I don’t get it when they add stack hight to firm shoes ? If you don’t sink into the foam does it matter if it’s 30mm or 40mm stack hight ? It doesn’t make much sense to me
Great to see some Altras feature on the run testers, would be class if the team got into a few of the other shoes in Altra's line up (Escalante, Torin) and compared these to one another - for those of us who enjoy zero drop we are limited to choice within this brand. Could be decent for subs as no one coherent making this content currently!
Great video, agree about the firmness but I like it. Some of the max/soft shoes out there are getting to soft. I have had my Via Olympus for a couple months and love them. Happy to see Altra offer a road shoe in their original footbed..
What I love about these shoes is that they actually encouraged me to slightly shorten my stride and avoid slouching into my stride, and kept me more upright. No calf pain, no hip or knee / IB pain. Gave me much better more efficient posture!
I have had the Via Olympus and the Torin 6. I like both. I like the firmness of the Via Olympus as I find the Torin a little too soft, but okay. The Nimbus 25 is too soft as well as the NB More v4, etc for me. One problem with the Via Olympus is it is not breathable and my feet feel like they are baking in an oven in the summer heat. The Olympus and Torin have been the best shoes for me of many I tried for metatarsalgia pain. I have gone through a few Asics shoe models recently and they are just not working for my feet (have an Asics store nearby). One other problem with the Via Olympus for me (besides not breathable) is the vertical volume isn’t enough. I have a high instep on my right foot and I have tried various lacing schemes and elastic laces. My right foot is also shorter and wider than my left foot, so my right heel slips out making the lacing situation with my high instep a crazy balancing situation as I need to secure top of my foot enough to help keep my heel in the shoe (shoe almost came off couple of times). I also added a heel liner to back of right shoe to try and help hold my right heel in a little better. So, the Torin 6 has been better for me. I have them laced normal and just have to tie them lightly and loosen a bit more on longer walks. I am 64 old man with 3 back surgeries and heart stent (put in last year). I have arthritis issues in toe joints, knees and spine inhibiting me somewhat. I have an unusual situation in that both my big toe joints need surgery. Besides arthritis damage, I have bone that grew over top of the joints and my big toes cannot flex back like normal, healthy feet. The via Olympus has done the best so far for me at minimizing my big toe joint pain on my longer walks (I am a walker, not a runner). So, when I go 10 - 18 miles (which I am not supposed to do), I get terrible pain in the big toe joints in many shoes I tried. The Torin 6 has done well for me if I stay under 8 miles. I have not had a chance to try the Torin 7 yet. I am skeptical in that I heard the vertical volume is a little less than the 6 and they added a little more toe spring in the 7. Both of those changes are bad for me. I would like the 2mm more cushion than the 6 and the new tongue in the 7. I wish the Torin was a little firmer, but I get by with it.
Great review, thats. Keep walking, you are doing great for your age. I would suggest you to start running slowly slowly , i promise you it will change your life.
I recently bought a pair on sale (quite a bargain) because I was already intrigued by them. I truly love them - the zero drop in combination with the wide roomy toe box makes my feet happy and the running experience feels different (after a couple workouts I noticed some foot muscles to be activated) so I'm quite pleased. One quality was the ability to be very responsive in a nice way when lifting the pace despite its weight, in comparison to similar shoes like the Adidas Boston 11 or the NB FF V4 where you have to press hard the ground to get that energy return..
Friends remember, you can't just switch to a zero drop shoe if you're used to traditional running shoes. You need time to strengthen your calves and the ankles before you can do all of your runs in them otherwise you're asking for injuries.
@@GrungeAct That’s good to know, GrungeAct. Given that that is true, I believe that zero drop shoes place the calf and ankle at a disadvantageous leverage for competitive running…the muscle in a dropped, stretched position is biomechanically “weaker” from a physics standpoint, plus are not promoting the “forward lean” (Pose Method etc) that runners know well. Time will tell if we see non-sponsored but high end runners win races in Altras. Thank you again for mentioning a good point.
@@Burps___ Speaking purely from my own experience, while zero drop does ask more of the ankle and calf, after a very slow and steady transition period, my ankles gained a lot of extra flexibility and the forward lean now comes more naturally from the ankles. The first time I wore zero drops I did an 'easy' 5k but I couldn't walk for 2 days because my calves were so painful. After that I just spent my time walking in them and used couch to 5k to build up to running. Certainly some level of drop might benefit racing though...(PS Not trying to proselytise, just sharing my experience :)
Think I’ve been using altra about ten years Try lower stack altra 25 mm they do solder up but I’ve found they do lose bonce after 500 k paradigm 5 best of altra I’ve try much better heel cup than state shoe heel on yours I did not like my Olympus 3.5 same stack shoe which was very tuff shoe just too big I’m sure the fit better but that heeI I have got very good at using Shoe Goo thou
I am indeed an Altra shoe person. When I'm not running in Vivobarefoots I use the 2021 Altra Rivera for my easy ploddy runs and the Escalante Racers for my faster interval stuff. Since wearing shoes with a wider toe box, I just can't go back to the traditional style. Really wanted some Saucony Endorphin Speed 3s after all the hype but now my toe-spread is too wide and even though I have narrow feet the outside of my big toe rubs in any 'normal' shoes. Also have some Altra Superior 5s, which I never use since I can't find any trails near me.
