than shoes from other brands. While this can cause problems for some people with narrower feet, many runners love the comfort that Altra’s platform provides, particularly when it comes to letting your toes splay out. And several of their models still feature a pretty snug fit through the heel and midfoot, so that some runners with low-volume feet can still get along quite well with them.
All of their women’s shoes also feature the brand’s “Fit4Her” design, which essentially means that they modify the fit of the shoe to accommodate the slightly different shape of women’s feet.
Altra started out as a trail-running brand, but has expanded into the road-running world in the last few years.
In this Guide, we’ll present Altra’s road shoes and trail shoes separately, and will order these lineups from the most cushioned to least cushioned. As Altra continues to release models throughout 2023, we’ll regularly update this guide to reflect new additions to their lineup.
ROAD SHOES
(Most Cushioned to Least Cushioned)
Most Cushion
Altra’s Vanish line is the brand’s foray into hyper-performance footwear for fast training and racing. The Vanish Tempo incorporates technology new to Altra shoes, specifically 33 mm of “EGO PRO” midsole foam for sustained energy return and cushioning over longer distances. Built on Altra’s narrowest last, the Vanish Tempo’s midsole takes on a rocker geometry to facilitate toe-off, which should help combat leg fatigue on longer efforts. Even though the Vanish Tempo adopts a more maximalist style (rocker and all), it stays faithful to Altra’s zero-drop design principle, so it’s still ideal for runners with a forefoot or midfoot strike. Unlike the Vanish Carbon, the Vanish Tempo does not have a performance plate, so it should feel slightly more forgiving, though that likely comes at the expense of some energy return. If you’re looking for a shoe for workouts or race day that manages to pack a ton of cushioning into an impressively lightweight and agile package, check out the Vanish Tempo.
Stack Height
- Heel: 33 mm
- Toe: 33 mm
Drop: 0 mm
Stated Weight
- Men's: 232 g
- Women's: 195 g
MSRP: $170.00
As Altra’s first carbon-plated road model, the Vanish Carbon is one of the lightest “super shoes” on the market. It resembles the Vanish Tempo in many ways — the two shoes share stack heights, EGO PRO foam midsoles, a narrow last, and Altra’s “Active Stance Rocker” geometry. However, the Vanish Carbon receives a flexible Carbitex half-plate underfoot for a snappier ride and it weighs in nearly 30 g lighter than the Vanish Tempo. These features move the Vanish Carbon more towards a race-day option than a model to log a ton of miles in during training. Some of the weight-saving measures Altra takes in constructing the shoe support this kind of use. The Vanish Carbon’s fine-engineered mesh upper and the spartan amounts of rubber on its outsole clearly prioritize speed over durability, which could negatively impact the shoe’s overall longevity. That said, if you’re interested in a high-performance model true to Altra’s signature style and care more about results than necessarily how long a shoe will last, give the Altra Vanish Carbon a look.
Stack Height
- Heel: 33 mm
- Toe: 33 mm
Drop: 0 mm
Stated Weight
- Men's: 206 g
- Women's: 176 g
MSRP: $240.00
The all-new Via Olympus borrows several themes from its analog on Altra’s trail side, the Olympus 5. It’s a max-cushion model featuring 33 mm of Altra’s EGO MAX midsole foam, the brand’s widest, “Original FootShape” Fit, and a pronounced rocker geometry that encourages an efficient toe-off. While by no means Altra’s lightest road model, the shoe doesn’t tip the scales to excess, considering the thickness of its midsole. Still, the Via Olympus is probably best saved for long run / recovery days when speed is less of a priority, so if you’re looking for a luxuriously cushioned model for pushing mileage on the road or to reinvigorate beat-up legs, it could be a useful shoe to add to your quiver.
Stack Height
- Heel: 33 mm
- Toe: 33 mm
Drop: 0 mm
Stated Weight
- Men's: 312 g
- Women's: 255 g
MSRP: $170.00
With 30 mm of stack height, the Paradigm 6 is one of Altra’s highest cushioned road models, second to the Via Olympus and Vanish Tempo / Carbon. Like in previous versions of the shoe, the Paradigm 6 uses the brand’s “Guiderail Dynamic Support” system, which is designed to provide support and pronation control when you start to fatigue, but not really affect you when you’re running normally. The Paradigm was originally designed for the Badwater 135 Ultramarathon, so it should be well suited to long runs on the road, particularly if you notice that your technique can get sloppy / inefficient during long runs. The latest version benefits from Altra’s premium “EGO MAX” midsole foam and a trimmer design compared to the Paradigm 5. Ideal for those who need added structure, the Paradigm 6 could be a good option for runners who want a high-cushioned road trainer that offers more support than the Torin 6.
