Customer Reviews Altra Paradigm 5

I wore them only a few times and my hips are killing me; cannot wear. Would like to return, though I am outside 30 days window. I will accept partial refund.

Really disappointed in the updates to both this and the Torin Plush. First of all the color options are terrible. This was the only half way decent combination, and half way decent is high praise. Contrary to what some designers and consumers seem to think, dulling down a color with gray will not satisfy the person who wants color and the person to chicken to wear any--if someone wants gray, they will gray (I don't understand this person, but whatever) and if they want blue they will get blue. Blue-gray just disappoints both buyers. Secondly, the shoe has way too much cushioning, especially around the ankle. It just adds to the weight and the feeling of being smothered by the shoe without causing any noticeable increase in comfort. I don't know if it is some attempt to compete with other companies, but, like the Torin, this version of the Paradigm has been altered in some way that makes my foot hurt in a vertical line of pain right down the middle of my foot. The longer I run, the worse this pain gets. Finally, this fabric the shoe is made out of does not breath at all--I don't know if its cheaper or what but its terrible and should be discontinued. What happened to the old minimal designs, the breathable knit, the adventurous color combinations? Just another example of a company that seems to be being ruined by is absorption into a larger conglomerate. I only run in Altra, but I am starting to think I might have to give up the square toe box and zero drop to get back breathable, lightweight and stylish. I hope I don't have to, but one more bad run of the Torin or Paradigm (my main two shoes) and I might have no choice.

I was use to wearing flat sock-like shoes. They felt great for a while until I was having problems with my ankles. My doctor told me I needed more cushion and support. I went to a running store and Altra was recommended. When I ordered them they felt great but I noticed the color rubbing off the "guide rail". I ordered this shoe from Altra and in another color from another store. Now I don't expect shoes to not have any wear but for the price that shouldn't happen to a shoe. Since I have a big foot I don't have a lot of options to go into a store and try on shoes. I'll be sending these back and choosing another style.

Doesn't feel right. not a good alternative to discontinued Provision 3

Toe box is too wide and sizing is a full size too big if not more. Durability is weak also, i put 115 miles into a pair and the sole is already burning through. My running felt restricted. Positives are they are very comfy for walking/standing all day.

The Paradigm 5 seems to fit about about a half size bigger than other Altra shoes. For example, I normally wear a size 9 in the Altra Torin, Escalante, and Lone Peak. But my feet are swimming in the Paradigm - my foot slides around a lot and tightening the laces doesn't help enough. I wonder if adding an inner lacing system (similar to the Torin) would fix the sloppy fit? The shoe feels stiff, too, though that could be related to the poor fit.

I love both my Torins and Torins 4.5 Plush model Altras, but do NOT like the Paradigmms at all. Due to flat feet, I pronate a little. In my Torins I use Curexx insoles, which take care of the pronating. Anyway, I decided to try the Paradigms because they are supposed to provide max cushion as well as help with Pronation. However the Paradigms feel like running on a stiff piece of plastic or wood. I think the stabilipods and/or guide rails make the shoes stiff and uncomfortable. I am sticking to the Torins.

I have been deliberate in almost exclusively using these for walking for exercise in my subdivision, and on a trip to Yellowstone with no more than 5 miles on a few trails. No more than 100 miles total on them and the tread is almost gone at the balls of my feet and wearing into the outer sole. This is my third pair of Altras (Torin, Torin Plush and Paradigm). The Torin developed a horrible squeak and was replaced by Altra with the Torin Plush. The Torin Plush tread wore down pretty quickly too, and I bought the Paradigm to replace them. I can't say how many miles I have on the Torin Plush, but it did prompt me to keep track on these. They are extremely comfortable right out of the box, a little narrower in the toe box than either of the Torins. Sadly these are about to be relegated to grocery and mail getters, and the only running they'll do is for errands.

I have a pair of the Paradigm 4.5 in an 11.5. I had an injury and the swelling is down and I don't need a graduated compression stocking anymore so I opted for an 11 (which is probably my accurate shoe size) in the 5.0. Unfortunately I can't wear the new shoes. There is a pressure point at the base of my 5th metatarsal that causes pain. Also, the shoe is squishy soft on the sole- good if you like that but bad if you need support. It feels like the sole of the shoe is a hammock that dips in the middle and is high on each side. I tried different aftermarket insoles but they didn't help at all.

These shoes lasted less than 200 miles of use. Unfortunately, the uppers tore from the sole at the arch, compromising arch support. Customer service called it wear and tear and wouldn't offer any help. Won't be buying these or other Altras for a while as it looks like quality hasn't been upkept in recent years. I used to love my paradigm 4.5s, and escalantes, but 5 years has been enough to depart from running with Altra anymore.

I just tried them on for the first time to play Pickleball. Very disappointed with the fitting. I can always rely on my size being 10.5 after buying many Altra shoes, but these feel much too loose. Have returned them

The foot position and overall luck was totally wrong for me. I returned them the following day after they arrived and I'm still waiting for a refund

Tread is cheap broke down in one month of treadmill running. Started having toe problems. Not good for pronation.

I've been running in Altra shoes for a while now and I think this might be my last pair I ever buy. Altra shoes used to be the absolute best fitting, most comfortable, and durable shoes. Now they rank amongst the worst I've run in. I ran my first few miles in these today and I might as well have been running on cardboard soles. So disappointing to see the design and quality go down the drain on such a great zero drop shoe. Problem is there are very few if any other brands with a zero drop and wide toe box. Go back to the Altra roots please for goodness sake.