Altra Tushar Boot

[W I S N E R !]

Anyone have experience with these yet?

I’m reading online reviews but I’m having trouble finding anything beyond “I went for a 5 mile hike and they kept me dry!”.  Obviously I’m much more concerned about how they hold up after 40 or 50 of those 5 mile hikes…but they are a relatively new offering.

 

[Stumphges]

Some reviews saying they are quite narrow.

[Pedestrian]

No direct experience with these boots but I’ve had pretty terrible experience with durability and fit with at least two generations of the Altra Lone Peaks. Other I know have similar experiences with other Altra shoes. This was with earlier generations of Altra and I gave up on Altra. I don’t know if they’ve gotten any better with materials and/or manufacturing.

 

[W I S N E R !]

Currently using the Lone Peak 4 as well as the Lone Peak 4 RSM mids for hunting last season (tons of steep off-trail hiking).  Also had the 3.5s (I can say the 4.o rubber has lasted longer).  Both of the 4’s have held up well enough for my needs, thought they both had the typical Altra toe-cap peel (which I seam grip), and generally speaking, it’s my experience that their cushion goes flat quickly (remedied by adding insoles and my own custom heel lifts).

They definitely have their problems, but I have some foot issues that make them the lesser of evils.

I need a boot that’s a little stiffer than the RSM mids for crampons and heavier loads though…curious if the Tushar could work.

 

[Pedestrian]

Check out the La Sportiva TX4 GTX.

I believe there’s also a non GTX version – but not sure.

Crampon fit on the Altras might be dicey – as you well know you need a pretty stiff sole for that (which brought the TX4 to mind).

Please do report back on your ultimate choice.

 

 

[W I S N E R !]

A trusted friend has also recommended the TX4, it’s on my short list.  They look solid.

My only concern is that I’ve never been able to fit any La Sportiva products so far…the last is usually too narrow, at least in every trail runner I’ve tried.  I like everything about what they offer, I just can’t get a fit.  Maybe the boots will be better, I’ll give it a shot.

I’m in a crappy situation regarding shoes right now…The Altra Tushar has my curiosity because generally, Altras have been the lesser evil to deal with my issues.  They are likely soft for a crampon and weight on rough terrain but I’ve got a lot of compromises to make…

I’ve got screwed up toes and definitely need a wide toebox…like Altra wide or 2E minimum with no real taper.  But I’ve also screwed my heels from abuse, a lifetime of being barefoot a lot, and tight Achilles (says the podiatrist).  I now have Haglund’s Deformity in both heels.  It’s stopped me from running but I can still hike big miles.  Until I get surgery (which involves detaching/reattaching the Achilles, ~6 month recovery and only one heel at a time…oh joy!), I’m living with these bone protrusions and inflamed bursa if anything rubs too much.  Stiff heel cups are trouble…and Altra’s generally have little structure in the heel vs other brands, so they work.

Might have to go with the RSM mids still, just exploring stiffer options…but hell, if Otzi the iceman was killing it in something like these, how can I not make due with an Altra?!

 

Probably too much info here…but hey, quarantine and all… : )  Thanks!

[Pedestrian]

Sorry to hear about your foot woes. I have only one suggestion – seek the advice of a competent sports podiatrist before you decide to go under the knife. I know of such a podiatrist in our area and he’s cared for our entire family over the years for various foot injuries: from broken toes to growth related issues in kids to a bone fragment rubbing against a tendon in the ankle causing extreme discomfort.

In every case he counseled recovery and therapy over surgery. He is himself a runner, hiker and biker; his simple rationale is it would take multiple months of recovery from surgery and the subsequent physical rehab – why not invest in the rehab upfront and then consider surgery if still needed. This from some one who makes a living performing surgical procedures.

BTW I  just saw this on sale at REI – also comes in wide (one of many similar models). I’ve had excellent experience with similar Salomon shoes; these are GTX mid cut versions of the same.

https://www.rei.com/product/122167/salomon-x-ultra-3-mid-gtx-hiking-boots-mens

 

 

 

[W I S N E R !]

Definitely!

