Altra Torin 5 Review
Published: July 2, 2021
Refined Comfort that Cruises Through the Kilometres
Enjoy daily runs with an inspired balance of comfort and performance in the Torin 5
Likes
- Lightweight feel
- Natural foot shape
- Soft instep and comfortable ride
- Durability
Dislikes
- Abrasive tongue
- Short laces
What's New
New updates have been made to the Altra Torin to elevate the 5th rendition of these well-balanced daily trainers to new heights. The most significant upgrade is the introduction of EgoMax Foam, which is light and provides more bounce than the Quantic midsole compound of the previous version. The upper has also been updated with increased padding around the heel collar to provide a secure locked-in fit that feels luxurious on foot. There is no doubt that these next-gen Altra Torins are ready to hit the road.
The Bottom Line
The Altra Torin 5 boasts a healthy blend of stability and cushioning for a comfortable ride. The all-new Altra EgoMax foam midsole is a major upgrade from the previous Quantic midsole. It is now lighter, with a perfect balance of soft landings and light energy return. This combination makes the Torin 5 a versatile daily training option that is best suited for longer runs. Another welcome improvement is seen in the upgraded engineered mesh upper as it is now lighter, more breathable and has increased padding in the heel collar for an enhanced lockdown. Combine all this with Altra’s signature FootShape fit, FootPod outsole and Natural Ride System, and you get a naturally comfortable feel that has quality performance for daily training runs. Keep in mind that the 0mm drop and spacious forefoot fit might not be for everyone, but the Torin 5 should definitely be on your radar if you are seeking your next long-haul daily trainer.
Shoe Performance
Shoe Softnessi
FirmSoftRide/Energy Returni
Less SpringyMore SpringyUnderfoot Protectioni
LowHighFlexibilityi
RigidElasticUpper Supporti
StructuredAdaptableSpecifications & Fit
How It Fits
| Toe Box | Width: Wide | Height: Medium |
| Midfoot Volume | Medium |
| Heel Width | Medium |
| Arch Height | Medium |
Shoe Specs
| Weight | Men's: 9.0 oz (size 9) | Women's: 7.2 oz (size 8) |
| Stack Height | 28 mm (Heel), 28 mm (Forefoot) |
| Terrain | Road |
| Stability | Neutral |
| Sizing | True to Size |
Our In-Depth Look
Shoe Softnessi
The Torin 5 moves from Quantic to EgoMax foam in the midsole, making for a plush step-in feel and soft landings. EgoMax is also responsive and does not sacrifice energy return for comfort, or vice versa, providing a balanced shoe that is great for easy runs.
Matt: "The Altra Torin 5 surprised me with its high level of comfort and plush softness. The EgoMax foam midsole is a big upgrade from the Quantic midsole, as it is both lighter and softer. I initially used this shoe for warmup and cool-down jogs before and after training sessions, but after a couple of runs, the cushioning felt so nice that I added the Torin to my shoe rotation. The foam is lightweight and soft, which felt great for my long, slow runs."
Kaitlin: "The cushioning is neutral in my opinion as it doesn't feel squishy, but it does offer enough dense padding to provide comfort and protection for daily road mileage. The cushioning wasn't a huge selling point for me, as I would have liked a slightly more bouncy feel from this model, but it still felt energetic."
Ride/Energy Returni
With a moderate stack height and soft EgoMax foam midsole, the Torin 5 is more suited for comfort rather than speed. Despite this, the midsole is bouncy with a solid energy return, which contributes to a nimble ride that's well-matched for a variety of different training runs. And while the Torin 5 is not the fastest shoe, it excels when used for long runs where comfort is a priority.
Matt: "The Torin 5 is not going to send you blazing down the roads, but it will definitely enable you to cruise comfortably. The high amount of foam is meant to be more luxurious than responsive. The Torin's midsole has enough energy return to maintain a lively bounce, but as I said, this daily trainer is comfort-focused, not a spring-loaded workout warrior."
Kaitlin: "The Altra Torin 5 is a nimble daily trainer that feels light and flexible underfoot. The midsole has enough spring to make everyday runs feel a bit easier."
