How to Choose Running Shoes

Offering an optimal balance between support and performance, the women's Altra Provision 8 road-running shoes have a stable ride and cushioned midsoles for the ultimate in responsiveness and comfort.
Imported.
View all Altra Women's Road-Running ShoesBest Use | Running |
---|---|
Running Shoe Support | Stability |
Running Shoe Cushioning | Moderate Cushion |
Heel-to-Toe Drop (mm) | 0 |
Heel Stack Height (mm) | 28 |
Forefoot Stack Height (mm) | 28 |
Footwear Height | Ankle |
Footwear Closure | Lace-up |
Upper | Engineered mesh |
Midsole | Altra EGO foam |
Support | GuideRail |
Outsole | FootPod |
Weight (Pair) | 1 lb. 4.4 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 | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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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I love these shoes! This is my 4th pair of Altras. They are super comfortable with lots of toe room for my bunion! I will always by Altras!
Running 5-10k races and training runs from the track to the roads. Comfort but supportive. Feel great on these ankles that have been sprained many times.
I have liked the provision 6&7 for the added support as I over pronate, and the much more durable rubber on the entire bottom, as the outer part of my shoe usually rubs away pretty quickly. I run about 15-20 miles a week when I'm not training for anything. I like the taller heel on this model, but I don't love the laces as they are the puffy soft kind that don't tie easily, and they are much shorter than is needed to do a runners lock. I've kept my provision 6 laces from my last two pairs and have been swapping them out when I get new shoes cause the new laces are lousy. Additionally the rubber on the bottom of the 8 is less durable right in the place I need a more resistant material. I will be sticking with the 7 as long as possible.
I want to like these shoes but honestly I'm on the fence. I love the Provision 7. These however feel off and I can't quite put my finger on it. They are supposed to be zero heel drop but they feel like there is at least minimal heel drop instead, which is frustrating since I needed zero heel drop. They are also slightly narrower than the Provision 7. I'm forced to say if it's not broke don't fix it. I do like that the shoelaces are finally long enough. Please go back to the styling of the Provision 7.
I have been running in Escalantes, bought and hoarded so I can use them for as long as possible. But then came a hip injury (too much running, not enough strength work I think). So I wanted to TRY something with more cushion. These are just too structured for me. I have bunions, and flat feet, and I've been really happy in foot-shaped shoes like the Escalante. I just wanted one with more cushion, and the recommendation seemed to be the Provision 8. I don't even want to take them outside, because wearing them in the house is uncomfortable already. Note that I wear Injinji socks, so I need plenty of width in the forefoot. I think I'm ruined for anything with any structure to it now. But if you like / need a shoe with cushion, and structure, and you don't have bunions with their own zip codes - then this shoe is likely for you. Just not for me.
I've worn Provision for 7 ywars, been through so many updates. This last one is NOT IT. Went for a walk and my forefoot went to sleep! These are oddly similar to Brooks Adrenaline and I don't mean that as a compliment. Altra is literally changing my beloved foot shape shoe to be like every other shoe on the market. Now I have to find a new brand and I'm not happy about it.
Hi Terri, Thank you for your feedback. We regret to hear you were not satisfied with the Women's Provision 8. 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. We are constantly taking in feedback and ensuring it gets to the appropriate department to make sure that issues get handled moving forward. Thank you for bringing this to our attention.
I have been a dedicated Torin user for years (the Torin 4 is my favorite), and I just couldn't get on board with the last few models. I tried these and am so happy I did! I wore them to exercise right out of the box. I'd tried Provision 6's with no luck, but I really like the feeling of a true zero drop in these. I think I'll stock up just in case they change too.
I walk a lot. The first pair I bought was wonderfully wide. Subsequent pairs are narrower. This is why I switched from Hoka. What is going on with these companies? I just bought a pair of Topo Phantom 3 and love them. Sorry Altra I don't know where your shoes are being made now, but the uppers are becoming tight.
I just got my bunion corrected and these shoes are the only shoes I can wear! I purchased a couple different styles and this one is my favorite. I love that I can slip my foot right in. & I get so many compliments. But most importantly, my feet don't hurt at the end of the day
I don't know why they keep changing all their shoes into the same ones. LOVED the Provision 7, it's possibly my favorite pair of shoes ever. Still walking on clouds almost a year in but the new ones arent pretty and they lost all the things that make the Provision 7 awesome.
Hi Dani, Thank you for your feedback. 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!