Customer Reviews Altra Torin 5

I use my Altras for strictly running. I have a few pairs of the Torin 4.5 Plush but I had saw with the 5.0 they had upgraded the cushion. The extra cushion was noticeable and very nice but it appears that the material of the shoe tongue has changed. On my 4.5 Altras the shoe tongue is of soft material, on the 5.0 it is a very stiff like material. I wear no show and low rise running socks which did not go well with the stiff material. It dug into the front of my ankle and I even tried to move the tongue around a bit during my runs thinking that would work but it did not. I ended up with water blisters and gouges on the front of my ankle area. I really wish that they would not have changed the material because as i said the cushion in the shoe is very comfortable. For a person that does not wear no show or low rise running socks it may not be an issue.

The description lists the 5 as 28mm but it feels more like a the road version. The 4.5 plush is supposed to be the same height as the 5.0. Maybe it's an error in the description because this feels the same as the 4.5 running shoe. Usually the shock absorption takes a few months to wear down but I felt a difference within 24 hours this time. I use the Torin for an every day shoe due to back problems, not as a running shoe, so the tongue didn't bother me much. I just loosened the shoestrings to accommodate for extra room. Altra, More black white navy and grey color options PLEASE. Do away with the weird tongue. Go back to the 2.5, 3.0 and 3.5 designs with Abound and Innerflex which had the best shock absorption and lasted longer than any of the other models.

Very saddened by the Torin 5 tongue design. It's stiff and digs into your leg as you walk/run. Have always loved this shoe and so I'm very disappointed that I will have to find a new solution

A major shoe company site is replete with images of bloody ankles because of their poor tongue design. Enough said, mine looked the same. Unbelievable. Otherwise a great shoe. So sad.

Some history to understand my rating and perspective: I have been wearing Altras since 2013/2014. I think the model of the Torin I miss the most is the original Torin 4. I bought at least eight pairs. I used them for everything. Walking, running, general activities, etc. I have also purchased the first plush and the Torin 4.5 Plush. The Torin 4 had this perfect blend of support, cushioning and responsiveness I have not felt in any other shoe. They felt like they were made for my feet. It did not tout arch support but there was something in its design that perfectly cradled my arch. I have found this "feeling" in the Lone Peak 5 but that is where the commonality stops. The Torin 4.5 Plush is okay. I got used to it but it feels flimsier than the original Torin 4. There was a slight structure to the Torin 4 that helped keep the shoe just where it needed to be. I was very excited for the Torin 5 and will keep working with them, but am disappointed. As others have commented, the blisters I have developed from the tongue are like nothing I have ever experienced. I tried to use band-aids where the tongue meets my ankle, but on a long run, they just fall off. I decided to trim the tongues with scissors but am still having weird rubbing. Also, the Torin 5 is lacking the slight structure the Torin 4 had. I notice my foot moves around in the shoe just a little too much. It is as though the placement of the arch area is slightly too far forward. I do not think this is improper shoe sizing, as I have experimented with different sizes and models of Altras. It feels more about the overall design of the shoe and where the foot naturally wants to sit. Thank you for taking the time to read this and I hope it helps you.

I love everything about this shoe except for the tongue. While most shoes have a tongue with an inward curve & padding, this one points up and has NO padding so it cuts into the top of the foot leaving marks and pain. Socks don't help and bandaids don't work. I've only had these 2 weeks and am thinking about returning them. Right now I'm wearing them for short walks and everyday usage. I bought them for a trip to Paris where we will walk 30,000 steps per day. Ugh. (Size 12 Gray/Coral) Fix this for the next Torin, please!

I agree with others that the design and material of the tongue were terrible decisions. Like many, I actually endured the rubbing to the point of bleeding. I chose to cut the top of the tongue off where it changes to the padded material, but I should not have to do that on shoes that cost this much. Luckily the rest of the shoe is still great, though a bit short. I went up a half size. Please consider reverting to the tongue of the 4.5's; it never caused a problem.

I am a die-hard Altra fan and i was so excited to try out the new Torrin 5s. They feel entirely different than the 4.5's. They are much more narrow and do not have the amount of cushion of the 4.5's. I much prefer the earlier version. I was going to try these in a wide but they are sold out and/or they are not available in this width. These will be returned.