That’s sort of the plan I’m on right now…The podiatrist essentially said it’s a matter of if/when this becomes unbearable and whether or not I can successfully do therapy to help it along.  I’ve stopped running…which was aggravating it significantly, so that’s helped. I’ve created my own ~8mm heel lifts for the Altras to reduce Achilles strain.  And I’m stretching, rolling, and strengthening pretty aggressively.  So I think I can manage for a while.  But yeah, having an Achilles detached is not something I’m rushing into!

Thanks for the suggestions!  I really don’t need the boots until August so I’ve got time to look…

 

 

[Iago Vazquez]

I also need wide footwear. I have had some luck with Vasque, which offers some footwear in wide.

Good luck!

[W I S N E R !]

Thanks iago.

How’s online teaching?  Shoot me a PM if you want to talk shop…unless you’ve had enough already!

 

[Stumphges]

Tx4 is definitely worth a try on. Tx3 is same but mesh. Only La Sportiva wide enough for me.

[W I S N E R !]

That’s what I’m hearing, thanks Stumphges.

[Pedestrian]

I’ll also put in a plug for the new La Sportiva TX guide.

Probably too narrow for you but a great fusion between the TX4/TX3 approach shoes and mountain running shoes. But neither GTX nor high top.

Someone I know just got a pair and they feel great (exact same foot size as mine so I got a chance to try them on). I’ve previously had a pair each of both TX3s (worn out) and Akyras (still going strong).

 

 

 

 

 

[Stumphges]

Ped , how do the Guides fit and feel compared to  those other sportivas you mention?

[Pedestrian]

I tried them the Guides on for just a few minutes indoors.

I liked the fit and feel much better than the TX3; the upper material felt like it might be less rigid than the upper on the TX3s. The sole/footbed is much more comfortable. The Guide has a solid rand like the TX3.

I would still prefer the Akyra for longer hikes/backpacking but the Guide is pretty close in comfort – the Guide is first an approach shoe.

The Guide would probably make a better climbing shoe than either the TX3 or the Akyra given the rubber used in the Guide sole.

Hope that helps.

 

[Nick Gatel]

What crampons are you using?

[W I S N E R !]

I’ll be using CAMP XLC 490 Universals.  (12 point aluminum).  I’ve worn them successfully with trail runners though that obviously presents problems and gets hard on the ankles when things get steep.

[J-L]

The new Topo Trailventure might be another boot for you to look at:

https://www.topoathletic.com/mens-trailventure?color=103

It has 5mm of heel-toe drop. Topo’s toeboxes aren’t as wide as Altras, but they’re pretty close. I much prefer the fit of my Topo Terraventure 2’s and Runventure 2’s to any Altra shoe I’ve used – way less sloppy in the midfoot.

[Pedestrian]

A big +1 on the Topo Athletic shoes! I haven’t worn or even seen the boot mentioned above but I’ve worn a few generations of Topo shoes: MT-2, Terraventure etc.

They fit my foot perfectly and are well made unlike the Altras.

The one caveat I’d offer is that the Trailventure sole is unlikely to be stiff enough to be worn with crampons.

My daily drivers are the Terraventure and Terraventure-2 for hiking and trail running. For off trail travel in the Sierra, I rely on the La Sportiva Akyra.

 

 

[Shane P]

They’re good. I don’t have many miles on them but I wear an 11.5 in the new Lone Peaks and these fit in an 11.5 too. If I had to pick one word to describe them it would be “light”. They are full fledged boots. On the narrower side but again, if the new Lone Peaks fit you these should too.

[Diane “Piper” Soini]

Thank you for the link to the irunfar article. I don’t run at all and I don’t have Haglund’s deformity but my achilles has hurt for a decade and nothing works but 3 ibuprofens every day in the morning.

[W I S N E R !]

“Thank you for the link to the irunfar article.”

Glad it was useful.  Their work and advice is often better than anything I get through my doctors.

Screwed up feet suck; I’m struggling, having a flare-up as we speak.

[Tjaard Breeuwer]

Thanks for that Topo link!

I came to the forums to ask for a shoe/low boot suggestion.

Altras fit wel, but I don’t run, I hike, so I was looking for a bit firmer sole, and more supportive/protective/durable upper.

 

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