I was surprised how stiff they felt compared to the Olympus 4s and 5s. I tried to like them but they were just too uncomfortable for me. I’m waiting to see what they release to replace them in the future in hopes of having a better outcome. It really disappointed me as I have been a big fan and buyer of Altra shoes
I run 80% in alstras and though they never go for all out squish i Don’t find them firm. The via Olympus seems to be though, i Don’t have them but every reviewer says the same this so they must be. Seems like they have a different blend for the ego max foam here, which is soft in the Torin and Mont Blanc for example. Great to see more Altra here 👊😀
I’ve been living in zero drop for about 7 years went for altra as feet getting old I’ve had to stop running due to hip knees still sticking with zero drop comfort beware altra sizing and some do a hoka dance after not too long . Topo also very good best for longevity very good fit Lacing locks feet in good for going zero drop as topo still do stack heel up few mm
I know you can’t say what you’re testing because there probably under embargo but are you testing new super shoes at the moment ? There a particular nike shoe I have my eyes on haha
Great review, do you agree with the notion that slow runner (senior) should use flexible shoes and faster runners move to plates.. I used the RC Elite V2 and Vaporfly for long slow runs and got bad lower calf pain that I'm limping for a week ..
Hi (Kieran here) I wouldn't personally put pace limits on any shoes. I would, however, take into account form and weight and the type of runs you're doing. Mainly keep carbon shoes for racing. Non carbon for the bulk of the lower intensity training miles. If those two plate shoes have left you limping, definitely try something different.
@@TheRunTesters thank you saying that about weight.., I’m a bigger guy.., and need different things than a lot of runners. I definitely tend to look for cushioning, after all other boxes are checked
I don’t get it when they add stack hight to firm shoes ? If you don’t sink into the foam does it matter if it’s 30mm or 40mm stack hight ?
It doesn’t make much sense to me
Great to see some Altras feature on the run testers, would be class if the team got into a few of the other shoes in Altra's line up (Escalante, Torin) and compared these to one another - for those of us who enjoy zero drop we are limited to choice within this brand. Could be decent for subs as no one coherent making this content currently!
They are really nice , I immediately went home after dark and ran 5 miles , I was relieved to have zero knee issues! Something I m normally prone to .
Great video, agree about the firmness but I like it. Some of the max/soft shoes out there are getting to soft. I have had my Via Olympus for a couple months and love them. Happy to see Altra offer a road shoe in their original footbed..
What I love about these shoes is that they actually encouraged me to slightly shorten my stride and avoid slouching into my stride, and kept me more upright. No calf pain, no hip or knee / IB pain. Gave me much better more efficient posture!
I have had the Via Olympus and the Torin 6. I like both. I like the firmness of the Via Olympus as I find the Torin a little too soft, but okay. The Nimbus 25 is too soft as well as the NB More v4, etc for me. One problem with the Via Olympus is it is not breathable and my feet feel like they are baking in an oven in the summer heat. The Olympus and Torin have been the best shoes for me of many I tried for metatarsalgia pain. I have gone through a few Asics shoe models recently and they are just not working for my feet (have an Asics store nearby). One other problem with the Via Olympus for me (besides not breathable) is the vertical volume isn’t enough. I have a high instep on my right foot and I have tried various lacing schemes and elastic laces. My right foot is also shorter and wider than my left foot, so my right heel slips out making the lacing situation with my high instep a crazy balancing situation as I need to secure top of my foot enough to help keep my heel in the shoe (shoe almost came off couple of times). I also added a heel liner to back of right shoe to try and help hold my right heel in a little better. So, the Torin 6 has been better for me. I have them laced normal and just have to tie them lightly and loosen a bit more on longer walks. I am 64 old man with 3 back surgeries and heart stent (put in last year). I have arthritis issues in toe joints, knees and spine inhibiting me somewhat. I have an unusual situation in that both my big toe joints need surgery. Besides arthritis damage, I have bone that grew over top of the joints and my big toes cannot flex back like normal, healthy feet. The via Olympus has done the best so far for me at minimizing my big toe joint pain on my longer walks (I am a walker, not a runner). So, when I go 10 - 18 miles (which I am not supposed to do), I get terrible pain in the big toe joints in many shoes I tried. The Torin 6 has done well for me if I stay under 8 miles.
I have not had a chance to try the Torin 7 yet. I am skeptical in that I heard the vertical volume is a little less than the 6 and they added a little more toe spring in the 7. Both of those changes are bad for me. I would like the 2mm more cushion than the 6 and the new tongue in the 7. I wish the Torin was a little firmer, but I get by with it.
Great review, thats. Keep walking, you are doing great for your age. I would suggest you to start running slowly slowly , i promise you it will change your life.
