7 Best Altra Running Shoes in 2024

Outroad 2 offers comfort, support, and performance while retaining Altra’s authentic zero-drop experience. This hybrid shoe is our top pick of all the Altra running shoes we lab-tested and ran with. It delivers the agility, stability, and grip we need on our road-to-trail adventures.

Each stride feels natural with Outroad as its low-to-the-ground and flexible profile boosts our surface sensitivity. Our caliper measures a 1.4 mm heel drop that practically feels leveled when running. In terms of midsole adaptiveness, our bend test confirms it’s 16.8% more flexible than average — confirming it’s a comfortable and versatile pair.

Overall the ride feels firm and stable underfoot. Outroad uses Ego foam that registered a balanced 25.5 HA in our durometer. This is complemented with prominent midfoot sidewalls for extra support for mild pronators.

We found the MaxTrac outsole handles all types of roads and light trails with ease. Its 86.5 HC durometer measurement is around the average, hitting the sweet spot between traction and longevity. Outroad has 2.2 mm lugs, which is the perfect depth for a hybrid shoe — grippy for easy trails and not too chunky for roads.

Because of its low drop, thin heel cushion, and narrow heel width, we find Outroad 2 to be ideal for mid-to-forefoot strikers.

Amidst our extensive testing of Altra running shoes, the VIA Olympus 2 emerges as the optimal choice for long-distance endeavors. It offers unparalleled comfort and energy return for enjoyably accomplishing grueling miles. Crafted with purpose, it mirrors our natural foot shape, enhancing comfort throughout our runs and withstanding multiple marathon distances with its robust outsole.

With the EGO MAX foam providing a cushioned and lively ride, we eagerly pursued extra miles. The plush 14.5 HA foam adds a delightful bounce, effortlessly propelling us forward. It features Altra’s hallmark zero-drop design, with our precise measurements revealing a -0.2 mm drop due to the stacked 34.8/35.0 mm heel and forefoot, the latter being one of the highest we’ve encountered in the lab.

The FootShape design mimics our foot shape so that it’s comfortable for most runners. With a generous 104.4 mm toebox tapering to 91.1 mm at the big toe, it gives room for our feet to swell during prolonged runs. Even the outsole, featuring FootPod technology, aligns with our foot anatomy to flow with our movements. While its 73.3 HC rubber measures below average, it proves its resilience by showing 33.3% less wear than average in our Dremel test.

However, a red flag is its lack of ventilation, potentially leading to discomfort such as blisters and hotspots. We recommend using this pair during the cooler seasons.

Zero-drop shoes tend to conjure the image of a minimalist shoe with scant cushioning. Well, Altra flips that misconception on its head with the Olympus 5, a maximalist shoe sitting on a hefty stack of forgiving foam that brings a touch of softness to the harshest terrains. It’s undoubtedly our choice for the best cushioned Altra running shoe. 

Giving us a durometer reading of 23 HA, the Olympus 5’s midsole is 16% softer than our current average for trail shoes. This means that we enjoyed well-cushioned landings with great impact dampening during our test runs, whether on asphalt, gravel, or dirt. Furthermore, the midsole’s pleasantly snappy rebound and slight toe rocker geometry provide excellent energy return that makes gobbling up miles an absolute treat.

Further amplifying the shoe’s cushioning is its massive stack. Measuring 33 mm at the heel and 31 mm at the forefoot, the Olympus 5 is 1.2 mm and a whopping 6.8 mm higher than average, respectively. This lofty stack pampered and protected us from the harsh trails below by allowing our feet to sink into the midsole. This left us feeling fresh even after long, grueling runs or hikes. 

The only discomfort we felt in the Olympus 5 came as a result of the tongue. Using our caliper, we measured it to be 7.4 mm thick, which is 1.3 mm more padding than the average for trail shoes. While this does provide good comfort around our instep, the way the padding tapers towards the top of the tongue, however, means that we still experienced some niggling lace bite during our runs.

Our intensive lab tests and run sessions reveal Altra’s best stability shoe—Provision 7. It delivers subtle support that doesn’t interfere with our strides, yet we know it’s there when we need it. This trainer feels light and low, with extra features that enhance stability, such as a firm ride and the GuideRails technology.

We feel surefooted throughout our runs since we have maximum surface sensitivity due to Provision 7’s balanced platform and low-drop convention. Our lab tests confirmed our sensations, revealing the foam is 10.2% harder than average while the heel drop is 4.8 mm.

