Altra Superior 6 review

We highly recommend the Altra Superior 6 for:

• Altra fans looking for a low-profile trail runner that offers a natural, ground-connected feel.
• Those seeking a trail shoe versatile enough to smoothly navigate sharp turns and adapt to varied terrains.
• Runners who value a flexible, zero-drop design and need a shoe that's equally great at hiking and walking.

We discovered the Altra Superior 6 has a minimal stack height of just 22.0 mm for both the heel and forefoot, which we don't recommend for runners seeking underfoot cushioning, especially for longer distances.

For those enchanted by the allure of zero-drop shoes but craving more cushion, the Altra Olympus 5 is a better pick, boasting a Vibram outsole for an added bonus.

Furthermore, we believe the Superior 6 may not satisfy those yearning for a softer ride, as its cushioning leans towards the firmer side. If a more plush, yet low-drop shoe is what you're after, we recommend exploring the Hoka Speedgoat 5 or the Saucony Peregrine 13 as better choices based on our lab tests.

And here's the proof of the low profile that we just mentioned before.

At only 22.1 mm in the heel, this is indeed a thin shoe that caters to trail runners that favor agility and being connected to the ground.

In the forefoot, we discovered a stack height of 22.0 mm, just what we expected from the brand best known for embracing the zero-drop philosophy.

The minimal, 0.1-mm difference between the forefoot and heel is a huge win for those in pursuit of the ultimate zero-drop trail running experience.

It's not uncommon for the actual drop to deviate from what brands advertise, but in this case, it aligns almost perfectly.

The midsole definitely has a firm feel from the Quantic foam, which is what we anticipate from an Altra, especially in a low-profile shoe like the Superior. If it were any softer, the shoe would bottom out with every step, which would be problematic.

This is particularly true since the Superior, for the first time in the series, doesn't include the StoneGuard insert. Without this optional protection, a softer foam would make for a potentially unpleasant experience, allowing rocks to press uncomfortably against your metatarsals with each stride.

Based on its top-notch breathability score, this shoe might not be the ideal choice for winter runs.

However, if you're considering it for cold weather, our tests showed that after spending 20 minutes in the freezer, the foam became 26.6% firmer, making it feel almost like titanium under your feet.

The insole is crafted from EVA and has a standard thickness of 4.4 mm, making it feel comparable to most shoes on the market.

The upper is a crucial component of every Altra shoe, with fans of the brand expecting a spacious and comfortable fit. So, does the Superior 6 meet these expectations?

While the widest part of the upper may not feel exceptionally spacious for this brand, after our hands-on experience, we believe it's certainly adequate for most feet. We measured it at 100.4 mm.

However, it's in the toe area where every Altra truly shines, thanks to their unique, Footshape toeboxes.

This is why the measurement we took in the big toe area was an impressive 89.5 mm, which is absolutely astonishing when compared to trail shoes from other brands.

With its slim stack height and solid midsole, combined with the side reinforcements in the upper we mentioned earlier in this lab review, the outcome was inevitable.

The Superior boasts outstanding stability for a neutral shoe, free from any intrusive features like rigid plastic pieces.

We were happy by how effortlessly the Superior flexed and twisted during our hands-on evaluation, earning it a solid 3 out of 5 score.

Thanks to its inherent stability, Altra's designers were able to keep the shoe flexible, enhancing its agility for sharp turns and adapting to tough terrain. This makes it an excellent choice for steep, downhill singletracks.

The heel counter is exceptionally comfortable and flexible, making the Superior a treat for anyone requiring a soft heel area to prevent Achilles tendon irritation. We gave it a 2 out of 5 rating.

Now, let's discuss the shoe's dimensions. Given its low profile and close connection to the ground, we think designing a wide shoe is unnecessary and not worth the added weight.

The Superior 6, measuring 113.0 mm in the widest part of the forefoot, is average in width, which works well for this shoe.

We noticed that the heel follows the same design approach, striking a balance without being too narrow or too wide, measuring just 86.1 mm.

