Altra Superior 6 Trail Running Shoes - AW23

Product Information

The tongue is solidly attached to one side of the upper and gusseted on the other. The combination results in a tongue that stays put the whole run. Well done Altra! I have tried a variety of Altras over the years and have owned well over 25 pairs in the last 6 years racing everything from 1 mile to my first marathon. My best and most fun and comfortable races have been in the escalantes. The last great escalante was the 1.5(favorite shoe of all time). Now you can only find the original footshape in altras trail shoes. I’m a road racer and rarely do I do trail races. I just prefer roads and paved trails. Running in trail shoes on the road is not preferred.

Some runners prefer the narrower toe boxes of shoes like Reebok’s Forever Floatride Energy. Lakota Gambill A Natural Take on Tech Some people find the extra cushion softer on their feet, especially when approaching Ultra distances or using the shoe as a long-distance hiker. In the past, the outsole on the Superior 5 started to break down at around 400km for me. That’s just not good enough. And it’s never had the best grip in the world. The mesh upper of the Superior 6 is reinforced around the toe cap and heel to provide a bit of extra protection where it’s often needed on the trail.In this post, I’ll dive into all the details on each expected Altra release for 2023, with release dates and prices. Now we know where the shoes differ, let’s look at the similarities. Overall, I feel the shoes have the same DNA. And if you’re comfortable in one, then the other will “feel” like the same type of shoe, with a couple of unique features. Flexibility and Structure NOTABLE FEATURES: We head to the trails with the Lone Peak 7, which our reviewers are currently getting miles in. Straight up, this may be the best looking Altra shoe to date. The design is impeccable. Which is good, because it’s the go-to trail running shoe for most Altra fans. After identifying the differences between the shoes, let’s now focus on their similarities. In general, both shoes share a common theme. If you find one of them comfortable, the other will have a similar feel, with a few distinct characteristics. Flexibility and Structure

If you’re coming from a traditional shoe, you’ll likely not feel much difference here. But if you’ve been an Altra fan in the past, it’s something to take note of. Similarities The Altra Superior 5 is a shoe best suited for runners who want a fast and light shoe that offers great traction and a strong sense of connection with the trail. Who should NOT buy the Superior 5 Altra Lone Peak 7: If you want a shoe that offers a bit more underfoot for longer runs but, still has room for foot function then these would be an option: https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/altra-lone-peak-7-review-2/

The dynamic lace stays and super fat laces work well to cinch down the foot nicely. The tongue is integrated on one side and gusseted on the other providing a superlatively secure lace cage. Race day is out of the question for me in the Superior 6. Sure, I love a lightweight racing flat, but not if it’s going to leave my legs absolutely toasted after every steep, fast, downhill section. There’s gotta be a little give there, and the Superior 6 just doesn’t have it. 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.

Neither of these are minimal shoes. They both hold far too much cushion to be given that name, but in many other aspects, they are close to a barefoot feel. Lastly, both shoes have lost depth over the years, which is better for the mass market, but that’s hard to fathom for the die-hard fans. The feel of this lightweight trail racer is beyond comparison. I found my first few runs with the shoe to be similar to the childlike fun of sprinting through the forest. The tongue of the Superior 5 is fairly unique

Performance Comparison

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. 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. 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.

The design of the outsole differs from the Lone Peak, but again it falls short. The outsole on the Superior is still decent, but not outstanding. The MaxTrac rubber has held up “ok” to +300km of abuse, and the level of grip is good enough. Considering the Superior is not trying to win the award of the best grip on the trail running scene, I’m happy with where it’s at. We’ll see much of the same with the Superior 6, which is great! It’s a fantastic shoe for a barefoot runner looking for a race shoe or a little more cushion for descents. Today we’re going to look at two top trail shoes from Altra that have been the cornerstones of the trail running shoe lineup for nearly 10 years now. They both share similarities, but they target a slightly different terrain, and the fit can sometimes be the ultimate decider. Altra also makes all of their shoes with plenty of room in the toe box. If you’ve never ventured into “foot-shaped” running shoes, you’re in for a freeing treat!We’re expecting the same rubber compound used in the new Lone Peak 7. And that’s awesome. This was one of the best upgrades seen in the Lone Peak. That extra grip will be welcomed; hopefully, it’ll mean they’ll last a little longer too! Warning! If you’re not used to flexible shoes, i.e., coming from Hoka or any conventional shoe company, slowly work yourself into the Superiors. You will use your lower leg strength much more. I, for one, am not happy with that. We need to maintain some natural foot movement to promote an optimal gate. The addition of more and more “guidance” and “stability” moves further away from this. An updated Maxtrac sole should perform better in the wet. Some have complained about the durability and traction of the Maxtrac sole. I’ve not had too many issues, but the Lone Peak now uses a different rubber formulation to improve durability and traction.