Stack Height
- Heel: 30 mm
- Toe: 30 mm
Drop: 0 mm
Stated Weight
- Men's: 307 g
- Women's: 265 g
MSRP: $170.00
Stack Height
- Heel: 28 mm
- Toe: 28 mm
Drop: 0 mm
Stated Weight
- Men's: 280 g
- Women's: 234 g
MSRP: $150.00
Stack Height
- Heel: 28 mm
- Toe: 28 mm
Drop: 0 mm
Stated Weight
- Men's: 262 g
- Women's: 228 g
MSRP: $160.00
Stack Height
- Heel: 28 mm
- Toe: 28 mm
Drop: 0 mm
Stated Weight
- Men's: 274 g
- Women's: 234 g
MSRP: $140.00
Stack Height
- Heel: 28 mm
- Toe: 28 mm
Drop: 0 mm
Stated Weight
- Men's: 278 g
- Women's: 232 g
MSRP: $140.00
Stack Height
- Heel: 24 mm
- Toe: 24 mm
Drop: 0 mm
Stated Weight
- Men's: 263 g
- Women's: 219 g
MSRP: $130.00
Stack Height
- Heel: 23 mm
- Toe: 23 mm
Drop: 0 mm
Stated Weight
- Men's: 284 g
- Women's: 237 g
MSRP: $130.00
Least Cushion
Stack Height
- Heel: 22 mm
- Toe: 22 mm
Drop: 0 mm
Stated Weight
- Men's: 193 g
- Women's: 162 g
MSRP: $140.00
TRAIL SHOES
(Most Cushioned to Least Cushioned)
Most Cushion
With 33 mm of stack height, the Olympus 5 is Altra’s most cushioned trail shoe. It’s built on their original last, the widest of their three offerings, making it a good candidate for runners with wide feet. As one of Altra’s more expensive models, the Olympus 5 benefits from premium materials like an engineered mesh upper, Vibram MegaGrip outsole, and “Innerflex” technology — small grooves in the midsole that reportedly enhance flexibility and ground feel in high-stack shoes like the Olympus 5. Built for tackling long-distance runs and thru-hikes, the Olympus 5 is heavier than other shoes in Altra’s lineup and won’t feel nearly as secure on technical terrain as models with lower stack heights. That said, if you’re looking for a burly, maximally cushioned shoe with outstanding grip for ultra-length efforts, the Olympus 5 is worth checking out. See our full review of the Olympus 5 for more info
Stack Height
- Heel: 33 mm
- Toe: 33 mm
Drop: 0 mm
Stated Weight
- Men's: 350 g
- Women's: 295 g
MSRP: $170.00
The waterproof version of the Olympus 5 gets the same premium treatment as the standard version of the shoe, with top-of-the-line Gore-Tex protection instead of the “ALL-WTHR” waterproof technology Altra uses elsewhere in their lineup. Aside from a slightly tweaked heel collar for a better seal, the Olympus 5 Hike Low GTX shares all the same features as the standard model. However, at a hefty 473 g / 376 g (men’s / women’s) and with poorer breathability than the standard version, it’s not the best option for trail running for many people, so Altra designates it as a hiking shoe. If you enjoy the fit and feel of the Olympus 5 for treks on trails, but find that you could benefit from a weatherized version, the Olympus 5 Hike Low GTX could be for you.
Stack Height
- Heel: 33 mm
- Toe: 33 mm
Drop: 0 mm
Stated Weight
- Men's: 473 g
- Women's: 376 g
MSRP: $200.00
Stack Height
- Heel: 33 mm
- Toe: 33 mm
Drop: 0 mm
Stated Weight
- Men's: 528 g
- Women's: 436 g
MSRP: $220.00
Stack Height
- Heel: 30 mm
- Toe: 30 mm
Drop: 0 mm
Stated Weight
- Men's: 280 g
- Women's: 197 g
MSRP: $180.00
This version of the Mont Blanc carries over all the same features as the original, but swaps out a traditional lacing system for BOA’s dual-dial “Fit System.” Each lightweight dial controls the tension over two separate zones of the foot — one at the ankle / heel collar, the other centered more toward the midfoot. Instead of having to stop and tie / untie shoelaces, the Mont Blanc BOA’s Fit System enables fit adjustments to be made on the fly by simply rotating one or both of the dials. However, because the BOA dials are in fixed positions, the ability to practice more precise, alternative lacing techniques (e.g., skipping an eyelet or tying a runner’s knot to prevent heel slippage) is lost. That said, if your motives are speed and efficiency, upgrading to the Mont Blanc BOA might be a good move. Check out our full review of the Mont Blanc BOA for the whole story.
