Altra - Timp 4

3 in rotation. Brooks Caldera for most of my trail runs; a pair of Timp 4’s hybrid road/trail (bumped down from 1st string once the tread started to wear) and Solomon Speed Cross for extra traction when it’s wet (rare, since I’m running in the Sierra foothills mostly).

I had a pair once and find them overrated.

Thanks! What are they like in mud? I’m a bit wary of the quality of Altra these days. The soles on my Torins lasted 800km and the Timp 4s wore out after 500km.

I have a pair of timp 4s with about 200 miles in them a they look much the same as yours. I really like them as a road to trail shoe but the sole is ridiculous. I ran 600 miles on hard trails , roads , paths and dusty rocky terrain in a pair of escalante. No lugs at all (Dew on grass could get entertaining) and they lasted way better. 

I always hear Altra is the gold standard for trail shoes. I picked up a pair of timp 4 late season, and so far have put about 15 hikes / 125 miles and the soles appear to be done. Is this typically? Would the lone peak give better life? Or should I look elsewhere for a longer lasting shoe? I feel the uppers and still in great condition and seems like much different experience than others get from these.. I live in Salt Lake, Utah and favor slower/longer with more technical favoring hikes.

My altra timp 4 have just done the same thing in exactly the same place on both shoes (it's where they crease at the ball of your foot). Mine lasted about 380km, ways kept clean and the soles were barely worn. I took mine back to the shop and got a brand new pair on warranty. A bit annoying but doesn't cost anything and I'll end up with 700+ km worth of use for the cost of a single pair of shoes. Maybe more

I had a pair of Timp 4. 380km of running/hiking, probably 95% of that on trails and the soles were barely worn, nothing like yours. However I took them back to the shop this week because they both developed big holes in the sides, by the ball of the big toe. But yea, the soles on mine were fine

My LP6's and Timp 4's are awesome on wet rock

I threw my Timp4s into the bin after 450km’s (280miles) mixed trail, gravel road running. Soles were almost gone from forefoot area. Timp5 with vibram sole, is a different story. But their ”build quality” doesn’t impress me. Toebox TPU overlay started to separate from the fabric after 100 kilometrers and needed some glue. Same thing happened with my Lonepeak 7. I like the shoe, how it feels. But my next ones won’t be Altra. Maybe VJ Ultra 3… if it fits nicely.

The Timp 4 is 2 versions old. That shoe had to have been sitting on a shelf for no less than 2 years before you bought it. I'd suspect the rubber dried out and that is what led to it wearing so quickly. Just a guess. The only issue I have had with any of my altras has been the midsole foam losing its rebound.

I’m a big fan of Altra Lone Peak and Timp shoes that seem to check the boxes above

Perfect. I find the timp a half size small as well. I also find the timp slightly more stable!

The Speedgoat is significantly stiffer than the Mafate. Altra Timp is a wonderful hiking/running shoe if you are interested in zero drop.

I wear barefoot shoes in regular life, and I used to wear Vivos on the trail. I do think I’m able to go farther and without sore feet with some cushion. I personally hike in Altra Timp 4s. I view my wearing minimalist shoes most of the time as strengthening my feet and then the cushion on my hiking shoes allows me to take the most advantage of that built up strength. 

Did it a few weeks ago, it's about 50-60% excellent, 30% decent and 10% shite (when trying to run it that is). Did it in Altra Timp trail runners with waterproof socks

i do like the Timp 5, 4s were very nice but durability was crap. The 5s have 450k on (will be 550 after tomorrow) and no splitting of the upper at last, Vibram sole still sticky and not worn unevenly

Regularly do that in my Timp's

Echo it's personal preference. Like you, boots are my go-to, but I've explored getting out of my comfort zone with non-WP trail runners. Here's my personal take. If there aren't a crazy amount of wet crossings, I prefer boots and to just swap into camp sandals for the crossings. If there are ton's of wet crossings, or I'll be wet-wading while fishing, I wear trail runners. I have tried Astral Timps and Brooks Cascadia, and much prefer the tread on the Cascadia's. If I know it's going to rain or be very likely to rain for many days in row, I now wear my runners. If I don't know what to expect with the weather, I'm wearing my boots because I still prefer them and am ok with damp feet, but there is absolutely merit to non-WP trail runners. I suggest experiment with your new choice on day hikes, both sunny and sloppy wet, then short backpacking trips and slowly expand your level of trust and comfort and decide from there. Not all trips have to be the same. For reference, most of my trips are 2-5 nights. Traveling internationally I usually do 5-14 night trips at a time and will use my WP boots because I find them more comfortable, more durable, more supportive and I don't always know ahead of time what I'll be getting into. But everyone is different.

