Altra Torin 2.0

ALBERTO CEBOLLADA | I've known the arguments that ALTRA defends in the construction of its running shoes for a couple of years and I admit that I wanted to test them. Finally we can enjoy in Spain of a brand that defends a different arguments, perhaps they are what many running were looking for...

Distributed in Spain by Creixams Sporttotal

ALTRA is an American brand that was born from a group of elite athletes who opted for a different arguments to the traditional sports footwear industry. They realized that the design of most running shoes, rather than helping runners, was causing injuries. High heels increase the impact of landing and narrow toe boxes compress the toes, sacrificing their natural position.

They are committed to using technology in terms of cushioning but in an anatomical last design with a Footshape round toe and a radical bet on the drop, being ZERO in all their models, which requires an education in running technique for your enjoyment. This innovative combination of arguments favors the adoption of a low-impact running technique and allows the feet to move naturally and relaxed on all types of terrain.

ALTRA's mission is to help every athlete to practice with good running technique and maximum comfort, where "zero limits" are set to their sporting dreams. The improvement of running technique is a priority for them and their mission is to help runners prevent and avoid injuries by teaching them a more efficient and low impact running technique. To this end, they have created the "learn to run" school to help all runners to have a better and healthier way of exercising.

One of ALTRA's goals is to disseminate and teach running technique classes that coincide with the launch of running shoes, because the important thing is not only to have good running shoes but to have the right posture and the right technique to perform at maximum efficiency.

I liked the basic aspects of running technique that ALTRA recommends on its website, of which I will summarize the following general recommendations:

While running, the body should be kept in an upright posture, balanced but leaning forward from the ankles. The chest should be slightly forward as the arms retract, while the hips and knees extend.

The feet should contact the ground slightly in front of the body. For most people, it is recommended that the entire sole of the foot contacts the ground at the same time, centering the stride in the midfoot area or with a very slight predominance of the heel.

The stride or foot strike should be quick and light, with a cadence of about 180 steps per minute. Barefoot running is an exercise that can be of great help in understanding and perfecting the way we run.

Try to run at least 1/3 of the distance you usually cover on natural or uneven surfaces, such as grass, cobblestones or mixed dirt and gravel tracks; this will strengthen structures and stimulate stabilizing muscles. Listen to your body and transition to drop shoes progressively and recommend that if you notice any discomfort or pain, reduce the distances and intensity to give your body enough time to adapt.

They also recommend working on physical fitness and including strength work for the feet and toes. Proprioceptive enhancement work such as barefoot running will contribute to making your feet strong and dynamic and will positively influence the transition.

Midsole and cushioning

Technology and performance

The midsole of the Torin 2.0 is a spectacular response to its maximalist aesthetics that draws attention especially to the forefoot with its rounded toe cap FootShape.

The zero drop places the heel and forefoot at the same height from the ground, proponents of this argument claim that it promotes a low-impact running technique, naturally aligns the body posture and strengthens the calf muscles, weakened by running on high heels.

Regarding this argument, it was Altra's founder, Golden Harper, who began molding soles to eliminate the excessive heel rise in traditional running shoes. The result balanced the cushioning of body weight between the heel and forefoot, reducing the impact of the foot against the ground. It also calls for a different arrangement of the triceps suralis muscles (lower calf area) and the Achilles tendon and fascial complex, adapted to running with high drops.

All Altra Running shoes models feature a Zero Drop platform that places the heel and forefoot at the same distance from the ground.

The double-layer EVA midsole has a first layer of A-Bound, a softer rubber made from recycled materials that is located directly under the foot and its objective is to try to reduce the first impact of the foot on the asphalt and according to advertising recover some of the compression energy. They literally say that "it is a layer of material that bounces between the asphalt and your feet" according to Altra the rubber used in the A-Bound? compresses between two and three times less than those of the competition resisting more over time, something that is difficult to prove but certainly responds with a pleasant cushioning that is maintained over time.

