Altra Superior 5 Mens Black/Red

I bought these after someone suggested they'd be a good replacement for my Altra Escalates, which I loved through 2 but were ruined increasingly with 2.5 and 3.These too are terrible. I initially loved Altras because they were one step above minimal shoes, a light bit of padding but still neutral, flexible, and maintaining natural footshape and toe splay. These, however, have little hills inside the toes for some reason. I don't want my toes going downhill when I'm trying to run; that's the opposite of a natural foot shape. I assume it's some dumb "hack", trying to alter your gait to make you faster. However, over constructed shoes that play those games are a dime a dozen (and they're usually better at it).Altra used to be a great brand for a niche audience, now ... MoreI bought these after someone suggested they'd be a good replacement for my Altra Escalates, which I loved through 2 but were ruined increasingly with 2.5 and 3.These too are terrible. I initially loved Altras because they were one step above minimal shoes, a light bit of padding but still neutral, flexible, and maintaining natural footshape and toe splay. These, however, have little hills inside the toes for some reason. I don't want my toes going downhill when I'm trying to run; that's the opposite of a natural foot shape. I assume it's some dumb "hack", trying to alter your gait to make you faster. However, over constructed shoes that play those games are a dime a dozen (and they're usually better at it).Altra used to be a great brand for a niche audience, now it just produced third-rate mainstream shoes. If you want mainstream styled shoes, there are better brands for that.if you want nearly minimal shoes, this isn't that brand any longer.

I bought the orange Superior 5s in size 10.5. Just the right size, and thank goodness these shoes have the wide toe box I need! I recently purchased some Spartan Altra trail shoes with the narrowest toe box I've seen in years; they were totally useless. I started trail running in Altra Lone Peaks, which were okay but not my favorite for Spartan races. For the past 3 years, I have run in Salomon Speedcross 10.5s (wide).Things I love about the Altra Superior 5s: Lightweight, comfortable feel, wide toe box, breathability, gussetted tongue, they perform exceptionally well on less technical terrain, and they look great!Things I don't love about the Altra Superior 5s:1. Because they aren't a particularly aggressive shoe, they're not great on technical terrain, rocks, ... MoreI bought the orange Superior 5s in size 10.5. Just the right size, and thank goodness these shoes have the wide toe box I need! I recently purchased some Spartan Altra trail shoes with the narrowest toe box I've seen in years; they were totally useless. I started trail running in Altra Lone Peaks, which were okay but not my favorite for Spartan races. For the past 3 years, I have run in Salomon Speedcross 10.5s (wide).Things I love about the Altra Superior 5s: Lightweight, comfortable feel, wide toe box, breathability, gussetted tongue, they perform exceptionally well on less technical terrain, and they look great!Things I don't love about the Altra Superior 5s:1. Because they aren't a particularly aggressive shoe, they're not great on technical terrain, rocks, mud, steep climbs and steep descents.2. You will feel rocks and roots and possibly have sore feet, even with the stone bar insert. It's not terrible, but shoes like the Speedcross are noticeably better at preventing this when running on technical terrain.3. The traditional laces. Double-knotting the laces did the trick for me on dry trails, but traditional lace-up shoes don't work well in obstacle course races or in water or mud. I would love to see Altra add a lace option comparable to the Salomon Quicklace System.Bottom Line: I'll run in these shoes often on trails with small or moderate elevation gain or on less technical trails. They are solid, and my feet feel great in them on these types of trails. However, I'll leave them at home when I'm running on mountains or competing in Spartan races.

I'm so disappointed in these shoes. I switched from my Lone Peak 6's to these for better ground feel, but they have virtually no traction in ANY sort of sketchy terrain. Purchased for my (current) 5 week trip through Peru/Guatemala as an everyday shoe on mostly dirt/gravel roads and not manicured trails through volcanoes, heavy elevation, and jungles.I DO NOT feel safe in these at all. They are absolutely horrible in creek crossings, any type of traction on rocks/boulders whether wet or not, and just slides on loose dirt/scree as if they have no lugs at all.I'm actually scared to wear these as they did not keep me upright in several situations, and had to slide down on my butt due to lack of trusting these. Even on wet flat ground (such as smooth wet concrete), ... MoreI'm so disappointed in these shoes. I switched from my Lone Peak 6's to these for better ground feel, but they have virtually no traction in ANY sort of sketchy terrain. Purchased for my (current) 5 week trip through Peru/Guatemala as an everyday shoe on mostly dirt/gravel roads and not manicured trails through volcanoes, heavy elevation, and jungles.I DO NOT feel safe in these at all. They are absolutely horrible in creek crossings, any type of traction on rocks/boulders whether wet or not, and just slides on loose dirt/scree as if they have no lugs at all.I'm actually scared to wear these as they did not keep me upright in several situations, and had to slide down on my butt due to lack of trusting these. Even on wet flat ground (such as smooth wet concrete), they don't have any traction.If you're not planning on hiking in these, or just running on flat groomed trails I'm sure these are fine, but I'm personally counting down the days until I'm back in the US and can return these. I never had any of these issues in my Lone Peaks, so not sure what went so wrong with these.