Trail-Running Shoes Buying Guide

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Based on customer feedback, the updated Altra Superior 3.0 trail-running shoes improve on the award-winning 2.0 with accurate sizing, stronger uppers, and lateral flare on the outsoles for stability.
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View all Altra Men's Trail-Running ShoesBest Use | Trail Running |
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Trail-Running Shoe Type | Rugged-Trail |
Running Shoe Cushioning | Minimal Cushion |
Heel-to-Toe Drop (mm) | 0 |
Footwear Height | Ankle |
Footwear Closure | Lace-up |
Upper | Mesh |
Midsole | EVA |
Outsole | Rubber |
Rock Plate | Yes |
Vegan | Yes |
Weight (Pair) | 1 lb. 2.4 oz. |
Gender | Men's |
7 | 7.5 | 8 | 8.5 | 9 | 9.5 | 10 | 10.5 | 11 | 11.5 | 12 | 12.5 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | |
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U.S. Men's | 7 | 7.5 | 8 | 8.5 | 9 | 9.5 | 10 | 10.5 | 11 | 11.5 | 12 | 12.5 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 |
UK | 6 | 6.5 | 7 | 7.5 | 8 | 8.5 | 9 | 9.5 | 10 | 10.5 | 11 | 11.5 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 |
EU | 40 | 40.5 | 41 | 42 | 42.5 | 43 | 44 | 44.5 | 45 | 46 | 46.5 | 47 | 48 | 49 | 50 | 51.5 |
Foot Length (in.) | 9.8 | 10 | 10.2 | 10.4 | 10.6 | 10.8 | 11 | 11.2 | 11.4 | 11.6 | 11.8 | 12 | 12.2 | 12.6 | 13 | 13.4 |
Altra’s unique FootShape™ toe box and zero to low shoes are built to place your foot in a natural position, with a stable and confident foundation to run on. When fitting, be sure to allow a full thumb’s width in front of your toes. If your feet are used to cramped toe boxes, Altra shoes may feel a little big at first. Give your toes some time to get used to the newfound wiggle room.
Altra offers a range of FootShape fits:
Original Fit: The fit that started it all, Original is the roomiest of the 3 options from Altra.
Standard Fit: The most common fit from Altra is right in the middle of Original and Slim.
Slim Fit: The slimmest-fitting Altra option still allows room for your toes to spread out naturally.
IS THIS SHOE TRUE TO SIZE? The product Features above will provide a suggestion if Altra advises you to size up or down in this particular shoe. If no such note exists, please order your regular size.
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When I tried these on in the store I felt like I could go straight to the nearest trail & start hiking or running. I've primarily been walking in these shoes for the first week but know that they'll be able to handle the abuse of any trail run. Really love the removable rock plate. Great fit, lots of room in the toe box & even the toe guard dose a good job for being flexible & non bulky. I've kicked some big rocks that you can feel through the toe guard but, reduces the impact very well. The shoe seems to be built to take lots of abuse & made for longevity. By the way the sole is very comfortable even after wearing them all day.
I bought these shoes with the sole (no pun intended) purpose of a dedicated thru-hiking trail runner. These are probably the most comfortable trail shoes I have ever worn. The large toe box and zero-drop sole is Unbelievably comfortable. The weekend after purchasing, I completed around 10 miles on the Appalachian Trail to include Blood Mountain and the Freeman Trail. I purposely wanted rocky terrain for test purposes. My feet never tired and felt fresh after completion. After I got back to my car I noticed the sole pulling away from the shoe at the toe. I never hit my toes on any rocks or any other incidents that really would have caused this to happen on my part. After talking with an associate, maybe the stresses of the downhills placed to much pressure on the toe area and caused the separation. Regardless, I returned the shoes and traded them for a different brand ONLY because the store I went to didn't have a larger size in the same shoe. I am still going to try another model like the Lone Peaks in the future and hopefully they will prove a little more durable for me. Then again, this may have just been a bad show. Even though I had the issue, I still talked another customer into buying a pair when I returned mine. Clent H., Georgia
I love these shoes. I usually have to buy or just suffer with cramped toes. I have a wide forefoot and average heals which makes proper fit a challenge with many brands. I have been wearing them quite a bit since purchasing. I wore them to my first GORUCK TOUGH challenge after driving three hours and being pressed for time. I intended to swap them out for my Garmont T8 combat boots before the event but didn't have time. I am glad I didn't, the Altras held up to repeated soakings and ridiculous weight really well. My feet are some of the few body parts not aching right now.
It acts like a bear foot to me. Grabs rocks as you hop up boulders. No slippage, tough, durable and flexible in the right spots. Awesome1. Wayne in NM shoe dept took me right to it and I love em
I typically run in huarache-inspired running sandals (you know, "Born to Run" style). Unfortunately, the rocky & uneven trails I've been running on were giving my ankles a rough time in the minimal sandals. So I bought a pair of Superiors - they handle the trails w/ ease & still feel like a "natural running" shoe - for me, zero drop and a wide toe box are a MUST. I prefer my sandals or barefoot on flatter surfaces, but for trails these are fantastic.
I've only had these for less than a month now, and they've only seen light duty so far, but they are every bit as good the Superior 2.0's which were my favorite. Traction good, toe box still good and wide. The fit for me is perfect, and the shoe has just the right combination of support, and flex in the forward portion of the shoe to make it a great trail shoe, at least for me. No negative issues to report at this point.
These are one of the most comfortable shoes I have ever worn. Do not worry about the low heel, what's there is very sufficient and as good as any mega heel Hoka. The wide toe box makes you realize just how tight regular shoes are. I usually buy shoes long just to get the extra width, not necessary with this shoe. The tread is great on this shoe, I took them hiking on the AT and they performed wonderfully.
I bought the last superiors which lasted me a year and a half of trail running and hiking on steep trails. They were the best trail shoes I've owned and really inspire confidence. Even after many miles of steep,rocky trails they were still holding together. Just the soles were worn out (dry so Cal trails) and the insides a bit ripped. I love the wide toe box which really helps with Balance. Awesome shoes, awesome company. I hope these new ones are as good.
Trying out a new shoe due to achilles tendon soreness. Store sales person recommended the shoe, he had achilles issues as well. Love the roomy toe section, more anatomically designed. Great shoe so far, very comfortable and provides great support. Would recommend to others.
I went into REI looking to buy a pair of boots for a 3 day loop in the Rockies. The salesperson suggested these as an alternative and said I would never miss hiking in boots once I made the switch. Day one was great. These are the most comfortable shoes I've ever worn off the shelf. The "foot shape" and zero drop designs are amazing. However, they are not made to withstand abuse from rocky trails. After only 3 days, the heel foam had compressed and the sole had started to tear away at the toe. The Velcro gaiter trap at the back was shredded on the right shoe. I wish so much these would have worked, but I returned them. I have high expectations for a shoe that costs 110+. These did not measure up in durability in rough terrain. If you are running dirt trails or or roads, I would recommend you give these a try.