Running Shoes Buying Guide

Be ready for rain, snow, puddles or mud with these Altra road-running shoes. GORE-TEX Invisible Fit uppers offer dependable weather protection. The Vibram® outsoles provide good grip on the road.
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Imported.
View the Altra Torin Product LineView all Altra Women's Road-Running Shoes| Best Use | Running |
|---|---|
| Running Shoe Support | Neutral |
| 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 |
| Waterproof | Yes |
| Upper | GORE-TEX Invisible Fit and stretch |
| Midsole | P35X™ |
| Outsole | Vibram® XS DURA |
| Weight (Pair) | 1 lb. 1.5 oz. |
| Gender | Women's |
| Type of Waterproofing | GORE-TEX |
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[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] They fit true to size, with an anatomical toe box that gives my foot plenty of room—especially helpful after a previous 5th metatarsal injury. As a XC coach, I’ve worn these through multiple practices and a wet race day, and they’ve kept my feet dry and comfortable on wet grass and hills. I’ve also tested them on wet roads and loose trail, and they handled both really well. My only minor complaint was some looseness in the heel, but runner’s-lock lacing significantly improved the fit. Comfortable, versatile, and approachable, these are a great option for runners of all levels looking for a daily shoe that can handle a little bit of everything.
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] When i run it’s mostly in the morning or at night, when things are dewy and damp out. running through the grass and roads when things can be a bit slick, i never once had to worry about my socks coming home wet. the Gortex in these shoes did exactly its job! Another thing I loved about these shoes is how they fit by my heel. the extra padding helped keep the shoe almost “locked” in place, it didn’t feel like i was going to lose my shoes at any point and never once got any blisters! typically no matter the pair of shoes it feels as if my heel is rubbing and moving freely from the shoe and it’s always very uncomfortable. this time it felt great!
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] I’ve really enjoyed the Altra Torin GTX for rainy runs, hikes, and everyday walks. The waterproof GTX construction has been great for keeping my feet dry without feeling overly bulky or stiff like some waterproof shoes can. I especially like the comfortable, roomy toe box and the cushioning; it makes these easy to wear for longer walks or runs when the weather isn’t cooperating. They’ve also worked well on wet trails and sidewalks, giving me a good combination of comfort and traction. Overall, these have become a go-to when I know I’ll be outside in wet weather. Great option if you want one shoe that can handle rainy runs, hikes, and everyday adventures.
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] As an active 52-year-old registered nurse and outdoor junkie who rock climbs, hikes, backpacks, and runs on the rainy side of Maui, my footwear has to survive rigorous real-world abuse. I put the Altra Torin 9 GTX through daily mileage, deep creeks, and slick mud, and they didn't miss a beat. Sizing is true-to-fit with instant out-of-the-box comfort, plush cushioning, and a smooth ride that handles heavy use without breaking a sweat. The GORE-TEX waterproofing keeps feet bone-dry without feeling like rubber boots, while the Vibram outsoles and wide toe box deliver elite stability and traction on sketchy terrain. Built with solid durability for high-output outdoor life, I’d recommend these to any runner, hiker, or active adult battling wet elements who refuses to sacrifice natural mechanics or comfort. Dry socks and zero soggy regrets. I received this product for free in exchange for my honest review.
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] The Torin 9 is one of my favorite shoes in my current rotation, so I was very excited to test the GTX waterproof version for free in exchange for my honest review. The Torin 9 GTX has a lightweight, waterproof GORE-TEX Invisible Fit combined with a stretchy, flexible yet supportive upper. The Torin 9 GTX is a zero drop shoe in Altra’s line, and also has their foot-shaped toe box helping to keep feet at a natural splay. This version of the Torin also got a huge update to a Vibram XS DURA rubber outsole making it grippier than ever. The new P35x dual density midsole felt soft, yet responsive and stable on runs, and walks. I used this shoe for outdoor runs and walks on pavement, and ventured in to the prairie grass trails, even during some much-needed rainy weather, and still had plenty of grip, and my feet stayed dry. The water beads up, and rolls right off! Even with the GTX, the shoe was still flexible, and my feet didn’t overheat. I prefer a spacious toe box and these shoes fit true to size, and width on my narrower, overall lower volume feet, and the zero drop keeps my body happy and injury-free. Big fan of Altra, and would absolutely recommend trying the Torin 9 GTX! Huge thanks to @expertvoice and @altrarunning for the amazing opportunity!
