Customer Reviews Altra Paradigm 4.5

The great cushioning makes me feel like I'm running on pillows, and that helps me a lot. I have a 35-year-old foot and ankle injury that still plagues me, and extra cushioning enables me to run far even with the long-standing issue. I have run a marathon and many 20+ mile training runs in them (actually, the 4.0). The stability is something that seems to help me, particularly on longer runs (I've tried in shoes without stabilization, and have a much harder time). I like them so much, I bought a second pair, and I wore Paradigm 3.0 for an earlier marathon. On the negative side, the outer sole is thin, and I have needed to use shoe goo to patch all 3 of them after running roughly 130 miles. (I have the same problem with Hokas, but not with Asics or New Balance.) Secondly, the raised letters on the stabilipods are sharp, and my ankles got sliced up every run by them until I covered them with duct tape, and then when the duct tape kept falling off, I took a grinder to them to remove the letters. That fixed the problem quite well.

I am a low mileage runner and nurse that is on my feet all day . I have been a huge Altra Torrin fan for years but recently bought these bc I liked the look of the shoe. Big mistake for me while they are truly max cushioned but the shoe fit huge on my foot and I'm a true 13 with super wide fit. This caused a lot of instability and slippage on my heel. I returned and will stick with what I know from now on.

Shoe feels great while running. I have less than 150 miles on my pair and the tread is already gone. My Timp 1.5 were the same. The King MT's, long live the tread. 200 miles on them bad boys and plenty more to come. Must be a rubber thing. I would expect a shoe to last much longer for the price.

Hey all...So running in these about three weeks (~15 times). I have liked the Paradigm in the past since I am bone on bone on one knee. I have converted to a mid-striker also. The problem is the tread life. I have already worn down to the foam, so time to Shoe Goo. It is a small inconvenience, but one folk should be aware of when purchasing...Ciao

This is my 6th pair of Altra shoes and my 2nd pair of Paradigms. I love this brand and would give a rating of 5 stars but having to re-tie my shoes 6 times during a 5 mile run is quite annoying (no exaggeration). I thought is was just a problem with my first pair but it continued with my second. I don't pay money to have to double knot road shoes. Also, the laces are a bit too long for my liking.

I bought these shoes to help me with my over pronation. I have extremely flat and wide feet. I wear these on the trail. I know this isn't a trail shoe but the cushioning makes my arches hurt very bad. They are better than brooks but they are taking sometime to get used to. It's a light duty shoe probably just going to use it walking. Love the toe box and upper mesh portion of the shoe but the Cushing isn't meant for the trail.

For context I've been running in the Timp 1.5, LP 4, Superior 4 and Escalante 1.5 since last winter (varying slightly with actual model releases). While they all have their minor oddities they've all performed well for their uses (especially the Timps in which I've run 40 mile and 50k races) and fit comfortably for the long haul. I average between 50-60 miles per week spread between trail and road. Planning on running a 40 mile road run in February which has had me in search of an Altra road model that can take some miles so I tried on the Torin Plush, bought and returned the Provision 3.5 and am about to return these Paradigm 4.5 all for the same reason... The toe box width in the current Altra road models seems to have gotten as narrow as the average running shoe. The Paradigm 4.5 specifically seems to be a really great shoe-the EGO mid-sole feels responsive even at this thickness. It transitions surprisingly well through the foot-strike for it's size and the mesh upper does a good job of locking down the mid-foot. The only problem is that after 2 miles the outside of my feet go numb because of their narrowness. Please Altra focus on consistency between your trail and road model fits-hopefully by making the road shoe toe boxes the same width as the trail models since those seem to still embody the original design intent of the company.

This is a great shoe for cushioning and support on longer runs on roads and less technical trails. Pros : great cushioning, good support, good weight considering cushion/support Cons ; the knit upper loses shape and support, knit upper holds moisture and gets heavy as it gets wet (ie rain, puddles, sweat) Overall the shoe has gotten loose and sloppy as the knit upper stretched ; its essentially unusable for all except the slowest runs ;-(

I've owned these shoes for a year or two now. I bust 'em out whenever I plan on running more than 12 miles, forgetting how much I swore them off last run. Without fail, I begin to develop blisters on the inside bottom of my feet after mile marker 3. I've tried thick wool socks to thinnest ankle socks. Nothing prevents the rubbing from vertical fabric sewn in the midfoot, which seems to serve no/minimal purpose.

I only put 60 miles in this shoe so far and the rubber part of the heels and sides of the shoe have completely tore off. Used to be my go-to shoe but now the quality is terrible and not worth the money.

Altra has lost its mind. Paradigm 2 toe box was great. Ever since then, I can't wear Paradigms...rub callouses on my feet.

Sloppy over-size fit, intrusive guide rails force a unnatural gate and ruin what is otherwise a cushioned shoe with a generous heel. My back was killing me after 1 day's wear. Definitely not a shoe for those with low arches. My first Altra return.

I wanted to love this shoe so bad, but it doesn't love me back.. The fit is just not right in the arch area right behind the ball of my foot. It was rubbing my foot the wrong way and caused a blister. I love the cushioning of the shoe, but not having blisters is more comfortable.

