Altra Timp 2 Review
All-Terrain Slayer
Likes
- Secure Fit
- Great Underfoot Protection
- Responsive
Dislikes
- Poor Traction
- Slightly Restrictive Upper
What's New
Balancing cushioning with agility, the Altra Timp 2 offers a new full-length Quantic midsole for a more responsive and durable ride. The multi-tiered lugs deliver increased traction and durability thanks to the use of MaxTrac rubber, and the heel extension known as the trail rudder has been removed to give the shoe a more slimmed-down and nimble feel. In the upper, structure was added through the midfoot for a better lock-down on uneven terrain and a more performance-based fit. Despite all of these changes, the shoe still offers the signature Foot Shape toe box and zero-drop design that the brand is known for.
The Bottom Line
The Altra Timp 2 offers enough cushioning for ultramarathon distances without sacrificing the nimbleness needed for technical terrain. The heel extension, known as the trail rudder, has been removed in this model, and our testers appreciated the sleeker profile of the Timp 2. They especially loved the new Quantic midsole for its balanced cushioning, responsive ride, and lighter weight design. It performed smoothly whether on rugged trails or on the road to the trailhead. The upper of the shoe features a reduced volume for a better lock-down, and although those with wider feet may be disappointed with the more performance-inspired fit, our testers appreciated the snugness of the foot on technical trails. Overall, fans of the model should love the secure fit, durable cushioning, and lighter weight design of the Altra Timp 2.
Shoe Performance
Softness i
Ride/Energy Return i
Underfoot Protection i
Flexibility i
Upper Support i
Specifications & Fit
How It Fits
| Toe Box | Width: Wide | Height: Medium to low (Women's: Medium) | |
| Midfoot Volume | Medium to low | |
| Heel Width | Men's: Medium to Narrow | Women's: Medium | |
| Arch Height | Men's: Medium | Women's: Medium to low |
Shoe Specs
| Weight | Men's: 9.8 oz (size 9) | Women's: 8.7 oz (size 8) | |
| Stack Height | 21mm (Heel), 21mm (Forefoot) | 0 mm Heel-Toe Offset | |
| Terrain | Trail | |
| Stability | Neutral | |
| Sizing | True to Size |
Our In-Depth Look
Shoe Softness i
Now featuring the same Quantic outsole found in the Torin, the Altra Timp 2 has a plush underfoot feel that doesn't sacrifice responsiveness or protection. The generous cushioning will be appreciated on long trail runs and ultramarathon races.
Tracie: "The Timp 2 has a fantastic soft feel without being mushy or unresponsive. The cushioning was my favorite part of this shoe!"
David: "This shoe hits the sweet spot of cushioning for me-–not too soft or too firm. It feels right at home on the trails and is even comfy enough to take on the road for a mile or two as I make my way to the trailhead."
Ride/Energy Return i
The new Quantic midsole offers a nice blend of cushioning and responsiveness. Our testers agreed that it offered a smooth, energetic ride whether bombing down steep descents or flying along rolling single tracks.
Tracie: "I thought the shoe had a springy responsiveness that was well balanced with softness. It was a good blend and made the ride really enjoyable!"
Ashton: "The Timp 2 had a responsive ride that made me want to push faster every time I wore these shoes. It took a lot of self-control to maintain a steady pace."
Underfoot Protection i
With 21mm of cushioning and ample lugs underfoot, the Timp 2 offers plenty of protection over rocky trails and sharp debris. Our testers did not miss the omission of a rock plate but felt that it might be desired for extremely rocky terrain.
Tracie: "While I wouldn’t say the Timp has a TON of cushioning, it does feel protective underneath. I didn’t have any issues running over rocks and never found myself wishing the shoe had a rock plate since it already felt plenty protective."
David: "Even though the Timp 2 foregoes a rock plate or stone guard, there is enough cushioning to shield most of the underfoot impact on jagged trails, although I can see stone bruising becoming an issue over extra-long distances on really rocky trails."
Underfoot Flexibility i
The high level of cushioning found in the Altra Timp 2 limits the shoe's flexibility, but our testers agreed that the lack of a rock plate, as well as the strategically placed flex grooves, help to give the shoe a smooth and natural ride.
