Customer Reviews Altra Rivera

Full disclosure: I have one run in my Riveras, but I enjoyed every step. The shoe is super comfortable, responsive, and the outsole is outstanding. It's a really, really good shoe. But is it an Altra? I'm not so sure. Altra has changed, and I'm afraid it has left its original fanbase behind. I used to make fun of the bellyachers in these reviews who were seeing the end of Altra in their foot-shaped tea leaves. But, I have to admit that they were right. The Foot Shape toe box is all but gone. Don't be surprised if the next thing they cut is the zero drop platform. (The picture included compares it to a Torin 4.5 plush, which was already a step in the wrong direction for many of you.) I like the Rivera a lot, but I think it represents a sea change for the brand. Only time will tell if it's for the best.

I've been running in Escalante Racers for years (up to 30 miles) and they've been great, but I needed a shoe with a little more cushion and support for days when I was sore, tired or just wanted more support. The Torins are just not a good looking shoe and the Torin Plush (which I have) are just too much shoe. Introduce the Rivera. The Rivera gives me support, cushion (but not too much) and all the features I expect from Altra. I love the Rivera. Highly recommend. I have them in majolica blue, size 9.5.

First, counter to some of the reviews below this shoe IS foot shaped. Fits my foot like a glove. This is the goldilocks shoe of the lineup. The Escalante Racer is a bit firmer and snappier, the Torin Plush is "plusher", but the Rivera strikes the perfect balance between the two. A bit more stable than the regular Escalante with a better transition (heck I think the Escalante Racer also transitions better than the Escalante). Perfect do-it-all shoe and may end up being my marathon shoe in November! Such a comfortable shoe at all paces.

Doesn't feel like an altra. Way too narrow. Go back to the original sizes.

The Rivera is a very standard running shoe. The expansive toe box is gone -- they almost feel wider in the midfoot foot than the fore foot. They are fine on shorter runs and the cushion is fantastic. That being said, these are nothing like the Torin 4 or LP. (I bought them to replace my aging Torins.) I'd almost certainly get blisters on the outside of my foot/little toe if I took these to the church of the long run. They are an "average" cushion shoe. To me, they feel no different than a Brooks Ghost, Asics Kayono, Nike Pegasus etc. I also feel like I supinate in them a bit more than the Torin, but that could just be the new foam. Totally plausible that the shoe is a similar width inside, but if so, the way it is sewn makes it feel cramped.

The Rivera is more of a higher mileage racer. It has a much more firm (not plush), rigid (not flexible) sole than the both my Escalante 2.5 and my Torin 5. That firm, rigid sole with a slight toe rocker makes it more like my Escalante Racer, but with a touch more cushion. The Rivera is great for higher cadence race pace and tempo runs. It will be my race shoe for anything over a half marathon, and might get used for an occasional half marathon. If I want more flexibility to help build foot strength, I use my Escalante 2.5. If I want to go long slow miles where I will have much longer ground contact time, I use my Torin 5. If I want to go faster and roll with a higher cadence, I wear my Rivera. They serve their purpose in my rotation. Current at 136 miles and the quality of construction looks to be better than many of my other Altras. Fit might be slightly more narrow than some other models, but as more of speed/race shoe, it should be slightly more snug to prevent that ankle roll from sloppy fitting shoes. Lace up the Rivera and let that cadence roll!

FINALLY, an Altra more tailored for long, skinny feet. Even the Escalante toe box was overkill for me and the shoe "bunched up" when the laces were pulled tight. Now this is almost gone and I still have all the advantages of Altra that have spoiled me for other shoes. You folks with normal feet have no idea what some of us deal with. Don't change or discontinue this shoe as you so often do, and I'll be a customer for life.

Long time Altra user. I love the escalante and last year I used the torin for marathon training. I have worn the Rivera on several runs and I love it. It is still foot shaped and I had no problems with the width. And I have big, wide feet. The cushioning is perfect. A little more than the escalante. I think it's better than the torin because it has the extra cushioning but still feels fast! It's the best of both worlds! Thank You, Altra.

