Wide shoes = wide feet, right? Those were my exact thoughts when I first glanced at Altra's Running shoes. I assumed they were wide shoes for runners with wide feet, I never gave them a chance. Recently I realized that wasn't the case. After multiple rave reviews I figured I would give them a chance. After spending some time in Altras my perception has changed. Altra shoes are great for runners with all types of feet, they have a roomy foot shape toe box that gives your toes enough space to spread out while running, compared to other shoes that keep your toes cramped up like sardines. Most shoes are fairly narrow and don't allow a lot of movement in the toe area which can lead to the risk of getting bunions, hammertoes and plantar fasciitis. Altra's signature Foot Shape toe box allows the toes to relax and spread out naturally and the big toe to remain in a straight position. This enhances stability and creates a powerful toe-off to maximize running performance.
Most running shoes are designed with elevated heels. We love that all of Altra’s shoes are designed with a zero drop, meaning the heel and forefoot are the same distance from the ground. This balance aligns your feet and back creating better posture for less impact. It is a more natural form of running.
The ONE 2.5
The One 2.5 is one of their fastest & lightest shoes. I did a 9-mile run in them right out of the box with no issues. The toe box lets your toes move freely for incredible comfort but still light enough to move fast. These shoes are incredibly flexible and lightweight making for a very comfortable run. The bottom sole does trap rocks sometimes due to the tread pattern grid. The good thing is that you don't notice the rocks until you finish your run when you take off your shoes. I would recommend staying off the trails in these shoes as they are better suited for pavement.
The upper material of the shoes is on the thinner side as it breathes really well, making us Arizona runners happy. The only thing that I wasn't too thrilled about was the laces being too long. Other than that I loved these shoes to train, race in or even wear all day in your daily activities. They go for $100 on their website.
Olympus 1.5 (Max Cushioning)
The first thing we noticed when we tried these shoes on was that they felt like moon shoes. The cushioning on these shoes are insane, and gives the feel like you are jumping on a trampoline. They eventually mold to your feet after running in them which makes them even more comfortable.
The Olympus 1.5 is their max cushioning trail shoe, they are a bit heavier than what we are used to but the comfort helps out during long runs. We noticed on days that we ran longer distances we were not as sore as we normally would be. They too have the signature Foot Shaped toe box. The upper material is a durable mesh that seems as though it will last for miles. They sell for $135 on their website.
The main reasons we love Altra shoes:
1. Foot shape toe box, so much room for our toes to spread!
2. Fully cushioned Zero drop(Heel and forefoot are the same distance from the ground that promotes proper running form).
If you're curious about Altra's Shoes you can buy them online AltraRunning or just simply try them on at your local sporting good shoe store. Your feet will thank you at the end of a long run.
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