Have you tried the Timp? To me they have a little more squish than Lone Peak, but not quite as much as my moon shoes (Olympus, lol) I’ve also become interested in trying the MtC shoes but just haven’t branched out yet.

I would maybe recommend the Altra Timp or Olympus series over the Lone Peak for your use case. They are certainly comfier for walking in (especially Olympus for a wider foot), but great for running too.

I have no idea where you’re hearing that altra are the gold standard, they’re usually recommended only if you need one or more of 0 drop, minimal, or wide toe box bc there are few options in those spaces. Durability issues are usually listed as their main draw back.  Personally I feel theyre somewhat overblown, as I’d always get 350-400 miles out of mine before the sides blew out.  However, that still makes them worse than all other brands I use; which almost all get 500 and I’ll stop using bc of comfort or bounce, not bc the sides explode. The newer timps have much better vibram outsoles, they’re super grippy.  Or you can try the topo mountain racer 3 if you’re not stuck on 0 drop, they’re a great shoe and durable too.

fellow PA rock walker here - I’ve had similar achilles issues with all the hiking shoes that actually fit my foot shape but have been happiest with Altra Timps for fit and padding. doubling up on socks has helped with the achilles pressure issues somehow, i use low cut injinji socks as an inner and darn tough hiker socks as an outer.

Be aware that the timps have a different foot shape. Took me too long to figure out why they didn’t fit like the lone peaks.

Im currently on the Portuguese central track, wearing Altra Timp Trailrunners! They have a lot of cushion, good grip, no drop and a wide toebox, which made it a great choice for me!  Ibought 1 size bigger (EU size) and walked them in really well + I use good summer hiking socks. So far no blisters, just some sore spots on the heel :) I saw many people with problems who were wearing either heavy hiking boots OR old running shoes that were too small (no upsizing) and or didn’t have enough cushioning anymore…  Bom caminho 

I've run a 100 in LPs before but I switched to Timps for longer stuff and haven't looked back. They're awesome shoes and I think they're a happy balance between the ground feel of the LPs and not being too mushy. At the time I switched, I was also grateful for Vibram soles (before the 9+ came out). I've also raced in the Mont Blanc Carbons but I found the upper was uncomfortable and had a lot of give. On the downhills my feet were definitely shifting forward despite using a runners knot. I don't have this problem with Timps and I also really like the Timp BOAs. They are super comfy and it's so nice to not have to worry about shoes coming untied and being able to easily tighten or loosen them. My only fear in a 100 is that something breaks and I'm not able to tighten a shoe and it's a long ways to a drop back with another pair.

I found the Lone Peaks to last longer than the one pair of Timps that I've had. The Timp soles just wore out really fast. But they were pretty comfortable!

I had a different iteration of Terrex a few years ago. For the price, they never quite fit right. Now I hike & backpack in Altras. Perhaps take a look at Altra Timp or Lone Peak.

We have walked and hiked all over Pacific CR. I take trail running shoes, like Altra Timps and have been fine.

Lone Peak has very minimal cushioning. I’d try the Timps they are medium cushioning.

Same. Had too many uppers blow out after only 200 miles. The shoes still had tread and life in the foam, but uppers just toast. Won’t go back until the reviews are consistently better. The only model that seems to buck is the Lone Peak, but it’s not my jam. I really liked the Timp.

Yeah sadly my experience with Altra has been the worst in terms of durability of any brand I’ve used. Edit: loved the Timps while they lasted 200 miles.

Ive run in them on and off for 10 years - longest was a half marathon on pavement but usual soft trails with few stones - roots can be a bit slippery - I own like 3 pairs I like to switch between my Altra timps Hokas and then flat vibram fives can make my calves a little sore from time to time- I like them

I had 3 pairs of superiors shred apart on the upper on both inside and outside just above where it connects to the base of the shoe. Same for 3 pairs of outroads. I've never had a non altra showle do this. They all died at under 250km. I have ~1800 km on a pair of nordas right now, and ~700 and 400 on a couple pairs of Topo mt5s. Ive put over 1000km on each of the last 3 pairs of topo phantoms I have had. I have a pair of timps and they have held up well, and the paradigm 4 was an amazing altra shoe. Altra is absolutely hit and miss and this topic comes up a ton. It isnt and OP thing. Its an altra thing.