Since the VF Imagewear acquisition, Altra has focused more on aesthetics than its actual customers. The wide toe box is all but gone. First they killed the wide toebox with the Timp 2. Now they create a new shoe that has a toe box virtually indistinguishable from any pair of Nikes or Saucony's. Your pinky toe will be cramped, guaranteed. I have no idea if the rest of this shoe was any good, because it went right back in the box after the first try on. We buy Altras for the zero drop and the wide toe box first and everything else second. There are hundreds of other shoe brands that already focus on function following form. If Altra joins the ranks of the "me too" brands, we will just go elsewhere.

Outsole is too soft. That, in turn with a wide fit reduces my traction and responsiveness when working out.

OK shoe to replace the Escalante. But a horrible replacement for the Torin. Too narrow. Feels like any other shoe. Why does Altra have to mess with the very best road shoe ever, the Torin 4.0? Why? Altra is so concerned with mass appeal they seem to be moving away from what made them unique. Bad move.

I wanted to love this shoe, but the toe box feels like a regular shoe from one of those "other" brands. The shape of this shoe totally defeats the purpose of buying a natural foot shape shoe. Color was awesome, cushion seemed good, but my foot was cramped in the toe box. I'll stick with the Escalante's all day long.

If someone else comes out with shoes that are shaped like a normal human healthy foot(anatomically correct, footBed and Oblique-Biomechanical toebox-ergonomically correct) To a normal human healthy foot. I may have to leave Altra.

I use 4 Altra shoes, the Escalante Racer for workouts, the Torin 5 for recovery and easy long runs, and the Escalante 2.5 and Rivera for daily trainer duties. I find the Rivera to be a great shoe for my midweek runs when I'm a bit beat up from my workout but still have a 90 minute run with a bit of speedwork on the schedule, or when I have an easy 60 minute run but don't need the soft, squishy Torin. The Torin is a bit too soft for the speedwork and the Rivera I find more forgiving on tired legs than the Escalante. Great shoe! I have almost 400 miles on my shoes, they've held up well!

Don't listen to the haters. Make your own decision. Just pop a pair on and run. These are muy responsive, light and fast.

My favorite shoe of all time. Previously ran in the Torin 4. It was good but the Rivera is much improved! Reminds me of a Saucony Kinvara of old that has a perfect size toe box. Not to small but not too big. Hope to see more Altra fit similar!

Using for daytime walking and running. Cushion is nice and the tread on the bottom is grippy. Mesh is breathable and not terribly stiff. Sizing and width work for me. Not narrow or inaccurately sized.

Excellent shoe. Fits custom orthoses easily. Lightweight. Perfect structure and cushion balance. Highly recommend.

I purchased the size 9 men's Rivera, even though I'm a woman. The women's size 10 was a little snug in the toe area, and the 10 1/2 was way too big. I found the men's size 9 Rivera fit me perfectly even with thick socks. It's an excellent shoe with a lot of cushioning for pavement walking.

Went to try these on at REI and it was an instant love connection. One of the most natural and comfortable fits I've ever felt in a running shoe. 10/10 recommend. Also, Altra, this shoe is an absolute winner! Don't change it! :)

I've been running in Escalantes for the last few years, they were great but a little bit sloppy and unstructured. Loved them anyway, especially because of the Ego foam (Which is also the reason I bought my King Mtn 1.5s which I LOVE!) and was going to buy a new pair as my annual running shoe purchase. Saw the information and reviews of the Rivera and decided to give them a try. Best running shoes I've ever owned! The only shoes that came close were the Adidas Supernova Glide 8s. Perfect combination of cushioning, comfort and solidity/seriousness. Can't recommend them enough. BTW, my 10th pair of Altras overall, thanks for what you do.