Article by Sam Winebaum
Altra Timp 5 BOA ($175)
Introduction
The Altra Timp 5 BOA is Altra’s entry in the trails speedster category with a moderate 29mm heel stack height, dense yet bouncy EGO Max midsole, and a new to the Timp aggressive Vibram MegaGrip outsole. Of course, but not always these days at Altra, the Timp is a zero drop shoe so its forefoot has a substantial 29mm stack height while its heel is relatively speaking for 2025 on the low side at 29mm.
What catches the eye here is the upper. What striking colors with an all black version also already available. It is made of a tightly woven relatively stiff mesh with, instead of laces, a single dial BOA System closure. Altra’s Foot Shape toe box is of course also at the party here in the regular mid volume fit.
I have run many Altra over the years since their origins including the Timp which traditionally has been the mid distance training model with the Mont Blanc the ultra racer and Superior the short distances trail shoe. I actually like zero drop shoes on trail more than road as they tend to be well planted and stable. And Atra’s are yet better yet for me as hikers for the same reasons. Here with Timp 5 BOA, we see a substantial drop of 0.5 oz / 14g in weight to about 10.25 oz in a US9 which from a race standpoint is not outstanding but getting competitive. My testing was on the run on hard pack snow with also some hiking on pavement here in Park City.
Pros:
A first for a Timp: a 3-4 mm multi directional Vibram MegaGrip outsole, grippy and well segmented for agility and flexibility
Ride: Fun, agile and well (if densely) cushioned trails speedster
Midsole: EGO Max is a near ideal trail midsole foam: dense and stable yet with some bounce
Weight: 20g / 0.7 oz weight drop from v4
Upper: easily adjustable by effective BOA, easy on easy off, dense fairly stiff thin mesh is highly supportive, debris proof and quite moisture resistant
Multi purpose: much more than a trails speedster: also ideal travel, light hiking and walking shoe-other colors available
Cons:
BOA dial is high on the ankle and stiff and felt on off camber terrain
Zero drop is not for everyone, and if new to it, gradual adaptation is advised
On the heavy side: while EGO Max is energetic, stable and appropriate, a supercritical foam would reduce weight and increase energy return.
Stats
Approx. Weight: men's 10.25 oz / 283g (US9)
Prior Version Weight: 10.7 oz / 303g (US9)
Sample Weight: men’s 10 oz / 283g US8.5
Stack Height: men’s 29 mm heel / 29 mm forefoot
Platform Width: 80mm heel / 65mm midfoot / 110mm forefoot
Most comparable shoes
The North Face Vectiv Sky 2
Merrell LongSky 2 Matryx
VJ MAXx2
NNormal Kjerag
First Impressions, Fit and Upper
In red and white Altra racing colors the visual design is striking! An all black is also available. I do think the big Altra branding could have been reduced on the lateral side given the BOA . How about “Altra” over the toes or moving it to the clear lateral side.
While flashy yet simple and sleek in appearance this is one elaborate upper. I have examined it closely several times and keep finding new elements and features,
The mesh is thin, fairly stiff, very dense in weave and not particularly pliable. It may be one of the newer thermoplastic type materials as seen on the Prodigio Pro and Vectiv Sky2. These materials provide plenty of supportive structure and are not water absorbing. It is a race type upper designed for support more than for plush comfort.
The BOA Fit System and midfoot construction overall is elaborate and highly effective in locking the foot to the platform with the dials permitting for different volume feet to be accommodated.
The medial side has 3 “straps” that reach over to the lateral side The outer 2 are of the same material as the upper.
The middle one is a leatherette strap extending to the midsole to create in a sense a thin width gusset. The medial side is further reinforced with translucent overlays down low for support and durability.
The knit tongue connects to a very lightly padded non-stretch material to create an inner sleeve or bootie.
The lateral panel has an additional inner lining of the same material as the collars to protect the foot from the stitching of the lateral BOA cord holders.
The BOA dial and what feels like an inner reinforcing disk sits just below where laces might end making this area stiffer and more rigid than a usual lace up area on the ankle.
Given its stiffness I felt some pressure on the ankle bone when the trail was off camber and this despite additional padding inside as compared to the medial collar in that area. I wish the dial had less of a reinforcing piece, was a bit lower and/or further forward.
Once past this difficult to design challenges for BOA, let's talk about the fit and hold. It is tremendous in its effectiveness at midfoot and heel with lots of adjustablity for different volume feet and swelling feet. While I had the dialed maybe down too much given the supportive nature of the upper in a next set of runs I will loosen to see if I can reduce the sensation of the dial pressing on my ankle. The heel hold is equally effective in a rigid heel counter with collars no longer the low and shaky traditional Altra squared off design.
The toe area shape and volume is Altra’s “regular” fit so not the super wide of the Lone Peaks or the “slim” fit of some Altra road shoes. I really appreciate the combination of rounded front of the toe box shaping and clearly felt foot splay and hold up front. The toe bumper is very stout and quite rigid, all of it providing both protection and hold with decent height.
That said, given the non-stretch nature of the upper mesh this is not a broad toe box per say and maybe lower volume than prior Timp as a result but certainly one with more structure overall.
I was true to size for my narrow to medium volume feet with the length just short of a full thumb width due to stout toe bumper. I think higher volume feet will not risk much if any foot hold sizing up half a size.
In a nice touch, the Timp 5 includes a gaiter hook up front as well as Altra’s velcro gaiter trap. The heel pull tab is nice but not really needed to pull the shoes on given the BOA laces easily slide to full opening and the knit tongue is decently stretchy.
