Women’s Altra Torin 9 Review (Female Reviewer)

The Altra Torin 9 is a great shoe with a great look. Re-engineered from the Torin 8, there are subtle differences between them, but there is a lot that stays the same. For me, as I got on well with the Torin 8, I’m pleased with that because there’s nothing worse than loving a shoe only to find the new version is nothing like the previous one!

But I’ve Always Been a Size 5!

Firstly, the Altra natural foot-shaped toe box. All Altra shoes follow the FootShape™ toe box design, which enables the foot to function properly. Your toes can splay out, there’s no cramping or squashing the foot into the shoe, and when you run, your foot does the work. Altra combine this with zero drop, meaning your heel is not raised and your forefoot is level with it, helping to make your foot stable. Altra have also introduced some shoes with a low drop, such as the 4mm drop Altra Experience Flow 3, for runners not ready to embrace zero drop or for those who just prefer that raised feel.

Having run for years in a variety of shoes, I’ve moved across to brands like Altra as my feet have changed. Having had children, my feet are now wider, my arch has dropped a little and my shoe size, as a result, is different from my younger days. I had various niggles from standard running shoes, so moving across to Altra allowed my feet to sit comfortably and regain some strength. Having been led to believe that once you stop growing, that’s it, I’ve been re-educated by Altra and their huge developments in the running market.

The Torin 9 brings zero drop to the table, but with more cushioning than some of Altra’s more minimal shoes, like the Altra Escalante 5. However, that doesn’t take away from the responsiveness of the shoe. With a stack height of 28mm, down 2mm from the Torin 8, nothing is lost in the cushioning. It’s a mid-range rather than a max-cushioned shoe, and the feel is still soft underfoot, but it’s firm rather than squishy. I did find the first couple of runs felt a bit stiff, but that soon subsided.

Altra have exchanged the Altra EGO MAX foam midsole for a dual-density P35X foam, with a softer core and a firmer outer layer, which generates more energy from the rebound with the ground. I found running up inclines felt quite powerful, and coming down descents, my feet had enough cushioning to absorb the impact. I could run at whatever pace I chose quite comfortably. The mid-level cushioning allows greater flexibility in the forefoot, giving the shoe its responsiveness and allowing you to push off with each stride over flat or undulating terrain.

You’ll notice, too, that the midsole protrudes on either side of the forefoot, so your foot sits in the shoe rather than being balanced on top and relying on the upper to secure it in place. I’d say the Torin 9 can be worn for longer runs but can still handle some faster paces with ease, without the ‘hammer’ that some runners get from a thinner midsole shoe.

The upper on the Torin 9 is similar to the Torin 8, with probably better laces. There’s an additional hole at the top if you want to butterfly lace the shoe for a better heel fit if you find it slipping. The tongue is soft and padded, specifically over the ankle end of the bridge of your foot, which is great as that’s an area that can rub. There’s little chance of that happening with the Torin 9, and your feet sit cosily in the shoe. The Torin 9 is also available in a wider fitting, so with slightly less volume in the upper, the wide fit feels perfect for my feet.

The heel cup is slightly lower than the Torin 8’s ‘elf ear’, which is a good move, in my opinion. The grip on the outsole is great too. I do a lot of running on hard-packed gravelly surfaces as well as tarmac, and they handle both well. Altra have put Vibram XS Dura rubber over most of the outsole, and it grips well enough to securely dodge stray dogs on extendable leads at a second’s notice! The groove patterning on the outsole also helps give the shoe the extra flexibility that the Torin 8 lacked.

Can One Shoe Do Everything?

Ideally, we’d all like a running shoe that does everything, but personally, I haven’t found one yet. I like to alternate between different running shoes depending on the type of run I’m doing. For me, the Torin 9 is a great shoe for enjoying an easy or recovery run after I’ve been using a more minimal shoe, such as the Altra Vanish Pulse, for speedwork. Equally, if I’ve been running in a higher-stacked racer or distance shoe, the Torin 9 gives me a more grounded feel and allows my feet to function more naturally.

