Details
Brand
Altra
Heel To Toe Drop
0 mm
Breathability
8/10
Latest Version
Yes
Terrain
Trail
Type
Zero Drop
Key Features
• Zero drop fully cushioned• A bound midsole• Gaiter trap to keep debris out• Recycled materials• 360-degree reflection• Trail claw outsole• DuraTread rubber• FootShape design• TPU overlays• Breathable mesh upper
Upper
Since so many technologies are used in this shoe, and the cushioning is a higher level, Altra used a lightweight material in the upper to keep the overall weight as low as they could get it. The upper is a combination of breathable and durable mesh. Runners can expect to find laser cutout, TPU overlays that are designed to protect the foot against the potentially harmful elements found on the trail. These overlays provide runners with protection in their most vulnerable areas. For an added protection, Altra included their 360-degree reflective material that provides visibility to runners in low light areas. The upper design utilized Altra’s patented Footshape technology that supports a natural splay of the toes. This protects runners against harmful conditions such as bunions, plantar fasciitis, and hammer toe.
Midsole
Runners will find a plethora of smart technologies in the midsole of this shoe. This shoe is a cushioned, zero drop shoe. It is designed to improve the runner’s gait, strengthen the Achilles as well as the lower calf muscles of the leg. The shoe is designed so that the forefoot and heel rest at the same distance of the ground, forcing your foot to do the work instead of synthetic forward propulsion technology. The midsole foam is an ultra-lightweight EVA foam that runs the length of the midsole. The midsole also features Altra’s patented A-Bound technology. This is a recycled material that can be found directly under the runner’s foot. It provides impact absorption. Additionally, Altra designed this material to compress less which means it will maintain its shape and provide a durable ride for runners.
Outsole
The outsole of this shoe is designed to help the runner tackle any trail surface. Altra’s patented Trail Claw technology makes this a great choice for athletes that will be tackling steep uphill and downhill climbs. The lug system features different shapes and structures along different parts of the underfoot to provide the most traction possible. The DuraTread rubber is specifically designed to provide unbeatable grip, even on slippery surfaces. Additionally, this rubber outsole material stands up against tough terrain and provides runners with an extended lifespan for their trail running shoe.
Breathability
The upper of this shoe features a unique blend of protective and breathable. The upper is constructed with a breathable mesh that is covered with durable laser TPU cutouts. Runners found that this lightweight mesh helped to keep their foot cool and comfortable even during long, warm trail adventures. Runners can see added ventilation points along the sides of the shoes as well. Many runners commented that this added ventilation helped them to go longer because it helped to keep their feet cool and comfortable and blister free.
Comfort
A unique feature of the Altra brand is that they provide runners with the zero drop running experience that is best for form, but they also provide a very cushioned, comfortable ride. They use Altra’s Fully-Cushioned Zero Drop design to provide runners with a plush ride that is also flat. The midsole foam is made of a full length, lightweight EVA foam and Altra’s patented A-bound foam that reduces the impact of each footfall. The Altra Timp also utilizes Altra’s patented Foot shape design that allows the toes to spread out and splay naturally. This reduces the risk of harmful and painful afflictions like hammer toe or bunions. The breathable upper keeps the foot cool and dry even in warm conditions.
Style
The Altra Timp is a bulker looking shoe. The added cushioning keeps it from achieving a sleek look. Runners appreciated that this shoe comes in four different color and styling options. Runners had mixed reactions to the almost camouflaged aesthetic of the shoe.
Protection
There are a few different protective elements on this shoe. For starters, Altra designed their upper with their 360-degree reflective material. This helps to keep runners visible in low light areas. Additionally, the fully cushioned zero drop design of the Altra brand is designed to keep runners pain and injury free. This design helps to improve the runner’s gait and strengthen key muscles in the legs and feet that have been weakened over time by traditional running shoes such as the Achilles and the calf muscles. Finally, the Trail Claw features of the outsole ensure that runners will stay safe and upright during their trail adventures.
Responsiveness
The zero drop helps this shoe provide a high level of responsiveness to the runner. Runners found this to be a very helpful feature because it enabled them to respond quickly and efficiently to changes in direction, terrain, and pace. This is helpful on terrain that is constantly changing and requiring an efficient response from the runner.
Support
In terms of support, runners can expect to find some support from the upper’s design. Although the upper is constructed using a breathable mesh, it is covered with TPU laser cut out overlays. These overlays help support the foot and keep it stable during activity. Additionally, the midsole design of the shoe features the PFS system that is designed to provide added stability and support for the runner.
Terrain
This shoe is designed for trails of all kinds. The aggressive outsole, lugged system makes this a great choice too difficult to traverse terrains. Additionally, the Trail Claw technology makes this a great choice for steep uphill climbs and steep downhill descents. The more aggressive lug system found underfoot keeps this shoe from being a good road running companion and should be used strictly on trails and natural surfaces.
Price
This shoe is similar to other trail running shoes on the market. The price is affordable but is not one of the least expensive shoes on the market, therefore, not suggested for runners who are on a very tight budget. However, the high level of durability makes this shoe a smart investment because it lasts much longer than some of its competitors.
Drop
The defining characteristic of this shoe is it’s fully cushioned, zero drop design. Altra shoes feature the unique combination of offering runners a zero drop running experience that is also fully cushioned. The zero drop is designed to strengthen key muscles in the foot and leg, particularly the Achilles and the lower calf muscles that have been weakened by traditional drop running shoes. Altra claims that their design will protect runners against injury and pain and improve their gait cycle over time. Runners reported that the zero drop also helped them feel connected to the ground below them in a way that higher heel drops could not.
Stability
This shoe doesn’t have to stabilize features in a traditional sense. Since this shoe is designed to provide runners with a fully cushioned, zero drop running experience, this shoe is not interested in providing stabilizing midsole technology to change the gait cycle. However, this shoe is fully cushioned and is designed to keep the runner safe on treacherous runs and races. There are elements that are included in this shoe to keep the foot straight and secure during activity.
Flexibility
This shoe is not designed with flexibility in mind. It is designed more as a supportive, stabilizing shoe that is designed to keep the foot stable and close to the ground for all off-road running adventures.
Traction
One of the stands out features of this shoe is its ability to grip onto virtually any surface and provide runners with the confidence and security to tackle any trail. There are two distinct elements of this outsole that create the added traction and grip. The first is the DuraTread rubber. This is a patented Altra material and is designed to not only be very durable but grip tightly to the ground below it. The second is the Trail Claw design. This is an aggressive lug system that distributes different shaped and sized lug along different parts of the shoe to create the most durable grip possible. This outsole material makes running in slippery conditions a breeze too.
Bottom Line
The Altra Timp is a fully cushioned, zero drop trail running shoe that is designed to provide runners with comfort and protection. From the upper to the outsole, Altra infused this shoe with some of their most cutting-edge technologies to provide runners with the best trail running experience possible. The upper is designed using Altra’s trademarked Foot Shape design. This allows the toes to splay naturally and creates a comfortable ride that reduces the risk of common running injuries like bunions and plantar fasciitis. The outsole is rugged and lugged and designed to keep runners upright and secure on any terrain. This shoe has a bulkier, aggressive weight but manages to stay relatively low in weight for a trail shoe that offers this many technological features and cushioning. The price is average compared to other trail running shoes of this quality.
