Earlier this year Altra released the new Torin 7s, which signaled to me that the Torin 6s can now be had at a nice discount. If you like a good deal like me, then these could be right up your alley.
I hadn’t tried any generation of the Torin shoes before this, and they seemed most comparable to Brooks’ Ghost running shoes; my old “go-to” shoes. The Torin 6s match the same offerings as the Ghosts.
- Adaptable
- Comfortable
Add in the wide toe box and zero-drop heel Altra is known for, and you’re left with a very capable pair of shoes.
Adaptable
When I first tried the Torin 6s, I wanted to know how they were for running versus casual use. This comes from the versatility of the Brooks Ghosts.
On my first few runs I had a hard time getting past 4+ miles without foot pain, something that always happened with the Ghosts. Eventually the pain goes away around 6-8 miles, but I would never recommend running with pain. You just don’t know what the short term and long terms affects will be.
For me, the additional foam and thicker sole causes foot pain, even with Altra’s zero-drop heel design. Due to this I tried them in different scenarios. For example, on a date night my feet never hurt as my wife and I went shopping, ate dinner, and 2 miles around the Snake River in Idaho Falls. I took these when playing some disc golf too, and never had any issues.
Heck, even a long day walking around malls or amusement parks, and they do exceptionally well.
I don’t prefer the Torin 6s for long runs, but for shorter ones they become these relatively adaptable shoes. Ones that you can take on a short weekend trip and do everything in.
Super Comfortable
Outside of the foot pain that I experienced on longer runs, these shoes really helped prevent soreness over long periods.
I’m less used to the thicker foam soles on the Torin 6s since I usually run in the Altra Escalante Racers. However, on long walks, shopping trips, and all-day use, the extra foam really helped my feet stay comfortable. I would recommend these for nurses, teachers, and anyone else that spends most of the day on their feet.
The minimal foam sole approach seems to be more comfortable to run in than the thicker sole shoes but sacrifices the all-day comfort. Meanwhile, the additional foam is great for long periods on your feet but less ideal for running shoes.
Add in the fabric they used for the outside of the shoe, and they get even better. The fabric covering your toes breathes exceptionally well, so that your feet don’t overheat or get too sweaty. The only downside is that the fabric doesn’t keep water out that well, and leads to some soggy socks after stepping in a puddle, wet grass, etc.
There’s a good amount of coverage and structural support around your heel, making them feel snug yet not too tight. Thankfully the high ridge that goes around your Achilles is shaped, so it curls away from your upper ankle. Preventing the problem I experienced with Altra’s Vanish Carbon 2 shoes.
The last touch I noticed that improves the Torin 6s comfort quite a bit was the laces. They’re slightly elastic, so there’s this slight springiness as your feet move and flex. This takes some getting used to because it feels like they’re coming untied at first, but it only takes a few minutes to get used to it.
The Recap
For me, almost all my runs are 4-5+ miles long, which means the last few miles my feet almost always hurt. However, this can be completely different for you. You may run 1-3 miles most days, or your feet are simply different and you won’t experience the discomfort around mile 4.
Outside of running though, the Torin 6s are great at everyday tasks; grocery shopping, working on your feet all day, going to the mall, long walks, etc. Perhaps the Torin 7s are different?