Altra  Paradigm 8 Road-Running Shoes - Women's

$109.83Compared to $170.00* Save 35%
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Supportive shoes meet sleek road-runner style in the Paradigm 8. They help guide your feet and deliver efficient, lightweight strides. Altra revamped this version for a better fit and breathability.

Color: Navy
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Features

  • These supportive shoes help guide your feet in a straight line while delivering efficient, lightweight strides
  • Redesigned, engineered mesh uppers and a ghillie lacing system combine to improve breathability and fit
  • GuideRail™ technology encourages natural foot placement with gentle guidance on the medial side—but only when it's needed
  • Premium, molded heel collars with soft detailing offer comfort at first step-in
  • Roomy toe boxes help your toes move more freely with a secure midfoot and zero drop, so you can move naturally
  • Standard FootShape™ fit
  • Weight (half pair): 8.59 oz.

Imported.

View all Altra Women's Road-Running Shoes

Technical Specs

Best Use

Running

Running Shoe Support

Stability

Running Shoe Cushioning

Moderate 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

Outsole

Rubber

Weight (Pair)

1 lb. 1.19 oz.

Gender

Women's

Reviews

31 reviews with an average rating of 3.4 out of 5 stars

78% 7 of 9 reviewers recommended

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Most Helpful Favorable Review

11 people found this review helpful
5 reviews with an average rating of 5.0 out of 5 stars
1 year ago
Much better than Paradigm 7’s - keeping it!
FINALLY made the Paradigm like it was before! Had Paradigm 6’s and loved them. Did not like the Paradigm 7’s and returned them. Now buying my 2nd pair of Paradigm 8’s in case Altra ruins it again in the 9’s. Please keep making these Paradigms the way they’re supposed to be!
Noelle
NJ

Most Helpful Critical Review

8 people found this review helpful
5 reviews with an average rating of 3.0 out of 5 stars
4 months ago
Low volume, narrow, even in wide size
I bought these to replace my Altra Superiors and they're a totally different fit. They're narrower than the Superiors, Lone Peak, and Torin, even in a wide width, and the toebox and midfoot are extremely shallow. These might work for someone with a narrow, low-volume, low-arch foot.
PCBJ1316
DC
AH
Rated 1.0 out of 5 stars
5 months ago

6. 5W Paradigm 8 fits too tight, why made smaller

I had a 6. 5 W in Paradigm 7. I loved them! I was sad to hear they made the cushion softer with Paradigm 8 but with my wide feet, I enjoy the space, 0 drop and stability. I was extremely disappointed when shoes arrived they were smaller, tighter. My custom-made orthotics, which fit perfectly in the Paradigm 7 I can barely get in an out with the Paradigm 8. Why would you change your actual shoe size?? It is visible to the naked eye. And of course to my poor toes.

Summer
Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars
1 week ago

Game-changing stability and all-day comfort

I usually struggle to find shoes to wear at work that don't leave my feet and lower back aching by midday, but the Paradigm 8 in Wide has completely changed that. The wide toe box gives my toes plenty of room to splay naturally without feeling cramped or pinched. The balanced, zero-drop platform and GuideRail support provide incredible stability—I even noticed how secure and planted I felt stepping across loose playground pea gravel, with zero ankle roll. Most importantly, I can wear these through an entire active workday and my feet still feel as fresh and energized as when I woke up. Truly worth every penny.

Carole P.
Rated 1.0 out of 5 stars
3 months ago

Why Change a Good Shoe

After reading the negative reviews, I decided to go try on a pair of Paradigm 8 at my local running store. Glad I did before ordering. The 8 is just awful. They seem narrower, toe box smaller and the cushion isn’t quite the same. I have 2 pairs of the Paradigm 7 and they are absolutely, hands down the best shoe I have owned. I own 6 pairs of Altra’s and use each one for different activities. You guys really screwed up a good thing by making the changes to the 8. Please go back and make the Paradigm 7 again. Guess I’ll have to start looking at other brands. Take these reviews to heart and quit changing a good shoe!

Ashley N.
Rated 1.0 out of 5 stars
1 week ago

I need the Paradigm 7 back!

I only recently discovered ultras brand and their wide tow box. It is what I need for my bunion. I wore out my paradigm seven shoes, but they were unavailable to purchase aI only recently discovered Altra brand and their wide toe box. It is what I need for my bunion. I wore out my paradigm seven shoes, but they were unavailable to purchase a replacement. I had to purchase a paradigm eight, but they are way too tight in the tow box! I tried to keep them and walk in them for a while, and an effort to break them in. Unfortunately, they are still completely uncomfortable, too late for returns, and I am stuck with a worthless investment.

