Fitness will remain a significant part of people’s lives, and the same applies to walking.
This is where many people get the drive to invest in brands that create high-quality shoes.
And you may wonder, are Altra shoes good for walking?
The craze about the Altra walking shoes has been going around for years.
That’s because the brand has become a household name in the shoe industry, catering to both men and women.
Today, we’ll find out what sets it apart from other brands and whether its shoes are truly ideal for walking.
Are Altra Shoes Good for Walking?
Your walking shoes must provide stability, support, and comfort to your feet.
Altra has established a name in producing shoes excellent for walking.
Over the ten years of providing well-crafted shoes, they stand by their promise to deliver shoes of the best quality.
How do they come up with shoes that are ideal for walking?
They came up with their own patented technology.
Altra’s Core 3 Technologies
Let’s take a better look at how these changes affect someone’s walking experience.
- FootShape Toe Box
The FootShape Toe Box is among Altra’s trademarked technologies.
Most people don’t notice that traditional shoes come in a structure with pointy boxes.
These often cause issues like plantar fasciitis, hammertoes, and bunions.
We can all agree that these conditions make the feet’s appearance unpleasant and can cause sensations of pain and discomfort.
This circumstance is what the brand acted on; they designed a technology called the FootShape Toe Box with the tagline “Embrace the Space.”
It isn’t rocket science. It is just a simple solution to an existing issue.
This concept means they create their shoes with a structure that lets the toes spread out naturally and relax.
You can picture your big toe in a straight position as you wear their creations.
This design allows the feet to have better stability and power to endure walking and running without discomfort and pain.
- Zero Drop Platform
Some people shop for shoes that improve their aesthetics, while others ensure they feel comfortable during use.
Altra addressed each need by creating another one of their technologies called the Zero Drop Platform.
Most shoe models feature elevated platforms which claim to be beneficial to the feet.
While it does promote a bit of comfort, it doesn’t facilitate striding and instead facilities higher impact.
Altra’s new technology of elevated heels provides a whole new level of cushioning.
This innovation makes their shoes perfect for balancing the weight from the forefoot to the heel.
This shoe structure eliminates the pain and discomfort most users get from wearing traditional shoes.
The beginning of this technology’s concept is quite a fun fact.
Altra’s founder, Golden Harper, came up with a solution for feet discomfort and pain from traditional shoes using an oven toaster.
The process that led to this breakthrough started with him melting his customers’ shoes in an oven toaster.
From there, he carved out cushioning that he believed would facilitate better strides and better performance.
And since he can’t go creating shoes from the oven, the brand now uses a blend of lightweight A-Bound and EVA cushioning.
These are geared toward facilitating better performance through low-impact and proper techniques.
People have tried these newly designed shoes and found them effective in preventing strains and discomfort.
- Fit for Her
Fortunately for women, Altra prepared a treat through a design that will give them the perfect walking experience.
Since there is a difference between women’s and men’s feet, Altra decided to provide a personalized experience for females.
They are among the first to create a line of products to accommodate women’s unique feet structure.
This design features narrower heels and midfoot and longer arches.
It also uses female-specific midsoles, cushioning, metatarsal positioning, and last & upper fit.
You can also expect to see outsoles and shapes made entirely for women.
What Are Altra Shoes Good For Besides Walking?
Apart from walking, Altra’s design is also suitable for other conditions.
They are suitable for people with flat feet because of their unique blend of support, ground contact, and anatomic fit.
The zero-drop platform allows the arch to collapse before each stride naturally.
It also works for those with bunions as it gives ample space for feet to naturally spread out, removing the chances of aggravation.
Considerations When Buying Walking Shoes
When shopping for Altra shoes, there are certain things to consider.
Even if the answer to the question “Are Altra shoes good for walking?” is a yes, it will still depend on the fit.
That’s because too small or big shoes will definitely not give you the best performance.
To ensure you get the best fit, here are some guidelines to consider on your purchase:
Foot Type
When it comes to shopping for footwear, there is no one-size-fits-all. Analyze your feet to see which kind you have.
