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We do our best to guide you in selecting the perfect shoe to unleash your potential and move better. If you are unsure about which model is the right one for your, check out our Shoe Finder to guide you choose the perfect pair. If you need further support drop an email to one of our Altra Shoe Expert at: altrashoexpert@gmail.com

If you’re not sure about the right size check out our Size Guide or reach out our Shoe Expert if you need an additional human support.

Good quality running shoes are fundamental to keep your feet and body healthy, as well as to help you run better. Running shoes endure many shocks in their lifetime and their durability depends on many factors as: weight, running style, terrain and use. Generally, running shoes last between 300 – 500 miles (450 – 800km) depending on the model and materials used along with the above factors. That doesn’t mean that at 500 miles every pair should be considered finished. That will ultimately depend on each personal case and your own feeling about whether or not your shoes are still able to serve you. As an example, a style like the Superior is designed to be fast and responsive, great shorter runs and smoother trails. If it is put through the same condition Superior won’t have the same durability of Olympus model, which is designed for longer runs and rougher terrains.

To some extent a certain amount of pronation is natural and helps to ease the pressure on our locomotion system. However, many runners develop what is called overpronation. This excess is often the result of weak connective tissues or insufficiently strong muscles. At Altra Running, we develop what we call Dynamic Support shoes in order to help your body in containing overpronation and, at the same time, strengthen those muscles and tissues responsible for a better movement. We never do this by forcing your feet/body back into an unnatural position but rather by using passive resistance and proprioception to improve your muscle memory and yours stride. Hence, the longer you’ll use Altra shoes, the better your pronation issue will be.

At Altra we design shoes based on human anatomy. We develop our lasts on thousands of scans of healthy feet. That is why we design gender specific fits in order to accommodate the many differences of women’s anatomy, like an higher plantar arch, lighter body and a different toes-to-heel ratio. Nevertheless, there’s nothing stopping you from purchasing a pair from the opposite site, just be aware of its fit differences.

Altra Running was born in a running store in the middle of the Wasatch Mountains. Our shoes are designed by runners for runners. Nevertheless, experience thought us that they can be great tool when used for every movement/involved activity: from hiking to cross training as they will help you to move better and with unparallel comfort. That is why many of our models are great for hiking and walking too. Check out our Shoe Finder to select the perfect shoe for your needs.

We are a brand that helps people to run healthier, not barefoot. There are times when you need an orthotic insole to achieve that. That’s why all Altra models are orthotic insole compatible and are sold with removable standard insole. Actually, putting orthotics in a foot-shaped shoe with balanced cushioning gives them the best possible chance to succeed. Anything else changes the insole’s geometry and may affect the results. It is clear that the foot can work in a more natural position and become stronger and more dynamic without an insole. On the other hand, insoles are to be used for specific needs and can help the foot to take on more strain than it normally would, allowing for more comfort in extreme efforts for athletes too. Lastly, Altra shoes are designed to help you move better and move naturally, to strengthen your feet and improve your running form. That is why the design of our outsoles follows human feet features. This is done to not “force” your body/feet do anything that is unnatural.

We make shoes to equip you for whatever challenge is: from starting moving naturally to nasty ultradistances. Check out our RSM (Rain Snow Mud) models if you look for weather resistant models.

Our shoes don’t have any derivative animal component.

Transitioning to any new shoe should be taken carefully as each brand/model has their own peculiar features. That’s why is important to do so in the most comfortable way possible. Furthermore, Altra offers a Balanced Cushioning platform that puts your heel and toes on the same level in order to help you move naturally. All shoes should be worked their way into. And transitioning to Altra is no different.

When transitioning to a new running shoe it is key to work your way into it and select the right pair. When transitioning into Altra make sure to keep the same amount of support and cushion as you had before. Use our Shoe Finder to help you with that. Just like any other shoe, there will be some tightness in the calves area between the first two days or two weeks. The body is just adapting to the newness of the natural footwear Altra offers. We suggest you to wear your new Altra every other day, alternating the older pair for the first few days to help you minimize any type of tightness. Like any other shoe experience, it is important to stretch and recover properly after runs/walks. Keeping the practices mentioned above will make the transition seamless and no different to any other new shoe experience.

Did you just put on your first pair? Isn’t it an amazing freedom feeling? Altra shoes are Footshaped. They are designed to allow your feet to splay naturally within the shoe. This donates incredible comfort, miles of blisters-free running and a stronger natural foot. Your Altra shoes should feel snug in the midfoot and heel and allow more room for toes. This leads to the possibility of the shoe feeling roomy at first. Once your foot adapt to this freedom, you’ll become a loyal Altra costumer.

By providing Footshaped, Balanced Cushioned and gender specific shoes Altra helps people move more naturally. We focus on making shoes that fit human body and its natural running form. Balanced Cushioning encourages proper alignment trough knees, hips and back and thus a low impact landing under a bent knee. Footshape let your toes splay out in their natural position while building your feet power and stability. We do this by designing shoes for everyone, with a vast variety of features, cushioning and technologies.

