Customer Reviews Altra Kayenta

I'm all about Altra trail running shoes having used a variety of them for years. This is my first crack at road running shoes and I'm disappointed; I'm hoping this is an outlier. Shoe was too narrow and could feel my big toe press against the inside front of the toe box. I loved how light and breathable they felt and even considered wearing them without socks. However, I couldn't get past my worry of rolling my ankles because the sole was so narrow; I could feel it spilling over the side of the toe box as I walked. So, I would select 0.5-1 size bigger but then you might experience other issues with a show that may be too big in other areas.

The Kayenta would be an excellent running shoe if they would have left the waterproof lining out. It makes the shoe feel tight around the toes and causes blisters from the rubbing. I basically wear them for a walking shoe. Other than that, I won't buy them again.

I bought my first pair of Kayenta's in mid-March to use as my Tempo Run shoes for marathon training. I run my tempo runs on smooth tarmac and also a wide "trail" that is mostly dirt/crushed gravel. After the 6th run with these shoes on that surface, I noticed that the super soft bottoms would retain the smaller pebbles in the foam. In some cases, the small rocks may have been "sharp" and actually cut the foam and left a hole on the bottom of my shoe. I have used that shoe pair for 12 runs now totaling 120miles. On today's run, I had to stop as I picked up another stone in that hole which put pressure on my foot. It took a few moments to stop and try to dislodge it. Even still, about a month ago, I bought a second pair to use as a casual/walking about shoe. The colored pads on the bottom of this pair are already starting to peel away. It can probably be fixed with some glue, but it is disappointing that I have to fix these shoes so soon into their life. I want to love these shoes for their comfort and overall run performance, but they just won't last.

Bought a pair of these at the recommendation of the local running shop. After two runs the tread was peeling off so I brought them back to exchange them. The new pair started peeling after another two runs. Decided to give up on them and will just use them for non-running activities going forward.

Total Exclusive to Altra for many years with many shoes ran in of theirs. Gave the Kayentas a go twice but the pads followed by the soles peeled off with less than a marathon distance put on them with both pairs. Have seen this personally with fellow runners that had them and see this problem as well with other reviewers. I'm hoping this is not indicative of current and/or future manufacturing quality changes.

These Kayenta shoes are trash. I got a pair, they were falling apart in a week so I had them send a new pair... attributing it to potentially a dud. Now this pair is doing the exact same thing... the bottoms are literally falling apart... and I only use them at work! The road would eat these shoes alive and spit them out. Garbage.

I've been an altra runner for many years having run on various Escalantes and One Vs and have been very happy. There are many positive reviews on the Kayentas, my experience is different. I am an intermediate runner logging between 40 to 50 miles per week. My issues with the Kayentas are with the sole and also the inner liner. The inner shoe has a sock like liner, this allows for a better grip within the shoe but seems to lock in heat, on a warm day it felt as if my feet were overheating. It's still spring here and I can't imagine what it will be like on a hot summer day. The outsole inexplicably has a large hole in the center of each sole, approximately the size of a quarter. This hole extends all the way through the shoe directly to the insole. If you happen to run on even damp grass the moisture/water will absorb through the shoe all the way to your sock which will act like a wick for this water. If you wish to avoid this don't run with this shoe in any kind of wet weather. I'm sorry but altra has lost me on the poor design of this shoe.

I LOVE these shoes. Super comfortable. Super light. However..... I have had to return two pairs after less than two weeks use because part of the soul started falling off. I desperately want these shoes to be better quality. Maybe the next version...