Anyone have experience with this? I really like these for a lot of reasons, but they basically omitted the typical high-density sole material, such that the mid-layer low-density cushioning material is what contacts the ground. I’m just worried that it won’t be able to handle the abrasion of asphalt. Thanks.
I’ve run in Altra’s for a few years now. I’ve been getting about 350 miles from them (75% road/25% trail miles). Just bought their new mesh version so I can’t comment on it’s durability yet. My only complaint is that when they wear down, there is a slight separation in the ball area of the tread. It makes a squeaking sound that’s annoying as hell - that’s when I know their worn out.
The soles will look awfully worn in after a handful of runs, but then not really progress terribly fast after that. It’s weird. As far as the shoes that’s omit some of the high density soles, I typically got 400-500 miles (190-195 lb runner) before the uppers started to become the limiter. I went over 600 on some 3.0 Instincts with the sole in acceptable condition. I bought a two Torin 2.5’s last year and just crossed 500 miles on the 2nd pair. Now I’m mostly on the Escalante. I did buy the Duos this year as a cushioned racer, but the uppers are too dainty to recommend. I was putting some elastic laces in for this weekend and counted a half dozen holes/tears in the upper’s mesh and they only have 60-70 miles on them.
In short, valid concern, but it seems the wear rate is high right away and then settles in for a long time. I am thinking about grabbing the newest Instinct 4.5 with the full rubber sole to use as my daily driver though.
Anyone have experience with this? I really like these for a lot of reasons, but they basically omitted the typical high-density sole material, such that the mid-layer low-density cushioning material is what contacts the ground. I’m just worried that it won’t be able to handle the abrasion of asphalt. Thanks.
Disclaimer - I use Topo shoes now and am an ambassador for Topo.
That being said, I have used Altras in the past and have liked them - they are not too far from Topo… The 3-sum (way back) lasted me between 350-400km - but while they were still usable, running barefoot in them made them… errr… not socially attractive, to a point where washing them over and over wasn’t doing anything 
I still have a pair of them that I use for sprints/Oly, though I haven’t done any of those in the last two years.
The One and subsequent variations lasted 600km for me, which is slightly better than most other flats I have used (Kinvara, 1500, GoMeb Razors, etc.). If I get 500km with my racers, I’m happy, so 600km was pretty good.
Instinct lasted me 600km, which is in line with other plush shoes I used (Cliftons, Claytons, etc.). However, I recall that sole wear was the issue for the Instinct for me. In 99% of all other shoes I used, the problem is usually the upper getting full of holes.
The soles will look awfully worn in after a handful of runs, but then not really progress terribly fast after that. It’s weird. As far as the shoes that’s omit some of the high density soles, I typically got 400-500 miles (190-195 lb runner) before the uppers started to become the limiter. I went over 600 on some 3.0 Instincts with the sole in acceptable condition. I bought a two Torin 2.5’s last year and just crossed 500 miles on the 2nd pair. Now I’m mostly on the Escalante. I did buy the Duos this year as a cushioned racer, but the uppers are too dainty to recommend. I was putting some elastic laces in for this weekend and counted a half dozen holes/tears in the upper’s mesh and they only have 60-70 miles on them.
In short, valid concern, but it seems the wear rate is high right away and then settles in for a long time. I am thinking about grabbing the newest Instinct 4.5 with the full rubber sole to use as my daily driver though.
That’s awesome news, overall! I almost didn’t even buy them because I was expecting to get about 60 miles out of them. The one’s I have now are Torin 3.0 and The One 2.5 and I’m really liking them for my bunions and Morton’s Neuroma.
That’s awesome news, overall! I almost didn’t even buy them because I was expecting to get about 60 miles out of them. The one’s I have now are Torin 3.0 and The One 2.5 and I’m really liking them for my bunions and Morton’s Neuroma.
I feel like “The One” is kind of an oddball in the Altra family and the Torin is much more representative of their overall lineup. I would be curious to know how you think the 2.5 compares to the Torin after getting more miles in. I hated the The One 2 and wouldn’t even consider the 2.5 even though they look like much different shoes.
That’s awesome news, overall! I almost didn’t even buy them because I was expecting to get about 60 miles out of them. The one’s I have now are Torin 3.0 and The One 2.5 and I’m really liking them for my bunions and Morton’s Neuroma.
I feel like “The One” is kind of an oddball in the Altra family and the Torin is much more representative of their overall lineup. I would be curious to know how you think the 2.5 compares to the Torin after getting more miles in. I hated the The One 2 and wouldn’t even consider the 2.5 even though they look like much different shoes.
Yeah, The One definitely appears to be characterized by dramatic changes from model to model. In general, the reviews are positive for 2.5 and pretty negative for 3.0, mostly because it was so different from 2.5, it seems. I’ve not yet run more than 10k in it yet. I’ve put maybe 60 miles in the Torin 3.0 and would definitely recommend it, broadly. I’ll let you know about The One 2.5 after some milage.
Shoe Goo on high-wear spots will take care of any abrasion issues…
my experience is the Altra foam breaks down faster than Hoka, so the cushioning is what I notice first.
I haven’t worn out any Altra soles by abrasion yet…
Anyone have experience with this? I really like these for a lot of reasons, but they basically omitted the typical high-density sole material, such that the mid-layer low-density cushioning material is what contacts the ground. I’m just worried that it won’t be able to handle the abrasion of asphalt. Thanks.
Paradigm 1.5 I think I got 400 Miles out of them…Lone Peak 2.0 was less than 200 miles…they gave out on me during the 2017 Tempe Tri. I’ve kept them around for walking since then (the tread was still amazing) and it looks like after this weekend in San Fransisco it’s time they go to the bin.
Paradigm 1.5 I think I got 400 Miles out of them…Lone Peak 2.0 was less than 200 miles…they gave out on me during the 2017 Tempe Tri. I’ve kept them around for walking since then (the tread was still amazing) and it looks like after this weekend in San Fransisco it’s time they go to the bin.
Yes, the trail shoes live much shorter lives. A trip through the washing machine and they clean up well enough for casual shoes though.
I get early wear on the heel mostly on the lateral side of the Escalantes. Don’t have the same issue with Torin or One V3’s.
A bit of shoe goo after initial useage and I’m good to go for a few hundred more miles.
I’m ~175 lbs so I tend to cycle through shoes quicker to avoid injury.
I have 275 miles on my escalantes, and they’re probably on the downside of their life, but in good shape. The outsole gets a bit worn early. I just bought a second pair to start rotating to extend them a bit.
They are, by far, my favorite running shoe I’ve ever owned. They’re probably on the left side of the bell curve of durability, but not so much that I would look elsewhere personally.