I use Altra timp for this kind of mixed surfaces. Wide toe box, zero drop, fabulous fit for my feet. If they would only last longer than they do they would be perfect.

Maybe you could try more padded Altra, so Timp or Olympus. Lately, I'm a huge fan of Inov8, so maybe you could look into those as well. The new models are foot shaped like Altra or Topo but have a bit more support for me. I wouldn't get hoka speedgoat. It's really narrow shoe which could cause other issues on trail.

I went through 4 pairs of Keen mid-Voyagers before trying some trail runners (Altra Timp and Altra Lone Peaks) and....wow! I was blown away at how nice it is to have lightweight, quick-drying shoes with ample toe-box. Sometimes I remove shoes and cross streams in my Crocs, sometimes I just walk through in my Altras. Wear with Darn Tough socks and all the wetness will be wicked away. When you get to camp, take out the insoles to dry the shoe.

Lone peaks wrecked me, timps saved my hike

Altra Timp for a few years now

This is where I am. My feet aren’t crazy wide, but the outsides of my feet are really sensitive (probably from years of skiing). I’ve tried other brands like Brooks and several Topos but they just aren’t even close to as comfortable. I love the feel of Altras LP’s as basically being slippers. I can’t even find other hiking shoes now that are anywhere as comfy. I just wish they had vibram soles - I don’t trust them for Class 3 and 4 stuff. They don’t stick to rock as well as vibrams. I even tried the Altra Timps but they are not sized the same and I toe bang or am swimming along with my outside of feet rubbing. So even thought the durability might not be there, it’s worth it for me to have feet that don’t hurt. And I only go through about two pairs a year. Once done on the trails I make them my dog walking and yard chores shoes for another year. Edit - awww shit, I did not realize the 9 Plus have vibram. Awesome!!

Altra Olympus or Timp have massive toeboxes. Comfy too. Vibram soles and decent lugs on the bottom too. Really trail runners but are good enough for hiking too imho

I've worn the Altra Superior (Altra's standard fit), Timp (same), Escalante (same) and Lone Peaks (Altra's original fit, which is wider). In my experience the toe box on Topo shoes is about the same width as Altra, but the Topos are a bit more snug in the midfoot than Altra's standard fit shoes, which I like.

Altra Lone Peaks for me… I’ve considered experimenting with Topos but haven’t yet. The Altras solved a lot of problems for me when I switched to them and I’m kind of loath to change. I tried Timps once and didn’t love them at all for trail.

I do what a lot of long-distance hikers do: trail runners with a wide toebox and low heel-to-toe drop. Foot doctors agree that splayed toes are good and healthy! And a low heel-to-toe drop promotes a more natural gait. Altra and Topo Athletic are a good place to start. Try on as many as you can at REI. I had to try more pairs than I'm willing to admit before I settled on the Altra Timp for now.

Altra Lone Peaks are the closest to a one shoe solution in my rotation. Hiking, scrabbles, mud, smooth single tracks, camp, driving. They do it all. But I also wear Giros for clipping in, La Sportivas on rock and in crampons, Tevas on the river and Brooks when running on pavement. Altra Lone Peaks won’t ever replace those specialists. And the Altra Timps are my favorite technical trail runner. Good luck.

they have shoes with different widths. for example, my olympus shoes are wider/roomier than my timps. the website shows these differences, look carefully

I’m a huge bedrock sandal fan for hiking but for multi day hikes and longer hikes I lean altra timp for the little extra support and they’re perfect to avoid foot fatigue while carrying a heavy load. I buy them as close to a long hike as a can since durability isn’t as long as some of the more sturdy hikers but I think you’ll find that with any light weight, minimalist trail runner.

I agree, a trailrunning shoe with a somewhat thicker sole and a little tighter/more stable fit is what I use as well. Plus Vibram soles. Works for Via Feratas too. I wouldnt buy another pair due to durability, but I used a pair of Altra Timp for 1½ years and they were pretty good. Would not use a Lone Peak though. Maybe the 9+ with the Vibram outsole. Right now its Topo Pursuits.

