Altra Rivera 2 Shoe Review
Sleek & Stylish
Likes
- Breathable upper
- Flexible
- Sleek, lightweight design
Dislikes
- Flat-feeling ride
- Narrower than other Altra models
What's New
The Altra Rivera 2 maintains the familiar ride of the original model by keeping the cushioned yet responsive EGO midsole and changing the upper to be more breathable and supportive. The Rivera 2 keeps the slim Footshape technology, which gives the shoe a sleeker fit than classic Altra models like the Lone Peak. The combination of a lightweight upper and a responsive midsole keep the Rivera 2 in the sweet spot for a versatile shoe that can be used for faster paced runs as well as daily miles.
The Bottom Line
The Altra Rivera 2 is a well-cushioned shoe with a responsive feel. Our testers found that the shoe's EGO midsole was soft enough for daily runs and walks, but they would choose something with more cushioning for longer efforts. Despite the shoe's soft feel, our testers appreciated that it had enough energy return to keep from feeling sluggish on faster paced runs.
While fans of the wider Altra fit featured in models like the Lone Peak may not enjoy the Rivera 2's slimmer profile, our testers thought the snug upper helped the shoe feel secure when running faster and provided a nice lockdown. Overall, the Rivera 2 retains the same fast and fun ride of the previous version while adding a lighter and more supportive upper.
Shoe Performance
Shoe Softnessi
FirmSoftRide/Energy Returni
Less SpringyMore SpringyUnderfoot Protectioni
LowHighFlexibilityi
RigidElasticUpper Supporti
StructuredAdaptableSpecifications & Fit
How It Fits
| Toe Box | Medium to wide |
| Midfoot Volume | Medium |
| Heel Width | Medium |
| Arch Height | Medium |
Shoe Specs
| Weight | Men's: 8.5 oz (size 9) Women's: 7.2 oz (size 8) |
| Stack Height | 28 mm (Heel), 29 mm (Forefoot) 0 mm Heel-Toe Offset |
| Terrain | Road |
| Stability | Neutral |
| Sizing | True To Size |
Our In-Depth Look
Shoe Softnessi
Trista: "This shoe provided a surprising amount of cushion for running and walking. The midsole was very comfortable, and I never felt any foot fatigue with that luxurious Altra Ego foam."
Brycen: "When not running, I thought these shoes were super comfortable and had a soft underfoot. I enjoyed the cushioning within the shoe as well. They were also super lightweight, so I was pleased with this category overall."
Ride/Energy Returni
Trista: "The Rivera 2 didn't provide a ton of energy kickback. However, that didn't slow me down or make the run seem sluggish."
Brycen: "I did not feel the Altra Rivera 2 had a lot of energy return. With every step it felt as if I was sinking more into the pavement or treadmill."
Underfoot Protectioni
Trista: "These shoes have a perfect balance of protection for me, and it's why I love Altra shoes in general. I can always feel the road, but there's just enough cushion to keep me going. I can still go on a long run and feel comfortable."
Brycen: "This shoe has a lot of ground feel. I felt the lack of protection in the shoe most when running on concrete. It felt like the impact was being transferred directly into my legs. This was my biggest complaint about the shoe."
Flexibilityi
Trista: "The Rivera 2 has some serious flex to it. It contours to my foot and gives me a smooth transition from heel to toe without sacrificing stability."
Brycen: "There was some flex here but not enough to give it a rating higher than 5. At some points I felt that it was flexing well, while at other times it did feel like a stiff shoe. That said, I never thought the flexibility negatively affected the performance of the shoe."
Upper Supporti
Trista: "I really enjoyed the airy mesh upper, which provided a soft and breathable run. The only issue I experienced was some rubbing of the upper heel. This version seemed to come up a touch higher, so I simply had to change up my sock game."
Brycen: "I really loved the way the shoe fit; at no point was fit or comfort a problem. I loved the slim design, but it may not work as well for those with wide feet. My ankle did not feel restricted."
Men's Altra Rivera Running Shoes
Women's Altra Rivera Running Shoes
Individual Thoughts
The Rivera 2 holds up to Altra's high standards, and it maintains the brand's wider toe box and typical zero drop. It's a great all-around shoe for everything from daily walks to long runs. The upper mesh held my foot perfectly, but I did have some heel slippage and rubbing due to loosening laces. Overall, this shoe checked a lot of boxes for me with the perfect levels of comfort, control, and stability.
Shoe Softness
FirmSoftRide/Energy Return
Less SpringyMore SpringyUnderfoot Protection
LowHighFlexibility
RigidElasticUpper Support
StructuredAdaptable
This shoe delivers on its lightweight promise. While I don't think the Rivera is the most high-performance shoe out there, I loved its sleek design and colourway. I would have enjoyed more cushioning, energy return, and a smoother ride from the updated Rivera; it felt very average in terms of performance. This shoe is lightweight and streamlined, but it did not work for my running style. Overall, I would buy these shoes for the look and casual wear, but not as my daily trainer.