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.