6’2” 215 here. I’m using Prodigio Pros right now and they are the best shoes I’ve used, hands down. The problem is finding them in larger sizes. I went through four pairs of Speedgoats but heard the fives had some quality issues, so I moved on to Altra Timps after those. They were… fine. Decent grip, nice toe box, but they started coming apart pretty quickly. I like having something with a higher stack height for anything longer than 20k I’ve got a pair of VJ Xtremes that I use for muddier or more technical trails, and the grip on those is insane, but they beat up my knees past 10 miles. I’ll probably grab some of their Ultras if I can’t find the Prodigios in my size again

Great shoe but it'll beat your feet up on a hundo if you're not accustomed to it. I recommend Mont Blanc Speed or new Timp. 

I have a pair of Torins I use for long road runs and the outsole probably wears down a little faster than say my Kinvaras or Endorphin Speeds but the shoe really fits well so I've accepted it. I use Timps as my main trail shoe and I usually get good life out of those considering how much I beat them up every weekend on the rocky trails around where I live. I have a pair of Mont Blancs I bought a couple years ago but really only use them for racing a few times a year so they are still in great shape. Not sure how they'll hold up to higher mileage as they get older, but I've done a couple 50ks in them, and a handful of half marathon - 25ks and they've held up to that plus a couple training runs each race build.

Altras here, Escalante and Torin on the road, Timp and Lone Peak on the trails. Altra has the Outroad, which is a hybrid, if you're interested in taking a look. I'd try to own a couple of pair at a time, or purchase new shoes with life left on your higher mileage pair, so you've got a fair bit of overlap and can rotate between the two. This could allow for almost constant rotation if you time it right, and tends to extend the life of shoes with higher mileage, as you can begin to use them for shorter runs before trashing them.

Depending on just how technical, I'd also consider the new Timp with the Vibram soles. I really like Lone Peaks, but they can beat me up on techy trails. I find the Timps offer a more secure hold, better for me for more technical trails. I want to try the Superiors at some point, but know they are fairly soft and with the low stack, don't offer much protection.

I ran a 50 and 100 in Timps without changing shoes. I love the 5s. After several years of shit models, they’re back on top.

I swear by the Altra Timp. It has a wide toe box, thick cushion , but the heel isn't higher than the forefoot, so it's a zero drop shoe. I prefer that style . If you don't want a zero drop shoe and don't need a big toe box, than a hoka speedgoat is a great trail shoe.

Altra Timp! Much preferred it to the lone peak - slightly narrower toe box. I won't fell race in it but will mountain race / sky run and have done with no complaints. Happily bombed down techy trails in it. I found it easier to get better lock down, the Vibram sole is great and good but not unstable amount of cushion.

What you may want is low/medium stack height, not necessarily “stability”. Try one around 30mm or lower at the heel. Saucony Peregrine, Altra Timp (zero drop), Salomon S/Lab Genesis, Salomon Pulsar, etc. Do you have a history of rolled ankles? I do and I and over pronate. I prefer being closer to the ground.

I have probably 4 on regular rotation, 1 pair of speed goats, 1 pair of altras (timp?), 1 ancient pair of road runners/gym shoes, and 1 pair of Salomons (the ones with the almost cleat like tread). I really could get away with probably just the speed goats but I have found that having the option of different heel drops and treads really helps with different trail technicality and conditions as I am wildly injury prone. I retire my shoes after about 500-800 miles so depending on my training volume sometimes that’s once or twice a year, sometimes that’s after 4-5 years

I second this. You can really “feel” the ground in both of those shoes. The Timp is really stiff so it makes your foot feel very stable. FYI - you should size it up 1/2 to full size though

I've used the Timps for over 120kms on some incredibly rocky and bramble terrain and they performed great. Very scratched up but not falling apart at all. I'd ease into zero drop over time but they're a great option

Moved 2 years ago. Escalate and Timp feel apart. Ordered another timp and the build was sick low quality only 1 made it into my foot and returned. Topo is my brand now. Done with Altra

Ditto. I moved from the Lone Peaks to the Timps. Love this!

