Details
Brand
Altra
Heel To Toe Drop
Zero Drop
Breathability
8/10
Latest Version
Yes
Terrain
Road
Type
Cushioned
Key Features
• Zero Drop platform• Altra’s signature wide toe box for a lot of extra wiggle room• Extra cushion in the shoe makes it more comfortable to run in• Two new designs for the same great shoe• Makes running feel more natural
Upper
The Altra Torin 3.5 offers two designs for the upper. Customers can choose between the knit and the mesh versions. The knit Torin’s upper is soft, lightweight, flexible, and very comfortable. There are some runners that compare the knit shoe to the comfort and weight of running in a thick sock. The knit Torin has a thin tongue with no padding, whereas the tongue of the mesh Torin is thicker and more padded. The knit shoe, however, has less support than its mesh counterpart. The mesh Torin’s upper is made of a better-ventilated material than the knit which helps the foot to breath better while in use. The mesh Torin’s upper is designed more for performance running and breathability.
Midsole
The midsole of the Altra Torin 3.5 features Altra’s A-bound technology which helps to reduce the impact of a runners foot hitting the ground. The shock resistance of the shoe makes is smoother for the runner while they are running on harder surfaces such as a road or treadmill. The shoe has a lot of cushioning at the forefront of the foot due to the Zero Drop platform which makes it so the runner’s heel and front of the foot are the same distance from the ground while wearing the shoe. The midsole also includes Altra’s Inner Flex technology which is a honeycomb shape with air pockets inside the midsole that gives the runner more flexibility and a light feel on the ground while they are running.
Outsole
The Altra Torin 3.5 features the Foot Pod™ outsole which is designed to mimic the design of the tendons and bones found in runners feet. With this technology, the shoe is made to flex along the same locations as the human foot to help the runner move as naturally as they can. This gives the runner maximum responsiveness and flexibility while they are running. The outsole has rubber contacts over the exposed midsole of the shoe that are strategically placed to add flexibility, comfort, and traction for the wearer while simultaneously offering extra support and protection, no matter the distance or intensity.
Breathability
The breathability of the Altra Torin 3.5 is a lot better in the mesh than the knit. The mesh material of the upper allows for more air flow and keeps the feet cooler, which is perfect for long distance runners, as it keeps the feet from overheating. The knit upper is made of a little denser material and it is more tightly woven so it restricts the airflow and limits the breathability of the shoe, making the shoe less appealing to marathon runners and aiming more toward the casual wearer.
Comfort
The Altra Torin 3.5 is a very comfortable shoe right out of the box. The extra cushion in the shoes, especially at the forefront of the foot, makes for extra comfort. The large toe box gives your toes some much-needed wiggle room so your feet don’t feel like they are suffocating in their shoes. The mesh version is made with no added material on the inside of the shoe to prevent rubbing while running. The lack of the shoe rubbing helps reduce the risk of the wearer getting blisters while out running. The knit Torin is made of such a lightweight and comfortable material that some runners have suggested that it is a shoe that they wouldn’t mind wearing even after the run is over. There is no padding on the tongue of the knit shoes and this can sometimes cause some problems. Customers have reported that these shoes can sometimes be easy to over tighten and can become uncomfortable to wear.
Style
The knit and the mesh versions of the Altra Torin 3.5 are very different in appearance, looking like two completely different shoes. The knit version comes in three colors whereas the mesh give you four colors to choose from. Both shoes feature a flared toe, although it appears more prominently in the knit pair. The knit version is fairly simple with a more conservative look that resembles the more traditional Torin shoes. The mesh version, however, is a little bit more aggressive and sporty with its padded tongue and collar and overall bulkiness.
Durability
There are mixed reviews about how durable the newest iteration of the Torin is. Some runners have reported that the cushion at the heel of the shoe seems to wear down fairly quickly compared to other running shoes causing them to lose some of their responsiveness and the spring in their step. After some use the knit model starts to feel looser across the top of the foot. The stretch material of the knit shoes makes it harder to keep the runner’s foot locked in place like they once had. The uppers of the mesh Torin, on the other hand, seem to hold up better than the knit, keeping its shape better, not loosening up, and keeping the runner’s foot locked in place.
