Customer Reviews Altra Rivera

I love Altra! They are the best fitting shoes I have found after decades of searching and made running more enjoyable for me. I have tried many models to find the right one for me. If you need just a little more from the Escalante and the Torin is too much, the Rivera is just right. They also provide a nice balance between the Escalante (road) and Superior (trail). The Rivera combines the heel stability of a trail shoe and the flexibility of a road shoe. I can snug up the heel in these with butterfly lacing and still have the comfort of a knit forefoot. The foot shape is consistent with that of their other models so if you know your Altra size, they should fit. I will order these again. Note to Altra: I'm giving these four stars because of the shoe laces. Put longer laces in your women's shoes. Just to have the length to tie the shoe, I have to skip two sets of eyelets, which makes the eyelets bulge. Plus, the tounge slips to the outside, but doesn't bunch up uncomfortably like in the Escalante -- does the tounge move because I can't use all the eyelets? Your heel cup is still too loose for my narrow heel and the toe box just a little bit too tight in the midfoot V-shaped foot. Both the fit and laces are consistent issues with each pair I buy. Also, Altra, please make your website easier tell the difference between models - the jargon is too much to decipher even when you use the compare feature.

I was excited to get back to Altra, as I had started with them when the first generation Torins came out many years ago. Gradually the brand kept getting wider with too much fabric bunch up at the toe. I heard about these so decided to give them a try after a hiatus from Altra. Not too thrilled with them for 2 reasons. 1. this isn't the deal breaker but what's with Altra and the cheap shoelaces? That hasn't changed since the beginning of their shoe line . 2. This is the dealbreaker - the shoe lace hole positions on the shoe and the shoe tongue just don't align well, giving the sensation of the shoelace "strangling" the front area of your foot. Even if you try and use the extra hole, it does not improve the situation. See the photo. Altra has always has a very weird shoelace hole position on the sneaker and it feels more apparent in this shoe. I'm extremely picky about the feel of my running shoes so maybe not everyone will pick up on this.

Die hard Escalante fan here - can confirm the Rivera runs narrow for Altra, but it remains wider in the toe than even a wide from traditional brands. It makes a great first-time Altra, and not gonna lie, the sheer amount of bouncy EGO foam might just convert me.

I absolutely love this shoe. This is my fourth pair of Altra's but this is the best. At 75 years of age, my arch has fallen. My second toes are longer than my big toes and they tend to rub the top of my shoe, turning my toenails black and eventually falling off. I purchased a half size larger and with the excellent arch support, I've had no issues. I find myself reaching for them every morning whether I'm out for my three mile walk or just moving around.

First things first: I've not taken these out for a run yet so I'll share another review soon but I did want to share my initial thoughts as folks are out there considering the Rivera. Okay: DEFINITELY size up at least a half size. That's what I did and I wonder if a full size would even suit me as these are definitely not as wide in the toe box as we'd all like from our Altras. Anyone who couldn't quite get down with the Escalante because it doesn't feel structured enough? You're gonna' love the Rivera! It's super similar in the upper (in other words, wicked comfy and feels like a sock) yet somehow affords much more support to lock your foot in. If you're a Torin fan as I am, this is a lighter shoe that I anticipate taking out for shorter, speedier, spicier workouts. I love the old Kayenta and I see this as the in-between of the Kayenta and the Torin (will confirm after I run in these but after a walk that's how they're feeling). Some folks are saying they're not into the cushy tongue but I dig it! Especially since the new Torin has that gnarly tongue that looks like it's cutting folks' up. A major bummer. If you're a person who is on your feet a lot (I know a lot of nurses and other professionals who move a lot like Altras) who is looking for something cushy and lightweight to wear to work, I also think you'll dig this shoe. I can see this being great for folks who like to walk as well. Enjoy!

I love this shoe! I am a paradigm loyalist but gave these a shot and have been surprised by how much I love these! Lightweight, super responsive off the ground and great fit! These have become my go-to shoes for quick days!!

Great fit and support. Very cushioned, just like I want them to be. Looks narrow, in comparison to your traditional Altra, but once you put the on, the toe box space is good. They do run small, so I got half a size bigger. They look great!

Nice light shoe and the toe area seems great, typical of all my Altra. The heel area was very slippery and I had a lot of slippage which caused my heel to bruise for a couple weeks. White color with neon trim bled all over the sneaker during my only run in the sneakers, it was drizzling so based on heel slippage and discoloration I don't recommend. I run 3 to 4 times a week for 4 miles on packed dirt trail for reference. I much prefer the Escalante but was looking for just tinier toe box.

I have been working towards getting back into regular running since having a baby about 5 months ago. I'm the past, long runs have destroyed my toes hitting the top of my shoes. That has been fixed with the ability for my toes to lay naturally in the shoe. I love how light they are in my feet. I have broken them in slowly but feel good going longer now. The style of the shoe is awesome too. I love the colors and design so much more than others I have seen in the past. I definitely recommend this to anyone looking for a comfortable shoe that will go the distance.

This is a very comfortable shoe but there are some minor issues that Altra needs to improve. The shoelaces are ridiculously short and can hardly be tied so I will need to replace those. The neon insole also bled pink all over the tops of my shoes when I sweat in them. I know that's purely a superficial issue but it's worthy of mention that the shoe will ruin its own color with strange pink bleed throughs. I haven't tried to wash them but I doubt it could ever be white again. Choose a different color!

I wear 10 1/2, but 11 fits great.

Love this running shoe. Im a big fan of the wide toe box and have been running in Escalante for a few years. I have a pair of Torins which I use when I need more cushion on my run but really wanted something in between the two of them for longer runs when I wanted more cushion than Escalante but not quite as much as the Torin . I found that in Rivera. Ran 10 miles in them the second time I wore them. They are the perfect blend of cushioning with a wide toe box and still a light shoe. I love the Rivera . I agree shoelaces are short but not a big deal to get a new pair or laces for them

I'm really digging how light and flexible the shoe is while also providing a nice amount of cushion. I lean towards shoes that have good ground feel and typically that means they're quite firm with good responsiveness (like the Escalante Racers) but I can see these being great for my easier days where I want a bit less of a jolt to my musculoskeletal system. I love how they DON'T feel like I have marshmallows or yoga blocks under my feet though. Plus it's my favorite color!

Having been a Torin fan for years, I tried these out. Love them! They are very light, responsive, and quiet. I was afraid I'd feel every pebble on the dirt/stone roads, but I don't; the Riveras are very comfortable and protect my feet.

I bought these mostly for standing and walking all day at work. My feet had been killing me, and even after 2-3 days, I noticed significant improvement. Best shoe decision I've ever made! I'm a size 8 normally but went 8.5 and it's perfect!!

so comfortable, light weight. I want them in a different color as well.

Altra gave me this product to try and since receiving them and running in them couple of times I tend to grab these shoes for speed, interval training days. They are very light with providing support and comfort for the landing of your feet. It has helped me see my performance increase as I'm gradually getting faster. I enjoy my speed workout days because I know these shoes help me feel like I'm running on clouds but also feels barefoot! Thank you !

Very comfy, light and responsive. Loved them. Had no idea washing them would turn my used-to-be-white shoes purple, though . I will stick with black color next time!

I like the idea of having a toebox width in-between Altras and standard shoes, but these are sized way short. Got my usual size and my toes were right against the outsole rubber, felt like a full 2 sizes too short. I'll Stick with my Escalantes