Know Your Shoe

By: Altra Footwear

The Human Foot: A Marvel of Engineering.  The greatest piece of running technology ever created.  Works best when strengthened by activities such as barefoot running.  Tends to weaken when inhibited over time by devices such as heel elevation, arch support, toe spring, and shoes that don’t allow the toes to spread out naturally.

Zero Drop™ Platform: Zero Drop™ simply means that the shoes are the same distance off the ground at both the heel and ball of the foot. Since traditional shoes typically employ a 2:1 ratio from heel down to toe, a shoe with no differential is called a ‘Zero Drop™’ shoe. Video analysis confirms that Altra™ Zero Drop™ footwear allows you to run with better technique (less heel strike, improved landing zone), better posture and alignment, reduced impact quotient, and natural Achilles loading for more efficient propulsion. No more fighting against a shoe but a shoe working with you to run more natural!

Foot Shape Design: ALTRA™’s proprietary Male and Female specific lasts have been revolutionarily developed by biomechanical experts using the latest research in order to provide you with a natural running experience. The inspiration? The human foot. By allowing the toes to splay naturally your balance improves, the foot relaxes, and your ability to attenuate shock increases. What does this mean for you? Stronger feet and legs, less injuries, decreased pronation, and a comfortable smooth ride. Life is short…Run Natural.

Female Specific Shoes: Ladies – Finally a shoe designed specifically for you! No more dealing with ‘shrink-it-and-pink-it’ shoes! Altra™’s Female specific lasts account for a Woman’s narrower heel, smaller instep, longer arch, and different metatarsal positioning. This unique fit allows your foot to be more girl than any other running shoe on the market.

NRS – Natural Ride System: A combination of unique design elements & materials, working together to let the foot do its thing. Components include outsole & midsole componentry with proper metatarsal parabola, Zero Drop™, and foot shaped lasts working together to allow you to run as nature intended. No artificial flavors!

A-Bound™: A-Bound™ is an environmentally friendly energy return compound with incredible resilience and protection. This unique compound sits directly under your foot to return energy back and dampen hard surfaces while still maintaining fantastic ground feedback.  A-Bound™ also retains only a 10% compression set (compared to 70-90% with traditional running shoe foam) so it won’t deform over time. Recycled.

Asymmetric Lacing: By following the volume heights of the foot, Altra™’s asymmetrical lacing system improves the fit and natural flex zones in the shoe providing you with a better fit with less pressure points.

HeelClaw™: Altra shoes have been developed to provide a snug fit around the Calcaneous without the traditional heel counter.  Through our unique design, you get a great fit without any unnecessary elements.

‘A’-Wrap™: The ‘A’ shaped midfoot design snugly wraps the midfoot, providing a great fit while allowing for a roomy toe environment.

TrailRudder: Helpful for control when running on very steep descents; a throwback & graceful nod to the very first trail running shoes.

SeeNoSeam: An advanced stitch procedure found in the Altra minimalist category to keep the foot against a smooth surface with no seams.

StoneGuard: Our multi-sectional grooved StoneGuard is located above the midsole providing flexible protection and allowing rocks to deflect into the soft midsole, providing a much smoother ride.

Optional Insoles: All Altra™ shoes will come with two insoles.  The Strengthen insole is flat with no arch support and should be used for foot strengthening.  The Support insole has a tradition molded arch and heel wrap.  It should be used when some support or arch is needed and by early adaptors who still need to strengthen their feet.

Foot Inspired Outsoles:

BareSole: Our minimal 3.4mm BareSole allows for maximum proprioception with minimal sole.  This do-everything outsole is created from our proprietary siped performance rubber.

FootPod™ Outsole: The FootPod outsole maps the bones and tendons of the human foot allowing for maximum flex and responsiveness.  With canted lugs mapping your foot, this unique outsole provides a natural all-purpose traction system for a variety of surfaces from road to treadmill to dirt paths.

TrailClaw™ Outsole: The TrailClaw positions the strongest canted lug traction directly beneath the met heads with follow up ‘claws’ positioned forward on the shoe.  The combination of the unique uphill & downhill traction TrailClaw™ design in combination with sticky rubber makes the TrailClaw™ a beast in any trail condition.