Altra Timp 5 Review
It’s launch week for the Altra Timp 5 and we managed to get a pair nice and early for our Timp 5 review. The Altra Timp was originally a road to trail shoe. The out-and-out trail shoe in Altra’s range being the new Lone Peak 8. For that reason the Altra Timp has always had a higher stack height and a softer ride. With runners favouring more and more softly well-cushioned running shoes on the trails, Altra has gradually made the Timp more of an out-and-out trail shoe but, still with a softer ride than the more natural, barefoot, responsive feel of the Lone Peak.
For most runners looking to try a more natural zero/low drop and foot shaped running shoe, the Altra Timp 5 is likely to be easier to make the transition to, than more minimal shoes in Altra’s range whilst still offering a firm enough feel to the cushioning to encourage your feet to function in the shoes.
Toe Box
The Timp 5 is made on Altra’s ‘Standard’ last. This has a bit less volume than the roomiest ‘Original’ last. So again, whilst the toe box is still broad and rounded in comparison to most other running shoe brands, it could feel more familiar to runners who have been stuck with a cramped, pointy toe box. There is plenty of room for your feet to spread and function in the shoes, unless you the highest volume or broadest of feet.
Although the Timp 4 was made on the same last as the Timp 5, in our experience it was quite narrow through the midfoot and at the base of the toes. This gave them a less natural feel than other Altra shoes, as your feet weren’t free to spread. The Timp 5 has a much thinner upper and feels broader at this point, which is great.
The Altra Timp 5 is also 25 grams lighter than the previous version. This is mainly due to a lighter, more flexible upper material. The men’s UK8 weighs 277g and the women’s UK5 243g. That’s light for a durable trail shoe with this level of comfy cushioning.
Heel & Lacing
Like all Altra running shoes there is no plastic in the heel cup. This is so that the heel cup can take the shape of your heel to give a better fit. The collar that runs around the ankle is lightly padded and quite stiff. This gives a good firm secure fit around the heel. There is an extra lace hole should you need to pull the heel cup in further or butterfly lace the shoes to improve the heel fit but this is unlikely as the fit is quite secure. The tongue is also lightly padded with the same stiff material as the cuff of the shoes. This provides adequate protection from the laces and adds to the firm precise fit of the shoes. The tongue is gusseted to prevent debris from getting into the shoes. The laces thread through the tongue to prevent it from moving while running. The laces also thread through tapes that are secured to the base of the shoe. This pulls the upper around the foot to give a secure fit around the midfoot. The toe bumper offers a good level of protection without being too heavy or stiff, which reduces the chance of it digging into your toes when the shoe is flexed.
Midsole Feel
The Midsole is made from an updated version of Altra’s EVO Max, which has a softer initial feel than the midsole used in their more responsive shoes, without having a lot of compression. In comparison to the Timp 4, the Timp 5 ride initially feels softer, but has more rebound and responsiveness. This means that your foot ‘knows’ it has hit the floor, so it gets the message to spread on impact. This gives the runner some natural shock absorption and stretches out the Planta Fascia on the bottom of the foot. The Planta Fascia is like a large elastic band and is stretched to absorb the shock and then recoils to spring the runner into their next stride.
Most Altra running shoes have no difference between the height of the midsole at the heel and the height of the midsole at the forefoot aka drop. This encourages a more midfoot strike that loads the foot more naturally and encourages it to spread. If you have used more restrictive footwear when running and for general wear, then your feet might not initially spread as well on impact. However, this isn’t an issue. There’s enough cushioning to absorb the impact and over time your feet will spread better and you’ll grow stronger.
As Altra shoes allow your feet and lower legs to function more than more restrictive footwear it’s a good idea to gradually increase the time you spend in the shoes. Alternate with your current running shoe. This way your lower legs and feet will get stronger without getting over loaded. As there is no elevation at the heel, you learn to not over-stride and heel strike quite quickly. This leads to your foot landing under your centre of gravity, reducing impact force that your body has to deal with and loads the foot correctly to get more propulsion from your feet and lower legs.
The Timp 5 feels more flexible than the previous version. This might be due to the softer initial feel to the cushioning or the better rebound of the foam. Whatever the reason, the result is a much smoother feel to the ride of the shoes and I felt quicker.
Road and Trail?
The stack height of 29mm is similar to the Altra Torin 7 (30mm), Altra Paradigm 7 (30mm), and Altra Provision 8 (28mm) road running shoes. It is no surprise that the Altra Timp 5 feels comfortable on tarmac as well as trails. The outsole is made up of 4mm lugs and uses Vibram Mega Grip, which is a sticky rubber designed to grip well on wet surfaces. This isn’t as durable as the rubber used on road running shoes but is durable enough in our experience for a mile or so on tarmac to get to your trail or mixed runs that have short section of tarmac within them, without wearing out excessively quickly.
The base of the midsole has strips gouged out of it to allow the midsole to bend medially and laterally. This is so that the midsole can flex to absorb lumps and bumps in the trail. This reduces the chance of twisting ankles and knees and allows for a much smoother ride over rough ground. The softness to the midsole also helps absorb the shape of the ground to further enhance the smooth ride. This works in the same way as a mountain bike tyre.
