Altra Torin 9 review

The Altra Torin 9 is a very interesting running shoe for runners that:

• Want a zero-drop shoe for daily runs, walking, or all-day wear.
• Are midfoot or forefoot strikers looking for a stable daily trainer.
• Love the wide toebox that define the Torin series.
• Want to try the first road running shoe with a Vibram outsole.

The Torin 9 is a step forward in several areas, but it also takes a step back when it comes to energy return. The new midsole delivers less bounce and feels clearly underwhelming. If that sounds like a deal-breaker, the Altra Escalante 5 is worth considering instead.

We also don't think heel strikers will get the most out of this shoe, given its zero-drop geometry and narrow heel. For these runners, the Topo Atmos 2 is a better option that also delivers a wide toebox.

The Altra Torin 9 offers 108 SA in the heel and 104 SA in the forefoot for shock absorption. These numbers may not sound particularly impressive, but they’re actually in line with what we expected, given that the Torin has always been a zero-drop, moderate-stack running shoe.

The biggest disappointment with the Altra Torin 9 comes pretty early, and it's a major one. The Torin 8 was a step forward in terms of bounce, so we were really hoping version 9 would take that even further. Unfortunately, the opposite happened.

Unfortunately, EGO P35X foam is simply disappointing when it comes to energy return. We measured just 54.7% in the forefoot and 48.8% in the heel, both significantly below our lab average and the figures recorded for its predecessor.

Looking at the heel stack height of just 25.8 mm, these results put the shock absorption numbers into perspective and give Altra credit here.

We're also relieved to see that the Torin is far from becoming yet another maximalist shoe. Altra stated that they reduced the stack height by 2 mm compared to the Torin 8, and our measurements confirmed it.

The forefoot also drops a few millimetres, coming in at just 25.5 mm. Once again, we see this as a positive change, bringing the Torin 9 a little closer to the ground while still providing good protection.

True to its roots and unlike Altra's Experience line, the Altra Torin 9 retains a zero-drop midsole. We measured just 0.3 mm of drop, an exceptionally small deviation that has no meaningful impact on the shoe's flat, zero-drop ride.

The new EGO P35X midsole delivers less bounce, but introduces an interesting dual-density configuration. We measured the main foam at a softer 31.5 AC, while the secondary foam came in at a firmer 43.7 AC. This makes sense, as that smaller, yellow layer is primarily designed to add stability, particularly around the heel.

We also put the Torin 9 in the freezer for 20 minutes and found that it became just 10% firmer. That's actually a solid result, meaning the foam should retain a relatively consistent feel without major changes on chilly days.

The Altra Torin 9 keeps its rocker feeling controlled and remarkably similar to previous versions, so anyone familiar with the Torin will find the ninth iteration instantly recognisable.

The Torin 8 surprised us a little, landing around average in this first fit measurement. Altra has tweaked that aspect in the Torin 9, which is once again a noticeably wider shoe.

After creating a gel replica of the Torin 9, we measured 97.7 mm. That's also wider than the current lab average, although with any Altra, the next measurement is arguably the key.

The toebox is what matters most to many Altra fans, who look for that signature foot-shaped design. The Torin 9 delivers on that front, measuring 82.2 mm at its widest point.

As a quick reminder, the Torin series uses Altra's Standard FootShape Fit, which sits between the roomier Original and narrower Slim fits.

In terms of toebox height, the Torin 9 isn't quite as generous as it is in width.

We measured 25.8 mm of vertical space. That's not a bad result, as it provides a comfortable yet secure fit, but runners with high-volume feet may have appreciated a few extra millimetres.

Altra partnered with Vibram to make the Torin 9 the first road-running shoe with a Vibram outsole, and here it is. But does the XS Dura rubber live up to the reputation Vibram has built with compounds like Megagrip on trail shoes?

A coefficient of friction of 0.73 on wet concrete is a very positive result in our test. It's still slightly below the current top performers, which is where we were hoping Vibram would land. That said, we are happy with the result, as it confirms that the outsole provides a confidently grippy feel in both dry and wet conditions.

