Altra continues to outperform my expectations. It’s been almost 2 years since Altra hit the running market with the introduction of theAdam, Eve, Lone Peak, Intuition and Instinct. The quality and performance have been impressive, but what has stuck out most is their story – ZeroDrop (absolutely no drop from heel to toe) shoes providing a nice level natural platform to help enhance proper running form and mechanics along with an over-sized toe-box allowing your toes, metatarsals to spread and move naturally within the shoe. Their simple yet innovative running shoes are now in over 400 running stores in the US and Worldwide.
The introduction of The Torin in mid Dec of 2012 continues the Altra “story” offering a ZeroDrop platform and wide toe box, but takes the innovation a step further by providing a 15mm, 2 layer mid-sole, 8mm’s thicker than the Instinct or Intuition. The new extra mid-sole thickness provides the runner with much more cushion which is easily felt during initial foot strike. The shoe also offers a much quicker gait transition from the stance phase to toe off than the Instinct. This characteristic is great if you are a natural runner or under-pronator, but if you have a high level of over-pronation this shoe will roll your arch and ankle even more to the inside possibly giving you problems down the road.
I suggest this shoe for someone looking to go into a more minimalist shoe but hasn’t been happy or comfortable with the amount of road protection they have received while trying on or running in a more typical minimalist shoes. Also, The Torin should be great for those who are already in a lighter lower profile shoe but want something with more “meat” and cushioning but aren’t interested in going with a typical road trainer.
In my opinion if you love the Brooks Launch, Saucony Kinvara, or Brooks Flow you might consider trying on this slightly softer lower heeled light weight trainer.
Review by: Steve Hooper