I used to run in Lone Peaks but have switched to Timps. They have less traction but more cushioning.

The new NB Hierro v9 is supposed to be a solid remake that is a better actual running shoe than previous versions of the Hierro. I think you might like the HOKA Speedgoat or the Altra Experience Wild, but I honestly haven't found a comparable shoe to the KOM that fits my foot like a NB.  Zegama is too squishy, More Trail is gigantic, Olympus too squishy, Lone Peak too thin.  Maybe the Altra Timp but you gotta buy in to the 0 drop thing.  I ran through 2 pairs of those but still not the same feel as the KOM. As a side note gripe: constantly disappointed in NB for dropping and creating new trail shoes all the time these days.  I feel like there's no continuity in their shoes anymore and has caused me to start running in other brands that fit me worse.  The 910 v4/Summit KOM was one of the last great shoes they made.  These days it seems like the More Trail super stack marshmallows or the Summit Unknown racing flat, or the Hierro which is pretty much a lifestyle shoe with a tread and sucks for running.  Maybe the new v9 will be a return to a solid mid stack trail shoe.

I switched to the Altra Lone Peaks from the Timps for this reason. I hated the high stack and felt too cushioned. I love the Lone Peaks. 

I did wear Altras Timp for a 5 day backpacking trip in Lake Clark NP, my feet did great. Shoe didn’t fall apart, but I had low expectations that this shoe will last me maybe the rest of summer

I personally wear non-waterproof Altra trail runners for hiking in the snow, with a pair of Kahtoola micro spikes for icy conditions. It’s been ages since I’ve been on to San Jacinto, so I can’t advise on that specifically.

Altras are amazing but be careful going straight to zero drop for all your runs. I had some serious Achilles issues by doing that. The shoes are fantastic though, just take into consideration they are zero drop.

I love Altra's zero drop, I have two pairs. I also have Saucony Peregrine 13s though with a 4mm drop, that may work better for you.

Any chance I get, I'm barefoot. If I'm at home, I'm not wearing shoes, and I exercise shoeless in the house, too. I *cautiously* think this is why I made the switch to Altra zero-drop shoes without ever even knowing that it presents problems for so many people to do so. Might also be why I immediately felt more comfortable with Altras and will suffer no other shoe anymore.

I have very weak ankles. My left one is rebuilt with titanium plates because I rolled it one too many times. I was very apprehensive about switching to trail runners, specifically zero drop Altra's. I went ahead and tried it and learned something interesting. The frequency of my ankle rolling went way down. I figure the raised heel of traditional shoes/boots were causing me to roll more than my ankles simply being weak. I feel more connected to the ground if that makes sense. Whereas if I put on an older pair of shoes with a drop, I feel wobbly again. I have been wearing altras as everyday wear for almost 3 years and have maybe rolled my ankles 3 times over that time frame. Your results may vary but I think its worth trying out a Zero drop shoe. It may help quite a bit.

I have been in zero drop shoes for about 10 years. Altras have always been the most comfortable for me, but they just don’t last very long. I’m 6’3” 215 pounds, so your results may be better. I’ve pretty much settle on Topos for their decent durability. Since you have narrow feet, you might look at something from Astral. The compound they use for their sole (G rubber) is amazing. Like walk over wet, moss covered rocks with zero shits given type of amazing. I have a wide, high volume forefoot so they just aren’t great for me overall. My Goldilocks would be Altra comfort/Topo quality and durability/Astral sole

Lone peaks have zero drop, which means when you land on your foot you should be landing more towards the balls of your feet and with your feet below your center of mass. This is a more natural running form. If you’re heel striking in zero drop shoes, especially running up or down hill, it’s going to stretch out your tendons way past your norm. I run in zero drop Altras for trail and road.

Yes I use these. I just ran 15m of trails in them this am. I hesitate to give anyone shoe advice (everyone's feet are different) but I really like these. I tend to run more difficult and rooty trails. The only thing I don't like about these is that for very rooty trails the heel height really contributed to ankle rolls. I run about 190 pounds. My go to shoe for races and medium distance is the Nike air terra kiger. My system is the wild horse for long training runs, the kiger for races and most training days (they are lighter and lower heel, less padding), then I keep a pair of altra zero drop for an occasional form check. I'll run like a 5k in them to regain more nuanced feel in my form to check myself on making sure my stride length and strike points stay where I want.