Altra Running was founded in the backroom of a specialty running store in the Wasatch mountains out of the ideas of our founders Golden Harper and Brian Beckstead to provide a running shoe that could actually help people run better. What Brian and Golden noted was the repetitiveness of running injuries and how these injuries where connected to a poor running form. That’s why they came up with the concept of a different shoe, parting away from the traditional elevated and tapered shoe box construction. Altra shoes are designed to help you move better, more naturally and injury free and not to encourage heel-striking and body misalignment.

Altra shoes are shaped like feet. They are designed to allow your toes to spread out naturally and let your big toe remain in a straight position. This encourages improved stability, power and most importantly, added comfort. This is the secret to miles of comfort, no blisters and a stronger foot.

Every Altra shoe is built on a Balanced Cushioned platform which positions the heel and forefoot at an equal distance from the ground. This natural foundation encourages better alignment, better form, and a low –impact landing. Whether you prefer max cushion, low cushion, or something in between, Balanced Cushioning lets your feet move naturally at every step.

Altra shoes are not wide, they’re foot-shaped! The shapes of our shoes were developed by compiling thousands of scans of healthy feet. While the toe box in our shoes does allow your toes to remain in their splayed natural position, it is important to note that our shoes are a regular width at all the critical measurement points throughout the shoe. This allows runners to enjoy a comfortable, secure fit while still enjoying the benefits provided by our FootShape technology.

By putting your toes and heel on a Balanced Cushioning platform Altra encourages proper alignment through the knees, hips, and back. Improved posture and alignment aids in proper running form by encouraging a low impact landing under a bent knee. Studies have shown that this can reduce landing impact up to 3-5 times. Additionally, by removing the influence of an elevated heel, Balanced Cushioning allows the foot to land parallel to the ground, improving shock absorption and efficiency.

Every Altra shoe is designed to make you move naturally. That is why every model is equipped with a Balanced Cushioning platform and Footshaped Toebox. Footshape will let your feet be themselves and splay in a natural position. Balanced Cushioning creates an even platform under your body that enhances the preferred motion pathways, not encouraging a heel strike, while promoting natural alignment and gait.

The number one misconception is that Altra is only meant for midfoot/forefoot runners. That is false. Altra actually increases cushioning in the forefoot to achieve a balanced platform, leaving just as much heel cushioning as you would find in a competitor.  With Altra’s Balanced Cushioning approach, our shoes simply allow the customer to run/walk naturally, while providing cushion no matter where they land. With Balanced Cushioning our goal is to promote proper posture and alignment, not to change it.

Altra shoes are designed to respect the anatomy of your feet. That will help your feet gradually recover its natural alignment, a straight big toe, its stability and strength. For this reason, Altra shoes are used happily by many costumers suffering hallux valgus, bunions, neuromas and other common injuries. Remember that poorly fitted as well as too restrictive shoes can contribute to cases of this painful injuries.

Altra running shoes are designed to give you the best performance and feeling on trails and road. As any technical piece they need a little attention to make sure their performance features are maintained over time and you get those extra miles from it. Luckily taking care of your best running companion is not complicated and laborious. You just need to follow a few easy steps:
- Keep your outsole free of debris in order to not compromise traction
- Clean seldomly the upper to avoid particles of dirt working their way into the mesh and fabric.
- Don’t submerge/soak your shoes in the water as it may compromise and deform the performance and materials
- Do not use washing machine as it can be too aggressive
- Do not use any heat (sunlight, dryer) to dry your running shoes because it can affect the materials

When it’s time to give your shoes a clean we suggest you to treat each piece of your shoes separately, so begin from taking out insoles and shoe laces. Then, hand wash each piece separately (insole, upper and outsole) helping yourself with the use of a delicate cloth (and a brush for the more aggressive dirt), mild soap and warm water. After each piece is cleaned, we suggest you to let them dry in a place with mild temperature and low humidity. If you want to speed drying you can stuff newspaper or paper towels into your shoes. Never put your shoes in a dryer or near any heat source as high temperature can distort shapes and modify components.

-All Altra products are certified by CHEM IQ chemical screening to prevent substances of concern from entering our supply chain.
- Altra entered the VF Corporation Sustainability program, an industry leader in driving positive change.
-Shoe Boxes are 85% post-consumer waste and 100% recyclable-Exciting plans to move forward with more sustainable materials

“By 2030, we’re committed to making 100% of our materials regenerative, responsibly sourced, renewable or recycled. In addition, we will reach a 30% reduction in our CO2 emissions based on a 2018 baseline” – Andrew Conley, Sr. Director, Product

Altra is part of VF Corporation, an apparel and footwear industry leader. VF corporation is an historic company with heritage brands in his portfolio like Altra, The North Face, Timberland, Icebreaker and many others. As a group of strong brands VF power movements of sustainable and active lifestyle for the betterment of people and our planet. If you want to find out more about VF sustainability goals and practices check out the company page at: https://www.vfc.com/sustainability-and-responsibility .