Have you tried the Altra Escalante Racer? That's at the other end of the spectrum
Have you done any more runs in these since posting this review? Have you changed your mind?
I recently bought a pair on sale (quite a bargain) because I was already intrigued by them. I truly love them - the zero drop in combination with the wide roomy toe box makes my feet happy and the running experience feels different (after a couple workouts I noticed some foot muscles to be activated) so I'm quite pleased. One quality was the ability to be very responsive in a nice way when lifting the pace despite its weight, in comparison to similar shoes like the Adidas Boston 11 or the NB FF V4 where you have to press hard the ground to get that energy return..
Altra Torin 5 I bought and they tore me up! Calf pain big time on my next run from the first step. I’m back to New Balance 1080s.
Friends remember, you can't just switch to a zero drop shoe if you're used to traditional running shoes.
You need time to strengthen your calves and the ankles before you can do all of your runs in them otherwise you're asking for injuries.
@@GrungeAct That’s good to know, GrungeAct. Given that that is true, I believe that zero drop shoes place the calf and ankle at a disadvantageous leverage for competitive running…the muscle in a dropped, stretched position is biomechanically “weaker” from a physics standpoint, plus are not promoting the “forward lean” (Pose Method etc) that runners know well. Time will tell if we see non-sponsored but high end runners win races in Altras. Thank you again for mentioning a good point.
@@Burps___ they already are.
Look up Zach Bitter!
@@Burps___ Speaking purely from my own experience, while zero drop does ask more of the ankle and calf, after a very slow and steady transition period, my ankles gained a lot of extra flexibility and the forward lean now comes more naturally from the ankles. The first time I wore zero drops I did an 'easy' 5k but I couldn't walk for 2 days because my calves were so painful. After that I just spent my time walking in them and used couch to 5k to build up to running. Certainly some level of drop might benefit racing though...(PS Not trying to proselytise, just sharing my experience :)
Great vid. For most people, Altras are a big adjustment. Going flat from an angle makes them bounce around trying to gauge how it feels.
Wonder their durability……sone reviews said Altra tears side of shoes…..
Think I’ve been using altra about ten years Try lower stack altra 25 mm they do solder up but I’ve found they do lose bonce after 500 k paradigm 5 best of altra I’ve try much better heel cup than state shoe heel on yours I did not like my Olympus 3.5 same stack shoe which was very tuff shoe just too big I’m sure the fit better but that heeI I have got very good at using Shoe Goo thou
I am indeed an Altra shoe person. When I'm not running in Vivobarefoots I use the 2021 Altra Rivera for my easy ploddy runs and the Escalante Racers for my faster interval stuff. Since wearing shoes with a wider toe box, I just can't go back to the traditional style. Really wanted some Saucony Endorphin Speed 3s after all the hype but now my toe-spread is too wide and even though I have narrow feet the outside of my big toe rubs in any 'normal' shoes. Also have some Altra Superior 5s, which I never use since I can't find any trails near me.
I was surprised how stiff they felt compared to the Olympus 4s and 5s. I tried to like them but they were just too uncomfortable for me. I’m waiting to see what they release to replace them in the future in hopes of having a better outcome. It really disappointed me as I have been a big fan and buyer of Altra shoes
I run 80% in alstras and though they never go for all out squish i Don’t find them firm. The via Olympus seems to be though, i Don’t have them but every reviewer says the same this so they must be. Seems like they have a different blend for the ego max foam here, which is soft in the Torin and Mont Blanc for example. Great to see more Altra here 👊😀
Don't sound like they'll work for me at all but another great video, thanks Kieran
These shoes are meh..
The posterior medial wedge just kills it for me. These are a let down in my opinion
why did Altra make them so firm with that size? have heard Torin 7 is softer
I’ve been living in zero drop for about 7 years went for altra as feet getting old I’ve had to stop running due to hip knees still sticking with zero drop comfort beware altra sizing and some do a hoka dance after not too long . Topo also very good best for longevity very good fit Lacing locks feet in good for going zero drop as topo still do stack heel up few mm
I know you can’t say what you’re testing because there probably under embargo but are you testing new super shoes at the moment ?
There a particular nike shoe I have my eyes on haha
Great review, do you agree with the notion that slow runner (senior) should use flexible shoes and faster runners move to plates.. I used the RC Elite V2 and Vaporfly for long slow runs and got bad lower calf pain that I'm limping for a week ..
Hi (Kieran here) I wouldn't personally put pace limits on any shoes. I would, however, take into account form and weight and the type of runs you're doing. Mainly keep carbon shoes for racing. Non carbon for the bulk of the lower intensity training miles. If those two plate shoes have left you limping, definitely try something different.
@@TheRunTesters thank you saying that about weight.., I’m a bigger guy.., and need different things than a lot of runners. I definitely tend to look for cushioning, after all other boxes are checked
try the torin 7
Is the 7 out? I only see the Torin 6 online.
@@Griffshawn1 it's very close to being out
Get Joe in topo’s