Best Altra Road Running Shoes

The Torin is best shoe for someone who has never tried an Altra. The shoe is built following Altra's key philosophies. The Torin has their FootShape last and balanced cushioning in the forefoot and heel with the new EgoMax midsole. It is now being offered in wide widths as well to fit even more foot shapes. The Torin is a great introductory shoe for those looking to try Altra that are looking for a plush and comfortable running shoe ready to take on a variety of runs.

The Provision is Altra's lightest offering in their guidance category. The shoe utilises their GuideRail technology that provides support by running the midsole cushion up the medial side of the foot. This unique system stabilises the foot without disrupting the balanced cushioning from the midsole. The Provision gets an updated Ego midsole that has been flared out in the forefoot and heel of the shoe for increased stability. The Provision is one of the lightest stability shoes on the market making it a great option for those looking for a fast and nimble stability shoe.

More cushion with more stability. These are the main features of the Altra Paradigm. Altra's Paradigm is their best option for longer runs where comfort is king. The Paradigm features 30mm of soft and responsive EgoMAX foam underfoot and includes an extended GuideRail. The GuideRail adds support without interrupting the natural foot motion during running. Following in Altra's past models the Paradigm has the FootShape toe box that allows the toes to splay naturally during landing. Those who want a max cushioned ride with guided stability will enjoy the Paradigm.

The Rivera is a snappy and fast neutral trainer from Altra. The shoe features a slightly firmer Ego midsole compared to the Torin to help it get up to speed better than Altra's other models. The Rivera has a slimmer fit than other Altra models so is a good option for those who want to try Altra but are hesitant to try the widest models. The Rivera has a modified rocker geometry to assist with transitions to further assist the gait cycle transition quickly. Altra's Rivera is an uptempo running shoe that can still handle daily runs.

The Altra Escalante is the most similar to the original batch of Altra's that were first released. The Escalante was the first shoe with an Ego midsole, and continues to have a cushioned yet responsive ride. The shoe has a lower stack height than other Altra's and provides the most ground feel in the road series. The Escalante has a knit upper and wide forefoot that lets the toes splay and foot move freely. The Escalante has had minor updates over the years but the shoe has remained loyal to the first iteration. Those that loved the original shoe will continue to enjoy the latest updates.

The Vanish Carbon is a high-performance, carbon-plated super shoe that's designed for long-distance racing. Featuring a three-pronged carbon fibre plate that runs the length of the shoe, the Vanish Carbon is built for snappy responsiveness with a natural ride. Surrounding the plate is Altra's new EgoPro midsole foam which is the lightest and most responsive compound from Altra to date. The Vanish Carbon has a zero-drop midsole and FootShape design making it a unique offering in the growing world of super shoes. Overall, the Vanish Carbon is the best option for a racing shoe from Altra.