Altra has essentially replaced its own rubber with Vibram's XS Dura while retaining the brand's familiar design language, which follows the natural anatomy of the foot and places flex grooves where they matter most.

We were also pleased with the high outsole coverage, with rubber extending from heel to toe and no significant gaps in between.

One of the biggest improvements comes here. Most runners expect the Torin series to be flexible and natural underfoot, but that hasn't always been the case.

Fortunately, the new outsole design allows the shoe to bend more easily, requiring just 11.6N of force in our 30-degree bend test, which is 2.4N less than its predecessor.

While the bounce was disappointing, the Torin 9 does get a small weight reduction compared with version 8, which helps offset that drawback slightly. Nothing groundbreaking, as at 9.3 oz (264g), it's just 4% lighter than its predecessor, but it's a welcome improvement nonetheless.

Moving from EGO MAX to EGO P35X means the new dual-density midsole, with its firmer lower layer, provides a noticeable boost in stability.

The Torin 9 also benefits from its lower stack height, which further enhances that planted feel. After all, physics matter: all else being equal, the closer you are to the ground, the more stable the shoe will feel.

The Torin 9 has gained flexibility in all directions, which is a very welcome change for runners who prefer a more natural ride. In our torsional rigidity test, it scored just 11.4 Nm, confirming that it offers plenty of flexibility without feeling overly rigid.

We also found a flexible heel counter, which we rated at just 2/5. Again, this is a welcome design choice for runners who prefer a shoe that feels unobtrusive and almost disappears underfoot.

The Torin 9 retains the wide-forefoot design that has become a hallmark of the Altra series, measuring 117.6 mm in our test.

It's not as broad as what you'd find on maximalist or stability shoes, but considering its relatively low stack height, it's still a notably wide platform that pairs well with the splay-friendly toebox.

Altra has widened the heel slightly, but at 85.4 mm, it still sits below the lab average.

Keeping the heel relatively narrow is important for the Torin, helping preserve its agile feel and reinforcing that this shoe is designed primarily for forefoot and midfoot strikers.

The upper has no real downsides when it comes to comfort, which isn't surprising given how consistently well Altra has handled this aspect in recent years. We also found it reasonably durable, earning a solid 3/5 in our durability test.

The heel area also scored 3/5 in our durability test. While that's not a bad result, we typically prefer to see a 4 or 5 in this test for greater long-term durability.

The Vibram XS Dura rubber performed well in our durability test, although we have to admit we were expecting a Megagrip-like result with slightly less damage. Still, with just 1.0 mm of wear, it comfortably passes the test.

With a thickness of 3.6 mm, the Vibram XS DURA rubber should provide enough durability to last for most runners.

Most daily trainers have an outsole thickness of around 4-5 mm, and the Torin 9 fits right into that range at 4.4 mm.

The insole is removable and can be replaced, although keep in mind that the Torin 9's foot-shaped toe box may make it tricky to find a third-party insole that fits perfectly.

We really looked for them, but there are absolutely no reflective elements anywhere on the Torin 9's upper.

The Torin 9 features a hybrid lacing system that combines the usual reinforced punched eyelets with four additional loops, two on each side, positioned around the middle of the instep. It's not the first brand to use this approach, and we see it as a growing trend.

The tongue has also been designed with weight savings in mind. It provides 5.3 mm of padding, but the cushioning is highly targeted rather than extending from top to bottom.

The tongue isn't attached to the sides, which feels odd at the Torin 9's price point. In our view, it should really feature at least a semi-gusseted design for better lockdown and a more secure fit.

The heel features a design with a padded reinforcement that also conceals the upper stitching, which is a nice touch. However, there are no pull tabs or finger loops to help with putting the shoe on.

If you're a runner who prioritises advanced foam technology and high energy return, you'll probably struggle to see the value in the Torin 9, as it's far from being that kind of shoe.

Conversely, if you value features like a Vibram outsole and a true zero-drop geometry, it can still be a compelling option. We find it somewhat overpriced compared with similar shoes, but the zero-drop market is very limited, which gives Altra a little more room to push its pricing than we'd like.