Customer Reviews Altra Superior 5

I've worn Altra exclusively for 8 years... multiple models for road and trail. Overall, the Superior has been a favorite along with the Escalante. The 2 was great if a bit tight across the mid-foot and loose in the fore; the 4 was perfect except for the hard toe; this 5 is too short and the Quantic foam is now too firm.

The half connected tongue wouldn't come close around my foot. Looked great and comfy around the house but I couldn't begin to lace up. Not enough space top to bottom across midfoot.

I love Altra shoes, I've had 5 pairs and have gotten several friends and family members to switch to Altra. This is my first pair of Superiors and I have to say I prefer my Lone Peaks. The tread on these can be downright slippery on packed clay, especially when damp, to the point there I can feel my foot slide with each step while just walking.

I have relatively narrow, straight feet but wanted to try minimal drop shoe that allowed for more toe splay. Normally wear a 9.5 (Brooks, etc) but ordered and returned 2 pairs until I ended up with 10.5. That's slightly bigger than I need but only way to keep toes from being irritated by the rubber toe cap. Even with the wide toe box and longer size, the shoe is extremely snug in the heel and midfoot with very firm, structured sides. My "narrow" forefoot does swim a bit in the wide toe box but the snug heel/midfoot fit and lacing system allows rest of foot to be locked down. The relatively curved last doesn't work for my feet at all so looking at other options with straight last.

I run exclusively in Altras across their whole lineup (road and trail) and love the brand, but the Superior 5 is just too tight in the toebox compared to previous models. Even got them a half-size larger to provide more space but it still ends up jamming me in the front of my toes in a way to other Superior has done. The Superior 4.5 when half-sized up remains a nearly pitch-perfect trail racer, and I really hope Altra returns to that shape, as this is otherwise a fine shoe.

I would give it 5 stars if it were not for the poor lacing design. There's no way to anchor the heel properly without having to tie the laces so tight that they hurt my front ankle. I don't understand why they have to mess with something that has been working well over the years. Please Altra go back to your earlier models for how to design the upper and the laces.

My favorite Altra to date is the MT Kings. They had the firmness and grip that I look for. The Superior 5 is closer than the 4, but the grip is a far cry from what the MTs offered. Bring them back!

Use it for trail running, 50 miles so far. Unlike 3.5 I had before, rubber part in the front presses on the toes from above :( everything else feels great, so will see if this press on toes does any damage...

Is a fine shoe for multiple situations until you get to the wet rocks. Even a semi damp rock will cause you problems. Really missed the vibram rubber soles from the past Mountain Kings.

I originally got these because Altras are sort of labelled as a "wide shoe". Well they felt great for a couple of days and my toes has plenty of width as advertised, but after a day or two I noticed pain in my mid foot where the shoe would squeeze. Its slight and took a while to feel because the upper is so soft and stretchy, but now I cant wear the shoes. These feel like a D width shoe with a EE width toe. Additionally my toes reach all the way to the end of the shoe. It wasn't uncomfortable, but it was noticeable and a little annoying. Half a size larger and they would be perfect but no one makes half sizes past 12. I am debating between trying a full size up and waiting for the wide size Lone Peak and Torins to become available. Oh also, I bought these for daily wear, and even though they say low cushion they are the squishiest shoes I've ever bought. I'm used to normal street shoes and stiff crossfit shoes, and these beat them by a mile. What Altra says is "low cushion" is still plenty comfortable for daily wear.

I've had a half size larger shoe from Altra for three different shoes. Two were Superior 4.0 and one was a Viho. All 10s and were a great fit. I got these and went on two runs with them and had to return. I need a 10.5. Kind of disappointed as I love Altras but I'm starting to see a change with them cutting a few corners trying to reduce material costs to improve margins. I know, I'm in manufacturing and understand it but stop. I'd pay a little more for the right size. I'll get the larger size but make sure you size correctly. I went to a store to try the 4.0 in the past and just assumed they would stay consistent so I bought online. Oh the challenge.

I had the 3 and 4 both in size 10 and they were perfect. The 5 in a size 10 feels way too tight all around. There is more padding in these shoes and they feel and fit like the timp 1.5's. Definitely be careful buying them online especially if you have wide feet and high arches. I'm going to send these back and get 4.5's. Disappointing.

The feel of your shoes can't be beat but god, the color choices are absurd. Use a natural color palette, you could literally take photos of a Utah or Colorado sunset and pull every beautiful color combination you'd ever need to design your shoes. The neons and primaries look like they're designed for children. Shame to see a grown adult in blueberry lime shoes if you ask me. It's all love though, I can't go back after trying zero drop.

I have had 2 pairs of Altras . I like the zero drop and they felt good. Both pairs came apart prematurely. They are too expensive to keep replacing , while most other brands don't come apart. Also 80% of their shoes are just plain ugly. The color combinations are terrible!

I enjoy the ground feel, but that's about it. Horrible traction on almost any terrain (ESPECIALLY wet). Maybe if you just do rail trails, they can be somewhat good, although even on almost any downhill I lack a lot of confidence. And that's also assuming they don't rip on you - Had them for about 2 weeks/25 miles and they are already ripping at the sole (see pic). As a running shoe (let alone a TRAIL running shoe) that is SUPER unacceptable. I used to love the lone peaks and altra quality of even five years ago, but sadly it seems like they are starting to use really cheap parts and bad construction. I would definitely look elsewhere for running shoes, especially at this price tag. Altra, it's sad to see you starting to lack that quality that we all used to love.

Bought 2 months ago, put less then 100miles of gym and hiking time on them and the outer sol is ripped at the seem, disappointed because they fit and worked great.

The overall fit of the shoe is fine, my only issue is that the instep side of the shoe's tongue is integrated with the side of the shoe, so only one side of the shoe opens. I found that if I lace up the shoe tightly for athletic activities involving cuting, the design of the integrated tongue puts pressure on the top of my foot. It feels like it cuts off the circulation to foot and makes my foot feel like it's gone to sleep. I found I can relive the pressure by not lacing the shoe up only loosely. I still wear them, but just for casual wear or walking my dog. I got them on sale and for that purpose so was not a big deal having that limitation. Hopefully Altra will discontinue this design, I have never had this issue with any of their other shoes and I've worn Altra's of of all types for over 10 years.

These shoes looked great, ran great, and they were so comfortable. But they started falling apart within 2 weeks. I would not buy them again sadly.

first the tongue is attached on the side and therefore it does not fit my feet correctly. with a high instep it does not work. also with the inside of shoe all black it makes the shoe very hot to wear.

I've been purchasing Altra for many year and I am getting tired of leaving poor reviews after the company has changed its direction from quality innovations to copycat technology and poor quality manufacturing. The sole on this shoe is pealing off after only couple of months of regular walking. Also, I rotate my shoes so use is at least less than half the time I've owned them. All I want is the Altra of old, High quality, zero drop shoes with the original shape. NOT the current, rhymes with "Choka" look alike shoes or the diluted poor quality version of an Altra classic like the "Escalante." I keep trying to find an Altra shoe to enjoy but keep getting disappointed. I feel sorry for the new Altra customers who don't know what the shoes where like before this new "Soft" "Sock like" no structure, poor quality, copy the other brand direction the company has taken.