Altra Men's Superior 5 Sneaker, Medium

Product Information

The midsole is very flexible. This means that it flexes where your foot does not at a pre-determined place. So, whether you have long toes or short toes the Superior will flex at the right point. This gives it a very natural feel. The Superior 4.5 have only made minor adjustments to the 4.0, making the upper slightly more durable. This is a supremely comfortable zero-drop shoe that is minimal in its feeling, allowing one to have an intimate relationship with the trail. It's also one of the more affordable choices on the market today, so presents pretty good value to those who like minimal and zero drop shoes. It still has the same sort of lacing pattern, but we did add that top eye hole. We will now be able to do the marathon loop and such on the five. Update for the Gaiter Trap

Dom: It is worth noting that the shoe has an overall slightly tighter fit compared to its predecessor. The Superior 5 has the same wrap around tongue that the Superior 4 and 4.5 have had. This is designed to prevent debri from getting into the shoes. It also gives the shoes a nice wrap around fit. TAYLOR: The minimalist movement lives on through the Superior 5. If that was/is your jam, this shoe will be your defense against the tidal wave of HOKA-esque midsoles on the market.Today we’re going to look at two top trail shoes from Altra that have been the cornerstones of the trail running shoe lineup for nearly 10 years now. They both share similarities, but they target a slightly different terrain, and the fit can sometimes be the ultimate decider. This is more of a personal gripe from someone who is new to this shoe. Personally, I loved the Quantic midsole in the Timp 2. In the Superior, it is such a boring feeling! It’s just a thin layer of midsole. In a world of super foams (or even Altra’s new EGO midsole), a little bit of bounce wouldn’t hurt, would it?! I do realize that these types of foams could take away a little bit of that beloved ground feel. That is more important to the integrity of this particular shoe anyways. In the end, it’s simple. If you’re looking for more ground feel, want to shed some weight from your feet, and still feel nimble over technical terrain, then the Superior will be entirely up your street. ALEX: I have owned every version of the Altra Superior, and the improved fit and traction of this one takes it right to the top for me. It maintains the signature Superior attributes, including the FootShape comfort and 21 mm Balanced Cushioning platform. For a trail running shoe, it is exceptionally light (8.8 oz/249g). Most trail shoes have an average weight of 10.4oz/296g.

In summary the Superior 5 is as comfortable as the previous versions but, tweaked to make it better for longer runs than the previous version. Dom: Also of note: Altra have removed the front anchoring ring used for gaiter attachment, and the velcro flap at the rear is smaller. This seems a reasonable compromise, as gaiters are likely to see less use with this shoe than the beefier models in Altra’s lineup. It would not make sense to have the stretchy upper that you have in Escalante because there is a good chance it could snag on a branch. This is a softer, nicer upper that does not have the same overlays. It will not give you the same stretch, but It still feels nice and loose, so your foot won’t feel constricted. Keep the Mud Out! Scott Supertrac RC and Supertrac Amphib: A bit stiffer through the midfoot reduces some of the spring you’ll get from your feet. 4mm heel to forefoot. Longer lugs give much better traction in the mud. I think there’s a couple of reasons why. It is very light, very nice, and wide again; it is low profile and has a lower arch profile.

Altra Superior 5 Conclusion

The upper material has also changed. The new mesh is designed to be more resistant to abra sion f rom the trail and dry faster. There is no plastic in the heel cup, so the heel of the shoes takes the shape of your heel. As in the previous m odel, the tongue wraps around and reduces the chance of getting debris in the shoes and helps give a nice comfortable fit. All Altra shoes are zero-drop, meaning your heel and your forefoot sit at the exact same height from the ground. That’s not true of most other shoes on the market.

The base of the Superior 5 is slightly broader as the midsole splays out. This makes them look wider than the Superior 4.5. The width of the shoes internally is the same. The broader base is designed to make the Superior a bit more stable. The ride of the shoe is slightly different to the previous version. It feels slightly less nimble and slightly softer.Dom: I was a vocal fan of Superior v4.0 and v4.5, and consequently was nervous that Altra would harm the character of the shoe in v5.0. Instead, they made smart changes that will add mainstream appeal without losing the magic of v4.x. In the process, they also delivered an exceptionally fine-looking shoe. The burrito wrap tongue is attached on one side, and wraps over the foot on the other. This design eliminates overlaps, creases, and seams, and is super comfortable. Dom: The upper of the Superior v 4.0 was a fresh new voice that stood out from a cookie-cutter field. It was a striking, soft, slipper-like feel. In version 5, Altra have made minor functional improvements -- and a significant cosmetic upgrade -- while retaining the flexible, slipper-like feel. Laces a little long, and have tendency to come untied. (Stretchier laces would probably help in regard to latter, but would diminish the foot retention.) Altra have dispensed with the retro-futuristic wireframe mountain graphic on the side of v4.5 and delivered a clean, sleek, modern vision with understated branding elements and a sublime colorway. Additionally (to my happy surprise) the upper fabrics do an impressive job of shedding mud and dust, and my sample pair look just as good after ~100 miles of running as they did out of the box.

La Sportiva Cyclon: 8mm heel to forefoot. Longer lugs give better traction on soft ground. BOA fastening and built in gaiter stops debris from getting in the shoes. Not as natural or nimble. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/la-sportiva-cyklon-review-boa-lacing-system/ With the new design sporting tough protection from the heel and around the side of the shoe, and then a relatively firm toebox, your foot is fully protected from the trail elements. With this sturdy protection holding you in place, I don’t think they’ll be any worry of feet ripping out the side of shoes anymore. Dom: The biggest functional change to the upper is that the new heel is more substantial, with more padding around the heel collar, and a tangible heel counter. Personally, I’m ambivalent on this: I didn’t feel that there was much wrong with the old design. Now we know where the shoes differ, let’s look at the similarities. Overall, I feel the shoes have the same DNA. And if you’re comfortable in one, then the other will “feel” like the same type of shoe, with a couple of unique features. Flexibility and Structure

The Bad

If you’re using a traditional shoe, you’ll likely feel no difference, but if you’re coming from a minimalist shoe, or other Altra’s, just take note. Anchor for gaiter has been removed from the front of shoe; velcro attachment at rear has been downsized.