Customer Reviews Altra Paradigm 7

I wasn't sure I would like that guide rail technology, and in fact didn't like it at first, but I got used to it, and it doesn't bother me at all anymore. I like the Altra shoes designated High Cushion, as these are, but they don't feel quite as springy as another high-cushion model I tried recently. Other than that, these shoes work for me. I use them to run agility courses with my dogs on indoor turf.

I love these shoes - I got my second pair for Christmas this year and went with the black colorway. They definitely do not look back, more of a darker blue. After speaking to customer service, it could be a weird dye reaction, although most people (in this rare situation) who have reported this complain of it being greenish. Still an awesome shoe but if you are needing a true black, these may not end up being the color you want...but they could? Luck of the draw, I guess.

This is my go-to walking shoe after trying the Paradigm 5 a few years ago. What would make this a 5 star is a bit more cushioning. I miss the original slipper-like feel that the Paradigm 5 had. Not sure what has changed and there is a reason for the cliche, if it ain't broke . . .

These shoes are great!! They're so comfortable, light and nimble... which is rare for stability shoes. The coral pink color is really cute and I get lots of compliments when I wear them BUT the toe box is sadly so narrow. I don't understand why Altra would make 'anatomical fit' shoes with such a narrow forefoot. Also, they're incredibly low volume and my toes touch the top of the toe box if I wear socks (which is unfortunate!) and my toes are pretty much standard width/height. I'm disappointed because it's almost a perfect shoe! Please Altra, keep making accomodating toe box!! That's why we like your brand!!

Man, I have been trying to like the new design, but I'm just not a fan. I keep putting on my very used pair Paradigm 6 that I have over running in the 7s I miss the old design!

So strange because the shoes are supposed to be black and they are most definitely not black. I think they're a deep blue but my husband sees dark green. Either way, not even close to black.

I've owned half a dozen pairs of Paradigms over the years and the 7 is such a disappointment. Why change a good thing? I hope Altra takes the feedback of many longtime customers and goes back to the old fit.

Was in love with fit and comfort of paradigm 6 but the 7 feels more narrow (and I have narrow feet) and also not as cushioned. After a month in them the 7 is causing numb toes which the 6 did not.

These shoes don't provide me with enough cushioning to run. They are ok for walking but still don't offer much cushion . I was happy with the Paradigm 6. I will go back to Hoka.

Just bought this shoe and am only partly satisfied. It has the amount of cushioning and stability I want but the tongue won't stay in the right place and the fit is quite narrow.

Very disappointed in this shoe after loving the Paradigm 6. Much stiffer under the midfoot. The first run in them was ok but I noticed some discomfort - a real difference from the Paradigm 6, which I had previously owned two pairs and run in for over a year, thinking they were the greatest shoes ever. Next run, three miles in one foot was killing me and by the time I finished my eight mile run the pain was all the way up my leg. As soon as I got home and took them off the pain went away. I have never had a problem like this before - it's these shoes!

I'm a big fan of the paradigm 6 because I loved the fit and the colors. The purple was amazing as a color. Now come the paradigm 7, the shoes sole feels harder than the 6. I finally tried these on at the store and I didn't love them. Kinda narrow and shoe too long also overall shoe felt stiff all over, not like the 6 and the color selection is not the best. So far I've gotten the via Olympus which I like better and a couple of days ago I bought the Altra Foward from the running store and a pair from Altra directly. Fit on the forward is more similar to the paradigm 6 but it has more cushion on the heel than the Olympus does. I've been an Altra wearer for a couple years now ans needed some more cushion on the heels since my feet have been repairing themselves from the bone spurs and plantar fasciitis. Lots of Physical Therapy helped. I walk a lot at Disneyland and I need to be able to walk longer with no heel and achilles pain.I hope the forward help with those issues.

I have 2 pair of Paradigm 6s, and they are easily my favorite shoes. I just got a Paradigm 7, and while I love the color, I'm really surprised at how different they feel. They're stiffer, narrower, a tad longer, and the back comes up so high against my achilles that it's quite irritating. I'm going to try a half size down and see if that helps. Otherwise I'll probably take them back.

I have and love two pairs of 6's, one for outdoors and one for indoor physical therapy. They're my favorite shoes. Was time to consider replacing my outdoor pair so I tried the 7's. Wore them indoors a couple times just walking around my house. The supposed cushioning is awful. Rock hard. Caused me back pain. Have already returned them. Please bring back the cushioning system/materials of the 6 when you make the 8's. In the meantime I'm looking elsewhere.

I have the Paradigm 6s. They are perfect, but I need a new pair and decided to try the Paradigm 7s despite reading reviews that they're not as good as the 6. I wish I had listened to the reviews and looked elsewhere. Altra's quality has dropped significantly. These 7s feel cheap, and the bottoms are flimsy. The laces are even worse! During one of my trial runs on these shoes, my leg ankle felt funky and now my left knee hurts, meaning now I have to rest instead of continue training. Do yourself a favor and find a different type, maybe even a new brand that doesn't skimp on quality. I know a lot of companies are using cheaper materials, but I expected more from Altra. So disappointed.

I ordered a 6.5 wide in the black. The shoe was very narrow in the toe box and the color was most definitely not black. It's just so disappointing. I am returning the shoe. By comparison, I just ordered the new Lone Peak in 6.5 wide and it fit me perfectly.

I should have listened to the other reviews! I had a pair of Paradigm 6 shoes that I loved. The 7s feel like 2 rock solid bricks. I put some miles in on them and still no give. Very disappointed.

I loved the Paradigm 6. So much so, I bought 4 pairs to get me through training for and running the NYC marathon relatively injury free. I bought the Paradigm 7, excited for the new style and color ways. Unfortunately the soles of this shoe are so hard and provide no cushion. It feels like a complete 180 shift from the 6, which is a big disappointment to me. I never want to abandon my Altras due to the 0 drop and wide footbed, but the 7s are a huge let down.

First time buying Altra. Wore them from the store to the car and they were already hurting my feet. After just running a few errands they were killing my feet. Couldn't wait to get home and get them off. By the time I got home I had raw blisters on the backs of both my ankles. That has never happened to me with sneakers before. Also, I ordered black and they are not black, they're dark blue. Never again. I'm going back to New Balance.

Wow!!!! I am devastated! The paradigm 6s were perfection - from the wide enough toebox to the tread to the cushion sole to the white yellow and orange colors! These are awful. I can't believe they ruined the perfect shoe good thing I stocked up on the 6s and they're cheaper than the 7s!!

I fell in love with the paradigm 6. Bought three pair and ran several marathons in them. The new 7s are hard and significantly more narrow in the toe box.