Customer Reviews Altra Provision 4

I have been running in the Altra Provisions for a long time, maybe the 1.5 model. I still have the I run 6 half marathons a year and have done them in different Provision models. The current model causes knee pain with in the first 6 miles of a run and are not that comfortable and they lasted less than 200 miles. The old versions I never had an issue with and have model 2.0, wear them around town as I have retired them from running. The old versions were not broken, so please bring them back. I need the stability and the miles per shoe. It was not broken so don't fix it. try asking your customers what they would like to see changed, not just a few of your running/racing team

I really like the Torin, but liked the sound of "Dynamic Stability" on the Provision for long runs--so I was hoping this was just a Torin with a guide rail, but it's not. Unfortunately, the Provision feels like it has new technology for the sake of the technology, not so much for runner comfort. The cushioning was much more firm than the Torin, and I have no idea what the bumps are on the insole, but they irritated my feet (maybe some people find that feeling invigorating/massaging? Not sure). Anyway, I went back to get the Torin and they only had the 4.5 Plush at the store, but so far so good with it.

I really wanted to like the shoe. I'm normally a Brooks runner with 20-25 miles a week and a forefoot strike and really wanted to switch over to zero drop. The foot shape was great and I feel like it had just the right amount of cushioning. However, the arch support was pretty much nonexistent. I tightened down the laces as much as I could stand so that the cinching would work, but it still didn't quite do with the traditional arch support could.

I was hoping to get a lot more miles out of these shoes, but wearing them is just too expensive. It took me way too long to troubleshoot the cause for a few pair of balega socks suddenly developing holes. It wasn't until I replaced those socks with new ones, and those had holes in the heels that my entire heel could stick out of within a few weeks of getting them that I realized my Altra Provision 4s were to blame. I am still unsure of which part of the design that let me down, but I do know that these shoes pick up loose gravel from the ends of driveways way to easy. Just this morning, on my final run with these gravel eaters, I picked up a rock, that I could feel with each step but couldn't pull out. It stayed with me the entire run (it took pliers to remove the rock, that's how far up into the foam it embedded itself). The soft foam just sucks up those tiny rocks and doesn't let them go, and removing the rocks just leaves tiny holes which help the shoes pick up more rocks on the next run and allow even smaller rocks to get into the inside of the shoe too. Which leads me to my next complaint, I have also been finding tiny rocks getting stuck under the little internal sock liner, just below the insole-insert. My guess is that it was a combination of rocks under the insoles and rocks being embedded in the bottoms of the shoes that destroyed 4 good pair of socks over the course of a few months

I'm super bummed. The past versions of the provision (2 and 3) were my favorite running shoes I've ever owned. Went through 5 pairs of them; there is no other running shoe I can say that for. Totally bummed to get these and realize that they are fundamentally different. Really hoping Altra releases something more similar to the old ones.

Long time fan of Altra, been through half a dozen shoes over the years. I'm a big boy (300lbs) and love the wide toe box and flat shoe, but these shoes "collapsed" on the outside within the first three months of just casual wear. No running. Just walking and time on the field (football coach). Now I roll out bad. The uppers and everything else look great. Can't hardly wear them now. Shame, because they look good and look like they'd stand up to my fat butt, but alas....

The Provision 4.0 is NOT like the older Provision models. The sole has less give, and it's clunker, and the new internal lace system is bulky and reduces stability. I tried these shoes for 100 miles...hoping against hope that I could just break them in, but they never improved. I finally gave up after experiencing ankle pain. I love Altra's toe box and zero drop, so I'll have to find another model. As for the Provision, unless Altra reworks the newer model to be more like the older model, I'm done.

I owned four pairs of the last model. I absolutely loved them! This years, however, is a different story. The weird lacing "fingers" that come across the top of the foot are horrible. It makes the shoe fit different, makes it more difficult to loosen the laces, and the middle one pulls out of the retention strap and doesn't slide back into the shoe like it should. I have no clue why Altra decided to mess with this. The shoe fits like it should and still serves the purpose it is intended for. Overall, very disappointed.

I loved the feel of these, but the laces do not have an anchor across the top of the tongue, so the tongue constantly falls to the side changing the way your foot is supported. No one wants to constantly straighten the tongue of their shoe every twenty minutes because it gets lodged sideways in the shoe.