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] I’ve been testing these shoes around Fairbanks, Alaska, including running, walking, and everyday wear in wet conditions. They feel impressively lightweight, especially for a waterproof shoe, and the wide toe box is one of my favorite features. It gives my toes plenty of room without feeling restrictive. The waterproofing has also performed really well. I’ve worn them in steady rain and through very wet grass, and my socks have stayed completely dry. That has been especially valuable for testing in Alaska’s unpredictable and wet conditions. The main area I’m still adjusting to is the overall fit. While the toe box is nicely spacious, the laces create noticeable pressure across the top of my foot. I’ve tried adjusting the lacing, but I still find the upper somewhat compressive. I would prefer the shoe to have the same unrestricted feel through the midfoot that it provides in the toe box. So far, comfort has been good overall, and I’m interested to see how the fit and upper feel as I put more miles and outings on them. I’d especially recommend them to someone looking for a lightweight waterproof shoe with a roomy toe box, particularly for wet-weather walking, running, and everyday use. I received this product in exchange for my honest review.
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] I received this shoe for free in exchange for my honest review. Having received the product in August, I was afraid I wouldn’t have wet weather in which to test it. As luck would have it (or not!), my Labor Day holiday week is proving to be quite stormy with plenty of rain! Following are my findings: Fit - I wear a women’s 10 wide, and the standard size 10 fits well. I found it true to size but would have appreciated a tiny bit more volume in the toebox to accommodate my hammertoe. Running - this shoe does not have enough cushion for my 59 year old joints when running. My feet hurt, and heated up too much on my 3 mile run. It would probably have plenty of cushion for others, but feet will still get hot. Walking/hiking - I love the shoe so much for this! I stomped in puddles and stepped right into Puget Sound and my socks were completely dry. The waterproof feature is rock solid! I hiked for over 4 hours on a steep, rocky trail and the traction was fantastic and my feet felt great the entire time. It was a 70 degree day and feet did not overheat walking or hiking, only running. The shoes look nice. The Torin 9 has a little lower stack than the 8, and is more visually appealing. I feel like I will be able to wear it as a lifestyle shoe as well as hiking/walking in bad weather. It’s going to be versatile!
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] * Fit and comfort: Fit is excellent and not stiff. Comfort is great. Always a nice initial step in feel for Altra shoes no matter what the model is. * Cushioning and responsiveness: balanced cushioning and not too firm or soft. The Torin has always executed this and it’s a great feature. * Waterproof performance and breathability: I wore these in a non-water settings and they surprisingly were not hot. In the water setting it was raining and I was so grateful my feet were not at all wet after. * Traction on wet and dry surfaces: With the vibrato outer, it performed well and because the regular Torin has it too, it performed great. I used it on the roads for walking and running and in both conditions of wet and dry and it was really durable and I felt stable. * Stability and support; it is a neutral shoe, so no stability was felt, but the proportions of foam in mid foot and heel are good in that it doesn’t feel unstable and the ride is streamline and supportive. * How the shoes felt across different distances and conditions: I wore them running and they felt really smooth and responsive as the Torin does. In walking conditions, it often felt like I didnt have a shoe on which is notable and an excellent marker for a shoe in my opinion; if I can walk or run and feel like I don’t have a shoe on, that is a win! * Where you ran, including distance, surface and weather conditions: ran on roads only for this shoe. Ran in clear weather and rainy/wet weather. Grateful to have a week of rain to put them to the test. * How the shoes performed across multiple runs: an even experience through all runs and they also dried well between runs from being wet. * Only downside I would say about this shoe is that GORTEX color options are hard and generally in all black which is not my aesthetic preference, so I would wear it more if it wasn’t all black. I received this product for free in exchange for my honest review.
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] I have been wearing the Torin 9 GTX for regular road runs and paved trail sessions over the past few weeks, and I made a point of running in the rain to really put the waterproofing to the test. Activities- Mostly road runs and paved trails, and I picked some rainy days on purpose. They have handled everything from easy recovery runs to harder tempo days without any issues. Fit and Sizing- This is the biggest difference from other Altra shoes I have worn. The GORE-TEX layer makes the fit tighter through toe box than the regular Torin. If you are used to Altra's roomy toe box, this one feels more snug. I would size up half a size, especially if you like wearing thicker socks in cold or wet weather. Comfort- Even with the tighter fit, these were comfortable right out of the box. No break in needed, no rubbing or hot spots anywhere. The snugger fit actually felt kind of nice, like a secure lockdown feel without being restrictive. Cushioning and Ride- The ride feels just like the rest of the Torin line, smooth and cushioned. Zero drop takes some getting used to if you have not run in Altras before, but once you adjust, the cushioning feels soft and protective. Waterproof Performance- This is where the shoe really shines! My feet stayed completely dry through multiple rainy runs, even long ones in steady downpours. Nothing got through the seams or tongue. If you run in the rain, this alone makes the shoe worth it. Stability and Traction- Grip was really good when the pavement was wet. I was a little worried going in since these do not have the aggressive tread you see on Altra's trail shoes. But on wet pavement and slick paved trails, I never felt like I was slipping. Footing felt solid the whole time, even when things got sloppy. Durability- So far the outsole and upper are holding up well, no early signs of wear. The waterproof layer feels like it was actually built into the shoe rather than just added on, which is a good sign for how it will hold up over time. Who These Are For- If you run in places where the weather is unpredictable or just rains a lot, these are worth it. Also a great option if you already like the Torin's cushioned zero drop ride and want that same feel with waterproofing added in. Just know the fit runs tighter than a typical Altra, so size accordingly. I received this product for free in exchange for my honest review.
