REASONS TO BUY
Spacious toe box
Excellent comfort
Decent cushioning
REASONS TO AVOID
Feels bottom-heavy
Lacks versatility
Altra Torin 8 Review
A zero-drop trainer with a generous toe-box and comfortable fit, lacking a bit of cushioning performance
Credit: Nathaniel Bailey
By Nathaniel Bailey ⋅ Review Editor ⋅ January 9, 2026
RELATED: The Best Running Shoes for Men
Our Verdict
We love how comfortable the Altra Torin 8 is. The anatomically shaped toe box is spacious, providing toes with room to splay and feet with room to expand. We think zero-drop fans will love this shoe; it offers a natural and flexible ride along with some protection for your feet and legs. For other runners, the situation is a bit more mixed. The midsole does provide adequate protection while also allowing for good ground feel. However, it also lacks both compression underfoot and resilience, which can make the shoe feel somewhat underprepared for long road runs. We think it's a great fit for runners who prefer a natural-feeling shoe that still offers some protection, though some new runners might long for more cushion.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Altra Torin 8 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  Best Everyday Running Shoe |  Best for Race Training | Best for New Runners |  Best Runner on a Budget | |
| Price | $160 List Check REI (on sale!) | $150 List Check Amazon (on sale!) | $150 List Check Price at REI | $145 List Check Price at REI | $130 List Check Backcountry (on sale!) |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | A zero-drop trainer with a generous toe-box and comfortable fit, lacking a bit of cushioning performance | One of the best all-around running shoes that can reliably handle whatever you throw at it, but not the best for new runners | Thanks to a premium midsole foam and no-nonsense design, this shoe pairs great cushioning with top-notch pace versatility | A forgiving, well-rounded daily trainer with reliable grip and a ride that makes easy miles feel effortless | A great value shoe that can crush fast or slow runs, but it might be a little too narrow for some |
| Rating Categories | Altra Torin 8 | Asics Novablast 5 | Adidas Adizero Evo SL | Saucony Ride 19 | Adidas Adizero SL2 |
| Comfort and Fit (45%) | |||||
| Cushioning (30%) | |||||
| Breathability (15%) | |||||
| Traction (10%) | |||||
| Specifications | Altra Torin 8 | Asics Novablast 5 | Adidas Adizero Evo SL | Saucony Ride 19 | Adidas Adizero SL2 |
| Who is it best for? | Runners looking for zero-drop with cushioning | Everyday runners | Everyday runners | Everyday neutral runners | Everyday runners |
| Best Use | Relaxed running | Versatile for variable paces | Versatile for variable paces | Daily training, long runs | Versatile for variable paces |
| Measured Weight | 10.32 oz | 9.50 oz | 8.73 oz | 9.54 oz | 9.36 oz |
| Measured Heel-to-Toe Drop | 0 mm | 5 mm | 9 mm | 7 mm | 9 mm |
| Measured Heel Stack Height | 28 mm | 41 mm | 39 mm | 35 mm | 38 mm |
| Available Sizes | 7-15 US, regular & wide | 6-15 US, regular & wide | 6.5-16 US, regular | 7-16 US, regular & wide | 4-19 US, regular & wide |
| Midsole | Altra Ego Max | FF Blast Max | Lightstrike Pro | PWRRUN+ (SCF reformulated) | Lightstrike Pro, Lightstrike |
| Plate Type | None | None | None | None | None |
| Upper | Jacquard mesh | Engineered jacquard mesh | Engineered mesh | Engineered mesh | Engineered mesh |
| Outsole | Rubber | AHAR LO | Continental rubber | XT-900 rubber | Rubber |
| Heel Tab Type | Extended heel pull | Finger loop | None | Pull tab | Pull tab |
| Style | Daily Trainer | Daily Trainer | Daily Trainer | Daily Trainer | Daily Trainer |
Our Analysis and Test Results
The Torin is incredibly comfortable for day-to-day wear or running. Credit: Nathaniel Bailey
Comfort and Fit
The Torin 8 is a comfortably fitting shoe with a well-executed upper and natural foot shape design. The upper materials aren't plush or particularly soft, but we didn't experience rubbing during testing. Alta's anatomical fit is extremely comfortable for standing and walking, but we occasionally experienced some sliding in other Altras while running hard. This was never the case in the Torin 8, where lockdown was excellent, particularly through the midfoot.
Altra's anatomical fit feels great on our feet, especially in the toe box. Credit: Nathaniel Bailey
The Torin runs true to size in length. The wide, natural shape of the toe box allows your feet to relax, which is especially nice when you wear the shoe for an extended period. The upper has plenty of room for runners with higher-volume feet, and we found that it cinched down easily. Though the midfoot, the fit is average. At the heel, we found the width to be slightly wider than average, but the supportive and semi-deep heel cup provided excellent retention. Our tester with a relatively narrow heel had no issues with heel lift.
The Torin has some cushioning, but it doesn't feel like much on the run. Credit: Nathaniel Bailey
Cushioning
The Torin, while moderately protective for a zero-drop, natural-feeling shoe, scores far below the best performers in this category. There is 28mm of Altra's Ego Max midsole underfoot. The foam is meant to be softer and slightly more energetic than a standard EVA, but it felt quite firm and lifeless underfoot.
On the run, we very clearly noticed the lack of cushioning compared to other, more traditional running shoes. Heel-strikers, in particular, are likely to find the shoe less than ideal for road running, especially if they're not accustomed to running in zero-drop shoes. Heel-cushioning is lacking. While the firm foam prevents bottoming out, the shoe rolls poorly through the midfoot. When landing at the rear of the foot, transitioning through your foot strike can feel “slappy,” similar to smacking your hand flat onto a hard surface. We don't recommend these shoes to runners who do a lot of mileage. There is protection, but it is lacking compared to most of the competition. Our lower legs definitely noticed the lower drop, and we experienced more soreness after long runs. There's nothing wrong with the Torin, but if you're used to running in a more traditional shoe, you should ease into running in this one.
The upper materials of the Torin are meh, offering passable breathability. Credit: Natalie Kafader
Breathability
Breathability is mediocre in the Torin, with an engineered mesh upper that is perforated, but is not exceptionally lightweight. Most runners shouldn't have issues with hot feet, but those in particularly hot climates may find the shoes run warm.
The grooved segments in the forefoot of the Torin offer extra traction on looser paths. Credit: Natalie Kafader
Traction
Altra used a rubber outsole covering key contact patches on the heel area and the entire forefoot. It's grooved into segments under the forefoot, and these grooves act as lugs, increasing the flexibility of the shoe. We found the grooves to be rock magnets; smaller rocks would get stuck when running on crushed gravel paths. Cold, wet, and loose traction is above average in the Torin. We had no issues across a range of conditions.
Should You Buy the Altra Torin 8?
We think runners who enjoy a natural, zero-drop feel but prefer a little protection under their feet will love the Torin. The fit is accommodating and feels good all day, and while the cushioning lags behind some competitors, it's still a capable shoe for hammering out the miles. On the other hand, we think many runners are better served by a more traditional trainer that offers a little more support and protection underfoot. That said, we loved the Torin for walking, standing, and occasionally at the gym for circuit workouts.
What Other Running Shoes Should You Consider?
If you prefer a lower drop shoe, but want a fun and engaging experience from your running shoe, then you should absolutely consider the Asics Novablast 5. It features a 5mm drop, along with a soft and energetic midsole, providing a fun and bouncy feel. The Saucony Ride 19 is another option that we think will work for most runners. It's reliable and straightforward, planted and comfortable.
—Nathaniel Bailey
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