In the past, I’ve had Altra’s where I’ve ripped out the side walls in 400km, and whereas some people believe that’s a reasonable distance for a shoe, I feel we need to push shoe companies further to build more sustainable and durable shoes.

Altra has three different fits. Original, Standard and Slim fit, with the original fit having the most width and volume. However, it’s worth trying different Altra styles in our experience because it’s not an exact science. For example, the Superior 6 is made in the Standard fit, the same as the previous versions, but in our experience it is as wide as the Lone Peak 7 on the Original fit. The new upper is just a little bit better fit, not any little bunching here, just a little bit more opportunity for it to sort of fit and feel good around your shoe around your foot. All Altra shoes are zero-drop, meaning your heel and your forefoot sit at the exact same height from the ground. That’s not true of most other shoes on the market. In summary, although the fit and feel of the upper is slightly different in the Superior 5 than the Superior 4.5 for most runners the Superior 5 will still be a winning shoe.The Superior 4.5 was a popular shoe at Northern Runner. For those runners that like firmer more responsive feel to their shoes and a bit of feel for the ground. There isn’t that soft pillow-like cushioning that you sink into in the softer cushioned shoes. This makes the shoe feel faster and more responsive. The Superior 5 has the same midsole and outsole as the 4.5. So, it has an equally zippy feel. The Superior is Altra’s most low-profile shoe that they make in a road trail category. It is a nice light, low cushion, low profile trail shoe. Altra calls this shoe the grippy trail hugger, and I mean, I suppose…I agree with that. It is much more flexible than some of the other trail shoes out there from Altra or just some of the other ones on the wall. This is a nice bendy shoe if you are looking for one. I always use the word nimble when I describe this shoe. Changes over the years STEF: Altra appears to have widened the forefoot in the Superior 5 compared to previous versions and while I do have a wider forefoot (thank you Tailor’s bunions), I was really swimming in these. Perhaps bumping down a half size would be an easy fix for that, and it really is not a deal-breaker for me. I couldn’t see myself running/racing anything longer than 10, 13.1 miles in these and at those distances, my feet don’t swell, so I don’t really require the additional forefoot width.

TAYLOR: Altra continues to push on as an innovator in the zero-drop foot-shaped shoe world. Within that niche, they are also very careful to change too much about a given shoe. Case in point is the Superior. 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! All Altra’s are zero drop and have a broad rounded toe box to allow your feet to drop naturally onto your midfoot and then have the space within the shoes to spread. What’s different with the Superiors is that you don’t sink into an overly soft midsole. Instead you immediately get some energy return and your foot is off the floor again.

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Dom: For the uninitiated, the Superior is notable for being a soft, flexible shoe with a compliant, unstructured upper. It has a relatively wide toe box, but fit is generally less spacious than traditional Altra shoes. In regard to fit, compared to the previous iteration, version 5 is slightly tighter-fitting, which seems to be due to three factors: a more voluminous footbed, increased padding in the heel, and a shallower toe bumper. Offsetting this is a little more stretch in the forefoot fabric. ALEX: I have owned every version of the Altra Superior, and the improved fit and traction of this one takes it right to the top for me. It maintains the signature Superior attributes, including the FootShape comfort and 21 mm Balanced Cushioning platform.

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 It still has the same sort of lacing pattern, but we did add that top eye hole. We will now be able to do the marathon loop and such on the five. Update for the Gaiter Trap The Superior 4.5 have only made minor adjustments to the 4.0, making the upper slightly more durable. This is a supremely comfortable zero-drop shoe that is minimal in its feeling, allowing one to have an intimate relationship with the trail. It's also one of the more affordable choices on the market today, so presents pretty good value to those who like minimal and zero drop shoes.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 If you’re unsure which Altra trail shoe is for you, I’ve got you covered. Head over to my Altra trail running shoe round-up post, and I’ll lay out the exact formula for you to decide.

Dom: Also of note: Altra have removed the front anchoring ring used for gaiter attachment, and the velcro flap at the rear is smaller. This seems a reasonable compromise, as gaiters are likely to see less use with this shoe than the beefier models in Altra’s lineup.

What Other Trail Running Shoes Should You Consider?

Trista: "The upper is the first thing that I loved about the Superior 5. I have a high instep, and this shoe wraps perfectly around the top of my foot without any added pressure. It allows my foot to move freely while feeling secure and comfortably snug." This shoe is certainly not going to win any awards for its underfoot protection, but the thin, highly flexible feel provided by the Quantic foam midsole has its own appeal. Rest assured, you will be able to feel everything you are stepping on, and this effect suits midfoot strikers far better than heel strikers. It also suits one on shorter runs where the legs are fresh and speed is desired, rather than long runs where tired muscles break down into sloppier technique where the feet take the most abuse. Despite being called a "StoneGuard," the optional insert does little to change this dynamic, except for effecting the fit inside the shoe. Dom: As ever, I feel obliged to caution that this is not a shoe for everyone. Altra may have made it more mainstream, but the Superior remains far from a mainstream shoe. It is light, soft, flexible, and provides only modest protection. The shoe is neutral and unsupportive. But in return you get a sublime trail feel and wonderful, natural running experience. Yes, it’s that good.