Trail runner with Altra-like fit that's more stable?

My Altras are very stable and I hike on some pretty rocky terrain. Maybe try didn’t insoles?

Topo makes shoes with wide toe boxes but are a bit more stable and locked in. The mtn racer, ultraventure and terraventure are all good options.

Nike also makes trailrunners with more of a foot shape. The wildhorses are really stable. Might size up a half size in the latest version though.

Will check those out. Should also probably mention that I use these shoes mainly for backpacking, not actual trail running.

Seems like the Altra Olympus, La Sportiva Akasha, and Topo Ultraventure might be good options. Anyone have any experience with any of these for backpacking? I think I really want to go with something that has a Vibram sole, something that will grip better in scrambling/slickrock situations.

There are a fair number of reviews out there of these shoes, but all of them are in regards to trail running…not being a trail runner, it’s a little hard for me to figure out how to apply that feedback to backpacking.

I use both the original version of the Terraventure and La Sportiva TX3.  The TX3 is hands down the most stable tough shoe for rocky, slickrock, talus conditions.  The only draw back is the rubber under the ball is so sticky, like a climbing shoe, that it does wear fairly fast.  The Terraventure is fine for trail conditions and wetter conditions and the new version is supposed to be a bit better for support and drainage to dry faster.  I wear the TX3’s particularly for desert trips which are mostly off trail and the Terraventures for trips here in the East which are mostly on trails.  Both have wide toe boxes.

Altra uses a couple different last shapes. I’ve found that the Olympus and the Lone Peak leave my foot slipping and sliding all over the place, but the Superior and Timp do not.

Versions within models aside (LP4 is different from 3.5 in more ways than just color), I find that the Torin and Superior have a slightly narrower midfoot (or perhaps lower volume overall) which greatly aids in keeping my foot connected to the shoe on side hills and steep ups and downs. The toe boxes are slightly different too, but still plenty wide

I’d suggest the Timp since you like the softness and comfort of the Lone Peak.  I tried on the Topo Ultraventure as well but it seemed a little more snug in the forefoot than I really wanted.

If you’re looking for a more stable shoe, I think you’d want something with a narrower fit and/or a lower stack height. I had the same problem with the Lone Peaks – comfortable, but awful on off-camber terrain.

Compared to the Lone Peaks, I found the Topo Terraventure 2s provide a more secure fit (narrower in the heel/midfoot, good width in the toebox), good cushioning, and are much better over a wider variety of terrain. I have had some durability issues with the Terraventure 2s with the sole delaminating, but my experience seems to be rare. The Topo Ultraventures fit similarly, but the higher stack height makes them feel squishy and less stable to me. I don’t like them for backpacking while others seem to be fine with them.

The other shoes I like more than the Lone Peaks for backpacking are the Altra King MT 2 and the Altra Superior 4. They both provide less cushioning than the Topo Terraventure 2s, but are even more stable and have better traction IMO. The King MT 2s in particular have superb traction and feel very planted. I feel like I can step anywhere with them when backpacking, but they might not be the best for high-mileage days.

I had the same problem with some of the Altras. They don’t have a stiff heel counter like other trail runners. I use the Lone Peak Mids Mesh and they have a real heel counter made of stiff plastic(the non-mid Lone Peak do not have the stiff heal counter).https://imgur.com/QsmgEQJ

These are my go to shoe now. I can do 20+ mile days blister and pain free. The only issue is the sole cushion wears very quickly-125-175 miles. I have not found another shoe as comfortable so I am just stuck with replacing them.

Thanks for all the great suggestions. I’ve got some shoes to try on. Wish it was easier to find a physical place that actually stocked this stuff.

Seems like the right trail runner for backpacking requires a bit of a balance — enough cushion to not kill your feet on long days, but not so much that you feel unstable with the extra weight. The squish feels awesome right up to the point where you’re on some dicey or steep terrain — then all of a sudden you really wish you had more feel and control.

I’m also realizing that I might need to be more strategic in my footwear choices instead of just using one pair of trail runners for all my backpacking…one pair of shoes I use for more intense off-trail or crappy trail trips, and one I use for the trips where I’m covering more ground on groomed trail.

I guess the upside of using trail runners if that if you don’t like the pair you have, they’ll probably be totally trashed soon enough that you won’t have to put up with it for too long.

Lone Peak didn’t work for me. So I tried the Timp Trail, which is stable, strong heel counter and more cushioned which is noticed on rocky.lengthy down hills. The Salomon X Ultra 3 is very stable and has 8mm drop. However, wide is only offered in Goretex. Tested Topo and like it, slightly less wide than Timp Trail. May buy a pair of Topo when on sale.

