Best Men's Altra Running Shoes 

10 Best Men's Altra Running Shoes for 2019

Like all of the options on this list, Altra's Provision 3.5 features the brand's FootShape toe box and Zero Drop platform. So let's skip to what really makes it stand out. For starters, it's a stability shoe, and it offers plenty of supportive features. For example, the GuideRail is a stabilizing wall that helps tired feet remain steady. Meanwhile, three Stabilipod pillars help reduce overpronation. The Varus wedge also addresses overpronation issues, but it does so by providing a slope that elevates the medial side. These are certainly some of the best men's Altra running shoes for flat feet. But despite all of its features, the shoe only weighs a modest 10 ounces. It has a high degree of flexibility too, thanks to the midsole's gridded grooves. The men's version is available in cool and neutral colors like gray, blue, and black. 

Much like with the Provision 3.5, Paradigm 4.0 has the brand's GuideRail system, which comes in handy when you start to tire toward the end of your run. The Stabilipod pillars are also here to stabilize your foot in three different areas. The Varus feature is absent, but the shoe's midsole has the brand's EGO cushioning, which manages to be light, responsive, and plush. Overall, this might be the ideal shoe for runners who need a supportive structure, but not as much as the Provision 3.5 provides. If you're a fan of blue or black designs, you'll be satisfied with your color options. It weighs 11.2 ounces, making it the heaviest shoe on the list.

If the name isn't clear enough, yes, the Lone Peak 4 is a trail running shoe. When you're exploring rugged terrain, footwear that increases traction is a necessity. With that in mind, Altra outfitted these shoes with multi-directional 4mm lugs known as TrailClaw. The lugs are made of MaxTrac rubber, which ensures durability and grip. Worried about finding wet areas during your trail adventures? The shoe is designed with mesh areas that drain water and dry quickly. This 10.2-ounce shoe is available in various colors, including blue, green, yellow, and black – so you can opt for a subtle or eye-popping aesthetic while you're out in the wilderness.

In the category of trail running shoes, the Timp 1.5 gives the Lone Peak 4 a little company. The TrailClaw lugs are back, but they take on a different shape than in the Lone Peak 4. The outsole is also made of a different material. Rather than the MaxTrac rubber, you'll find the DuraTread compound, which is ideal for long trail runs. The four-point GaiterTrap gives you the option to increase your defenses against dirt and sand. At 10.5 ounces, it's slightly heavier than the previously mentioned trail shoe. Color options include an icy black and blue and a fiery red and black.

According to Altra, the Torin series is its best-selling road shoe line, and the Torin Knit 3.5 only improves on the footwear. It's a versatile shoe that you can wear no matter how long or short your runs. The midsole features the brand's A-Bound cushioning, which is comfortable yet durable enough to stand the test of time. The upper is where the Torin 3.5 really stands apart from its predecessors. It features a seamless knit design with a sock-like feel. The shoe is comfortable and well cushioned. But take note: This 9.1-ounce shoe doesn't offer nearly the same level of support as models like the Provision 3.5 or Paradigm 4.0.

Like the Torin Knit 3.5, the Escalante 1.5 features a knit upper that caters to breathability and overall comfort. It has 360-degree reflectivity, so it's a wise choice for early morning or late night runs. Rather than the Torin's A-Bound cushioning, this shoe uses the brand's EGO compound in the midsole. FootPod technology accommodates your foot's unique shape, leading to more natural-feeling movements. If you place a high priority on aesthetics, the Escalante 1.5 will thrill you with plenty of color options.

The Olympus 3.0 is another trail shoe in Altra's lineup. But this one stands out due to its high level of cushioning. Even when you're running on rocks and fallen tree branches, you won't have to worry about much discomfort. A cushioned heel cup prevents any wobbling, and the Vibram MegaGrip rubber provides plenty of grip. The upper's mesh is made of abrasion resistant mesh, so it's durable and breathable, but not necessarily a good defense from wet conditions. The shoe weighs about 10.7 ounces. 

The Altra Instinct 4.5 is designed for versatility – after all, in order for you to trust your instincts, you need to be able to handle whatever challenges come your way. It's a 9.8-ounce shoe that uses A-Bound cushioning and InnerFlex grooves to keep you comfortable yet flexible and responsive. The upper is made of engineered mesh, so it offers great breathability, but it won't offer much protection on wet days. 

Many runners have found that the Altra Duo is a bit deceptive. It has the look of a heavy shoe, but it weighs a mere 7.9 ounces. The outsole features blown rubber for great durability, and the midsole offers Max-LT cushioning to keep you comfortable on race day. The padded tongue only adds to the secure fit and cozy interior. The rest of the upper has thin and breathable mesh, so your feet won't feel overheated as you push yourself to new limits. 

