Hey everybody, this is Steve Moore, owner of Run Moore, this brick-and-mortar running shop located in Westminster, Maryland. Today we are going to be talking about the Altra Outroad. This is a brand-new model from Altra coming out in June 2022. This is listed as a trail shoe from Altra, but what I like about it is that it fits a couple of different categories.
First, let us dive into the Altra brand in general. If you are new to Altra shoes, they feature a zero-drop platform and are foot-shaped. Zero-drop means the heel and the toe area on a level platform. Most running shoes have some lift in the heel, whereas all Altra shoes have a zero-drop platform. In addition, the foot-shaped toe box provides a better natural feeling and better splay for your foot.
Altra Outroad vs. Timp 3
The Altra Outroad is a trail shoe in June 2022 for $140. I like this shoe because it has filled the void of another model that got a big update this year, the Timp. If you have watched some of my older videos, one of the things I liked about the Timp 3 was how you could use it for both road and trail. Technically, the Timp 3 was listed as a trail shoe, but I did like how I could do a little bit of everything in that shoe. Previously, I had mentioned that it was my ultimate vacation shoe. With the Timp 3, I could wear them to the airport, do some sightseeing, and certainly go running in them. They were perfect for road and off road running. The Timp got a big makeup this past year, and now it is much more of a trail shoe than a hybrid shoe. The Timp 4 features better drainage, a stronger, more durable upper to give you protection on the trail, and has the MAX EGO midsole. With these changes, the Timp 4 is much more trail-like than road-like and is no longer my ultimate vacation shoe.
Purpose of the Altra Outroad
Fortunately, the Altra Outroad seems to be taking the place of my old Timp 3s. I should be clear that they are not a direct replacement, but in terms of purpose, the Outroad is a good fit. There are many differences between the two models starting with the fit. The Outroad is a little bit slimmer compared to the Timp. We all know that all Altra shoes are foot-shaped, but recently Altra have been changing the fits between the models. The Timp 4 has a standard fit which has a nice traditional rounded toe box. The Outroad features Altra’s new slim-fit. If you are new to Altra, all their shoes still look pretty darn wide compared to some of the other running shoes. But from an Altra standpoint, the Outroad will be a bit narrower than the rest of their line-up.
Midsole, Stackheight & Weight
The Outroad will also have a different midsole compared to the Timp. For the Timp 4, they have beefed the midsole, and are using their EGO MAX midsole which is super plush. Altra’s EGO midsole is their proprietary midsole blend, and is very bouncy and has that cushioned feel, that remains responsive. If EGO MAX is the most plush, the Outroad goes in the middle and features their standard EGO midsole. It is also important to note that the Outroad has a lower stack height than the Timp at 27mm and weighs less (Men’s: 10.6 oz / 303 g | Women’s: 8.8 oz / 252 g). Timp 4 has a 30mm stack height and is 10.9 oz / 308 g.
So, the Outroad has a little less stack height and cut a bit narrower which means it is a less bulky shoe. Where the similarities lay is the versatility we saw in the Timp 3 of where we could run and what we could do with those shoes.
Where the Outroad fits in Altra’s Line-Up
If you are looking to see how Altras all connect. The Timp is the trial version of the Torin as they both have an EGO MAX midsole and a standard fit. Now the Outroad is the trail equivalent of the new Altra Rivera 2.
If you are a road runner and you like that the Rivera has a slimmer fit and a lower stack height, the Outroad will be a great corresponding shoe. If you want to do more off-road running without having to buy a trail shoe, the Outroad is a great option as it is very versatile, less bulky, and less expensive than some other trail shoes. For $140, this shoe will give you some great protection with its max track outsole, yet it still has some flexibility with its midsole. I would use this shoe to run on the road, walk, or hike.
Warning about the Slim-Fit Width
Keep in mind, if you are somebody who loves Altra for their wide toe box and needs that extra width, you should be wary of the slim fit feel. But with this narrower fit, I think the Outroad will be a great model for people looking to bridge the gap between Altra and other running brands.
Altra Promocode
If you want to purchase the Altra Outroad, please go to our online store and enter promo code RUNMOORE. You can save 10% and get free shipping (some exclusions apply). If you have any questions, please leave them on our YouTube channel, and we will try to get back to you!
I appreciate you checking out our channel; have a wonderful day, and happy running out there.