Stack Height
- Heel: 30 mm
- Toe: 30 mm
Drop: 0 mm
Stated Weight
- Men's: 317 g
- Women's: 264 g
MSRP: $210.00
Last year, Altra reinvented the entire Timp line with the Timp 4. Adored by many for its plush cushioning and versatility, the latest version of the shoe received several upgrades, including a new EGO MAX midsole for allegedly better energy return, a simplified quick-dry engineered mesh upper, and Altra’s Innerflex midsole technology. The Timp 4 is built on Altra’s standard last, and its 29 mm stack height likely isn’t too tall to jeopardize the shoe’s stability in most terrain. With no rock plate, it won’t be as protective as some other models in Altra’s lineup, but it should have comparable – if not superior – ground feel, while also still having plenty of cushion for longer efforts. One area Altra decided to skip when updating the Timp 4 was the outsole, which keeps with the same MaxTrac rubber. Still, the shoe’s emphasis on ground feel should more than make up for underperforming tread, and the Timp 4 is still a great option for runs of any length on all but the most technical trails. If you like the Lone Peak 7 but crave a few more millimeters of foam underfoot without adding a ton of weight, take a look at the Timp 4. For a more comprehensive look, check out our full review of the shoe here.
Stack Height
- Heel: 29 mm
- Toe: 29 mm
Drop: 0 mm
Stated Weight
- Men's: 308 g
- Women's: 262 g
MSRP: $160.00
The popularity of road-to-trail shoes has attracted many brands to design models for that category, and Altra’s new Outroad is exactly that. Equipped with a MaxTrac rubber outsole, EGO foam midsole, and protective overlays across the toe rand, the Outroad incorporates elements from both the brand’s road and trail lines. It’s built on Altra’s narrowest last, though the shoe’s foot-shaped fit will still offer a considerable amount of room in the toe box. A slimmer fit will also likely make the Outroad feel more agile transitioning between different types of terrain. Altra designed this shoe specifically for road runners looking to ease into spending more time on dirt, so it’s probably best suited for medium-distance road runs that incorporate stretches of non-technical terrain, like bike paths or fire roads. If you’re looking for a well-cushioned shoe that can feel sensible on smooth trails and roads, consider giving the Outroad a try. See our full review of the Outroad for the whole story.
Stack Height
- Heel: 27 mm
- Toe: 27 mm
Drop: 0 mm
Stated Weight
- Men's: 289 g
- Women's: 249 g
MSRP: $140.00
The latest version of Altra’s original, moderately cushioned trail shoe makes a few minor changes to its predecessor in the Lone Peak 6. The Lone Peak 7’s updated upper is now both stitch-less and seamless, with a more streamlined construction. It also features a familiar midsole made from Altra’s EGO foam and an upgraded MaxTrac outsole studded with an all-new lug configuration. Overall, the Lone Peak 7 could be a solid option for runners looking for a versatile trail shoe with a wide toe box and zero-drop platform. Its slightly lower stack height makes it a potentially better option for technical / uneven terrain than the Olympus 5 or Timp 4, though, in our experience, this will be very dependent on how these shoes fit your feet. So as always, we highly recommend trying them on.
Stack Height
- Heel: 25 mm
- Toe: 25 mm
Drop: 0 mm
Stated Weight
- Men's: 314 g
- Women's: 261 g
MSRP: $150.00
Stack Height
- Heel: 25 mm
- Toe: 25 mm
Drop: 0 mm
Stated Weight
- Men's: 322 g
- Women's: 279 g
MSRP: $160.00
Stack Height
- Heel: 25 mm
- Toe: 25 mm
Drop: 0 mm
Stated Weight
- Men's: 374 g
- Women's: 295 g
MSRP: $180.00
Stack Height
- Heel: 25 mm
- Toe: 25 mm
Drop: 0 mm
Stated Weight
- Men's: 428 g
- Women's: 340 g
MSRP: $190.00
Stack Height
- Heel: 25 mm
- Toe: 25 mm
Drop: 0 mm
Stated Weight
- Men's: 362 g
- Women's: 302 g
MSRP: $160.00
Least Cushion
The Superior 5 is Altra’s lightest, most minimalistic, all-round trail shoe. The Superior is designed for all kinds of uses and terrain, though it’s probably not the best choice for extremely long runs. Altra overhauled the Superior 5’s upper, adding a sandwich mesh vamp with durable quarter panel overlays and a “burrito” style wrap-around tongue for a more secure fit. Also new in the Superior 5 is a redesigned removable rock plate, which uses less material than past versions. A lightweight “Quantic” foam midsole and MaxTrac outsole round out the shoe, preparing it well for travel on technical trails where ground feel and traction are crucial. The Superior 5’s fairly low stack height does mean that it probably won’t be as comfortable if you do most of your running on extremely rocky terrain — we’ve found that previous versions of the shoe excel on up-tempo runs on smooth, less technical trails.
Stack Height
- Heel: 21 mm
- Toe: 21 mm
Drop: 0 mm
Stated Weight
- Men's: 251 g
- Women's: 215 g
All Altra shoes, whether for trail or racing have an insufficiently sturdy heel counter; virtually no support for the heel or archilies tendon This is a shame which has severely compromised Altra’s line-up.
Many thousands of runners would disagree with your assessment. There are tons of options out there if you want sturdy heel counters and support. Some runners want such things, some runners don’t.