I walk and run in zero drop Altra shoes 100% and have for several years now. I spent more than a year transitioning by running in a mixture of Brooks, then Hoka, then Altras. My trail shoes were the last change I made and even though I'd been running all pavement miles for a while at that point on zero drop the change was very noticeable on trail running. Calf and Achilles soreness galore. I'd never switch back at this point, but take it very slow.

I walk in zero drop shoes (Altras because I like the cushion) and I do trail running in them as well. However, I hate them for road running so I still wear maximalist running shoes for road running.

I have been told by my podiatrist that my feet are hypermobile and I run and hike (lots) in zero drop trail runners only (inov-8 and Altra). Never had boots for any of my adult-life serious long distance hiking. I agree that your PT should give you specific strengthening exercises for your particular issues but I see no advantage wearing boots … just heavy and hot and very slow drying. Every blue moon I roll an ankle but that’s because of tough terrain, not boots, and I’ve never injured my ankles in the process.

I've put over 2000 miles into a couple pairs of Altra runners. I have boots I use for more rugged adventures with lots of ankle rolling risks, but for 90% of trails, runners are too comfortable and light to not wear.

Go to REI and let them Guide you. I ended up with Altra trail runners. They’re great

I use Altra trail runners when traveling because they are light and comfortable and can double as normal shoes in a pinch, but for normal hiking close to home I stick to boots. Trail runners wear out too easy and are too expensive for the amount of hiking I do.

I do xero shoes for everything but backpacking. I've done trips in them for shorter times and have done okay but I'm also a fan of altras. JMT is longer so I wouldn't do xeros the whole time personally.

Durability aside, try on both shoes. If you’re not thru-hiking then durability doesn’t matter much. Yeah, it’ll be annoying if they give out sooner than you expected, but the comfort can be worth the money. For me, Altras are the most comfortable by far. I wanted to switch to Topos due to the rave reviews and the vibram sole, but I had to immediately return them due to their pronounced arch support. My feet hated them and my altra trail runners and road shoes are the most comfortable shoes for my feet I’ve ever worn. I was late to the game so I’m sure I missed out on the glory days, but until another company comes out with a wide toe box and no arch support trail runner it’s altra all the way for me.

I’ve switched almost entirely to trail runners including on a lot,of rugged terrain. I did find that when I was using Hokas that I had an increased tendency to roll my ankle after about ten miles. I like the padding, but have found lower drop shoes to be better for this. Altras are good, but I destroy them in about 300 miles. Trying Topos right now. Not as padded, but low drop with a wide toe box and they seem to be holding up better.

Trail runner will be fine. I was talking to a guy recently that said the AT requires real boots. But even by his argument, trail runners will be fine. The thing with trail runners is when you are tired, it is easier to roll your ankle. I have only found this to be a concern when I was using Hoka. Altras and Topos have less to zero drop and they don’t have this occur for me. Though Altras kind of suck for durability (expect 300 miles unless they fixed things). And Topos have less padding and are not as comfortable.

I have generally given up on durability. I use Altra trail runners and yes they begin to fall apart after 200 miles. But that's what fits me and keeps me outside so it's just the cost of my sport. I could go with something more durable but I would likely pay more and be less satisfied. Also I put in a warranty claim regularly because these shoes often don't last a year at the rate I use them. I often get my money back in that case.

Have you used trail runners for backpacking before? I like Altras because they have the widest toe box. But they are zero drop and that doesn't work for everybody. They work great for me but I know plenty of others have disliked them. A lot of people like Topos and Hokas as well. The point is that shoes are way too individual for anybody to successfully recommend one that will work for you.

I did Paintbrush Divide last July, and this was my exact experience. I wore my Altra trail runners, and they held up well for most of my hike. There was a lot of rain on Day 1, and my shoes were so wet that I they were still damp when I started on Day 2. I continued up to Holly Lake and conditions were MUCH better for that hike...until about 8000', when I started to hit packed snow on the trail. My shoes thankfully dried out and were never a problem again. Our goal on Day 3 was to go up and over the Divide and continue back through Cascade Canyon, and most of our hike that day had crampons to deal with snow/ice on the trail. Unfortunately, we had to turn back just a few hundred yards from the summit because we didn't have ice tools and just didn't want to risk it. The ranger on the trail laughed at us and said basically, "That's what you get for coming in July. See you in mid-August next year."

