7 Best Altra Trail Running Shoes in 2023

From your local trails to rugged technical terrains, if you need a truly reliable and comfortable trail partner, you can’t go wrong with Altra. It’s easily one of our best picks when it comes to running the great outdoors.
Known by hardcore trail runners for their ergonomic, zero-drop trail shoes like the Lone Peak and Altra Timp series, Altra trail running shoes are gaining more traction and popularity among regular off-road enthusiasts and long-distance trail runners.
To help you search for the right model to suit your needs, we’ve handpicked, tested, and reviewed Altra trail running shoes. We discussed everything that we encountered while using the shoes and cracking them open inside our lab for you to fully grasp them. Take a quick look at our top picks in different categories.
Best Altra trail running shoes overall

































What makes it the best?
Lone Peak 7 easily handles relaxed hikes and fast-paced intervals in the wild. Its build consists of a grippy outsole, a balanced midsole, and a close-to-the-ground platform. All these features enhance a runner’s control, which is crucial in trail running. This makes it our winner among Altra trail running shoes.
The grip of this pair’s outsole is praise-worthy. We confidently traversed through slippery slopes and sharp turns without slipping. The 3.4-mm deep lugs handled them all! Even when descending steep elevations, its lug pattern served as reliable brakes.
The midsole is perfect in terms of comfort and support. It’s flexible enough to maneuver on uneven land, while its cushion is firm enough to protect our feet from debris. Our lab results show it’s 20.8% more flexible than average, while its cushion softness is at the average. We like how it’s comfortable without sinking into the foam.
It represents Altra’s zero-drop feature well with its almost non-existent 0.2-mm drop. This is 97.4% less inclined than average. With this, we have a better feel of the ground and a more balanced stance.
All these features cost $150, 10.3% more expensive than the $136 average of trail-running shoes.
Pros
- Very wide toebox
- Protective midsole
- Superb lockdown
- Super grippy outsole
- Excellent for fast runs in the mountains
- Added heel cup provides stability
- Super comfy
- Easy to clean
Cons
- Colorways might be a downer
- A bit pricey
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Altra trail running shoes with the best cushioning

































What makes it the best?
Pros
- Grippy on wet and dry trails
- Protective muscles
- Comfort is a 10/10
- Toe box welcomes wide feet
- Gives out energy
- Breathable
- Stable ride
- Heel lockdown is terrific!
- Easy on and off
Cons
- Durability couldn't be worse
- Annoying lace bites
- It's a splurge
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Best road-to-trail Altra running shoes





























What makes it the best?
Pros
- Great on roads and trails
- Pliable upper
- Amazing outsole durability
- Comfy padding
- Less bulky than other Altras
- Low stack
- Doubles as a traveling shoe
- Appealing design
Cons
- Toebox is not Altra-wide
- Breaking-in needed
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Best Altra trail shoes for daily running






























What makes it the best?
Pros
- Grippy on wet trails and steep descents
- Bouncy and responsive
- Natural-feeling ride
- Pillowy landing
- Dampens impact
- Wide toe box
- Secure lockdown
- Drains fast
- Breezy under warm conditions
Cons
- Way pricier than the Timp 3
- Lacks stability on technical trails
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Best Altra trail running shoes for racing




















What makes it the best?
Pros
- Phenomenal very bouncy ride
- Excellent grip
- Healthy 0mm drop
- Looks great
- Breathable
- 2 pull tabs
- Velcro for gaiters
Cons
- Painful lacing
- No heel lock
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Best lightweight Altra trail running shoes










What makes it the best?
Pros
- True to size
- Super light
- Fast
- Excellent traction
- Gusseted tongue
- Wide toebox
- Extremely responsive
- Water-resistant sidewalls
Cons
- Not for long-distance runs
- Not for technical terrain
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Best Altra trail running shoes with BOA

What makes it the best?
Pros
- Say goodbye to heel slips
- Straps the foot in
- Quick and easy lockdown
- Comfy over long miles
- Gives life to your strides
- Light on foot
- Already has size 15!
- Can double for hiking
Cons
- Not your typical Altra toe box
- Pretty expensive
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Comparison of the 7 best Altra trail running shoes
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How we test trail running shoes
Working with our team of wear-testers and editors here at RunRepeat, we thoroughly tested and analyzed every model on this list. In addition to our own research, we’ve also collected more useful information from other trail experts in the running shoe business, as well as extensive feedback from regular runners.
To give you an idea of how we make our final recommendations, the approach involves:
- Buying all the Altra trail shoes we test using our own funds to ensure a 100% BS-free review.
- Performing a gamut of mechanical tests inside the RunRepeat lab, which involves cutting each model into pieces and measuring 30+ parameters, from the outsole traction and durability to waterproofing and breathability, among others.
- Wear-testing each pair by logging 30-40 miles running in rugged terrains and muddy paths.