Underfoot Protectioni
The Torin 5 offers 28mm of EgoMax cushioning underfoot for quality protection. Best suited for long and recovery runs, this shoe will keep wearers fresh and comfortable as the kilometres stretch on. Even better, the EgoMax midsole is not at all squishy and still offers a relatively lively return considering its more protective and comfortable design.
Matt: "With a considerable amount of new EgoMax foam, the Torin 5 has enough protection to keep runners' legs fresh kilometre after kilometre. I used this shoe primarily on roads for longer efforts up to 24 kilometres, and the Torin held its own very nicely. I always felt fresh throughout the entirety of my testing runs."
Kaitlin: "The cushioning of this shoe felt dense and protective, helping to absorb some harsh impacts from the pavement. The Torin 5 also retains a good amount of ground feel, which made it feel more responsive and connected with the road."
Flexibilityi
InnerFlex grooves along the midsole land the Torin 5 on the elastic side of our flexibility scale. This flex helps deliver a buttery smooth footstrike transition that makes running feel easy.
Matt: "This shoe has some grooves to help with flexibility, and the foam isn't too dense, so runners will get a smooth and natural ride when wearing the Torin 5."
Kaitlin: "The Torin 5's midsole feels very supple when I'm running, creating a smooth and easy turnover. It feels like the shoe is an extension of my foot and naturally flexes with my foot's movement."
Upper Supporti
The Altra Torin 5's engineered mesh upper has been updated and is now lighter and more breathable, which is always a welcome improvement to a shoe's overall comfort. Altra's natural FootShape design feels secure and locked in for the run ahead. Besides a relatively stiff toe box overlay, which could irritate some folks, runners will rack up countless comfortable kilometres in the Torin 5.
Matt: "The upper on the Torin 5 is pretty traditional. The mesh is breathable and lightweight. Unfortunately, the toe box has some overlays that feel stiff and make the toe box feel shallow. I don't know if this was because of my foot shape or not, but it was firm."
Kaitlin: "The natural foot shape of the shoe creates a light wrap without feeling sloppy. The knit mesh is moderately structured, so I can feel the support throughout the length of the shoe. The natural foot shape is my favourite feature of this shoe because I felt no impingements and still felt secure."
Men's Altra Torin Running Shoes
The Altra Torin is a highly cushioned, neutral lightweight running shoe. It has a zero drop platform and is suitable for runs of nearly any length, short or long.
Women's Altra Torin Running Shoes
The Altra Torin is a highly cushioned, neutral lightweight running shoe. It has a zero drop platform and is suitable for runs of nearly any length, short or long.
Individual Thoughts
MattOverall Score: 8.5/10
Overall, the Torin 5 was a pleasant surprise that I ended up enjoying so much that I added it to my shoe rotation after testing. I hope that with a few more innovations and a more dialed-in fit, this shoe can grow into a top-tier model because it has some serious upsides. The EgoMax foam is soft, comfortable, and way lighter than I expected, which was a huge bonus. For runners with wider feet who are looking for a well-cushioned daily trainer that is also fairly light, I strongly recommend grabbing a pair of the Altra Torin 5s.
Shoe Softness
FirmSoftRide/Energy Return
Less SpringyMore SpringyUnderfoot Protection
LowHighFlexibility
RigidElasticUpper Support
StructuredAdaptable
KaitlinOverall Score: 7/10
The Altra Torin 5 fits short on me. I am normally a size 6.5 or 7 and was surprised when I needed a 7.5 in the Torin. The FootShape design prevented my toes from feeling too cramped or from going numb as they often do in other shoes, and generally speaking, the Torin 5 felt very comfortable to me. It provided ample space for toe splay without sacrificing security. The ride of the Torin 5 is nimble and agile, and it feels pleasantly connected to the ground. My one big issue with this shoe was that the tongue kept digging into my ankle, and I needed to wear thick higher-cut socks to protect my feet from this irritation. Regardless, I think that the Torin 5 is a great daily trainer, especially in the zero-drop category.