Joshua, if you have a few pairs you want to try on runningwarehouse.com has a great selection and offers free 2 day shipping and free return shipping. You’re right that its hard to find a good balance of cush and comfort for crusing and stable locked in fit for more technical terrain. I’ve backpacked a lot in the la sportiva akasha and I think it does a good job of balancing those attributes. The toebox is wide enough IMO, but far from something like a topo or altra. Size up half to full in la sportiva. I’d steer away from the altras altogether. They are known for having a baggy fit. Topo mtn racer would be my top pick if you are set on the ultra wide toebox. It has a vibram megagrip sole and has a ripstop upper for mountain terrain.

Same problem with the Altras for years!  I just don’t think they make a good shoe.  They really fizzle out after you get past zero-drop and toe-box.  Plus, I think they have all the design flair of Kim Jong-un’s wardrobe.

Check out Innov8.  They’re my next stop.  Pricier, but zero drop on some models, low-drop on others.  And that new graphite sole is supposed to last MUCH longer.  Interesting prospect.

Have you tried alternate lacing patterns, like a midfoot lock or heel lock?  I found both help significantly with Altras.  Laced normally, I agree, they aren’t very secure.  But I find these lacing patterns help lock the foot down better.

https://www.tennisexpress.com/blog/shoe-lacing-techniques-for-an-optimal-fit/

Popped over to REI today and tried on some shoes.

The Terraventure and Ultraventure felt very much as described — Altra-like fit with more security. Sole material is Vibram and seems a lot more sure-footed than the Lone Peak sole.

The Ultraventure is noticeably more cushiony than the Terraventure, but has a higher stack height and didn’t feel as sensitive as a result.

One thing I didn’t like, and maybe this is just me, but the Topo shoes felt like the toebox curved up a bit and pushed up against the bottom of my toes. Seemed like it could get annoying after a few hours on the trail (or maybe it breaks in?).

I also tried the Altra Superior, which actually felt really nice, way more secure than the Lone Peaks and seemingly on a par with the Topos. I’m now strongly considering the King MT, which uses the same last but has a knobby Vibram sole and uses a better midsole material than the rest of the Altra range except the Escalante.

Salesman tried to steer me into approach shoes, but a test fit confirmed what I already suspected — the stiff rubber and pointier toebox feels like it could become really annoying after many hours on the trail. I think I also want something with a more lugged sole — was in the Grand Canyon a couple weekends ago and lost my footing a couple times on steep, gravelly trail.

Still want to try some Akashas or maybe those Innov-8 shoes.

+1 for the Topo Terraventure, I’m on my third pair, and the first two pairs still have fairly good soles after 500 miles each of mixed terrain, CT, HRP etc. I’m still using them for local hikes. Mine are the mark 1 model, but I don’t think the 2s are substantially different. They are just a fraction wider than the Brooks Cascadia 9 and 11 models.

I don’t know why the Altras always get talked about being sloppy or unstable. I remember Andrew Skurka doing a review a while back describing them this way, and wonder if a lot of our opinions on gear is based on personal experience or regurgitating what others have claimed.

That being said, as mentioned above, a Lower stack height, alternate lacing, stiffer rubber, and how it fits your foot will play into how a shoe feels on more technical terrain.

I used Altra King Mt on the Wind River High Route this past August.  Was doing about 25 miles a day, and they Probably wouldn’t have been great for pushing bigger miles, but felt great on that terrain.

Ive also done several class 4 scrambles in them and some easy class 5 solos. This is where I think this shoe excels best.

Thanks for the post Joshua.  I’ve been searching for the same thing- something with a wider toe box to accommodate slightly wider feet, but stable for off trail travel.  I started w/ what I think were the Lonepeak 2.5s, and the first time I got off trail I found myself cursing them repetitively- on sidehills they almost rotated to where I was walking on the side of the shoe.  I’ve been using the 3.0s, and they’re a bit better, but still really lacking for anything other than smooth maintained trail.

I’m interested in checking out the Terraventures and Ultraventures.  Could you give some more details about your thoughts on the stack height for the Ultraventures?  Too cushiony to be suitable for offtrail? Did the Terraventures feel like they’d have enough cushion to handle big mileage cruising on trail (25-30 miles/day)?

Matt-the Atras have a flexible/mushy heel counter with the exception of the Lone Peak Mid, when compared to other trail shoes/boots. This was the cause for me to return the Timp 1.5s. One flat ground it’s heaven, any incline or side trail and the heel and sides collapse.

I’ve had the same problem of walking on the side of the shoe with LS Wildcats. With the Lone Peak 4.0, my problem is with the rock plate and uppers. The rock plate doesn’t provide enough protection. My feet were incredibly sore after hiking Wilson Mountain. And the toe protection has come unglued from the front of my shoe within the first fifty miles of hiking. They’re not made very well.

So I’m on the look out for an alternative too. I need something less minimal.