Altra Torin 6 Review
Published: September 6, 2022
Comfort and Versatility Reign Supreme
Likes
- Midsole remains soft and energetic
- Comfortable and spacious upper
- Great lockdown in the heel
Dislikes
- Upper lacks breathability
- Tongue can be abrasive
- Weight increase
What's New
The Altra Torin is a zero-drop daily trainer well known for its soft and bouncy midsole with a naturally smooth underfoot feel. The Torin 6 maintains the line's signature ride, retaining the cushioned and responsive EGO MAX foam midsole with Altra's classic FootPod Outsole that flexes with the anatomy of the foot. Furthermore, Altra took customers' feedback on the Torin 5 to heart, outfitting version 6 with a redesigned molded heel cup and longer laces to ensure a secure lockdown on all runs.
The Bottom Line
The Altra Torin 6 continues the tradition of delivering Altra's signature underfoot feel thanks to its awesome 0-mm drop, foot-shaped toe-box design. The midsole's EGO MAX foam also continues to offer a well-balanced ride that is both responsive and protective, giving the Torin the ability to rise to the occasion for nearly any daily training run. Have a long slow run on the schedule? No problem. Want to speed things up a bit with a little tempo? Easy. Speed training session on the track? Okay fine, there are better options, but in a pinch, the Torin 6 would still suffice.
The Altra Torin's lockdown is also improved in version 6, thanks to the new heel cup design, and Torin fans will rejoice knowing that Altra is staying mindful of customer feedback from version 5. Unfortunately, the Torin 6's tongue could still use some attention, as the thin, sharp design still creates some irritation, but the overall comfort of the midsole and spacious mesh upper overshadow this small issue.
All things considered, the Altra Torin 6 builds upon the success of version 5 with refinements to improve comfort and lockdown for an overall upgraded running shoe. This versatile trainer is a capable short-run shoe and an even better long-distance option. It is not just a good "zero-drop daily trainer" but a shoe that can compete with even the most established daily trainers on the market. If you are a runner who has been debating whether or not to give zero-drop a try, then the Torin 6 is a perfect shoe to help welcome you to the club.
Specifications & Fit
How It Fits
| Sizing | True to size |
| Heel Width | Medium |
| Midfoot Volume | Medium |
| Toe Box | Wide |
| Arch Height | Medium |
Our In-Depth Look
Upper
Michael: "Not only is the upper more aesthetically pleasing, but the lockdown has significantly improved with the addition of a new heel cup. Unfortunately, the new 'plush' tongue was a bit flimsy in my opinion, and it caused some irritation while running. It was not a big problem, but worth mentioning nonetheless. The Torin 6's longer laces made it easy to use the runner's loop and helped accentuate the shoe's secure lockdown."
Midsole
Michael: "The EGO MAX midsole looks and feels the same as the Torin 5's. The foam absorbed the impact of the road, helping reduce fatigue and keeping me feeling fresh deeper into my runs. I also felt less beat up post-run, which is a huge benefit. The Torin 6 was great for putting in my daily miles, and it was even up to the task when a faster workout was on the schedule."
Outsole
Michael: "I was impressed by how grippy and durable the outsole was. After using the shoes for high-mileage runs on the road and some fire roads, the bottoms of these shoes have held up nicely, showing no signs of wear after roughly 50 miles. The sturdy rubber helped heighten the level of protection while also providing a reliable grip that performed well on wet surfaces and the occasional groomed trail too."
Comparable Shoes
Michael: "When compared to other daily trainers, like the HOKA Clifton 8 and the Brooks Ghost 14, soft, bouncy comfort remains a distinguishing characteristic of the Altra Torin 6. While the Clifton 8 can sometimes feel too soft and Brooks Ghost 14 too firm, the Torin lands somewhere in the middle while providing an energetic bounce as well, affording runners a lot more versatility compared to other daily trainers."
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
Reviewer Picture
MichaelOverall Score: 9/10
I found the Altra Torin 6 to be great for piling up daily mileage. The softness of the EGO MAX midsole is extremely comfortable and is highlighted by a spongy bounce that introduces a bit of energy into each stride. The Torin 6's engineered mesh upper is a significant improvement over the previous model, offering more comfort and a much better heel lockdown. The updated heel cup with added padding provided a highly secure hold that did not slip at all. Overall, I think the Torin 6 is a great update and the ideal shoe for runners looking for a cushioned zero-drop daily trainer to add to their rotation.