The NRS - Natural Ride System is a combination of rubber components of more discrete performance than the A Bound, and that form the thick midsole chassis and in areas of the sole itself. The thick midsole block has a metatarsal parabola that tries to reflect with its design the location of the metatarsals. The sole has reinforcements embedded in more resistant black rubber at the big toe and 2nd toe, protection of the metatarsal heads and InnerFlex grooves that promote flexibility in the longitudinal direction as if it were a guide of the tread and transversal level to facilitate flexibility in this direction.

These grooves that differentiate the metatarsal area from the phalangeal and longitudinal grooves provide some adaptation of an excessively bulky midsole, providing a good overall flexibility of the shoes.

Strengths

A bound is a compound that is made from recycled materials and is therefore environmentally friendly. The cushioning feels soft and pleasant as the kilometers go by and the grooves in the midsole help to perceive the sensations of walking on uneven terrain. The zero drop favors the stimulation of the sural tendon muscle complex favoring a neuromuscular enrichment and making it possible to vary and with the necessary technique even try to reduce the initial impact of the heel against the ground. It facilitates the work of running technique. The Ribete del A bound at the level of the midfoot is higher, which serves to contain the foot at this level and supports the plantar arch, providing stability to the foot strike.

Opportunities for improvement

To think that a few simple grooves in the thick 27 mm midsole will allow the feet to be more responsive and thus increase speed and performance is very questionable. That these grooves are what reduces the weight of the shoe for "an improved running experience" makes me wonder why less NSR and more Abound is not used in the midsole for performance quality, thus avoiding the concept that more material is better.

Last

Altra's last is one of the most characteristic arguments, its FOOTSHAPE? TOE BOX is based on a round toe, with a design allows the toes to move naturally, allowing the thumb to collaborate in stability and propulsion. It has a 5 mm anatomical contour insole.

The human foot is a masterpiece of anatomy and all Altra shoe models feature a molded last based on the healthiest position of the human foot. A last is a model that takes the measurements of the heel, instep and toe of the shoe and unlike other shoe manufacturers, who alter the last to make the design appear more streamlined, they let the feet do the talking and decide what the shape of the shoe will be.

Strengths

Conventional Running shoes are characterized by sharp, streamlined toe boxes, which do not allow lateral toe movement limiting their functionality. Altra's FootShape? toe cap allows the toes to relax and expand naturally, with the thumb remaining straight. This improves stability and facilitates propulsion through the big toe improving running performance. It is an anatomical design of the shoe and applying the concept of ergonomics by facilitating the movement and natural stabilization of the foot at the forefoot level.

Opportunities for improvement

I am convinced that an anatomical last with an ergonomic design is positive in all aspects and that most shoe brands should learn from Altra and apply it in all their models. But I am also convinced that having more space than necessary is not better, I think that enough space should be allocated and this model is generally speaking excessively wide in its toe box.

Upper

It is a clean upper made of quick-drying breathable Quick Dry mesh. It is a double layer with a hollow structure of a certain thickness that facilitates breathability and with hardly any thermo-sealing or reinforcements. It only has a couple of curved lines on the instep that mold the tip thermosealed to the upper mesh collaborate in the containment of the instep.

The inner collar is sufficiently padded to be comfortable and the tongue is relatively thin and wide to protect the upper from lacing stress.

The fabric of the inner lining of the ankle and heel seems to resist little to the abrasion of the foot and begins to show signs of wear.

Regarding the arguments that Altra defends in their looser upper, they present a series of suggestions such as leaving a space of a little more than a centimeter minimum between the longest toe and the end of the toe cap. You may notice that they are "a little loose" in the toe box, so it will probably take a day or two for your feet to get used to the unfolding. But with such a fit, your feet will enjoy more stability, more comfort and more power. In my opinion, when it comes to running, a good fit of the foot is fundamental and in this model, both for the excessive space and the absence of side buttresses and thermoseals in the upper, leave the laces a difficult task to contain the foot, something that they do not achieve successfully.

The heel support is sufficiently rigid to hold the foot in place. Based on thermo-sealing and a more resistant external textile reinforcement, the structure that houses the heel is formed.

Strength

The 360º reflectors are a truly spectacular safety and quality detail in this training model.
Opportunities for improvement

When it comes to running, a good foot fit is essential and in this model, both due to the excessive space and the absence of side buttresses and thermoseals on the instep, they leave the laces a difficult task of containing the foot, something that they do not achieve successfully. Side straps at midfoot level and the inclusion of one more eyelet hole for the laces as well as a slightly wider lacing would improve the fit.

