Altra Co-Founders Brian Beckstead and Golden Harper met on the first day of cross-country practice their sophomore year at Orem High School in Utah. From there, it was off to the races, both literally and figuratively. They wanted to help everyone pursue a healthy lifestyle by moving the way they were born to move. The Altra FootShape™ gives your feet more space to sit naturally for a more comfortable run. They are also designed to address a range of unique fits, differing in width from heel to toe box.



Featured Styles

Altra Running Shoes

Are All Altra Shoes Zero Drop?

Not anymore. When Altra started they were all zero drop, but Altra came out with the Altra FWD Experience in 2021 which has a 4mm drop. Most of their line is still zero drop though.

Are Altra Shoes Good for Walking?

The attributes that make Altra good for running, also make them good for walking. They have a foot-shaped design for a less constricting fit and balanced cushioning.

Are Altra Shoes Good for Plantar Fasciitis?

When looking for shoes to help with plantar fasciitis, you want to make sure that they have good arch support, ample cushioning, a roomy toe box & a firm but flexible sole. Altra shoes may help relieve discomfort caused by plantar fasciitis due to their roomy toe box, but some people may need a shoe with a more prominent arch.

Do Altra Shoes Run Small?

There is no footwear industry standard for shoe size, but based on customer feedback it seems that Altra shoes run true to size. They are known for having a wide toe box so this does make them seem roomier than some other brands. Sizing can also vary depending on the Altra style.

Altra Trail Shoes & Altra Trail Running Shoes

With zero or minimal heel drop, Altra running shoes are great for the trails. The Altra Lone Peak has all the Altra comfort with a lugged outsole for trail traction. Altra hiking shoes will also provide you with added durability.

Where is Altra from?

Altra Running was founded in 2009 by two high school cross-country runners in Orem, Utah. As of today, they have headquarters located in Logan, Utah.

Altra Brand Story

Where are Altra shoes made?

Altra shoes were originally made into Utah, however, with great success comes great growth and a need for some help. As of 2018 they were purchased by the VF Corporation and continue to make women’s running shoes and men’s running shoes in various locations across the globe. A complete list can be found here. 

How do I care for my Altra shoes?

Altra recommends cleaning your shoes as soon as they are exposed to dirt by hand washing with a damp cloth and mild detergent. Then allow them to air dry at room temp. It is important to NOT machine wash or dry your Altra Shoes.

Technologies in Altra shoes:

FootShape™: This is Altra’s toe box design that is shaped like a person’s foot. This design is to allow your toes to spread out naturally and let your big toe remain in a straight position. Thus, encouraging improved stability, power and extra comfort.
Zero Drop Platform/Balanced Cushioning: This design is to keep the front of the foot and the back of the foot equal distances from the ground. The natural foundation creates a better space for optimal alignment, better form, and a low impact landing.
EGO™ Max: The foam midsole found in most Altra shoes allows for better performance with a little extra bounce and added durability.
MaxTrac™: Altra’s outsole is constructed to easily combine underfoot grip, traction, and durability on all types of terrain.

How long do Altra shoes last?

Typically, Altra Running shoes last between 300 and 600 miles. Of course, this is all dependent on how long, and how often the shoes are worn. The more you use them the faster they will wear out.

Are Altra’s good for wide or narrow feet?

Thanks to the FootShape™ toe box, Altra shoes are built to cater to feet shaped like feet. While they are technically a regular width shoe, because all feet are indeed foot shaped (like the FootShape™ toe box) both narrow and wide feet can wear Altra shoes.

What makes Altra a good running shoe?

Altra was crafted for runners, by runners. Their technology and overall shoe construction is built to optimize the natural running foot form, which helps boost movement and stability.