For female runners who, like me, have found their feet getting wider over the years, the Torin 9 is a great option. The foot-shaped toe box gives your toes room to spread, while the cushioning provides plenty of comfort without losing that feeling of being connected to the ground. The option of a wider fitting is also worth considering if you find standard women’s running shoes too restrictive.

I’ve also found that alternating a couple of shoes helps them last longer and can help prevent niggles, as your foot isn’t performing the exact same motion every run, which can exacerbate any slight stresses that could lead to injury. Let’s face it, most of us have a choice of daywear shoes, so having a couple of pairs of running shoes to alternate between is something I’ve found a real benefit.

In Summary

For me, the Altra Torin 9 is a great choice for everyday running, whether that’s an easy recovery run or picking up the pace a little. The foot-shaped toe box gives my feet the room they need, while the cushioning provides plenty of comfort without losing that natural feel underfoot. If, like me, you’ve found your feet changing over the years and standard running shoes aren’t quite as comfortable as they used to be, then the Torin 9 is definitely worth trying. It’s a shoe I’m happy to have in my running shoe collection!

Alternatives to the Altra Torin 9

Hoka Clifton 11

Very different to the Altra brand, Hoka running shoes are designed to do the work of the foot, whereas Altra running shoes are designed to allow the foot to function. The result is that you must run in Altra running shoes, whereas you ride a Hoka shoe as it guides your foot from impact to toe-off. The sensation is very different. The Hoka Clifton 11 is a softly cushioned running shoe designed for everyday easy runs. The toe box is much narrower than the Torin 9, and there is a rocker-shaped midsole that carries the foot from impact to toe-off. Which is best depends on what you’re looking for in your running shoes. The Hoka Clifton 11 is available in two widths for both men and women. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/hoka-clifton-11-review/

Brooks Ghost 18

This has an elevated heel that is 10mm higher than the forefoot of the shoe. The midsole stack height is 36.5mm in the heel and 26.5mm in the forefoot, so if you’re a heel striker, then this could be your shoe. You do have to push off, so the foot isn’t quite as much of a passenger as it is in a running shoe with a rocker. However, it isn’t allowed to spread and recoil as it would in a lower-drop shoe with a more spacious, rounded toe box. Brooks also offer a wider fitting, so should you find the standard women’s B width restrictive, the D width should offer better space. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/brooks-ghost-18-review/

Topo Magnifly 5

This has the anatomically shaped toe box for foot function, and it’s also zero drop like the Torin 9, with a 25mm stack height in both the heel and forefoot. The Magnifly 5 offers similar cushioning to the Torin 9 and uses Topo’s ZipFoam, which has a bouncy feel to it but may feel slightly stiffer than the Torin 9. However, this feel makes it a faster shoe, so it might be better than the Torin 9 if that’s your main purpose for it. It’s very lightweight at 204g and has sticky rubber on the outsole, making it good for wet conditions too. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/topo-athletic-magnifly-5-review/

Saucony Ride 19

The Ride 19 is a neutral trainer that’s good for fast runs and everyday running, like the Torin 9. However, it has an 8mm heel-to-forefoot drop and gives a bit more feel for the ground than you’d expect from an 8mm drop. There is no rocker, so like with the Altra Torin 9, you are running rather than being propelled by the shoe. If zero drop isn’t your scene, then the Saucony Ride 19 may suit your feet better. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/saucony-ride-19-review/

Topo Phantom 4

This is a great everyday running shoe with a higher stack height than the Torin 9, at 35mm in the heel and 30mm in the forefoot. It also has a 5mm drop if you’re not convinced by a zero-drop shoe yet. The feel is much more plush, and the higher stack means the cushioning feels very different. I refer to mine as the ‘slipper trainer’ as it’s so comfortable. It’s great for all lengths of run. However, whilst I could pick up the pace a little, I wouldn’t want to run any sessions in it. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/topo-athletic-phantom-4-review/