Altra Running Timp 5 Review

Article by Ernst Linder

Altra Timp 5 ($155)

Introduction.

I found Altra footwear in 2020 since they have been beneficial for extensive toes. I bought the Torin 4 and favored it a lot that I bought one other pair in 2021, and a Torin 4 Plush in 2022. I used to be snug with zero-drop footwear. Though they’re street footwear I used them on trails as effectively, particularly after the cushioning was worn down a bit. I ran 1000 miles on every of the Torin 4, and 750 miles on the Torin 4 Plush at which level the outsole began to flake off in locations resulting from an excessive amount of path racing.

For my frequent path operating I additionally used the Altra Lone Peak 4.5 which I favored quite a bit after some wear-in. Disappointingly after 500 miles, the uppers on the Lone Peak began to both separate from the midsole or developed massive holes. In any other case I might have comfortably added one other few 100 miles to those.

I additionally run and race trails within the Altra Superior 5 (at the moment 500 miles), however I really feel that they’re too minimal, particularly for lengthy races. The higher jam my toes a bit, and but they appear skinny and flimsy. I just lately tried the Altra Timp 4 and was not impressed: Too heavy for my style, and never an excellent rider – too inflexible with a big stack top invited ankle-rolling. Now after 150 miles, they really feel extra snug – I’d charge them as a so-so coaching shoe.

I used to be hesitant to attempt the Altra Timp 5 when it was provided for the take a look at. But unexpectedly, I used to be positively stunned from the very begin. It’s a a lot bouncier, lighter shoe, with good cushioning and with a lot better flex that gives a smoother experience. And we get a brand new and wonderful Vibram MegaGrip outsole. It’s clear this new model of the Timp has been significantly re-designed with a number of new constructive options.

Professionals:

1.25 oz / 35g much less weight than the earlier model.

Helpful for shorter races.

General very snug – I really feel protected against the weather. Extra substantial insole provides higher arch help.

Good vitality return and clean toe-to-heel transition due to increased upward forefoot curvature (rocker) and bigger heel bevel in comparison with earlier variations.

Glorious traction on moist leaves, rocks, and snow offered by the brand new Vibram “Megagrip” outsole.

Rear velcro strap and entrance D-ring to connect gaters if wanted.

$5 lower than Timp 4

Cons:

Altra is continuous its pattern of narrowing the toe field of their footwear. I’d welcome specifically a vertically roomier toebox.

I’m not a fan of flashy colours (yellow, orange): they shortly darken when operating via mud and contemporary grass.

Please discover Ernst’s run bio on the finish of the article after Comparisons.

Stats

Pattern: males’s 9 oz / 255g (US 8.5)

Stack Peak: males’s 29 mm heel / 29 mm forefoot ( 0 drop spec)

$155. The Timp 5 is out there now at our associate REI HERE.

Obtainable extra broadly Feb 1, 2024

First Impressions, Match and Higher

The shoe suits me true to measurement in my US 8.5 males.

The entrance overlays are agency with further reinforcement for toe safety.

The higher shouldn’t be overly stiff and suits my foot laterally fairly effectively. I would like a slight vertical enlargement as there’s a slight strain on my massive toes.

Midsole & Platform

Zero-drop platform with good curvature : forefoot rise and heel bevel plus arch curvature. This supplies good stability even with a comparatively massive stack top for a path shoe.

Outsole

Vibram Megagrip has rubber lugs all through your entire sole.

Earlier variations had only some in the back and front of the only real. The rubber lugs don’t compromise operating consolation. Traction is improved.

Experience, Conclusions and Suggestions

The pronounced curvature of the midsole with entrance rocker form and beveled heel supplies for a pleasing experience and mimics grabbing of the terrain” which was the hallmark of minimal footwear. It promotes a clean experience, it feels zippy, and feels surprisingly steady. All that whereas there is superb cushioning all through.

I’m very happy with the traction of the brand new Vibram Megagrip sole which enabled secure operating on sloped rock faces, unfastened gravel, moist leaves and moist wooden on my New England trails. I’m very happy with the Timp5 and would strongly advocate it as a flexible coach for path operating. Excellent cushioning, comparatively gentle weight, and wonderful traction may additionally make it a good selection for lengthy path races.

Personally I want a decrease stack top, and maybe a barely lighter shoe, particularly for path racing. I want a bit extra (vertical) room for my toes. However in addition to my preferences, this shoe excels in nearly all the things else.

Rating: 9/10

Comparisons

Index to all RTR opinions: HERE Roadtrailrun

Ernst: Due to my very totally different first impressions between the Timp 4 (orange) and Timp 5 (yellow) I made an in depth comparability. Listed here are the shortcomings of the Timp 4:

Altra Timp 4 (RTR Evaluation)

Much less curved in forefoot,

Midsole feels inflexible

Heel bevel is minimal – too far again within the shoe?

Outsole supplies much less grip: Just a few lugs within the entrance and the again of the only real.

The heel collar cushioning is at the next place which might rub towards the ankle.

And the Timp 5:

Curved midsole with pronounced forefoot rocker and larger heel bevel. Offers a smoother experience and an general zippier feeling.

Glorious traction with sideways/multi directional oriented lugs interspersed via your entire outsole.

Heel cushioning decrease, however stability is bolstered with stronger materials within the higher across the heel.

The insole is extra substantial with a barely higher arch definition. All my earlier Altras have extra minimal insoles, which are likely to hassle the ball of my toes in lengthy runs.

The Altra Timp 5 is out there now at

REI

Obtainable extra usually February 1, 2024

Ernst lives within the New Hampshire Seacoast space and loves having the ability to run “from his doorstep” on a number of linked path networks. Whereas being the shortest scholar in grade faculty, he discovered nearly all sports activities to be overly difficult, however “distance” operating appeared to be pure for him. Finally his household steered him in the direction of aggressive orienteering in his teenage years in Switzerland. This all stopped when he turned an trade scholar and moved to the USA.

However the seed was sown, and finally the operating spirit reemerged. All through the years he has rediscovered orienteering, pursued street, path and mountain operating, journey racing, triathlon and nordic snowboarding.

He turned in the direction of extra aggressive operating when Loco began organizing races within the Seacoast space, first half marathons in 2007, and later marathons. His marathon PR is 3:03 at age 59, and he has quite a few USA Monitor and Discipline New Hampshire age group state data. He’s 68 years outdated 5ft 5 inches (165cm) tall and weighs 135 lb (61 kg).

Samples have been offered at no cost for evaluation functions. RoadTrail Run has affiliate partnerships and will earn fee on merchandise bought through purchasing hyperlinks on this article. These partnerships don’t affect our editorial content material. The opinions herein are completely the authors’.

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