David: "This shoe offers a comfortable amount of flexibility without overly bending or feeling too rigid. I think this balanced flexibility stems from smartly placed flex grooves in the outsole as well as the resilient Quantic midsole which snaps back into place at toe-off."
Ashton: "These shoes offer enough flex for a smooth, natural-feeling ride, but there was enough rigidity to provide stability and poppiness when I wanted to push the pace."
Upper Feel i
The new upper features a tight mesh design that does a good job of keeping out dirt and debris while protective overlays offer a structured hold of the foot. The Timp 2 has a lower volume fit in comparison to previous versions, and this is combined with an asymmetrical lacing system to eliminate excess foot movement inside of the shoe.
Tracie: "I found these shoes to fit a bit more narrow through the midfoot than my other Altra shoes. I have a narrow foot, so this worked for me, but for people with wide feet it might be an issue. Even with the better midfoot lockdown, I still didn’t feel completely secure while running over uneven ground or technical terrain – I suspect a lot of this is because the upper just isn’t super adaptable."
David: "I was initially worried about the snugger fit when trying on the shoe, but once I got running, I barely noticed the upper. Most of the upper is covered in overlays which helps it maintain its shape and structure and prevents my feet from sliding around in the shoes."
Individual Thoughts
The first thing I noticed when stepping into these shoes was that they fit like a glove. The upper was a little more structured than what I’ve been running lately, but after a couple of runs, I stopped noticing it completely. The Timp 2 was relatively light, soft underfoot, and has decent protection from the trail. I felt that I was able to adjust seamlessly to any kind of terrain regardless of whether I was pushing the pace or taking it easy. At the moment, these are the first shoes I grab when headed out on the trail.
Softness
FirmSoftRide/Energy Return
Less SpringyMore SpringyUnderfoot Protection
LowHighFlexibility
RigidElasticUpper Support
StructuredAdaptable
I really enjoyed putting in miles on the Timp 2 and found myself looking forward to the trail runs when I was going to wear it. After trying every trail shoe in the Altra lineup, the cushioning on this one hit the sweet spot for my taste. It felt cushioned enough to be protective over rocky trails, yet responsive enough for rolling hills and fire roads. From high mountain peaks to longer flat trails, this versatile shoe can handle a variety of different terrains and conditions. Although the Timp 2 is not as fast as some of its Altra running counterparts, it excelled in the middle to long-distance runs where comfort, protection, and resilient cushioning are a must-have.
Despite all of the good things I like about this shoe, I did run into a couple of issues, mainly with the outsole grip and funky fit. The MaxTrac outsole isn’t quite grippy enough for loose debris and slick rocks which could become a larger issue over the course of an ultramarathon or all-day run with unpredictable conditions. As far as the fit is concerned, I experienced some heel slippage and thought the volume in the midfoot/toe box height was a little too low. I didn’t have any problems with shorter runs up to an hour, but I can see it being a problem during long-distance runs where feet tend to swell.
Overall, I really did like the Timp 2 and will continue to use it in my main rotation for middle-distance trail races and training runs. This shoe offers a ton of benefits in terms of versatile performance, and the ride feels especially dialed-in. I think with a few tweaks to this model in the next iteration, it could easily be a jack-of-all-trades that I would turn to for the majority of my trail runs.
Softness
FirmSoftRide/Energy Return
Less SpringyMore SpringyUnderfoot Protection
LowHighFlexibility
RigidElasticUpper Support
StructuredAdaptable
I LOVED the way the cushioning felt on these shoes! You know when the trails are that perfect amount of moist – where the soil feels soft but springy after a little rain? These shoes made the dirt feel like that ALL THE TIME. Unfortunately for me, the fit wasn’t great. They seem to fit more snug in the midfoot than my other Altra shoes, which is good for my narrow feet, but even so, I found myself with hot spots while running. They worked fantastic for hiking, though, and I’ll keep using them that way. Also, these shoes aren’t ideal on loose or wet surfaces, as I found the traction to be quite poor. However, they performed well enough on dry, well-groomed trails.