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Serving up guidance-style stabilization and balanced, ultra-plush cushioning, the women's Altra Paradigm 6 road-running shoes keep your stride steady and your feet on cloud nine, mile after mile.
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View all Altra Women's Road-Running ShoesBest Use | Running |
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Running Shoe Support | Stability |
Running Shoe Cushioning | Maximum Cushion |
Heel-to-Toe Drop (mm) | 0 |
Heel Stack Height (mm) | 30 |
Forefoot Stack Height (mm) | 30 |
Footwear Height | Ankle |
Footwear Closure | Lace-up |
Upper | Engineered mesh |
Lining | Nylon |
Midsole | Altra EGO Max foam |
Outsole | Rubber |
Weight (Pair) | 1 lb. 2 oz. |
Gender | Women's |
5.5 | 6 | 6.5 | 7 | 7.5 | 8 | 8.5 | 9 | 9.5 | 10 | 10.5 | 11 | 11.5 | 12 | |
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U.S. Women's | 5.5 | 6 | 6.5 | 7 | 7.5 | 8 | 8.5 | 9 | 9.5 | 10 | 10.5 | 11 | 11..5 | 12 |
UK | 3.5 | 4 | 4.5 | 5 | 5.5 | 6 | 6.5 | 7 | 7.5 | 8 | 8.5 | 9 | 9.5 | 10 |
EU | 36 | 37 | 37.5 | 38 | 38.5 | 39 | 40 | 40.5 | 41 | 42 | 42.5 | 43 | 44 | 44.5 |
Foot Length (in.) | 8.7 | 8.9 | 9.1 | 9.3 | 9.4 | 9.6 | 9.8 | 10 | 10.2 | 10.4 | 10.6 | 10.8 | 11 | 11.2 |
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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My mom had a stroke on 1/14/22 which affected her entire right side (leg, foot, hand, and slight speech). She began PT, OT & ST on 1/20/22. As her speech, hand movement and walking have begun returning, she has had a difficult time picking up her right foot and continues to drag it as she walks with her walker. Today I took her to MOUNTAIN RUNNING COMPANY in Boone, NC. After discussing her needs the salesman (he is the owner I believe) pulled out 3 shoes for her to try. The first shoe was the ALTRA PARADIGM 6...people you would have thought he placed a glass slipper on her foot. She walked across the store with little to no dragging and was done! The salesman was so kind to her and explained that this shoe has a "0 Drop". This means that the heel and toe are level, just like if you were walking around barefoot. Although she does not have a wide foot, her therapist suggested: 1) get her something comfortable to her foot, and 2) get a bigger toe box.. then all 3-ladies (each wearing a different brand) showed us their sneakers with a bigger toe box. With all this being said, her ALTRA PARADIGM 6 has a bigger toe box, 0-Drop, and is only 9-oz in weight. I was so happy to see her improvement just by switching her shoes and very thankful for the young man that took his time with her, was very knowledgeable, and then put her into something that is literally life-changing (I mean that). Can she run a marathon now...no, but she can pick her foot completely off the ground without dragging it, and that will aid in her quick recovery. SPECIAL NOTE: The salesman said these sneakers run 1-size smaller. She wears a size 8 in all her shoes, but he put her in a US size 9 and they fit PERFECT!!!!
My mom (77-yrs old) had a stroke on 1/14/22 which affected her entire right side (leg, foot, hand, and slight speech). She began PT, OT & ST on 1/20/22. As her speech, hand movement and walking have began returning, she has had a difficult time picking up her right foot and she continues to drag it as she walks with her walker. Today I took her to MOUNTAIN RUNNING COMPANY in Boone, NC. After discussing her needs the salesman (owner I believe) he pulled 3-shoes for her to try. The first shoe was the ALTRA PARADIGM 6...people you would have thought he placed a glass slipper on her foot. She walked across the store with little to no dragging and was done! The salesman was so kind to her and explained that this shoe has a "0 Drop". This means that the heel and toe are level, just like if you were walking around barefoot. Although she does not have a wide foot, her physical therapists and occupational therapist told us to: 1) get her something comfortable to her foot, and 2) get bigger toe box.. then all 3-ladies (each wearing a different brand) showed us theirs sneakers with a bigger toe box (not fat feet, just bigger toe-box). With all this being said, her ALTRA PARADIGM 6 has a bigger toe box, 0-Drop, is only 9-oz in weight, and run 1-size small (mom wears a US size 8, and he put her in the US size 9 which fit perfect).. I was so happy to see her improvement just by switching her shoes, and very thankful for the young man that took the time and was knowledgeable enough to put her into something that is literally life changing (I men that). Can she run a marathon now...not hardly, but she can pick her foot completely off the ground without dragging it, and that will aid in her quick recovery and independent living.
