It’s no secret that I tried the Altra Torin 6s and that they weren’t great for running. They were ideal for casual walking shoes with their soft, yet flexible upper material and elastic-like laces.
But, when I saw Altra’s new Torin 8 get released a few weeks ago and took a closer look, I was curious. This basic analysis left an impression on me; these could actually be a solid pair of running shoes.
And guess what? They are!
Right Into the Deep End
I usually run about 8 miles in a new pair of running shoes. It gives me a rough idea of how they do at different distances, and what to try in the coming weeks. For whatever reason though, when I first took these out, I felt optimistic. Maybe a little too optimistic.
I ran 14 miles on my first go with these.
And to my absolute astonishment, they were phenomenal! I didn’t have a lick of pain or discomfort. At the start of the run, they felt like the Hoka Mach 6s. But because of the wider toe box and mid sole, they’re more stable and just as capable.
With how well these did on that first run, I’ve put nearly 60 miles on them in 3 weeks. And they haven’t missed a beat! They’re so consistent that it never occurred to me that the last pair of Torins I used were demoted to everyday shoes.
Subtle, Yet Massive Changes
The 8th gen Torins have some small updates, and two of them make these shoes an instant favorite.
First, Altra got rid of the stretchy elastic laces. These made the 6s feel loose on runs, and soft on walks. But with the 8s, the laces lack that springiness, so they don’t feel like you miss-tie them every time you put them on.
Second, there’s a thin rubber on the upper surrounding the eyelets. This capitalizes on the new laces, because that grippy material prevents your laces from loosening up on your run. (This is now a key feature that I look for when considering a new pair of running shoes.)
Still Not for Me Though
Don’t get me wrong, I could happily run in these things for months. But I have the Escalante Racers and Nordlite Speed shoes, which are better overall running shoes. Because of this, I go for those most of the time.
These are the three main things those shoes have that these don’t. The upper material is thicker and less breathable. The tongue is soft and puffy, which feels obtuse and puts unneeded pressure on the top of my feet. The mid sole foam is thicker than what I prefer.
(It’s been 30-40 °F in Southeastern Idaho recently, so I’ve been running outside again. Ironically making the thicker upper material a temporary advantage because it keeps my feet warmer.)
The Recap
The Altra Torin 8s hit nearly every bucket I have for a pair of running shoes. I could readily run in these if they were my only pair of shoes. That’s why they became an instant favorite, and why they’re incredibly easy to recommend. (I’ll probably grab another pair of these for my wife since she likes thicker soled running shoes.)
But there are some boxes that aren’t checked for me that other shoes do. (And with how much these are currently priced, $150 USD, that’s too high right now.)
With that being said, if you’re just starting to run or coming back after a long break, I highly recommend you try these. Get a few miles on them over a couple weeks, and you’ll know if they work for you. (If not, then just send them back to Altra and go on your merry way.)