Topo is the correct answer. Go with Altras if you dont mind your achilles blowing up

Only time I use my Crispi boots is when I’m hunting and might have 100+lbs on my back packing out an animal. Anything else I use my Altra trail runners.

I wear trail runners to play golf. I have no problems with traction and they are better in my feet. Current shoes are Topo athletic. I also wear Altra.

Everything you listed is a valid choice. People have different preferences. I have a few options depending on trail in the mood My default are Merrill Moab 3. I like how cool they keep me, they obviously excel in water (canyoneering, rafting, or just crossing), and I don’t usually feel the need for additional support/padding. I have even boot packed snow for six hours in them. I had wool socks on so plenty warm, even though my feet were soaked. I also have more traditional hiking boots. Columbia Newton Ridge mid WP for cold weather, if my ankles are sore, and just to mix up the pressure points on a multi day trip. Last, I have Altra trail runners. These are incredibly comfortable and I will use them if I’m on pavement, decomposed granite, or bare dry rock.

Bedrock sandals. Seriously. As long as it’s not super cold or you’re hiking in snow. In that case, agree with other commenters, Altra trail runners.

I strictly use trail runners. Like the Altras, though there are a lot of wide toe box shoes out there now. Gone through s lot of scree with them. I do go through them quickly.

Same. I live in the desert so I’m spoiled, but I reluctantly switch from my Bedrocks to my Altras for the 3 months of the year where it’s cold enough to not have sandals make sense. On my first long backpacking trip I started getting blisters from my boots the first day and ended up doing the whole 8 days in my Chacos that were just supposed to be river crossing shoes and I have been a sandal hiking convert since. You could not pay me to hike in boots, but I have pretty bombproof ankles.

I use Altra trail runners from REI. Wide toe box and good grips.

I haven’t worn hiking boots in many years now. I only hike in Altras trail runners (Olympus is my favorite). When I travel for hiking, all I bring is my Altras and a pair of xero sandals.

Yes but a stiffer trail runner will be more comfortable on the rocks. La Sportiva, for example, is better for scrambling than an Altra. Both will work but for Dolomites would suggest something stiffer, with firmer lugs.

Altras are my go-to off the course, and I have used their trail-runners on course with pretty good success.

Altra makes trail runners with a wide toe box. They’re my favorite right now. La sportive has been so so but durable in the past with narrower toe box than altra

I switched to Altra trail runners (half of size up) with injini toe socks or darn tough after trying 5 pairs of Salomons and 2 pairs of Merrels. Great shoes and boots, but too narrow for me. The Altras have been great. I did run into a slight issue when I got gravel in my shoe recently hiking down Goat Lake in the Sawtooth Wilderness, but I removed the gravel,slapped some Leuko tape on the spot that was causing friction, and had no issues after that. It does take a while. I only just found out my perfect combo last year after years of hiking.

As someone with multiple Altras, I’d not recommend them to everyone but they might do well for you. I have two pairs of running shoes, a pair of trail runners, and a pair of boots. I love them. But I also lean toward barefoot shoes and Altra are probably the most conventional of barefoot style footwear. They have zero drop and a very generous, wide toe box that isn’t just simply wide but actually foot shaped. If you have an REI I’d try them out there. You may even be able to scoop them up from a customer return. I got both my boots and trail runners that way for less than 50% the retail price. Edit: If the idea of a more barefoot style boot is of interest, there are other companies that make a traditional leather boot that is easier to re-sole but still has that very wide toe box. I have a pair of Jim Green that I love and have heard good things about Barefoot Boots as well but haven’t worn them myself. The “down side” of these is that they have thin, flexible soles. So less cushion and structure which can be uncomfortable for some but the idea is that it’s more natural and allows your foot to actually work and keep its strength. Not for everyone but works for me.

My Altra trail runners are all I ever hike in. The slim and grippy sole makes them extremely safe in scree and rocky terrain.

For overnight hiking trips I've switched to Altra trail runners and love them, used to use hiking boots and then hiking shoes but these are so much better. I usually am barefoot in a canoe, switch to a keen style sandal for portaging to protect my toes. I always bring crocs (from giant tiger) for camp shoes.