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All Things TRT

Shoe Review: Altra Torin 4 Plush

Shoe Review: Altra Torin 4 Plush

Review by: TRT Thundersquad Ambassador, Casey Fisher
Brand and Model: Altra Torin 4 Plush
Price: $140
Category: Cushioned Zero-Drop
Rating: 8 out of 10
Shoe Drop/Differential: 0 mm
Weight: 10.1 ounces men, 8.5 ounces women
Stack Height: 28 mm
Technical Specs: Insole: 5 mm Sculpted Footbed, Midsole: Quantic ™ with InnerFlex™, Outsole: FootPod™ Technology, Cushion: High, Upper: Premium Engineered Knit, Women's specific fit(I cannot comment on this)

What is the shoe ideal for?: Daily trainer, racing any distance from 5K to 100+miles

Step in fit and feel: Like most Altras they feel good right out of the box, however I felt like these shoes became more comfortable after I had logged about 40 miles in them. They seem to get more comfortable every time I put them on and the upper has not gotten sloppy/loose like some previous versions.

Ideal Terrain Usage: Road and smooth trails

Performance: I have always liked the Altra Torin since its inception. However, there have been little things throughout the previous models that were annoying. These little things include inconsistent sizing, lace length(e.g., too long or inconsistent between pairs, etc.) and durability. Unfortunately, the Altra Torin 4 Plush is still plagued by excessively long laces! However, I really enjoy this shoe, so much so it was my choice for my recent ultra on paved roads and mostly smooth fire roads.

Value: A little on the pricey side given the non-plush version is $20 cheaper.

Sizing: True to size

Recommendations: I would recommend this shoe for anyone who has liked previous versions of the Torin or if you are just getting into zero drop shoes. The Torin 4 Plush provides plenty of cushion for logging long miles or those of us who like a little more cushion. I transitioned to zero drop shoes by first wearing them daily to work and short recovery runs(3-5miles) before using them exclusively. I still rotate in the Topos with 5mm drop when my achilles or calfs get tight.

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Shoe Review: Altra Escalante 2

Shoe Review: Altra Escalante 2

Review by: TRT Thundersquad Ambassador, Quinn Kahsay
Brand and Model: Altra Escalante 2
Price: $130
Category: Minimal
Rating: 7 out of 10
Shoe Drop/Differential: 0 mm
Weight: 8.8 oz
Stack Height: 24 mm
Technical Specs: EGO™ midsole, knit upper, FOOTPOD™ TECHNOLOGY, FOOTSHAPE™ TOE BOX

What is the shoe ideal for?: The Escalante 2 is a lightweight daily trainer. It is ideal for roads, but the outsole makes it a poor choice for trails or lightly packed gravel. 

Step in fit and feel: You immediately notice two things about the Escalante 2 when you step into it. First, it is remarkable light. Second, it has a very snappy feel. The insole does not add much cushioning and it feels much more like a race shoe than its predecessors do.

Ideal Terrain Usage: Road Running

Performance: A great ride for the first six miles. After that, the midsole loses some snap and it becomes less comfortable.

Value: Decent. It would be better at $110

Sizing: True to size

Recommendations: I bought these 2.0's to be daily trainers. The constrictive fit in the mid/forefoot is excellent. I've put 130sh miles in them in the last month since purchasing them and, once they break in, the forefoot/midfoot fit is very comfortable. The midsole is much stiffer and more firm than in previous versions. Honestly, that is exactly what drew me to this version. I love this midsole version for daily running. It is responsive, it seems to also protect quite a lot, and it is so far holding up. I will say, they tend to become uncomfortable once you take them past 9 miles, so unlike their predecessor (1.5) I don’t recommend this for long runs.

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