I’m Ditching My Altra Hiking Shoes
My third pair of Altra Shoes, this time the Timp 4 runner’s, are getting left behind as we embark on the next leg our journey traveling coast-to-coast across the United States…and back.
What I Look For In A Trail Shoe:
Does it feel good, when I’m wearing it for the intended use?…like hiking and running.
Does it hold up for a reasonable amount of use without completely falling apart and looking haggard.
Does it look good enough to wear to a casual restaurant or brewery, without saying…”Hey look at these shoes!”
Can it do all of the above in one pair of shoes, so I can reduce the number of shoes I need to have on the RV, while we travel full time. Video - Shoes For Full Time Travel
I love the way that Altras fit and feel when you get them out of the box. They might be the best fit for my feet of any shoe I’ve tried so far. Unfortunately, with our lifestyle of frequent walks through the woods, my Altras just haven’t held up the way i’d like them to. My first pair, some lonepeak 4’s fell apart at the sole. My Lonepeak Waterproof Boots got a tear near the lateral edge of my foot, making them not waterproof at all. Finally, the Timp 4’s that I’ve been using on the road, have sustained a lot more wear and tear than my Brooks Ghost 15’s, which have seen very similar use.
So What Am I Replacing Them With?
I’m giving the Topo Athletic Ultraventure Pro’s a run for their money. The UP’s as I’ll call them, have a similar design to the Altra’s, with a wider towbox, and fairly neutral midsole stack with 5mm, but I’m hoping they’ll hold up better over time. The UP’s also have a full vibram outsole with a more aggressive tread pattern then what I’m used to. The goal is to have these function as both my hiking shoes, and my daily running shoes, replacing two pairs in the past. This will not only simplify my daily choices, but also reduce the space I need to stay organized living in the RV full time.
Altra Timp 4’s: https://www.altrarunning.com/shop/men/mens-timp-4-al0a547j?variationId=444
Brooks Ghost 15’s: https://www.brooksrunning.com/en_us/ghost-15-mens-cushioned-running-shoe/110393.html
Topo Athletic Ultraventure Pro’s: https://www.topoathletic.com/mens-ultraventure-pro?quantity=1&color=134
