Trail-Running Shoes Buying Guide

When you want to feel agile on the trails, the men's Altra Superior 6 trail-running shoes provide lightweight cushion and plenty of grip to get you out exploring at whatever pace you like to run.
Imported.
View the Altra Superior Product LineView all Altra Men's Trail-Running ShoesBest Use | Trail Running |
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Trail-Running Shoe Type | Light-Trail |
Running Shoe Cushioning | Minimal Cushion |
Heel-to-Toe Drop (mm) | 0 |
Heel Stack Height (mm) | 21 |
Forefoot Stack Height (mm) | 21 |
Footwear Height | Ankle |
Footwear Closure | Lace-up |
Upper | Engineered knit textile |
Lining | Nylon |
Midsole | Compression molded EVA |
Outsole | MaxTrac rubber |
Rock Plate | No |
Weight (Pair) | 1 lb. 4.2 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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[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] I've tried to test these shoes in a variety of conditions and situations, and they have performed so well in all of them. I have run the streets of our neighborhood in them, decided to work on squats with them (because the toe box is so wide and allows my toes to spread), and went out on the disc golf course with them on as a bit of a hiking shoe because of their great mid-aggressive sole! I love how lightweight they are which means I can move even more nimbly when I'm running outside or in the gym. The laces are super comfortable and easy to tie, and the tongue of the shoe makes it very easy to get my foot in the shoe quickly!
I'm pretty disappointed in Altra. I used the Lonepeak 3's for my PCT thru-hike in 2017, which were good. I tried the Superior 4's which were alright, but it is time for new shoes. I ordered these in a half size bigger because my feet have splade out even more from barefoot shoes. Unfortunately these shoes are un-wearable, definitely not "foot-shaped". I wore them around the house for an hour or so and my feet were in pain the next day. If you have a narrow foot with a high arch, these might work for you, but to call them a wide fit is lie. Looks like I won't be doing any long distance hiking this summer since I can't find shoes that work.
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] Altar sent me this free sample through the BzzAgent sampling program. This running shoe is one of the most comfortable shoe I've even worn right from the start. The cushioning makes for great impact for running. It's also very light weight which makes it much easier for longer runs. As someone who normally runs 3-5 times a week it's important to have a shoe that give support and comfort. This running shoe does both. My only down side is that this show is made for people who have a wide foot in my opinion. As someone with a very narrow foot I felt like my foot was swimming unless I wore extra pairs of socks. I can see the attempt to make it feet different types of feet however for narrow feet it's just moving around in the show which is comfortable after starting out on a run. If this show were made more narrow, it would be the perfect ruining show for me.
Extremely bummed about the new sizing of the superiors. I ordered the 6s hoping theyd be able to house my foot after a year in lone peaks that are way too stiff. I have an old pair of 4.5s that worked and fit amazingly well for trails. When I tried on the 6s, it felt like I was wearing nikes. My foot isnt wide enough for wide yet it's too wide for any other brand out there that I've tried. I dont like when my foot is tight in the toe box so maybe that's on me. But it was like a corset on my foot. Altra now seems like the wide is too wide, the normal is too narrow and now I need to find something else to fit my foot. Any recommendations? Thought Altra was my brand! Not anymore :(
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] Disclosure: This review is in exchange for a complimentary sample. I recently had the opportunity to sample the Altra Running US MEN'S SUPERIOR shoes, and I must say, they exceeded my expectations in every way. From the moment I slipped them on, I could feel the superior comfort and support they provided. One of the standout features is it ensures a perfect fit and accommodates the natural shape of my feet. This not only enhanced the overall comfort but also gave me the confidence to tackle any terrain with ease. The traction on the outsole is exceptional, providing excellent grip on both dry and wet surfaces. I felt secure and stable while running on uneven trails, great traction and this prevented any slips or slides. What impressed me the most was the shoe's responsiveness and flexibility. The lightweight design allowed for effortless movement, and the cushioning system provided a nice balance between responsiveness and impact absorption. Whether I was navigating rocky paths or cruising on smooth surfaces, the shoes adapted seamlessly to the terrain, providing a smooth and enjoyable running experience. The high-quality materials used in their construction, combined with the solid craftsmanship, have resulted in a long-lasting and reliable pair of shoes. Overall, I highly recommend the Altra Running US MEN'S SUPERIOR shoes to any trail running enthusiasts. They offer unmatched comfort, outstanding traction, and impressive durability, making them a fantastic choice for those seeking a high-performance shoe. Put them on, hit the trails, and get ready for an incredible running experience.
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] This is my 3rd pair of altra shoes ( I like to have multiple shoes on hand ) this brand really does provide excellent quality shoes within a surprising light weight form . I run on mild terrain about 3-4x a week as well as weekend hiking on steeper terrain . Shoes flex incredibly well without pinching toes. Fit i feel is very true to size and level of cushion and bounce back is great for arch lift off . Super durable , my other altra pair have lasted great through an entire year of runs . Highly recommend these shoes.
they need to be wide again. you guys really nailed it with the 5.0 and i'd love to see that in the next version. even though the durability probably improved with the new upper material, the 'sock with a sole' feel from the 5's was killer. i've been running and backpacking in superiors since the 2.5 and the 5's and 6's have been the best so far. again, they need to be wider. the 6 is visibly narrower than the 5 or any other i've worn. also, for anyone out there saying they aren't durable enough: i've put 800-1000mi on every pair of superiors i've had at ultra-distance days. so please, the 5's, do that again. the superior is the best shoe in the world.
These are narrower than the superior 5s. I wanted to love these shoes, I think they look great, but they hurt my feet. Altra's have been my reliable source of running shoes. For now, I can find superior 5s online, but once those are gone, I am not sure what I am going to do. I hope superior 7 returns to the wider forefoot that previous superiors had. If not, I need to find a new solution.
General fit and finish of the shoe is quite good, and the last is in many ways more footshaped than the Lone Peak (wider in the midfoot, narrower in the heel). However, there is zero padding on the lower half of the tongue. This (combined with the fact that there are only 4 eyelets instead of the 5/6 of most running shoes) makes it impossible to achieve a good lockdown in the midfoot and forefoot without significant lace bite across the midfoot. Take the upper of the Lone Peak and add it to this midsole/outsole and you'd have a winner, but as is it is unwearable without significant sliding back and forth of the forefoot.
Hello E! Thank you for sharing your experience with us. We are sorry to hear of your disappointment with the latest model of the Men's Superior 6 Shoes. Your feedback is appreciated and will be shared with the appropriate team for review. Please contact our customer care team if we can further assist you.
I have bought and loved Altra Superiors. Think think the originals are best. Through out the version changes the shoe has become more narrow and different fabric above the toes causing me to go up in sizes. Unfortunalety, this version is even more narrow and the fabric above the toes is similiar to the Lone Peaks. Even with the thinnest socks it was hard to put and was painful to walk in. This is the first pair of shoes I have even had to return. Ended up buying 3 pairs of the previous version.
We regret to hear you were not satisfied with Men's Superior 6 shoes. Whether constructive or positive, we appreciate any feedback and ensure it is directed to the appropriate department. Our hard-working teams take all feedback seriously. Thank you for bringing this to our attention.