I have been struggling with plantar fasciitis for years and need a high cushioned neutral shoe that I can put my orthotics in. I previously was wearing Hoka's but I'm not a big fan of how they look. This shoe is absolutely great, meeting all my needs with one exception. Winthin 2 months the interior portion of the heel area on of the shoe started coming apart and within 4 month they completely came apart to the point they are uncomfortable to wear. If not for that I would be buying this shoe again and again but if the quality can last more than a few weeks I can't justify spending that much money on them.
Thanks so much for reaching out to us! We would love to look into this for you. One of our Altra Agents has sent emailed you so that we can go ahead and assist you. Thank you for allowing us to help you. Have a wonderful day.
Loved the feel of the shoe. In fact wore them for a half marathon 6 days after I got them. However, the tread is already showing a lot of wear (i only had them on for 2 runs - 2.5 miles and 13.25 miles). I want to love them, but this amount of wear at this price point is not normal.
Unmatched comfort, but sadly the look and comfort will far exceed the quality of this shoe. Haven't had mine for long and the inside is falling apart in two different areas. Very disappointed after spending what I did!
Hi Amber, Thank you for providing this feedback! We would love to talk more with you about your experience. We will have a representative from our Customer Care Team reach out to you within the next 24-48 hours.
For the price point you could do better. I'm an RN, I've worn everything from Hooka, On-Cloud & Danskos. I bought these hoping for better comfort. They are comfy, but too noisy & stain easily!
Recently, I've had to size up a full size (instead of half a size) in Altras, not sure why. But sizing up more made a world of difference. I was formerly a die-hard fan of Torins but felt perhaps I needed more support because of recurring, wicked hot spots near the bunion. This shoe gives support when support is needed, and that's been a game changer for me. I have them in gray/purple and the white/blue/orange that I've affectionately dubbed "bowling" shoe. I wear them for daily training and will try out my first half marathon in them. Altras are the only running shoe I'll consider because of the roomy toe box and zero drop.
I say this product fits true to size because it fits me fabulously. Technically I'm 11 1/2 but it doesn't come in that size. Normally a 12 would be too big on me but this fits so well. I was banking on that from some of the previous reviews I saw. The shoe is so comfortable. I've needed no breaking in period. I need to get out there and buy another pair in fact. Humorously I showed up at my sons house and he said mom look at my new Altras. He had recently bought the men's version of paradigm. He is on his feet all day long and Altras have been a great discovery for him. This is my first time purchasing any style of Paradigms and they have proved to be my favorite Altra. Thanks Altra.
I bought my shoes in 2022 and I wore them inside only for my light dance workouts for only 3 months, 2x a week. I stopped the dance workouts, forgot about the shoes, then started wearing them again late 2023 on walks. Within 6-8 months of very intermittent walking (3-4 times a month) the bottom soles are literally peeling off and starting to squeak. I wanted to write an email instead of a review, but I looked all over the site to find an email and I couldn't find it and the chat bit wasn't helpful. I love the feel of Altras but if they are going to fall apart like this, I don't know what to buy next.
Thank you for providing this feedback! We would love to talk more with you about your experience. We will have a representative from our Customer Care Team reach out to you within the next 24-48 hours.
SO DISAPPOINTED! I have loved these sneakers. Purchased them on March 28. Started a walking routine at the end of May and have walked 1-3 miles a day. The back of the heel are completely ripped up. Holes in both sneakers. Contacted customer service and they told me it was wear and tear? Are you kidding me? I only wear them when I walk for exercise. This is insane and really awful product and customer service.
Hey Cara, thanks so much for reaching out to us. We are sorry to hear about the experience with your warranty claim. One of our Expert Agents has reached out to you via email to investigate this for you. Thank you for your time.