Altra - Torin 4.5 Plush

2020 I did my first in Altra Torin Plush 4s, they were solid. 2024 I did my second in Altra Torin 7s, which were a bad call. I didn't realize it at the time, but these shoes were the primary reason I had developed quadricep tendonitis during training and I should not have run in them. Hindsight. Next year, I'm planning on using something from the Saucony endorphin line for my third. Probably the Speed.

I, too, am a diehard Altra fan. It is a double-edged sword though...they discontinued the best pair ever made, the Torin 4.5. You know, they always have to make a good thing better, but this is not the case with most running shoes. Sad truth. The best part however, is my ability to buy slightly used on Poshmark and eBay and pay a quarter of the price that people are paying for the fancy new trendy shoes. So between my longer distance 4.5 Torins and the Altra Escalantes, I think I have shoes for a lifetime, using my saved search. We are in the minority. I always strike up conversation when I see others wearing Altras. We are a niche.club!! We have better posture and stronger calves and heels🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️ All that being said, you really need to try different shoes for yourself. I did decide on a whim a while back that I wanted to be one of the cool kids, so I went out and got fitted in the running store, got myself a pair of Hokas... I can't remember which model, but I wore them for exactly 3.3 miles, thought I was going to die. I promptly listed them on Marketplace and sold them for more than what I paid Lol!!

No one can tell you what shoe works for you. Its it's going to be trial and error, and once you find the perfect one you will never want to change. You will get pissed off when they make their fancy "upgrades", obliterating the line you fell in love with. I wear Altra Escalante 2s and 3s for shorter distances and Torin 4.5 for longer. All the upgrades beyond that suck. But nothing else works for me. eBay and Poshmark to the rescue to purchase slightly used shoes that are no longer manufactured. Thank god I'm almost 70. My supply should last till I die Lol! Seriously... Just go out pay the least you can to determine which shoe works best. No one can tell you...Not even the shoe guys at the running store can be reliable. Everyone is pushing Brooks and Hoka and now OC...Just because they are trendy doesn't mean it's the best for your foot

Flat feet...please try Altras. Torin 4.5 to start. Find them on eBay, slightly used. In fact, since you're just starting out you'd be wise to try slightly used shoes before spending a fortune. No one can tell you.

I have always been an Altra loyalist. I decided to get fitted and listened to a guy at a revered running store tell me that Hokas were great fit for me. I was kinda excited, felt like one of the cool kids!! I put those babies on my feet and took off. I learned quickly and exactly what pronation was. I felt like I was going to twist my ankle, fall over it was in so much pain by the third mile, I stopped, put them on Marketplace and sold them immediately for more than what I paid for them. I learned that just because everybody else is wearing a particular trendy shoe doesn't mean it's right for me. I will stick to my soft, bouncy, sock-like Altra Torin 4.5s and the tried and true Escalante. No pronation, even wear and comfort for the long haul.

Over the last few years I've found that i lean towards: * 0-6mm drop shoes * lower stack shoes * not a fan of aggressive arch support (topo... 🙄) * wide toe box, I don't have particularly big wide feet but I don't want my toes to be crammed Now I'm spoilt for choice with trail runners that hit those above criteria, but week to week I have to do a lot of road miles too. Can anyone here give me a daily road shoe recommendation? I have Altra Escalante Racers, which are a cool shoe but a bit of a niche weapon, they don't feel great at lower speeds. And the Topo Cyclone 2, these are great fun but again don't really suit daily miles, they are more of a workout or race shoe for me. I want a daily shoe that's a bit more versatile. I think that I'm kind of done with Altra, they have a few shoes that are great but often I just find them a bit meh... I've tried Torins for road and found them to be very dull. I used to use the Kinvara 13 as my daily trainer but the lack of wide toebox puts me off. I get on with zero drop but find some drop to be useful for road running, especially as mileage increases. I don't want a road shoe with excessively high stack as I find that encourages sloppier form when I get tired. I've shortlisted: * Inov8 Roadfly - these look like they tick a lot of boxes, the only thing that puts me off is that one reviewer noted that they are actually 9mm drop not 6mm (RunRepeat) and not ideal for forefoot strikers * Saucony Kinvara 15 - apparently back on form after the 14, but lack the wider toebox that I'm used to * Karhu Ikoni - similarly tick a lot of boxes and looks versatile but I'm not familiar with footshape and sizing * Karhu Fusion - same as above Any other ideas to put on my list? Or good experiences with a road shoe option?

Yeah I really like the Escalante Racers and ages back I had the super minimal Vanish XC shoes, both proper back to basics runners. The Torins (7?) aren't too bad in fairness, I just never pick them over other shoes I find them a bit heavy and uninspiring, the fit is sloppy on me too but I probably bought too big. I have Outroads too which I like for mixed surface stuff they are underrated but a bit hot and heavy. I guess I'd definitely consider the new Escalante but part of me thinks that they are too similar to the Racers that I already have. Right now this moment I'm leaning towards Karhu Fusion 4 - they just seem to tick the most boxes for me and a good middle ground of everything.

Glad that I'm not the only one, ueah recently I've been doing a lot of slower road miles in an older pair of Altra Outroads. They are fine just a bit heavy and overkill for a lot of roads.

Get a fitting at a running store. I have had good luck with Altra Torins and I usually buy mens vs womens.

Altra is a bit cheaper than other good brands. In my case, Altra Torin.

I’m around the same size and run inn Altra Torins and I really like them

Long time Altra fan (Escalantes, Torins). Altra doesn’t really do road runners well anymore - heavy, unbreathable. Altra trail runners I still love (Timps). Try the Hoka Mach 6 in wide if you’re willing to venture outside zero drop. They are low drop (5 mm) and I have no issues mixing this low drop with zero drops.

I run Altra Torin and Sketchers Go Run for distance (medium cusioning). For my short runs, I go with my Altra Escalante (normal cushioning)

Altra Torins are all I run in. I have super high arches plus wide front foot. I have 367ish miles on my current pair and am about to buy a new set to break in for a half marathon I'm running next month.

Altra, love the zero drop too and have 6 pair of Torin that are only suitable for walking now. The recent editions of Torin weren't comfortable, so I went with Hoka. May have to try the Olympus.

Altra, love the zero drop too and have 6 pair of Torin that are only suitable for walking now. The recent editions of Torin weren't comfortable, so I went with Hoka. May have to try the Olympus.