There is a Velcro trap on the back of the heel cup and a ‘D’ ring on the laces in order to attach a gaiter to the Timp 5. This can help reduce debris from getting into the shoes and in cold weather seals the gap between the shoes and your running leggings which helps keep your feet warmer.
Fast or Slow Runs?
The high level of cushioning will allow the runner to use the Timp 5 for long distances if they wish. As it isn’t extremely soft, but is quite responsive, the Timp 5 is equally usable as an all-round trail shoe for everything from the morning jog to a fartlek through the woods, or even hill reps. In fact the firmness in the midsole means that you don’t lose any power when running uphill and you don’t sink into the shoe when descending.
Deep Mud or Hard Packed?
The Timp 5 isn’t designed for deep muddy terrain. Although the lugs are a similar length to the Lone Peak 8, the increased stack height and softness to the cushioning naturally removed same of the feel for the ground, in exchange for comfort on the hard surfaces. You won’t feel as nimble as you can in a Lone Peak 8, but you won’t want to do part of your road run in a Lone Peak 8 particularly either. You can’t have everything and longer lugs and a firmer, thinner midsole wouldn’t feel as smooth and comfortable on all those hard sections.
In summary the Altra Timp 5 is initially softer, lighter, with a smoother ride than the previous version. It’s a versatile trail running shoe that can be used for everything from easy runs, where the higher stack height keeps your comfortable, and yet was responsive enough for quicker running. That probably makes it a very good choice for a large percentage of everyday trail runners. You have that 0mm heel to toe drop and a roomy toe box that are incredibly beneficial for foot function, building strength and even improving posture.
Other Considerations
Topo Athletic Pursuit: A zero drop shoe the same as the Timp 5 with a similar stack height of 28mm. Not quite as soft but, still offers a smooth ride. The fit is snugger through the midfoot. The toe box of the Pursuit is broad and rounded similar to the Timp 5 but, doesn’t have quite as much height. Which shoe fits you best will depend on your foot shape. The Pursuit isn’t quite as smooth on tarmac but, does have 6mm long lugs that offer much better traction on softer ground. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/topo-athletic-pursuit-review/
New Balance Hierro v7: These are a very softly cushioned shoe. If you want a shoe that allows you to cruise along on firmer tracks and trails at a nice easy pace then these are a good option. The cushioning is good enough for use on tarmac. Available in three width Men’s and two width Women’s. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/new-balance-hierro-v7-review/
Karhu Ikoni Trail: A similar straight big toe line allows a strong push off. The cushioning has a softer feel to it but, isn’t so soft that it takes away propulsion as Karhu’s Fulcrum helps push the foot through the gaiter cycle. The shoes are versatile enough for road to trail but, don’t feel as smooth on the road as the Timp 5 mainly due to slightly longer lugs that give a bit more traction on softer ground. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/karhu-ikoni-trail-review/
Hoka Speedgoat 5: Initially the Speedgoat had a very narrow and pointed toe box but Hoka has made the big toe line slightly straighter with each version and increased the volume in the toe box. Not as roomy as the Timp 5 but the Speedgoat has a similar level of grip. The cushioning is softer but the rocker in the midsole helps push you forward. I find the rocker always makes me feel like I am zipping a long. The Hoka Speedgoat 5 is available in two widths and Gore-Tex version. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/hoka-speedgoat-5-gtx-review/
Brooks Caldera 7: A larger base to the Caldera makes it feel a bit more clumpy when you put them on but, this isn’t how they feel when you run in them. The Nitrogen infused midsole although very cushioned still has some feel for the ground and the traction is good despite the lugs being a short 4mm. The big toe line is straight but, there isn’t as much room in the toe box as the Timp 5. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/brooks-caldera-7-review/
Scarpa Kalibra ST: Deeper lugs offers better traction on soft ground. The rocker is quite pronounced which controls the gait a lot more than an Altra shoe which allows a more natural gait to develop. The cushioning is best on trails to softer ground and is likely to feel a bit firm on the tarmac but, if you like a firmer ride these will do the job of a road to trail shoe. Especially if your trail is quite soft ground. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/scarpa-ribelle-run-kalibra-st-review/
NNormal Tomir: Used the same rubber on the outsole (Vibram MegaGrip) but, with larger deeper lugs that bits into soft ground more effectively. The outsole is a one piece rubber outsole which makes the midsole a bit stiffer so the Tomir doesn’t feel as smooth on rougher trails as the Timp 5. The cushioning isn’t as soft or as smooth. The Tomir is more of a workhorse shoe best kept for easy runs and long runs. They lack the responsiveness and lightness to run quickly in them. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/nnormal-tomir-review/
Scarpa Spin Planet: A flatter stud than the Kalibre ST makes these better on firmer terrain. They are a bit ‘clip-cloppy’ on tarmac but, comfortable on the trails. Not versatile enough for quick running. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/scarpa-spin-planet-review/
La Sportiva Jackal ll: The EVA midsole and the rocker gives the Jackal a combination of ground feel and propulsion which makes them a very versatile shoe. The lugs are flat and short so not so good on softer ground but, they still feel good on tarmac. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/la-sportiva-jackal-ii-boa-review/
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