The mesh in the instep flex areas is unprotected and exposed to chafing, making it very vulnerable to wear.

The fabric of the inner lining of the ankle and heel seems to resist little to the abrasion of the foot and begins to show signs of wear.

Outsole

The NRS - Natural Ride System is a combination of rubber components of more discreet performance than the A Bound, and that form the thick chassis of the midsole and in areas of the sole itself. The thick midsole block features a metatarsal parabola that tries to mirror the metatarsal location with its design. The outsole has reinforcements embedded in more resistant black rubber at the big toe and 2nd toe, protection of the metatarsal heads and InnerFlex grooves that promote flexibility in the longitudinal direction as if it were a guide of the footprint and transversely to facilitate flexibility in this direction.

The more abrasion resistant black rubber protection is also placed on the external part of the heel and external lateral part of the midfoot as well as on the phalanx of the big toe, which facilitates propulsion and reduces wear.
These grooves that differentiate the metatarsal area from the phalanges and the longitudinal grooves provide some adaptation of an excessively bulky midsole, providing a good overall flexibility of the shoe.

Strengths

The more abrasion-resistant black rubber protection is also placed on the outside of the heel and outer side of the midfoot as well as on the big toe phalanx which facilitates propulsion and reduces wear.

Opportunities for improvement

The external part of the forefoot and the medial arch area are unprotected, which quickly takes its toll. The wear due to abrasion when using them on asphalt is evident after a few kilometers, so I do not expect them to last very long.

Conclusion

Testing Altra with its very wide lasts and FootShape toe cap has been a really rewarding experience, this Torin 2.O is a different shoe with a very nice cushioning that allows maximum comfort not only at the level of the toes, but for the foot in general. When you wear them on your feet you immediately realize the sensations that are limited with narrow and restrictive last models from the competition. At first the feeling seemed too loose, but with the passage of training I got used to that feeling of freedom, a curious sensation when it should be the other way around.

What I liked

• Its biomechanical arguments and its extreme positioning can be a very valuable option for miles unsatisfied runners who drag various discomforts and injuries using models with traditional arguments.
• I also like the fact that they are not just selling shoes, but convincing arguments such as the fact that it is not only worth changing shoes, but that you need to improve your technique, strength and proprioception in order to enjoy running.
• This model is light at 270 gr despite its maximalism. Mega roomy and tremendously comfortable, so much so that you don't want to take it off your feet. That it is a totally different shoe from the conventional is evident because it does not go unnoticed by the eyes of running enthusiasts. And its 360º reflectivity at night is spectacular.

Opportunities for improvement

• I detect are on the one hand that when running shoes in my opinion should achieve a good fit of the foot and in this model both by excessive space and the absence of lateral buttresses in the instep, the fit is not just effective.
• I am not an advocate of more volume in the midsole to achieve better cushioning, nor by devoting more space than necessary for the toes to gain in comfort.
• With a less voluminous sole and a little less space in the forefoot, a model with the same performance but more balanced can be achieved.
• The mesh in the bending areas of the instep is unprotected and exposed to friction being very vulnerable to wear as is the rubber of the sole that in certain areas suffers premature wear.

Type of user

It is an ideal model for heavy and not so heavy neutral runners with wide feet looking for a comfortable and spacious model with which to train long distances without the slightest restriction of movement. They are an excellent choice for those who want to work on running technique with confidence. My advice, in addition to caution when running without a drop, is to graduate the transition to the drastic zero drop by using heel cups during the first few weeks, which allow you to progress in the reduction of their thickness without the need to have shoes with gradual props. This trick, allows to adapt in a controllable way and in the end to be able to fully enjoy the concept of this great brand.

They are so sure of the quality and the high degree of user satisfaction with their products that if a model does not meet your expectations, ALTRA promises to refund your money within 30 days. I think that this assurance of their arguments is a great advertisement and in my opinion is worth a try because they will not let you down at all. I recognize that once you run with Altra it is difficult to put your foot back into conventional lasts.