The tongue on the shoe is hard and there is no padding like the previous shoe. Will be returning since I got blisters on the front of my ankle from the tongue.

I have not been able to try the shoe because it is too short for my orthotic to fit. I am hoping that 1/2 size up will work, but I may require a full size larger. I am currently wearing an 8.5 in other Altra styles.

When will the wide sizes be available, and where can I buy the wide in Canada? Is the wide mostly wider in the forefoot or the heel as well? I want the classic Altra Fit4Her shape of very wide forefoot/toebox and narrow heel. A lot of the newer styles don't work for me (too tight and painful in the forefoot, too loose in the heel). Innovation in materials is good, just keep true to the beloved wide toe box Altra fit. Thank you

Torin has a stiff sharp tongue and it scrapes my ankle. Suggestions how to deal with this problem? Even socks don't stop the issue. What other styles do you have that DON'T have this sharp and long tongue? Pictures don't give this information. And shoe laces are too short as well. I've just signed up for your emails. Hopefully some information about this issue could be addressed in your communications.

Wearing for the first day today to my hospital job. Comfortable toe box, adequate cushioning, nice sole ...however, the top edge of the tongue is PAINFULLY SHARP! Please tell me there is a fix!

I loved my Torin 4.5s, but like other reviewers the tongue on these cuts up my shin/ankle, and now the upper on one shoe is separating from the SE after only about 150 miles. Not the best.

I love Altra Torins and have been buying them faithfully for about 7 years. However, the tongue on this model is so hard and sharp that it actually broke the skin on my ankles. I hoped they would soften after a break-in period, but no.

I love my Altra shoes and always get the Torin. I had to return these because the tongue is too long and stiff and cuts into your skin. Super uncomfortable. I'm not willing to suffer through it to see if it breaks in. For an expensive shoe you shouldn't have to suffer through it.

Altra keeps changing their shoes farther & farther from their original design. It's so sad. The whole point was they did something different from the other shoe companies, but now they're the same as all the rest. The "wide" toe box so that you spread your toes as you run- only slightly wider than a regular shoe. Everyone makes a zero drop now. There's nothing special about these anymore so you just wind up wearing a funny looking shoe for no reason. Oh well Altra, you haven't been listening to your customers, we've been complaining for years for you guys to go back to your O.G. designs

I love my Altra trail shoes, and as I've been walking more, wanted to try out the road shoes. I was so disappointed when I first put them on and the tongue was so sharp, it hurt anytime I took a step. I guess I'll stick to just my trail shoes.

Hard to assess much other than the tongue that is made of hard material. It cut right into my ankle- had to return.

I have several pairs of escalantes and I love them. I bought the Torin 5 because I liked the color. Just like other reviewers the tongue of the shoe digs into my ankle and makes it very uncomfortable shortly into my shift at work. I've tried to break them in but still hurtsdisappointed!

I was so excited to try these shoes once I saw the wider toe box. And, the wide toe box is great, but I do not understand what the designers were thinking when they put in a tongue that will bruise and cut your ankle. I have never seen anything like it!! Please, please get rid of that tongue!!!

I run 2 miles every other day; had these shoes for just 5 months. EVERY SINGLE piece of the rubber outsole has started peeling off, one by one. Emailed, it's considered wear and tear. You won't get your money back when they start falling apart weeks after you run in them. All too common, looking at the other reviews.

I am a daily runner and have been for the past 16 years. I am also a nurse that works on my feet all day. Unfortunately I have developed bunions/bunionettes because of these factors.The Torin 4.5 plush allowed me to run without any foot pain. They were the most amazing shoe. I bought the Torin 5's and was not impressed with the redesign. Since the 4.5 was changed, I have not been able to find a running shoe that works for me (tried Hokas, Brooks and various other brands). PLEASE bring back the Torin 4.5! They're amazing! I work at an orthopedic surgery center and know a lot about bone/joint health. Those were great shoes! I would easily buy 5 pairs right away if you bring them back. :) I know many others agree. Thank you!!