I've been buying Altra's since day one due to plantar fasciitis. I always had at least two pair at a time for running and around town. These new 4.5's are terrible. Not sure why the design was changed. I hate the laces design. They feel like a completely different shoe. I'm hoping Altra goes back to the 3 design. I've been exploring other brands to see if I can find something more like the 3's. Literally have brought over 20-30 pairs of Altras and this is the worst design ever.

Been running in Altras for 6+ years. This is the first Altra that I have ever had fitment issues with. The toebox has narrowed considerably, the mid-foot is tight, and the heel cup is way too loose. I had to stop during my first run 3x to loosen the laces from the forward section, up to the top because either side of my feet were really sore. The top 2 holes of the lacing system in Altras past have been offset enough to add the lace loop for heel lockdown, but these aren't spaced correctly for that any longer. Instead, you try to crank the top down to lock in the heel more, and the rest of the laces pull tightly at the same time. I really had hoped that the new company was going to leave the designs, and tried and true reasons that Golden started this company with and not change, but it seems that we are out of luck. Sad to see these changes and would hope that someone in charge would read through these new ratings on the website.

I don't know how a shoe can feel a half size too big and a half size too small at the same time. Your feet swim in the heel collar, get crushed through the mid-foot and get pinched in the toe box. I'm on my second pair after returning the first pair for durability issues on the wear of the lateral sole wearing away. Although the first pair was comfortable to run in and responsive, the second pair is like running on rocks. The mid-sole is so firm that it's uncomfortable to run in for more than 10 miles. Also, the top of the toe box outer is reinforced with a stiffer material. This ends up pinching the outside of your foot and causes blisters. Skip this version and hopefully they can fix it for the 5

I intended these to be every day shoes, I try to walk 10,000 steps a day. I have had bunion issues, and plenty of toe room is important to me; Altra brand was recommended by a podiatrist. Fit is good, but after a few months the left footbed developed a really annoying squeak/crunch with every step. I'm not trying to be a Ninja, but I don't see that every step I take has to be loud and annoying. I guess these will need to become garden shoes, I don't notice the noise then. I agree with another comment I saw, laces are too long, so long that it makes it dangerous that you might step on loops.

I've never had blisters in a shoe before. I'm a typical Brooks Adrenaline, Asics GT series and Saucony Guide runner. 6'0" 155 lbs. I wanted to try something different. I had a little bit of a hard time getting the heel locked in but ran in them anyway. I love the zero drop and my legs felt great. It was my feet right at the beginning of the arch behind the ball of my big toe that the skin was starting to tear. I returned the shoes after one run. I'm not sure what the deal is there. I've never experienced that in another shoe. I'll give Altra another try with the Provision now that it has guide rails.

I run and walk and stand all day with these shoulds and the lateral part of my foot becomes numb. The foot shape on these shoes is nowhere near the others I have had and I'm not sure why. Having to return them and these are the second pair of shoes I've have had to return. Very unfortunately because the concept of the no heel rise and foot shape is so great.

I'm a long time Altra customer and have probably worn every model of Torin ever produced. I decided to try the MEN'S PARADIGM 4.5 since they use the same cushion as the Torin but have a style that I find more appealing. Unfortunately these are the most uncomfortable Altras I have ever worn. Both shoes pinch badly at the mid-foot and they are physically uncomfortable and unwearable. I will continue to purchase Torins but these will get donated to a men's shelter.

Disappointed. Feels like I am slipping on a cardboard box with a sock laced on. I liked the old version 3, so I got the 4.5 and now I repeatedly cut my ankle with the lettering on the heel. I will certainly remember to never buy "stabilipod" again. The lacing doesn't start and end where it should and the mid foot area is sloppy. Heel is ok, toe box is good except that there should be more toe protection. Also, the sizing changed, I had to get 1/2 size smaller than ver3. Cushion isn't as good as I expected, shoe seems flat now, not curved. I tried on the lone peak also, which fits much much better, but not a road shoe, not highly cushioned. So, not sure I'll buy an Altra road shoe again..maybe won't buy Altra again at all. :(

I switched to Altra years ago, both road and trail shoes, specifically because of the wider toebox compared to other running shoes. I've run road marathons, trail ultras, you name it in them and loved them. Just had my first run in my new pair of Paradigm 4.5s and I am so disappointed. It was pretty much just as narrow as any other brand out there. And doing some research online it seems this isn't the only model to have been changed to a slimmer profile. I don't know why you would veer away from the main feature a lot of people choose your shoes, but here we are. Unless they go back to the old ways with next year's model, can't see myself continuing to run in Altras. Which is a shame because I used to recommend these shoes to everyone.

I have had several pairs of Altras and always have to get 1/2 size larger as they run small-but not the Paradigm. In the same size as the Torin, Torin Plush, Timp & Olympus they feel about 1 full size larger than my feet. They are comfortable but very sloppy in the forefoot. After 1 month of wearing them to walk my dog (about 2-3 mi/day) they were worn through on the outside of the heels. Now after 2 months they are worn out on the outside of the forefoot & I am walking on the outsides of my feet with knee pain. The Paradigm 4.5 are the sloppiest and quickest to wear out of all the Altras I have ever owned & throwing them out after only 2 months!