Noelle
Location:New Jersey
Age:Under 18
Weight:100–125 lbs.
Height:5'4"
Average Weekly Mileage:11–30 miles
Typical Shoe Size:Womens 8
Running Experience:Beginner
Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars
1 year ago

Much better than Paradigm 7’s - keeping it!

FINALLY made the Paradigm like it was before! Had Paradigm 6’s and loved them. Did not like the Paradigm 7’s and returned them. Now buying my 2nd pair of Paradigm 8’s in case Altra ruins it again in the 9’s. Please keep making these Paradigms the way they’re supposed to be!

Age:Under 18
Weight:100–125 lbs.
Height:5'4"
Average Weekly Mileage:11–30 miles
Typical Shoe Size:Womens 8
Running Experience:Beginner

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PCBJ1316
Location:DC
Age:35–44
Rated 3.0 out of 5 stars
4 months ago

Low volume, narrow, even in wide size

I bought these to replace my Altra Superiors and they're a totally different fit. They're narrower than the Superiors, Lone Peak, and Torin, even in a wide width, and the toebox and midfoot are extremely shallow. These might work for someone with a narrow, low-volume, low-arch foot.

Age:35–44
Kris122
Location:Somerset nj
Age:35–44
Weight:125–150 lbs.
Height:5'8"
Average Weekly Mileage:11–30 miles
Typical Shoe Size:Womens 9
Running Experience:Experienced
Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars
1 year ago

Great roomy toe box! Not super padded and bouncy!

My first pair of altras. I used to wear brooks in wide, but haven’t been happy with them over the past 5 years or so. I tried on several pairs of stability shoes and these were the winner. I did not need to order a wide, regular size accommodated my flipper shaped bunion feet. Definitely a winner for wide feet if you’re ok with minimal heel toe drop.

Age:35–44
Weight:125–150 lbs.
Height:5'8"
Average Weekly Mileage:11–30 miles
Typical Shoe Size:Womens 9
Running Experience:Experienced

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Debbie G
Age:65–74
Weight:175–200 lbs.
Height:5'2"
Average Weekly Mileage:0–10 miles
Typical Shoe Size:Womens 8
Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars
5 months ago

Just what the doctor ordered!

My podiatrist laid out some specific requirements I needed in purchasing shoes to help my recently diagnosed foot problems (fallen arches, hammertoes, over pronation and a couple of other issues). She said the shoe MUST have a wide toe box and zero heel drop. My physical therapist recommended the Altra Paradigm 8. After wearing a pair for 3 months, the improvement was so noticeable, I ordered my second pair in a different color. The only thing I don’t like is the puffy, padded shoe tongue…it just looks bulky.

Age:65–74
Weight:175–200 lbs.
Height:5'2"
Average Weekly Mileage:0–10 miles
Typical Shoe Size:Womens 8

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AC3of7
Location:San Jose
Age:55–64
Weight:125–150 lbs.
Height:5'0"
Average Weekly Mileage:11–30 miles
Typical Shoe Size:Womens 8
Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars
6 months ago

My Feet Love These Shoes

These shoes have helped my feet feel better. I have bursitis and tendinitis in my feet, and these shoes have been reducing my pain. I also have the Paradigm 7's, which were working pretty well, but the 8's are doing more for my pain. I use these shoes as my everyday shoes and I don't run. I also have the Lone Peaks but they don't have enough cushion or stability. Altra, please make more shoes with the GuideRails. I need some waterproof hiking boots/shoes for a trip to Alaska.

Age:55–64
Weight:125–150 lbs.
Height:5'0"
Average Weekly Mileage:11–30 miles
Typical Shoe Size:Womens 8

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Sandra A.
Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars
1 month ago

LOVE LOVE LOVE

I have been wearing Altra Lone Peaks on and off the trail for many years and love them. They do wear out quickly and don't have a lot of cush, but feel great. So I thought, I should try the Paradigm which is very cushy and has a sole that I think will hold up better off the trail. I have worn it for a few weeks now and this shoe is already my favorite. I love the extra padding while maintaining the zero drop. Also love the simple black color as it goes with most of my around town clothes. This likely will be my new go-to shoe.

1 - 10 of 31 Reviews

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