An added stability boost is the GuideRails, which are midsole sidewalls that prevent our feet from collapsing in. Provision 7 adds some flexibility in terms of longitudinal movement to counter the rigidity. Our bend test confirms a 26.4N measurement, which feels comfortable enough for daily walks and other activities.

Surprisingly, the shoe feels light as a mid-stability trainer. Compared to the 10.4 oz (296g) average of supportive shoes, Provision 7 is only 9.1 oz (259g). It’s even lighter than many neutral pairs.

Some runners may find the cushion too firm for long runs. We recommend exploring other options if comfort is a priority.

Like most Altras, Paradigm 7 is a zero-drop shoe. It's accommodating even to new Altra users with its balance of flexibility, comfort, and a hint of stability — all in a lightweight package. Our actual runs and lab results validate it’s the best daily trainer among Altra running shoes.

This heel-to-toe drop is at a microscopic 0.1 mm (basically zero). Its 27.6/27.5 mm stack makes it ideal for mid-to-forefoot strikers with its cushioned front. Its Innerflex technology utilizes grid-like cuts in the midsole to allow the foot to flex naturally. Allowing free-flowing movements, it's 28.9% more adaptive than average in our flex test.

The Ego Max cushioning blends comfort and support. Our durometer shows it’s 18.8% softer than average, but it doesn’t feel like we’re sinking. This enhances stability since it prevents lateral wobbles.

As a minimalist shoe, it weighs lighter than average (9.3 oz/264g vs. 9.5 oz/268g average). The upper is designed with large holes, allowing the breeze to come in. Its perfect score on our lab breathability test confirms we don’t need to worry about hotspots or sweaty feet.

At £180, Paradigm 7 is on the higher end of the spectrum vs. the £150 average of other Altra daily trainers. We recommend checking other options if budget is a priority.

In our outdoor explorations with the Lone Peak 8, we felt very agile as we could easily maneuver unpredictable grounds with its fluid, balanced, and grounded ride. Our lab confirms its versatility, shining as the ultimate trail shoe among Altra running shoes.

The shoe's 3.0 mm lugs provided excellent grip on dry surfaces during our tests. They are strategically patterned along our foot structure, allowing for natural bending and movement. The lower resistance gives us more control and confidence to run faster in the wild as we can easily adapt to unpredictable obstacles. Our bend test confirms it’s 27.1% more adaptive than the average trail shoe.

We could keep going all day with LP8’s supportive fit. Its cushion remains low to the ground to enhance ground feedback and has a firm composition to protect us from rocks and debris underfoot. In true Altra fashion, our caliper reveals a mere 1.4 mm drop, which feels essentially zero and boosts a natural feel. Our durometer confirms the foam is 11.4% denser than average, promoting stable strides as it won’t compress unevenly.

However, we recommend avoiding wet and muddy tracks as we felt less surefooted along these paths. For those prioritizing unparalleled grip, we suggest exploring alternative options.

The Escalante 3 boasts the comfy and natural ride that we’ve come to know and love from Altra, but with a snappy explosiveness that makes accelerating to breakneck paces a breeze. As such, the Escalante 3 races to the front of the pack as the best speed trainer from Altra’s lineup. 

The midsole is certainly the star of the show. Its run-of-the-mill durometer reading of 23.8 HA means that we enjoyed a balanced level of cushioning during our test runs. However, this doesn’t represent the shoe’s above-average performance when shifting gears for uptempo sessions. The midsole has a great rebound that provides excellent energy return and makes it feel like we expend less effort to achieve and maintain high speeds. 

While many modern speed trainers rely on stiff carbon plates to improve responsiveness, the Escalante 3 reminds us that flexible shoes can be fast as well. Requiring 25.4N of force to bend the shoe 90 degrees in our flex test means that the Escalante 3 is 15.6% less stiff than the average shoe. As a result, the shoe feels extremely comfy and natural, even at high speeds, as it is able to conform to the shape of our foot during our test runs with relative ease.

We measured the Escalante 3’s toebox to be 98.8 mm wide at its widest point. While this is 0.7 mm wider than our current lab average, it’s not nearly as accommodating as we’ve come to expect from an Altra toebox, which is typically 2 - 4 mm wider. We, therefore, don’t recommend this shoe to runners with wide feet or those accustomed to Altra’s roomier models.