Protection
The Altra Torin 3.5 shoes are designed to help protect the runner’s feet and legs while running. The extra room in the toe box and the lack of extra material inside of the shoe prevents rubbing, therefore, protecting the runner from blisters. The extra padding and Zero Drop technology makes for better protection for runners who over pronate. This can help reduce the risk of shin splints, bunions, heel pain, and back pain for runners who over pronate. The higher and padded collar of the shoes also helps to give the runners ankles a bit more support than the Torin’s past iterations with the lower collars.
Responsiveness
The Altra improved on the past versions of this shoe by adding a little more cushioning in the midsole to make for a more responsive shoe. The lattice-like design, with air pockets of varying sizes in the midsole, make this shoe feel very springy when running. The responsiveness of the new Torin is exceptional, giving the runner that extra bounce in their step and makes the runner move faster than they normally would with a less responsive shoe.
Support
The new Torin is designed to help support the runner’s feet and ankles. The shoes are designed with A straps at the midfoot on both sides to help lock the foot into place so it’s not moving around inside the shoe during the run. The mesh Torin will give the runner a little more support than the knit version due to the lack of any kind of stitching or overlays and the fact that the uppers are made of a stretchier material. The shoes also feature a higher, more padded collar than its predecessor, acting almost like a high top shoe, to give the runner just a little bit more ankle support while on the run.
Terrain
The strategically placed rubber contacts on the bottom of the sole are designed with more in mind than just comfort. The design on the outsole of the shoe makes it better for the runner to run on different terrains. The new Torin 3.5 is officially marketed as a road running shoe, however, runners have stated that they work well for a variety of terrains. The shoes are best to be used for running on flat, non-abrasive surfaces, such as treadmills and roads. That being said, many consumers have reported that the shoes are good for running outdoors as well, such as on dirt roads, trails, and grass.
Price
The new Altra Torin 3.5 is reasonably priced compared to other running shoes of its kind. The mesh Torin will cost the runner $125 while the knit Torin comes in a little more expensive at $135. The price is comparable to the starting price of the Altra Torin’s previous generations.
Drop
The beauty of the Torin 3.5 is that it comes with Altra’s Zero Drop design, meaning these shoes have no drop. They are the same height, sitting at 28 mm from the ground, at both the heel and the forefront of the foot. The lack of drop means there is extra padding, especially at the forefront, and it gives the runner extra comfort and support.
Stability
The Altra Torin 3.5 has enhanced stability due to the combination of the Zero Drop midsole and the Foot Pod outsole. Since there is no drop in the shoe it helps align the bone structure of the runner’s feet into a more natural position and the Foot Pods on the outsole align with the bones in the runner’s feet for more natural movement. The combination of both the natural foot position and natural movement makes these shoes especially beneficial for runners with shorter strides, higher cadences, and over pronation. The extra support and cushion really help with the stability on both the knit and the mesh Torin.
Flexibility
The midsole of the Torin 3.5 was designed with flexibility in mind. The InnerFlex midsole and the lack of a solid outsole make it much easier to get better movement and flexibility. The runner’s foot is free to move more naturally than it would in a more traditional, hard soled running shoe.
Traction
The Altra Torin 3.5 has a decent amount of traction due to the rubber contacts on the soles of the feet. There are not really any treads on the shoes, but the harder rubber disks over top of the softer, exposed midsole act to give the runner more grip while running to prevent slips and falls.
Bottom Line
Whether you are running marathons or you are just a casual runner, the Altra Torin 3.5 is the shoe for you. The two designs make it easier to attract a wider variety of customers. If you are more of a marathon runner and are looking for speed and support then the mesh Torin is for you. If you are more of a casual runner and are looking for comfort while running then the knit Torin might be for you. No matter what version of the shoes are best for you, you will get the same flexible outsole and comfortable midsole. The shoes are affordable, comfortable, and an all-around good running shoe.
