Customer Reviews Altra Smith Boot

Altra cured my pain. Arthritis around where my Phalang and Metatarsal bones met at the base of my big toe was so bad I thought I was done walking. I thought I would be housebound. But not only is the width of the shoe in that area beneficial to bending and pushing off when walking, the interior height dimension stops shoe pinching which is not good for anyone. I walk better with my body weight distributed toward the back of my foot rather than all that body weight pressing down all the time on my toes. Altra doesn't slide your foot forward cramming your toes into a point. If you do not have arthritis, Altra will keep you from getting it. If you do have arthritis, Altra relieves ALL pain around your toes all the time. If you are prone to your feet swelling on planes or in the movies, Altra dimensions accommodates for it.

I'm a chiropractor and endurance athlete, which I spend most of my day on my feet. I have a pair of Escalantes that are my favorite shoes to wear if running or not. Getting off regular work shoes and having the commodity of the Smith's boot has been great. Is just my second day using them and I can already tell the difference. With the other shoe I was using my plantar fascia would get ache by the mid day and when I was done with a regular work day I would have to work on in for several minutes. Have not yet felt that with the boots. My old shoes I would take them off as soon as I was done. I don't feel that urge with this boot. The only thing I'm still getting used to is the hardness of the leather but I know with time the leather is going to soften up. There is enough room inside the shoes for people with wide feet. The sole feel amazing, not too hard and not too soft. I love this boots and would recommend them to anybody. Definitely getting a second pair in a few weeks just to have both color. Have been telling my patients about them and about Altra's in general.

Just got a pair and I am very happy with them. They fit very well, the opened toes box is a plus. I wear them with regular socks and am glad that I got the normal size. If I plan to wear them with thick winter socks, I would buy a half size up.

Quality and workmanship is flawless! Wow, what a nice shoe. The size fit is exactly the same as my other 9 pair of Altra Running shoes. ***NOTE: the instep is shallow, so if you know your feet and you have a high instep, then this isn't the shoe for you. The "Men's The Instinct Everyday" is a great fit for me as an option! Love the Altra Shoes, can't wear anything else since once putting my foot in an Altra years ago.

I use this shoe for everything from work to walking to sawing wood. My one complaint is the sole. So when the sole wore out, I replaced it with my dream sole for this shoe.

I pretty much only wear Altra. I've had a lot of issues after going way too hardcore with running in my 20s and 30s and most shoes cause pain. I stumbled across the Cayds and my life was changed forever. I almost never wear anything but Altras and my feet feel great. The tricky thing is that sneakers aren't always great for business casual. These boots work great when sneakers aren't acceptable. The mid is quite thin and gives you a great feel for the ground underfoot. I wear these whenever I think my fascia is tightening up and needs a stretch. I ordered the size I would for a running shoe, which makes them a tad larger than I should have. They kind look like clown shoes, but I just don't care.

I bought this boot for work and casual wear. For years I wore Red Wing boots, which are well built shoes! But they've hurt my knees and such for some time. Now that I'm running in zero drop I can't handle the heels on most work boots, it just causes leg issues. These boots look great! They don't seem all that durable, and kinda feel cheaply made, but maybe that's the way a more minimalist design should feel. I got pretty bad blisters when I wore these, and was planning to return. I guess it takes a few wearings to break them in, because now I really like them. They're definitely not as impressive as the Altra Running shoes and could use improvement, but I'm glad they have this option. They're a little difficult to get on and off, you really have to stretch them apart to take off or put on. I'm liking them more, the more I wear them.

It felt a little tight around the feet but when you break them in they feel great. However the upper digs into the achilles.

These are the best "foot shape" and zero drop boots I have ever come across, but they do have some drawbacks... The good: Solid stitching Good quality leather Very comfortable once broken in The bad: Fabric lined toe box Unsure if they can be re-soled I bought these to replace several pairs of Redwing Heritage boots that killed my feet and I must say, the quality is pretty good on these. Especially for the price. There are only two drawbacks. The soles are a semi-chintzy no name sole and the fabric lining in the toe box isnt my favorite, leather would be better. But they get the job done for a low price. Also, like all good boots, they do take time to break in. So don't be disheartened by all of the "they're to tight" reviews. Just size up a half size, be patient and wear thick socks, they're worth it. I have been wearing these boots for about a year and love them. I really hope Altra adds more leather options to there lineup, such as a 6" or 8" boot and maybe a moc-toe option. With that Altra could really fill a hole in the foot shape/zero drop market.

