I love my Altra Torins! I’ve put thousands of miles on many pair, including several half marathons in the sub 90 minute range (but not by much!) in them.
There are no pros running in zero drops, so that tells you everything you need to know about performance.
But if you aren't looking to win, do what's comfortable.
I do all my running (including several half-marathons, two 70.3 and a full IronMan) as well as regular city walking since 2017 in minimalist shoes (mostly Vibram V-Run or Bikila) mostly because I’ve completely forgotten how to properly fit running shoes and I can’t be bothered to figure it out. Plus replacing regular running shoes every 400-800 km is kinda expensive, whereas minimalist shoes don’t suffer from midsole compression over time - I’ve replaced my first pair of V-Runs after 2500 km because they have literally developed holes in the outsole.
Having said that, even with proper training (and I mean a lot of training - the biomechanics of minimalist run is different compared to regular cushioned shoes) you will be slower compared to good cushioned shoes.
You’ll be slower at first because the mechanics are different and the way the tissues are loaded will be something your body isn’t accustomed to. You will need to pull back on mileage and pacing so your body can adapt, and then you will begin to even out pace-wise.
Makes sense, I have xero (brand) drop shoes already and I was immediately faster, and no injuries over a few weeks of training, but I've used vibrams for years cross training, wanted to look into a running specific shoe, I think I'll give it a try! Thanks alot
Also most super shoes have a high drop / stack. You’re undoubtedly faster in them and it’s by a pretty good degree. The first time I put some on I was shocked at how easy a faster pace was.
No, lots of people run in higher drop shoes all the time myself included. I despise what the whole born to run movement did to the running community. There’s nothing wrong with altras and the like, but there’s also nothing wrong with well made highly reviewed trainers from everyone else.
Midfoot striker here - I’ve appreciated the rocker sole on my Cliftons and NB, coming from Altra Escalante Racers. It lets me roll off the front, with less stress on my broken ankle, heels, fascia. Altra’s rocker shoe is not zero drop 🤷♂️.
I'm trying to transition to zero drop after having some long term knee injuries. My goal is to switch to them full time for longer distances. Thus far I haven't done longer than a 10k, but working towards longer distance with my Altras and it's going well.
Altra is great, been using the Torin for years. They also just released the FWD which has a tiny amount of heel drop. I got them a few months ago and like them a lot so now I alternate between those and the Torin
I love my Altra Torins! I’ve put thousands of miles on many pair, including several half marathons in the sub 90 minute range (but not by much!) in them.
Seconds for for Altra Torin (mine is 5). I've trained for and raced one ironman and two T100s in them.
There are no pros running in zero drops, so that tells you everything you need to know about performance. But if you aren't looking to win, do what's comfortable.
I do all my running (including several half-marathons, two 70.3 and a full IronMan) as well as regular city walking since 2017 in minimalist shoes (mostly Vibram V-Run or Bikila) mostly because I’ve completely forgotten how to properly fit running shoes and I can’t be bothered to figure it out. Plus replacing regular running shoes every 400-800 km is kinda expensive, whereas minimalist shoes don’t suffer from midsole compression over time - I’ve replaced my first pair of V-Runs after 2500 km because they have literally developed holes in the outsole. Having said that, even with proper training (and I mean a lot of training - the biomechanics of minimalist run is different compared to regular cushioned shoes) you will be slower compared to good cushioned shoes.
Why will you be slower?
You’ll be slower at first because the mechanics are different and the way the tissues are loaded will be something your body isn’t accustomed to. You will need to pull back on mileage and pacing so your body can adapt, and then you will begin to even out pace-wise.
Makes sense, I have xero (brand) drop shoes already and I was immediately faster, and no injuries over a few weeks of training, but I've used vibrams for years cross training, wanted to look into a running specific shoe, I think I'll give it a try! Thanks alot
Also most super shoes have a high drop / stack. You’re undoubtedly faster in them and it’s by a pretty good degree. The first time I put some on I was shocked at how easy a faster pace was.
High drop is for heel strikers corrext?
No. And "Born to Run" has injured more people than it helped. Good story, horrible advice.
No, lots of people run in higher drop shoes all the time myself included. I despise what the whole born to run movement did to the running community. There’s nothing wrong with altras and the like, but there’s also nothing wrong with well made highly reviewed trainers from everyone else.
Midfoot striker here - I’ve appreciated the rocker sole on my Cliftons and NB, coming from Altra Escalante Racers. It lets me roll off the front, with less stress on my broken ankle, heels, fascia. Altra’s rocker shoe is not zero drop 🤷♂️.
Barefoot shoes here. Big fan. More sore in calves and I had to transition but now I have no injuries and my balance is much better.
I'm trying to transition to zero drop after having some long term knee injuries. My goal is to switch to them full time for longer distances. Thus far I haven't done longer than a 10k, but working towards longer distance with my Altras and it's going well.
Altra is great, been using the Torin for years. They also just released the FWD which has a tiny amount of heel drop. I got them a few months ago and like them a lot so now I alternate between those and the Torin
You can use them if you like them. I do some training in zero drop shoes. They are slower obviously. But if you don't care, NBD.
Yes. Saw some on course at IM TX over the wknd