The Timp 5 BOA has an EVA type sockliner that is perforated for drainage and breathability
Bottom Line: An upper focused on performance and hold for technical terrain rather than broadness and sloppy unstructured comfort. Due to the dense thin mesh and multi layered construction, I found them plenty warm and even moderately weather resistant in cold on the snow making me think they will not be particularly breathable in heat but with testing to come for that. The BOA system here is super effective but could use a less rigid feel around the dial.
Midsole & Platform
The midsole is Altra’s EGO Max foam, as far as I know it is not a supercritical foam (SCF). Many 2025 trail shoes are going to lighter and more energy returning foams and at $175, even with BOA on board here, Altra should have considered it.
Yet, other than the weight savings and bit more fun potential of SCF, EGO Max is a fine midsole foam for trail purposes. It absorbs shock very well, is stable and has some nicely measured rubbery bounce. Not the most exciting, but I prefer it to say the duller PWRRUN in the Saucony Peregrine for example.
As a zero drop shoe, the heel does not feel overly low or in any way back weighted, although with 29mm of stack there it is lower than many current trail shoes. The picture flips at the front where 29mm is a very respectable stack of cushion. I haven’t been on rocky trails yet given all the snow but I expect, given the 29mm of stack height including the dense midsole and Vibram outsole, rock protection should be just fine with some trail feel and agility in the mix.
Outsole
For the first time the Timp gets a Vibram MegaGrip outsole and one with 3 and 4mm lugs.Grip on very hard snow was outstanding. The outsole is highly segmented contributing to the shoe’s agility and moderate flexibility.
The flexibility is enhanced with forefoot grooves. I am pointing to the one that creates the flex point in the shoe. Altra’s “Inner Flex”, a tennis strings grooves in the top of the midsole is not called out in the specs. My sense it is not on board as while relatively flexible I think with Inner Flex the Timp would be yet more flexible.
Ride, Conclusions and Recommendations
The Timp 5 BOA has a fairly traditional riding midsole topped with a state of the art performance upper and sees for the first time a Vibram MegaGrip outsole . It is now the Altra for speed on more technical trails. It is stable, well cushioned if densely so, and protective. I wish it weighed less despite is commendable 30g weight drop as at 10.25 oz / 283g in a US9 it is on the heavy side for a modern trails speed shoe. How to lighten? Potentially via the use of a supercritical foam for the midsole and maybe a slightly lighter more open upper mesh which could also help breathability, although in winter it has been a just right upper!
The foot hold is outstanding in the dense/stiff if thin upper with the BOA System well executed but for a bit of dial pressure.
The fit is for sure Foot Shape but due to the mesh not the broadest but for sure the most secure in an Altra yet for me.
The BOA dials are convenient and make taking the shoe on and off and locking it onto the foot super quick
But there is more as I have found the Timp 5 to be an outstanding walking and hiking shoe. In addition to quick trail runs, it can shine for travel and trekking as a single shoe to take along.
Sam’s Score: 8.9 /10
Deductions for weight and dense ride, a touch overbuilt upper, and more minor BOA dial location
😊😊😊 1/23 Comparisons
Merrell LongSky 2 Matryx (RTR Review)
At 8.6 oz / 244g (US9), the Merrell is considerably lighter than the 10.25 oz / 298g (US9) Timp and sits at 30 mm heel / 26 mm forefoot stack height, so about the same heel and has a bit less forefoot. A supercritical foam largely explains the weight difference, although, as with the Timp, it is a fairly firm ride. It has a Matryx upper similar in fit if a bit baggier without BOA and as somewhat narrower toe box. As with the VJ Max below, it leans speed more than the Timp. Its 5mm lug outsole (Timp has 3mm) and better flexibility making it a better choice for loose terrain and snow but also a less solid choice for smoother terrain and cross over to fast hiking and travel for me.
VJ MAXx2 (RTR Review)
The Max has a supercritical foam midsole and a full length plate and is a lighter shoe at 8.47 oz / 240g (US9) on a similar heel height but lower 23mm forefooot. It is a speedier shoe for the speedier runner while the Timp 5 delivers speed in a more friendly and non plated fashion. I wouldn’t pick the Max for fast hiking or walking on the side due to its springy plated nature but would the Timp. Both have very secure and similar fitting uppers with the Timp having a broader toe box.
NNormal Kjerag (RTR Review)
Much lighter at 7.59 oz / 215g US8.5 and given fit equivalent to a US9 and lower stack at 24/18, the 6mm drop Kjerag has a super critical foam midsole and lower profile Vibram outsole. Its toe box is.. broader than the Altra while its Matryx upper equally secure. I have trail run and trekked several days with a pack in the Kjerag and its lighter weight and agility top the Altra while the Altra has more protection underfoot. Can’t get past the weight difference and do prefer some drop.. Kjerag for me.
Tester Profiles
Sam is the Editor and Founder of Road Trail Run. He is in his 60’s with 2024 Sam’s 52th year of running roads and trails. He has a decades old 2:28 marathon PR. These days he runs halves in the just sub 1:40 range if he gets very, very lucky. Sam trains 30-40 miles per week mostly at moderate paces on the roads and trails of New Hampshire and Utah be it on the run, hiking or on nordic skis. He is 5’9” tall and weighs about 160 lbs, if he is not enjoying too many fine New England IPA’s.
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