Earlier in this lab review, we discovered the Superior 6 to be incredibly flexible, but we had one final test to conduct in this area—the 90-degree bend test. In this test, we bend the shoe to the desired angle and measure the force required using our force meter.

The result was just 17.7N, confirming this shoe as exceptionally flexible and a joy for those who prefer a natural feel in their stride. This flexibility also makes it outstanding for hiking or casual walking.

We did the 20-minute freezer test again to see how stiff the shoe gets in cold winter conditions. Afterward, it took 33.3% more effort to bend the shoe, yet it remained quite flexible, needing only 23.6N of force.

Although the Superior isn't designed as a racing shoe and doesn't have the heft of a tank, we anticipated it to weigh less than 9.6 oz (272g). It's not exactly a letdown, but given its stack height, we expected it to be lighter...

When we unboxed the Superior 6, it seemed like it might have low breathability due to its engineered upper. However, we were pleasantly surprised to find out we were mistaken.

During our smoke test, we noticed that the Superior 6's design allows heat and moisture to escape, particularly around the tongue area, earning it a top score (5/5) for breathability.

Our second test shed more light—literally. Despite the upper blocking it, which suggested poor breathability, the shoe proved otherwise. This test also revealed that the midfoot is well-structured, promising excellent stability. More on this later.

In the lab, we always turn to the microscope for a closer look at the upper. Under magnification, the Superior 6's mesh appeared dense and lacked visible ventilation holes.

Upon examining the entire upper, we found it to be well-padded for comfort and, as mentioned earlier, notably reinforced in the midfoot to ensure stability and prevent the feet from collapsing sideways.

Now we're putting the shoe through the wringer with our Dremel to check its durability across three tests, kicking things off with the upper.

The results were disappointing, to say the least. This means a dismal score of 1 out of 5.

Things hardly seemed like they could get worse, yet the heel padding wasn't much of an improvement either.

Following our Dremel test, we ended up with what we'd consider a disappointing 2 out of 5 rating. Although not quite as bad as the previous outcome, Altra really needs to step up its game in these areas.

Now let's talk about the outsole, beginning with its hardness.

With a measure of 91.0 HC, Altra clearly aimed for a tough formulation with its MaxTrac rubber. Let's find out if it lives up to our expectations.

In a final opportunity for the Superior to demonstrate true durability, it certainly rose to the occasion, all thanks to the rugged MaxTrac rubber.

Following our third and conclusive Dremel test, we observed a mere 0.6-mm indentation—an encouraging sign for those who enjoy long-lasting outsoles in trail shoes.

If outsole durability tops your list of concerns, we believe the Superior will surely impress you, provided you're okay with its less durable upper, of course.

With a 3.0 mm outsole plus the lugs, even the most demanding trail runners will struggle to wear down the MaxTrac rubber.

Turning our attention back to the outsole, it's time for us in the lab to measure the lugs. The Superior features 3.6-mm lugs designed to perform well on various terrains, particularly excelling on easy trails, gravel paths, and fire roads.

However, for muddy trails, we believe the lugs might be a bit short, though they should suffice for occasional use.

The Superior 6 doesn't have any reflective features. But at just $130, that's not a big deal.

The 6.9-mm tongue is arguably the highlight of this shoe, featuring just the right amount of padding in the perfect spot.

It strikes a brilliant balance—not so much that it becomes heavy, but enough to ensure it doesn't compromise on comfort.

We discovered that the tongue is securely attached to the sides, a delightful surprise for a shoe priced at $130. Typically, we encounter non-gusseted tongues in this price bracket, so this feature is a noteworthy upgrade.

The tongue also stands out from most shoes, as it's seamlessly integrated with the upper, blending smoothly into the toe box. This design is particularly good for a trail shoe, as the combination with the gusset effectively blocks debris and small rocks from entering the shoe.

The heel on the Superior 6 sports a huge horizontal tab. Normally, we'd call this kind of thing a finger loop (singular), but this one's got space for at least three fingers!

The insole isn't glued down, so you can easily change it. But because of the unique, foot-shape design of the toebox means most OTC orthotics won't fit this Altra just right. You might need to get a custom-made one.