Yet another one of brand's lightweight offerings, the Superior 4 weighs 7.9 ounces. The TrailClaw lugs on the outsole are great for trail runs, and they'll keep you stable even on typically slick surfaces. The GaiterTrap and StoneGuard allow for optional protection from rocks and whatever else you might encounter out on the trail. The midsole uses the brand's Quantic foam, which is even lighter than its Ego cushioning. This sleek shoe is available in color combinations such as gray and lime, gray and red, gray and blue, and a simple black option for minimalists. The Superior 4 lets you experience what it's like to tackle a trail in bare feet, without actually exposing your soles to the elements. That's why many trailblazers consider these the best Altra men's running shoes. 

Altra Lone Peak 3.5

10 Best Altra Running Shoes for 2019

If you’re already an Altra fan, the Paradigm has everything you would expect in a daily trainer: zero drop from heel to toe and a toebox that follows the foot’s natural contours. What the Paradigm adds is cushioning. As the most cushioned Altra trainer, it boasts an exceptionally soft forefoot. Extra cushioning is often a consideration for runners dealing with foot injuries, which makes the Paradigm the best Altra shoes for plantar fasciitis.


People driving from Salt Lake City up through Little Cottonwood Canyon to ski at Snowbird might daydream about climbing the canyon’s granite buttresses, but the climbers up on the canyon’s walls daydream about the legendary routes at Lone Peak. To deliver a running shoe worthy of the Lone Peak name, Altra has developed a moderately cushioned trail shoe that has become famous for its versatility. It’s ready for any distance and any terrain, from the road to the trail to...whatever you call it when the last time you saw a trail was 3 miles back.


If you’re intrigued by zero-drop shoes with a spacious toebox but typically run in support shoes, the Provision might be the model for you. Altra eschews traditional approaches to stability. Their goal is dynamic support, giving your foot added stability only when and where it’s needed. As support can be a factor for runners with knee issues, the addition of stability features make the Provision a likely candidate for the best Altra shoes for knee pain.


“Cool, Autumn Loop Through the Pines, Golden Aspen and Red Maples” sounds like the tag line for a fun local 5K. In Logan, it’s how the Bear 100 advertises itself, a 100-mile trail ultramarathon with over 22,000 feet of vertical climb (carrying survival equipment is recommended). Runners contemplating the Bear 100 would do well to consider the Olympus, a trail shoe with extra cushion for going the ultramarathon distance.



Are you sure the Torin isn’t an uptempo performance shoe? Everybody calls the Torin a highly cushioned daily trainer. But it’s only a tenth of an ounce heavier than the performance-minded Impulse. Isn’t that too light for a daily trainer? You can keep calling the Torin a lightweight daily trainer all you want. I think these shoes have a few good tempo runs in them, and maybe a road interval workout or two.


There’s no disagreement about the Altra One: this shoe is fast. Shaved down to just 7.9 ounces in a men’s size 9, the One is light and flexible with a natural feel. Its sole is firmer than Altra’s other uptempo shoes for a snappier feel at toe-off. It can go the distance in a workout, but the One is really meant to be a no-compromise shoe for race day.



With just a few miles from the nearest trailhead to the headquarters of Altra, running reviews will always feature several trail models. The Superior stands out for its versatility as a trail shoe. Cushioning has been kept to moderate levels to reduce weight, so the Superior is ready for everything from dirt roads to technical rock-hopping where a high degree of traction is required.


Imagine Ralph Nader reviews Altra: “Running shoe is unsafe at any speed!” With minimal cushioning and 6 mm lugs for traction on any surface, the King MT is built for fast, technical, aggressive mountain running, from uphill scrambles to semi-controlled reckless descents. Ralph Nader would not approve of this shoe. Fanatical mountain runners might have different views.


The Escalante is Altra’s top uptempo shoe and even comes in a tenth of an ounce lighter than the One. Introduced in 2017, runners have raved about its perfect balance of cushioning and responsiveness, with a sole that offers as much energy return as any of the models from major shoe manufacturers. Unsurprisingly, the Escalante ran away with a Runner’s World editor’s choice award.


Based on runners’ votes, the best Altra running shoe isn’t a mountain shoe or a racing flat. The Intuition/Instinct has won praise for being ready to run anytime, anywhere, on any surface. The Intuition (women)/Instinct (men) doesn’t add extra cushion, stability, or trail-running features. It’s just a moderately cushioned, zero drop, neutral trainer with a wide toe box. In other words, Altra being Altra. To judge by the voting, that’s precisely what runners are looking for.


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Men's Altra Provision 3.5

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