I had to use some leather dye to dye the white sole. Lmao! White sole. Oh well! I'll try not judge others. I'm in Law Enforcement. In needed comfort and got it. I where these to work and enjoy it. But I have to polish and dye to be able to wear to work. I would change a lot about these. I would put a little arch support. It would be 8" tall. I wouldn't put the scotchgard. On the other hand, if I only needed these for casual, I don't think I would need to change anything.

I had to modify these boots and attached a pic. I tried to remove the scotchgard. I dyed them a deeper black and blacked the white sole so I can where to work. I'm a cop and needed a certain look. I do find these comfortable. I wish for untreated leather, but all leather and a better sole and an 8-10 inch high boot. Something more tactical but definitely Altra.

Good shoe. I wear it for work leather is nice the more you wear softer it gets. But the mid sole has to go tried coloring with permanent maker wore off guess I'm I'm just old school. Please bring back enstict everyday shoe I have five family members I turned on to those shoes. And we still are hunting around for them. Instict everyday best shoes of all time. It's a crying shame there not made anymore. What's the deal with the white mid soles on all the shoes. Brutally ugly

Of course they are not as comfortable as the paradigms or Olympus, but they sure look a lot better! My wife said "Thank goodness!! You are finally wearing a stylus shoe!!" I work in healthcare and they are covered in scotch guard so they are protected leather. They look nice with business casual and around town. They took a day to break in, but so does every shoe minus the paradigm. Please altra don't ever discontinue this shoe!

Please do not give up on this design. I understand some adjustments need to be made, but it's a beautiful shoe. It's smart and great looking. I want to wear a pair for the rest of my life. It's difficult for me to find something that I can wear to work or church or elsewhere that provides me the comfort I need and is passable in the 'formal' category. This is the shoe. I currently wear the Desert Boot and it's just too casual, particularly w/ the suede. So, please attack the 2.0 so we might purchase. And a low top version might be a great option.

When they arrived, I discovered I needed aftermarket foot beds, unlike my other Altra's. I scavenged some from an old pair of shoes, solving that issue. The next issue was a painful pressure on my right ankle bone. I took a chance on their breaking in, which they did over a week or so. Now I am enjoying them as my every day shoes, and expect to continue doing so.

Love the wider toe box. Love the zero drop. Like the plain style. Hate the pointless band of khaki around the outside of the sole. It's not even uniform, looks like somebody drew it on with a sharpie. Keeps them from being suitable for anything but casual wear. After wearing many other brands over the years, the fit is better but the shoe just feels cheap at this price point. I wasn't expecting Red Wing quality, but Clarks are priced similarly and are far sturdier and more durable. All these have going for them are fit, which is important, but I wouldn't buy another pair at this price.

Not nearly as comfortable as the pair of RUN NATURAL suede casual shoes I have that are fast wearing out. Why buy ALTRA? Large toe box, great soles. These shoes have neither. If You guys would just bring back the RUN NATURAL line I'd buy 10 pair! Henry

After having many prevouse pairs of Altras I wanted these to fit so bad. Alas unlike the other pairs I have these were way to tight in the fore foot. The length was just like the others but the tightness was actually making my foot ache then turn numb in just the few minutes I wore them.

I have been a huge fan of Altra and have been wearing Altras since they first were sold at my local running store (several years ago). When I first saw the Smith boot, I thought, what a nice looking work/city shoe. At first, I thought the stiffness of the shoe was a result of the leather upper. After wearing them for a couple months, the sole is way too stiff for any casual shoe. As a result, it can affect the calf muscles because the foot cannot flex like it naturally should. As someone who walks alot, I would only recommend these shoes if you plan on sitting at a desk all day. If you are active, find a more flexible casual shoe.

Instep too narrow; had to go up 1 sizes simply to get the shoe on

I am normally a 10.5 EEE and Altra shoes in 10.5 usually fit quite well, but unfortunately the Smith Boots do not. I could barely get my feet into them. Once they were on, even without tightening the laces my feet were going numb from the ball forward. The area of the shoe behind the toe box is extremely restrictive, to the point where I can barely get my duck feet through. I had to send them back, and unfortunately the size 11's are out of stock. I REALLY wanted to make these my new work boot but I'm going to have to get something else in the meantime while I wait for them to restock. I didn't want to give them a star rating until I try a size that I can actually wear and break in (in order to give them a fair shot), but you have to when writing a review so I'm giving them three stars for now. I like the look and the material feels amazing. Now if they could just get the fit right.....

I bought these shoes for my dad but he could't fit them on because of the instep is too tight. They fit me okay though. I like them. If they would make these shoes with a few extra laces down the instep I think they would be a winner for most people.