Altra Torin 7 review

8 expert score
10 user's score
As editorial policy, we do not accept free samples. We purchased this pair at Running Warehouse with our own money.
Review written on 18th August by Denny Krahe Running Coach and Podcast Host.
26 other reviews

Altra Torin 7 Verdict

The Altra Torin 7 is a quality road shoe that can do a little bit of everything. It’s light enough to go fast for a 5k race or hard track workout while also having ample cushioning to hold up beautifully for long training runs and races.

The pros

  • Lightweight
  • Durable
  • Good "Do It All" Shoe

The cons

  • Snug in the Toe Box (for an Altra)

Where to buy

Best offers today in Hong Kong, all prices in AUD

Rating breakdown

Comfort
9.0
Build quality
9.0
Upper
7.0
Sole unit
9.0
Landing
9.0
Transition
9.0
Toe-off
9.0
Traction
8.0
Durability
8.0
Value / Price
7.0

Facts / Specs

Brand
Model
Torin 7
Previous model
Weight
9.87 oz (280 g)
MSRP
150.00

Heel
30 mm.
Toe
30 mm.
Heel drop
0 mm.
Carbon plate
No plate

Size/Fit

Sizing
True to size
Heel fit
Normal
Midfoot fit
Normal
Toebox fit
Normal

Cushioning & ride

Type of cushioning
Balanced
Amount of cushioning
Highly cushioned
Stability
Not particularly stable
Flexibility
Medium

Usage

Racing  
Speedwork  
Daily training  
Long distance racing  
Ultra distance racing  

Who should buy the Altra Torin 7 ?

The Altra Torin 7 is perfect for the runner that doesn’t want to have to think about which shoe to wear for which race or workout. If you’re running on the roads, either training or racing, the Torin 7s will handle whatever it is you throw at them on any particular day.

Who should not buy the Altra Torin 7 ?

While the Altra Torin 7s can pretty much do it all, they aren’t for everyone. If you have Achilles or calf issues, the zero-drop platform could cause you some problems, especially if you’re not used to a zero-drop shoe. Similarly, if you typically run in shoes with a higher drop, the Torin 7s (or any Altra, for that matter) may not be the best shoe for you unless you’re willing to put in the time to slowly transition to a zero-drop shoe.

Altra Torin 7 Introduction

Picture of Altra Torin 7

The Altra Torin 7 is the newest version of Astra’s popular Torin road shoe.

The Torin 7s do a great job of threading the needle of being a highly cushioned road shoe that is also relatively lightweight (9.8 oz) and provides a good ground feel.

As such, this shoe can pretty much do it all on the roads; from short and fast to long and slow, the Torin 7 does the job.

Altra Torin 7 First Impressions

Picture of Altra Torin 7

My first impression of the Altra Torin 7 was mostly positive. The shoes run true to size, are lightweight, and were quite comfortable right out of the box.

They did, however, feel a bit snug through the forefoot of the shoe compared to previous editions of the Torins that I’ve worn in the past.

Over the last few years, it seems to me that the foot-shaped toe box that has been an Altra staple since the company was founded has gotten narrower.

As a fan of a toe box with plenty of room in it, I was less than enthused to note this Altra trend continuing in the Torin 7s. To be clear, I wouldn’t call the Torin 7s tight in the forefoot, neither from my first impression nor after wearing them, but they are noticeably tighter than previous Torins that I’ve worn.

Altra Torin 7 Upper

Picture of Altra Torin 7

The upper of the Altra Torin 7 is made of an engineered mesh that breathes well and is quite comfortable. Thanks in large part to the breathability of the mesh, as well as the mesh not being overly thick, the Torin 7s do dry quite quickly if/when they get a bit wet during a run.

I found the Altra Torin 7s to fit true to size, though as previously mentioned in this review the toe box felt a bit snug (for an Altra). I wouldn’t call the Torin 7s narrow by any means, especially compared to many other brands, but if you’re a fan of the traditional Altra foot-shaped toe box you may be disappointed.

A major update in the Altra Torin 7 compared to the last couple of iterations of the Torin is in the tongue of the shoe. This tongue isn’t as thin as it was on the Torin 5 or 6 and doesn’t rub/chafe at all (compared to the issues I experienced with those models).

Altra Torin 7 Sole Unit

Picture of Altra Torin 7

The sole unit of the Altra Torin 7 is composed of Altra’s EGO Max foam in the midsole coupled with their FootPod outsole (30mm total stack height). This combination provides plenty of cushioning and ample ground feel while encouraging natural foot movement with every step.

The EGO Max foam of the midsole provides a soft feel and a little extra bounce, similar to the last couple of versions of the Torins. The EGO max foam is also quite durable, feeling just as plush after weeks of wear as it did when the shoes were new.

Picture of Altra Torin 7

The FootPod outsole encourages the foot to move naturally. The tread of the Altra Torin 7 is designed in a way that will mimic the bones of the foot, so they will bend and flex with the foot instead of fighting that natural motion The outsole also provides ample grip/traction in both wet and dry conditions, and holds up quite well to the wear and tear of road running.

Altra Torin 7 Conclusions

Picture of Altra Torin 7

Overall, I’m quite happy with the Altra Torin 7. I’ve worn this shoe for speed work, long runs, and shorter/easier runs, and the Torin 7s have done nothing but work well.

Whether you’re looking for a good shoe to log loads of training miles in or a shoe to wear for road racing, the Torin 7 is a good option to get the job done for you!

How does the Torin 7 compare?

Altra Provision 7
Altra Torin 7
New Balance FuelCell Propel v4
Expert score
7
8
9
User score
Best price
Retail price
US$139.95
US$149.95
US$110
Weight
9.1 oz
9.87 oz
9.7 oz
Heel Drop
mm
0 mm
6 mm
Recommended for
Daily training, long distance racing, ultra distance racing
Racing, speedwork, daily training, long distance racing, ultra distance racing
Racing, speedwork, daily training
Cushioning type
balanced
balanced
balanced
Cushioning amount
Highly cushioned
Highly cushioned
Highly cushioned
Flexibility
medium
medium
medium
Stability
some stability
not particularly stable
very stable
Sizing
true to size
true to size
true to size

Why you can trust us

As editorial policy, we do not accept free samples from companies.
We purchased this pair of Altra at Running Warehouse  with our own money.

This page contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Read more about our policy.
Lowest price:

A$269

Altra Torin 7 price comparison

Best offers today in Hong Kong, all prices in AUD

Reviewed by Denny

This review was written by Denny Krahe on 18th August.
Denny Krahe is a running coach and a podcast host living in Central Florida. He is working on running a marathon in every state in the US; 5 down, 45 to go!

User feedback (1)

  • avatar-comment-1031503
    Pete
    11 months ago
    10 score

    Excellent review

Lowest price:
A$269

Where to buy

Best offers today in Hong Kong, all prices in AUD

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