Article by Kurt Biesemans
Altra Torin 8 ($150/149,95€)
Introduction
The Altra Torin 8 is positioned in Altra’s lineup as a well-cushioned, everyday road running shoe. The Torin features a zero-drop platform, meaning the heel and forefoot are at the same height, promoting a more natural running form and better alignment.
It sits within Altra’s range as a neutral long-distance trainer, offering a balance of comfort and responsiveness. Ideal for runners seeking a versatile shoe for daily running.
It may not be the lightest shoe in Altra’s lineup, but it delivers a smooth, comfortable, and stable ride for a wide range of runs. The Torin 8 is my first Altra and I was eager to test and see how a zero drop daily trainer performed.
Pros:
Durable outsole with excellent grip
Breathable upper
Well padded tongue
Reinforced heel cup
Cons:
Lacking claimed cushioning, on the firm side, too little cushioning for longer runs
No gusset tongue
Increased weight compared to version 7
Most comparable shoes (with your name next to each)
Asics Pursue 9 (Kurt)
Stats
Approx. Weight: men’s 10.15 oz/287.7g US9, Prior Version: men’s 9.8 oz/278g US9
Sample Weight: men’s 10.23 oz / 290g US10/EUR44,
Stack Height: men’s 30mm heel / 30 mm forefoot (0 mm drop spec)
Platform Width: 84 mm heel / 84 mm midfoot / 117 mm forefoot
First Impressions, Fit and Upper
The Torin boasts a modern look with eye-catching color combinations and a sleek, straightforward design. Its clean lines and stylish aesthetics make it not only a high-performing shoe but also a fashion-forward option for runners who want to stand out while enjoying superior comfort and support.
Altra's signature FootShape™ design is not always a ‘wide’ shoe. It identifies with a roomy anatomical toe box and secures your foot through the midfoot. Altra has 3 FootShape options: Original, Standard and Slim. The Torin belongs to the standard: A roomy toe box with a secure midfoot.
The spacious toe box gives your feet room to breathe and splay without feeling constricted. For a narrower foot it may feel too roomy. The Torin runs larger in length, so half a size down would have worked for me and offer a snugger fit
The midfoot and heel provide a secure hold without being too tight, offering a stable and comfortable fit that suits various foot shapes. A redesigned heel counter with padded collar adds extra comfort around the ankle, enhancing the overall feel of the shoe. The engineered mesh upper has high breathability.
The well-padded tongue lacks a gusset, which would provide an even more secure fit and improve the shoe's overall lockdown.
Overall, the fit is designed to provide ample space without sacrificing support, making it a great choice for runners seeking a spacious and comfortable shoe.
Midsole & Platform
The Altra Torin 8 features a responsive and cushioned midsole that incorporates Altra’s EGO™ foam, designed to deliver a balanced blend of softness and responsiveness. Altra asserts that the midsole offers sufficient cushioning for long runs, but I find myself disappointed with the level of cushioning. For a shoe marketed as mid-cushioning, I expected more support to help me during my longer runs. In part this may be due to the lower than current trainers heel height at 30mm, most are pushing 35mm or more these days.
On the other hand, when it comes to responsiveness, I did some tempo strides and found the shoe performed well up to a certain pace. At higher tempos, with shorter ground contact, the lack of cushioning became less of a concern. At slower paces, you can feel that the midsole offers a firmer cushioning
The zero-drop platform ensures that the heel and forefoot are at an equal distance from the ground, promoting a more natural running stride and promoting better food function by allowing the foot to move more naturally.
It encourages a midfoot or forefoot strike, rather than a heavy heel strike. Not specific to the Torin but in general for zero-drop shoes: make sure you gradually transition when you are used to running in high-drop shoes (>4mm). With zero-drop shoes there’s an increased demand on the calves and Achilles tendon since the foot is positioned flatter.
The platform is narrower at the heel and midfoot, expanding in the forefoot. This design provides excellent support for forefoot strikers and ensures a secure fit, even with the spacious toe box.
Outsole
The outsole of the Altra Torin 8 is designed for durability and traction, featuring a robust rubber compound that provides reliable grip on various surfaces. It has a strategic tread pattern that helps optimize grip. The outsole is designed to balance flexibility and protection, with more rubber coverage in high-impact areas like the heel and forefoot, while the midfoot section has less rubber to enhance the shoe’s flexibility and improve transitions. Overall, the outsole delivers solid traction for most everyday running needs
Ride, Conclusions and Recommendations
The Torin 8 is a comfortable zero-drop daily road trainer. While Altra suggests it’s suitable for longer distances, I’m not entirely convinced.
At slower paces, it doesn’t provide enough cushioning, but it performs well at a faster tempo, which, in most cases, is typically for shorter runs.
I believe a zero-drop shoe is essential in your shoe rotation. It activates your muscles (calves), Achilles tendon, and foot muscles in a way that higher stack shoes don’t. This variation can only benefit your running efficiency.
The shoe offers a comfortable fit and is well-suited for wider forefeet. The redesigned (high) heel counter cradles the ankle without causing discomfort.
I will definitely add this shoe to my weekly rotation, primarily for faster-paced and shorter runs
Score: 7.88/10
Ride: 7 - The ride is decent, but with the evolution of running shoes, there are now more exciting options to choose from.
Fit: 9 - The Torin offers a great fit with a secure feel and a comfortable lockdown.
Value: 8 - Altra added more durability in the shoe and should last around 500 miles / 800 km
Style: 9.5 - Altra has successfully designed a shoe with a modern look and vibrant colors
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Comparisons
Asics Pursue 9
Despite the ASICS having different specifications, such as a lower weight, a higher drop (8mm), and a different upper, it offers a comparable stack height of 31mm. Setting aside the significant difference in drop, the shoe delivers a similar running experience in terms of cushioning and responsiveness. Let’s conclude it as: a firmer ride. I use the Asics Pursue primarily for shorter, more uptempo runs.
Index to all RTR reviews: HERE
Others will be joining the review shortly.
Tester Profiles
Kurt has a background in long distance triathlon. In recent years his focus is back on running. He recently ran various city marathons like Valencia, Milan and Antwerp. Kurt Is running on Belgian soils meaning mostly flat surfaces. He likes to hit the nearby trails which are mostly gravel and wooded surfaces. From autumn to spring his favorite trails are transformed into muddy terrain.
Kurt regularly joins a road or trail race to keep the engine going. But he also likes ‘bigger challenges: he ran Tour du Mont Blanc in days in 2024, ran his first ultra trail (60K), hiked TMB in 9 days with his family and is on the starting list of Tenerife Blue trail in 2025. He is 1m86cm and 77kg.
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1 comment:
Thanks for the review. Anyone who can compare Torin 8 to the more minimal Altra Escalante 4?
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