Altra Torin 7 Review | Best Zero Drop Shoe

The Altra Torin has emerged as a game-changer in the world of running footwear. A zero drop shoe that has enticed many to test out the lower heel drop running life! Altra Torin 7 Review

As a running coach and gear tester, I’ve made it my mission to explore the latest offerings and put them through their paces, ensuring that you make an informed decision when it comes to enhancing your running experience.

Every stride counts, and your choice of footwear can make all the difference.

In this article, I delve into the world of Altra and its highly acclaimed Torin model. Born from a relentless pursuit of innovation and inspired by the breathtaking landscapes of Utah, Altra has carved a niche for itself by crafting running shoes that prioritize natural foot movement and comfort.

The Altra Torin 7, in particular, embodies their core principles while aiming to deliver a seamless blend of performance and support. So after running in this shoe the last month, here’s some feedback, along with the technical details.

Altra Torin 7 Details

So far runners are THRILLED with this update. It seems to have found it’s way back to its roots and will excite many folks. If you didn’t love the 6 (me), this felt like a definite upgrade.

Most notably is the tongue has finally been fixed.

In trying to drop weight the previous thin tongue was cutting a lot of us at the ankle. So they’ve added back enough padding to prevent that issue, without going to that thick cushioned tongue in most shoes. I think this help both keep weight down and should give a bit more room for your foot (helpful if you’ve got high arches).

For me this version feels even cushier and I think that’s why it’s getting the marker “max cushion”. And for sure a reason, it’s on my list of best Altra Running shoes.

altra torin 7 updates

Most folks have a tendency to fall in to the 100% LOVE zero drop or ehhh I’m afraid to try it. This is the shoe to try it. Because of the EGO™ MAX foam in the midsole, the cushioned tongue and collar, I don’t think you’ll initially even realize that it’s a zero drop shoe.

They added about 2mm of stack height to the shoe to sneak in even more cushion. I didn’t find this changed any stability in the shoe for me, unlike with the Olympus where it just felt overwhelming underfoot.

As with all Altra shoes, you’ll enjoy the FootShape toe box. Their marketing is that this allows for a more natural foot movement, which is a yes and no.

What it absolutely does is provide more room for your toes which can feel amazing AND allows for you to get more power out of that big toe by keeping it straight. Did you know your big toe provides a lot of umph in your stride?

Altra Torin 7 Specs

If you’ve been using zero drop for awhile, I would place this squarely in the great for long runs category.

0mm heel drop
8.1 oz women’s
9.8 oz men’s
Max cushion
30 mm stack height (it’s gotten higher and hence more cushion)
Available in five colors
Wide only available in Blue
Available at Altra Running and retail stores for $150

This is definitely a road shoe. While you’ll be just fine on a crushed gravel path or some dirt, I wouldn’t take it out on the trails. It doesn’t have lugs or a super grippy outsole.

Altra Torin 7 Fit

In general, Altra’s have a more roomy fit to me. It’s really important to note that while they have the wide toe box, that doesn’t mean they are a wide shoe.

Instead, you’ll notice that footshape of wide at the toes and then coming in along the arch and back to the heel.

The lightly padded tongue was super comfy, as was the lightly padded heel collar. The collar extends up a bit, which I’ve found a no, no in other shoes, but was just fine here and I could see will help keep my heel from slipping.

I haven’t taken these out on a super hot day yet, but the design and feel looks like it will be breathable. Something that my feet oh so need, as the miles pile up in the summer.

They are not a lightweight shoe that I’d use on speed days, but a good option for recovery days or as noted long runs.

On 90% of my running shoes, I use a heel lock lacing and these have enough laces to make that easily doable.

altra torin review

What You Need to Know about Altra Running Shoes

If you are new to zero drop shoes, please, please, plan for time to adapt. Your Achilles, ankles, calves and tendons need a chance to get used to being a bit more elongated.

You can do this by wearing them for 1 short run for a few weeks and then slowly increasing the distance of that run. Eventually moving to being able to use zero drop shoes for multiple runs per week.

The brand Altra is well-known for its commitment to a zero heel-to-toe drop in all of its footwear, regardless of the amount of cushioning in the sole. And so, every shoe in Altra’s lineup is designed with a zero drop that puts the heel and forefoot at the same level.

They designed this to help with optimal alignment, cultivate better form, and encourage a low-impact landing.

Here are some of the claimed benefits of zero-drop shoes:

More natural running gait
Improved ankle mobility
Better posture
Improved balance

Why Would You Want a Foot Shaped Toebox?

Another feature shared by all Altra running shoes is that the toe box is designed with the natural shape of the foot in mind.

It may sound a little odd when you first hear that they make a foot shaped shoe, but once you see it things begin to click. I don’t know about you, but my toes aren’t shaped like the image on the left.

The most significant advantage of a foot-shaped toe box is that it allows your toes to splay, or spread out, while running.

This natural toe splay helps runners gain more stability, build stronger foot muscles, and maintain a straight great toe, which increases the power produced with each stride.

This design allows your toes to spread out, which provides you with the ability to get more power from each stride.

Drawbacks of the Altra Torin 7

As noted, every runner has a preference, so there are just a couple of things from my experience.

Time to adapt to running in zero-drop shoes
Weight: it’s not the lightest of shoes and that keeps it from being one of my favorites
Limited ankle support: not ideal choice for runners with ankle instability or those who prefer a more structured and supportive shoe

It’s worth noting that these potential drawbacks can vary based on individual preferences, foot biomechanics, and running style. What might be a limitation for one runner could be inconsequential or even desirable for another

Hopefully this was helpful to give you an overview of the Altra Torin 7!

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