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.

I run faster and farther when I cannot feel my feet...like I'm running on clouds. So far, only Altra Torin 4.5 and Escalantes 2 and 3 provide this comfort

I'm running into an issue with my running shoes now that I'm starting to regularly put more miles in. My second toes are longer than my big toes, and I'm having trouble finding a shoe that accommodates this. I usually wear a wide shoe and a wide toe box, but I'm getting very callused on my second toes, and my toenails have started getting bruised or falling off too. The worst offender for this was the Adidas Adizero EVO SL, which sucks because otherwise they were so light and comfortable! I have some old Brooks Ghosts (not even sure what version anymore), and they started making my feet go numb at longer distances so I stopped wearing them. My best option though not perfect is an ancient pair of Altra Torin extra plush, but they don't make those anymore and my second toes still take a bit of abuse in these. Does anyone else have this issue? How did you overcome it?

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

Wide feet here. Wide toe box changed everything for me (for altra torin). Went from suffering through 5-7k to enjoying 10-13km. Everyone is different so worth going to a specialist.