I wrote a review on this shoe and it didn't get posted. I tried these out as my first Altra road shoes, slid on one and knew I couldn't wear them. It seemed like it wanted to squeeze my entire arch and mid foot like a python. My foot didn't feel like it had room even up at the toes.

This used to be my favorite shoe EVER. Then the Provision 4 came out and things went downhill. The shoe feels like it's cut on a narrower last and the new tongue system is horrible. I will have to try a new style or maybe a different brand altogether. Very sad, I had turned a lot of friends and family onto Altra.

These are the worst pair of running shoes I've ever purchased. The lace up system is ridiculous. It's been a year and I've only worn them a few times. Waste of money!

Comfortable, although very poor quality for expensive shoe. I walk in mine in the office 2x's week, never ran, or hiked in these. Right side began tearing due mesh touching rubber on one shoe near little toe. I'm not satisfied. I did write the customer service and they asked me to do way too much stuff. I did sent them pics. We'll see what they do. Another brand is definitely where I'm going next. Thanks

I've worn about half a dozen Provision 3s and 3.5s for several marathon training cycles. I was excited to try this one though it was clearly changed substantially. No matter how they were laced my heels slipped. It seemed they tried to trim wherever they could but the back is too low and doesn't cup the heel. I tried a heel lock and still no luck. Just to be clear I'm a wide in some shoes. I don't have narrow feet and all the other Provisions fit so well. I returned these and bought an older model but those are starting to disappear in my size. Please Altra, listen to others. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

I have been running in Provisions since the first one at launch. This is by far the worst ... I have no idea why shoe companies change shoe designs, just to change. Do you even look at comments and sales for a given shoe version ? If people are buying it and the comments are good, just leave it alone for goodness sakes! I really loved several of the previous models, but this one is really trash. I love Altra and want to continue to buy shoes here .... but another flop like this ..

I am an older runner that has run in the Provision since the first model. Pronation prevention was the main attraction in a shoe that has zero drop and room for my toes. These shoes, relying on proprioception in regards to the arch, have no pronation prevention. Please bring back the previous design, and if you tweak that with a small amount (not Paradigm level) of cushion you will have a perfect shoe for overpronators. Thank you.

I've been wearing provisions since they came out and this shoe looks and feels good. I actually love the rippled bottom and the feeling on my feet. However the upper lace eyelet is detached so it can try and wrap the foot. The issue is the thick pad which is painful while running. I've tried everything to adjust it and even move the tongue to the side so it doesn't make contact with my foot. Unfortunately I have to try to return the shoes and look for a provision replacement.

My first run my heel rubbed the stability plate causing a blister on both heels. I tried changing the lacing up and the shoe string broke. This is my 4th pair of altras, i was really surprised. Im going to give them one more try then decide if i need to find another shoe

I loved the last three versions of the Provision. I've been wearing the Provision exclusively for 3 years. They all provided awesome stability. Unfortunately, the Provision 4 is more narrow through the heel and much more flexible. The lack of stability is a no go for me. Also not a fan of the lace tabs and floating tongue.

I've worn Provisions as my everyday shoe for three years now. I need a stability shoe. Unfortunately, the completely redesigned Provision 4 no longer provides the stability I need. The heel support is completely gone. The lace tabs (not sure what else to call them) significantly reduce the upper support because one side of the upper is no longer connected to the other side. The tongue now creeps out of position within minutes. The sole has been narrowed at the heel and allows my foot to roll to both the inside and the outside providing zero stability. The deep heel cup feel from every Provision model I've worn including the 2.5, 3.0 and 3.5 is completely gone. Needless to say I'm looking for a new everyday show.

I never leave reviews but this stuff is getting old. This shoe is a comfortable and great looking shoe, BUT when you actually take a step they literally come right off your heel. I have 8 pairs of Altra shoes and I'm noticing things are going straight down hill in the last year or so. The last pair I bought and also sent back had such an unbelievably uncomfortable heel that it dug into my skin. Come on Altra, get it together. It's like you guys don't even try these things on before you release them. People are sadly going to start looking at other shoe companies if you don't get it together quickly.

Altra seems to be narrowing their shoes. The last two pair I have received have been extremely narrow. I loved the Torin 4 and tmp 1.5 but these are way more narrow