Altra Superior 6 Trail Running Shoes - AW23

Product Information

The changes come in the upper, focusing on improved durability without sacrificing comfort or breathability. As with last year, this is a Slim Footshape design, so it’s definitely a more traditional fit, but still offers room for some toe splay. And that’s a good thing! You want to build resilience by lightly stressing different muscles in your legs. Shallower flex grooves create a stiffer shoe. In past iterations of the Rivera, deep flex grooves created a flexible shoe promoting good foot mechanics. In version 3, we’re seeing a reduction in flex groove depth, meaning it’s stiffer. I’m disappointed because it’s another step away from natural barefoot motion. Conclusion They should be more than excited about the newest top-to-bottom updates, which includes a more durable and secure upper and an Altra Ego midsole underneath (kind of interested what an Ego Max midsole would’ve looked like on here, but whatever). Altra removed the stitched-in overlays from the last version, and instead opted for welded overlays on a ripstop-style upper. The sidewalls are made out of a flexible material that provides some water resistance. I liked that I could race through smaller puddles and dewy grass without getting super drenched. The sidewalls also did not compromise the ventilation of the shoe, which was nice.

As we look to 2023, we see some of those changes continue to become the standard going forward. And while not every shoe on this list is a major upgrade, there are some overhauls on core models within the Altra lineup. The fit remains the same. Many will breathe a sigh of relief knowing that the only real wide, forgiving trail runner on the market won’t be changing in fit (Altra Original fit). In this post, I’ll dive into all the details on each expected Altra release for 2023, with release dates and prices. The second classic model to get an update is the Superior. A personal favorite of mine because it’s as close as barefoot you get in the Altra lineup. And it sounds like there are a few updates.Ego debuted in 2016 on the Escalante and King MT. Compared to traditional EVA foam, it’s formulated to provide a springier feel and more durability. Ego Max debuted in fall 2021 on the Torin 5 and the Paradigm 6. It’s made from compression-molded EVA and tuned for a softer feel than Ego, but it isn’t as responsive. Ego Pro is Altra’s top-shelf foam, and it’s made from thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) formed in a supercritical fluid process. The result is Altra’s lightest and most responsive cushioning material, and it debuted on the Vanish Carbon racing shoe. That’s it for the general factors of the Altra shoe line, so let’s break down the details of both the Altra Lone Peak and the Altra Superior. Because there’s more foam, the base is a little stiffer, and your foot rolls through your stride a little more, taking some of the stress off your feet and lower legs. But don’t be fooled; that stress has to go somewhere, often to the knees and hips. The protection offered by the Altra Superior 6 exceeded my expectations for a lightweight and minimally cushioned shoe. There are other trail shoes that will provide more protection to your feet, but none that I know of are as lightweight, comfortable, and responsive as the Superior 6.

The burrito tongue makes a return! I’m sure some don’t like the design, but I loved the burrito-style tongue. There is no seam down the outside of the tongue, and it simply wraps around the foot.All Altra shoes are zero-drop, meaning your heel and your forefoot sit at the exact same height from the ground. That’s not true of most other shoes on the market.