An excellent way to do this is by getting your foot wet and then stepping on a piece of cardboard or colored paper.
Take a moment to examine your footprint. It’s safe to assume you have flat feet or low arches if you can see a trace of most of your foot.
You may have high arches if you can only see the side and very little traces of your foot.
Meanwhile, seeing an imprint of a curved foot can indicate neutral arches.
Comfort
It is worth noting if you feel any discomfort because of a condition. You may suffer from discomfort in your heel, knee, or back.
You may also have joint pains or bunions; in this case, a shoe with padding under the heel may be more beneficial.
It is best to go for a soft and wider pair than a narrow and hard shoe.
Grip
Another critical factor to consider when purchasing Altra walking shoes is the kind of weather and environment you plan to use them.
Will you use it in rainy or snowy weather? If you plan to use it on different surfaces, you will need shoes with a strong grip.
A good grip will help you stay away from accidents and prevent injuries.
Timing
The timing of buying shoes is essential; the more hours you spend standing, the more swollen your feet become.
Most people’s feet are the biggest towards the end of the day when they have completed their regular tasks.
This condition also applies to pregnant women or those suffering from conditions that cause swelling.
Don’t buy shoes when your feet are too swollen because you’ll end up with too big shoes.
Size
It is vital to ensure you get the correct shoe size.
Different brands have shoe size charts available for reference.
It is always a good idea to fit the shoes and get a feel of their fit.
It might be tight at first, but a little break-in can do the trick.
Compatibility
Some people wear orthotics with their shoes. If you need it, make sure to check the compatibility of the shoes before buying one.
A lot of brands have recommendations on which models fit best with insoles.
Altra Shoes and Walking
When you consider all the factors you need to take when finding the right walking shoes, you’ll know Altra shoes are great for walking.
The technologies they incorporate in all their pairs make the experience better.
Not only do you get shoes with exceptional aesthetics, but you also get optimal comfort when using them.
The cushion, structure, and design spare you from developing bunions, fasciitis, and other discomforts.
If you plan to start your fitness venture by walking, go for a pair that you can trust.
Your experience should be comfortable and easy.
I like the look of these shoes and how they are personalized for women. We have a county walking path right down the street that we often use in the spring, summer, and fall, so having a quality pair of walking shoes is a must. I wondered if these come in a wide because my daughter has a slightly bigger foot that would need more room?
Hi, Alicia, and thank you.
Thank you for your kind words.
I know that problem! Shoes need to be comfortable, and using not wide enough shoes is always a bad idea.
But these shoes are wide and excellent designed with that part in mind.
We also wrote about other wide shoes which I believe you
would be interested in. You can see it here. The post I have in mind
is Clarks Women’s Wave Andes Walking Shoes and the Dansko Women’s Paisley Walking Shoes. I believe you could have the benefit of looking at it!
Great to hear about your benefit of the article too.
I always had foot issues, even when I was a kid, so it’s really difficult whenever I have to buy new shoes. Not only do I need to feel comfortable, but I also need a good bounce, as my knees tend to hurt if it´s not the correct shoe. To be honest, I never heard of Altra shoes (I always used to buy Nike or Adidas….way too expensive). I will totally research a little more and give them a try, as this might be what I always needed. Thanks for the tips!
Hi, Johnny, and thank you.
Thank you for your kind words.
Great to hear about your benefit of the article too.
I like the look of this footwear, and they’re customized for women. I have many female friends who walk down the street regularly and want comfortable shoes you can wear while working out. My moms have been wearing these old Nike-type shoes, which are painful on the knee joints. I search for the best footwear to help give a good bounce. These Altra shoes may work for her. Thank you
Hi, John, and thank you.
Thank you for your kind words.
Great to hear about your benefit of the article too.
You say your mother use old Nike shoes. Most running/walking shoes are not made to be used in many years. Even so, it is not much used because part of the material which is used in the shoes used in the used gives after with the time.
We did a review about some great shoes for walking on concrete. You can see them here if you want!
Don’t hesitate to contact me to help you with anything else or if you have any questions.