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] As a sales associate at a specialty running retailer, I have the opportunity to try a wide variety of running shoes and regularly help runners find the best models for their specific needs. That exposure gives me a strong point of reference when evaluating new footwear, and I was excited to test the Altra Torin 9 GTX because it combines Altra's signature zero-drop platform with waterproof protection and a Vibram outsole. What activities I used the shoes for I used the Torin 9 GTX for road running both in wet and rainy conditions and in dry conditions just to test, including several easy and moderate-paced training runs. I also wore them for walking and daily errands to evaluate comfort and waterproof performance over longer periods of wear. Overall fit and sizing The shoe fit true to size for me. Like other Altra models, the toe box provided plenty of room for my toes to spread naturally without feeling sloppy or oversized. The midfoot held my foot securely, and I had no issues with heel slippage. Comfort from the first wear through multiple outings The Torin 9 GTX felt comfortable out of the box with no major break-in period required, and I experienced consistent comfort across multiple runs. The upper felt secure without creating pressure points, even on longer runs. The laces were interesting – it seems like they were made of a material that keeps knots together tightly in wet conditions. I was not used to this texture, but it makes sense for a shoe like this. Cushioning and ride quality One of my favorite aspects of this shoe is the zero-drop platform. I enjoy periodically rotating zero-drop shoes into my training because they place slightly different demands on the lower legs compared to traditional running shoes. I find that this helps engage different muscle groups, particularly in the calves and feet, which can be a useful way to vary training stress throughout the week. I would not choose this shoe for speed workouts, but it performed very well for easy runs and recovery days. I would definitely keep the Torin 9 GTX in my shoe rotation because it offers something unique compared to the higher-drop trainers I normally wear. Waterproof performance This was one of the strongest features of the Torin 9 GTX. The Gore-Tex upper provided excellent protection from wet conditions, and my feet remained dry despite running on rain-soaked roads and through small puddles. I would confidently reach for this shoe whenever the forecast calls for rain. Drier feet resulted in drier socks, which I believe helped lower the likelihood of developing blisters and wrinkly feet. The waterproofing performed exactly as I hoped it would. Stability and traction If I had to identify the true standout feature of this shoe, it would be the Vibram outsole. The traction was excellent on wet pavement and slick surfaces, giving me confidence when conditions were less than ideal. The platform also felt stable throughout my testing, which I appreciated during rainy runs when footing can be unpredictable. I did not take a lot of sharp corners in these shoes. I can imagine they may be a little slower, but I am not usually pivoting much in wet weather, so that wasn’t an issue for me. Durability expectations Based on my experience and the materials used, I expect the Torin 9 GTX to hold up well over many miles. The Vibram outsole appears particularly durable and resistant to wear, even after running on wet roads and rough surfaces. The upper construction also feels robust and capable of handling repeated exposure to challenging weather conditions. Areas for improvement My biggest concern with this shoe is breathability. While the waterproof upper excelled at keeping water out, it also trapped more heat and moisture inside the shoe than I would have preferred. I tested the shoe in humid conditions, and my feet felt noticeably clammy after my runs. While this tradeoff is not uncommon with waterproof footwear, it is something potential buyers should consider if they live in warm, humid climates. I would also love to see Altra introduce more exciting color options in future releases. Since this shoe is designed for wet-weather running, reflective details and brighter colorways would be welcome additions to increase visibility during rainy or low-light conditions. Who I would recommend the shoes to I would recommend the Altra Torin 9 GTX to runners looking for a comfortable daily trainer that offers reliable waterproof protection and exceptional wet-weather traction. It is especially well suited for runners who already enjoy zero-drop shoes or are looking to incorporate a different running stimulus into their rotation. If you frequently run in rainy conditions and prioritize keeping your feet dry, the Torin 9 GTX is a strong option. Disclosure: I received this product for free in exchange for my honest review.


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