Customer Reviews Altra Vali

I bought the first pair for my husband to wear around on the weekend instead of wearing his running shoes. These look great with jeans or shorts to wear shopping or out for a casual dinner. My 13-year old daughter and I liked them so much that we each got a pair to take on a trip to Europe over spring break. We didn't have room for casual sneakers and running shoes in our suitcases. The first time we wore them we walked 12 miles on the Appian Way. We were comfortable all day. We also wore them for light workouts in the hotel gym on the stationary bike and elliptical. My daughter tried to run in them, but said they were dreadful for running because there was not enough support. The fabric is quite stretchy which is part of the reason they are so comfortable, but also the reason they don't have adequate support for running. One of the other great features of the fabric is how quickly they dry. My daughter stepped in a puddle up to her calf and the shoes were totally dry in about 2 hours. The toe box is quite wide and takes a little getting used to. We all run in Altra shoes. I normally take a 9.5 in them. I thought these seemed a little big, but my husband and daughter said the sizing was spot on. A great purchase. We highly recommend them.

After reading about Altras - their amazing and roomy footbed, and their slogan “Embrace the Space”, I was completely shocked when I put them on...so incredibly narrow in the midfoot and heel that I could barely get my foot in the shoe. So I exchanged them for the Vali in a comparable men’s size, hoping for more width. But the men’s were nearly equally as narrow - after trying the shoe on for 10 minutes my foot was beginning to go numb. Yikes. In the photo you can see my foot on the men’s footbed, overhanging the sole by a country mile from the top of the midfoot on down. If you have narrow heels, and a narrow midfoot, then these will probably work wonderfully for you. It’s too bad Altra doesn’t offer wide sizes, because they would have a customer in me! My quest for properly fitting zero drop shoe continues...

After 6 months of near-daily wear, these are my absolute most favorite shoes. They were ridiculously uncomfortable during the break-in period of about 3-4 weeks, but once the back of the heel softened up, they started being the most comfortable shoes I own. I've been shocked that they don't cause the arthritis/hallux rigidus in one of my big toes to flare up at all, especially considering how flexible the sole is (I guess I can thank the giant toe box). I do not run in them, but routinely walk 5+ miles per day on paved trails and sidewalks.

LOVE! I am a personal trainer on my feet all day. This shoe is amazing!!! The wide toe box has changed my life and now all my clients are buying Altras. I highly recommend getting out of regular running shoes that have a cushioned heel, it’s bad for body mechanics. These are cute to where every day. The first time I put them on I thought they were too big but with altras you don’t want your toe touching the end of the shoe, allowing your toes to spread out and work naturally. The heel felt comfortable and gave me a blister the first day but after wearing them about three times and giving them a chance IM IN LOVE! Buy these today if you do lots of walking and standing. Bought a pair for my husband too! They aren’t the best looking shoe but it’s worth the comfort and purpose they provide

I was recently diagnosed with Hallux Rigidus and internet research led me to trying these shoes. They are very hard to get on, but once you do they are so comfortable. There is no pressure on my toe. I'm so happy.

Love this Altra Vali for women style! I finally took a chance and ordered the shoe from Zappos! After reading the reviews I opted to size down a half size. The fit is perfect, with or without an orthotic. But with an orthotic you may want to compare with your "normal" Altra size shoe. The high vamp knit fabric is wonderful for those with a higher arch and want that type of support from a shoe. The fabric and laces are like a glove over your foot yet with ample too room. My foot tends to run narrow. This shoe really surprised me - in a good way! Like the colors too - especially the black and the grey options.

Didn't work for me and my wide foot. I was hopeful because of the wide looking toe box area but I couldn't get my foot past the slim entry.

I love Altra shoes! I buy them a full size bigger than I normally wear. ( I met up with an Altra rep who explained the shoes are meant to have additional toe room - hence the super wide toe box.) However, they fit securely through the heal and the instep. Personally, I find them quite unattractive. But I decided long ago that fit was more important than the look.

Altra's are amazingly comfortable. I had toe pain and since switching to Altra (I have three different pairs of Altra shoes) my pain is gone. Definitely a must and I highly recommend.

I love these shoes. U need to put in your own arch supports

After 6 months of near-daily wear, these are my absolute most favorite shoes. They were ridiculously uncomfortable during the break-in period of about 3-4 weeks, but once the back of the heel softened up, they started being the most comfortable shoes I own. I've been shocked that they don't cause the arthritis/hallux rigidus in one of my big toes to flare up at all, especially considering how flexible the sole is (I guess I can thank the giant toe box). I do not run in them, but routinely walk 5+ miles per day on paved trails and sidewalks. Updated to add: I agree with some of the complaints here- the shoe is definitely not a standard shape. However, since I have a very narrow heel and narrow midfoot with wide toes, the shoe works really well for me. The material is flexible enough around the ankles that I generally don't even untie them to take them on and off, but they're very snug when they're on and don't allow debris to get in while walking.

Love my new shoes. My husband and I went on a four mile hike shortly after I received the to test them out and I was not disappointed w/no complaints. I would order again based on my great experience.

I really love these for walking around. My altra running shoes I usually order 1 size larger than my regular size, these I ordered a half size up. They look great and don't feel as hot on my feet as my running shoes. Order from Zappos, Altra.com customer service is atrocious.

The Altra Valis are clouds for my feet. They are so comfortable that I bought an extra pair to have on hand when the first pair wears out. My regular shoe size fit in this style, although in the Altra Escalante, which I also tried, my toe hit the end and I would have needed to size up.

Love the way these feel! They have the room I need in the box and fit my heel perfectly; the arch support is surprisingly good for a simple "sneaker" style.