I’m an Altra Running girl. I was given my first pair of Altra’s as a gift for being a ZOOMA ambassador in 2014. I put on that pair of shoes and went for a run and I fell in love! So, when Road Runner Sports offered me the opportunity to try out a different model than my usual shoes, I jumped on it.
I was sent the Altra Paradigm (affiliate link). Like the One 2.5 that’s my go to shoe, the Altra Paradigm is a neutral shoe. It also has a foot shaped toe box and zero drop, like all of the other Altra shoes I’ve worn. However, unlike the One and the Impulse, the Paradigm is one of Altra’s max cushioning shoes. As such, the ground feel is completely different than my other Altra’s.
The Altra Paradigm is a heavier shoe (8oz) with a higher stack height (34mm v. 23mm) than the One or the Impulse, but it felt great out of the box. I was able to tie it snuggly around my ankle and the forefoot felt comfortable. I liked how the shoe felt “bouncy” when I ran a short run with friends, but it had a lot less ground feel than my usual shoes. Not a bad thing necessarily, just different.
I decided to put them to a real test and ran my NJ half marathon in them on Saturday, after only doing a handful of 3-5 mile runs in them. They were awesome and bouncy and happy making – until mile 10. I’m not sure if I was running with a different stride in them or if their slightly narrower forefoot didn’t fit once my feet swelled, but my feet weren’t loving them the last 3 miles and my legs felt fatigued. Of course, some of that could have been my lack of rest days and the uneven surface of the course, so I’m not ready to write these off as half marathon shoes yet. I’ll definitely be using them some more, but now I’ll try building up my mileage instead of jumping from 5-13 in a very different shoe than my usual.
If you like a cushioned shoe, I would definitely recommend checking these out. Their weight is actually a little less than many cushioned shoes and they have the nice foot shaped front that Altra is known for. I would definitely say they’d be a good entry shoe into the Altra family if you are coming from another highly cushioned shoe, like the Hokas.
Want to try a pair? Right now Road Runner Sports (affiliate link) is having their May Shoe Event! If you are a VIP, that means 25% off and if not, 15% off. Road Runner Sports is one of my favorite stores to purchase from for the rest of my family. Their VIP program has an amazing return policy! If you don’t have a local store, their online store is great and their customer service has been fabulous every time I’ve called. Run on over and order some shoes now (affiliate link)!
Disclaimer: This was a sponsored review in collaboration with Road Runner Sports, but all opinions are my own. I am also a Road Runner affiliate, which means that if you order through one of my links, I make a small commission.
Don’t want to become a VIP? Save 15% on SHOES + Free Shipping! Use offer code RUN4FUN16 at checkout. Offer ends 5/16. Some exclusions apply, see site for details. Coupon Code: RUN4FUN16
Great review! I’m always intrigued by Altras–I love the wide toe box. But you know I’m loyal to my Asics. If they let me down, I’ll try t..hese.
Someday I’m gonna try Altras . . . I like minimalist shoes, but I wonder sometimes if they contribute to my various aches in pains. Sometimes I run in them & it’s great, other times things ache. Hard to tell what causes it!
I too am a huge fan RRS. I rarely shop elsewhere for my running apparel, unless I find an absolutely amazing deal. I have yet to find a program better than their VIP program.
I do like a cushioned shoe. I’ll have to check them out! I’m sorry to hear they gave you trouble at the end of your race, though.
Love the looks of those shoes! I am definitely a cushioned shoe convert as my most favorite shoes right now are the Hoka Clifton II’s .Hopefully you get into the groove with this pair!
I love trying out new shoes. Especially if I LIKE them! I love the shape of the Altra toebox.
I have a pair of Altras at home, but until I’m fully healed from my injury, I don’t feel comfortable wearing a zero drop shoe – hopefully I’ll get to try them out soon.
You do make the shoes sounds great I am too afraid to switch! I do agree that Road Runner is the best place to shop
I love how cushy they shoes look!
I always like reading reviews about shoes. I over-pronate something wicked, so neutral shoes do not do me any favors. These look so comfy, though, with all that cushioning!
I have one pair of Altras and I really like them (incidentally, I also got mine through ZOOMA). I use them for cross training and cycling though, just because I need a little more stability in my shoes for running. I am seeing several people in the Paradigm, though, so I bet the cushioning is making them very popular.
As you may recall I loved my Altras but the zero drop was not for me. I really wanted to like the Paradigm but they felt really heavy an clunky on me, that was the older model though!
I still love my Ones the best. They make my body happy.