Roomy, natural-feeling comfort with a firmer, grounded ride
Quick Answer: Altra Torin 9 Review: The Torin 9 is an everyday running and walking shoe built around two simple ideas: give your toes room to spread out, and keep your foot flat and level instead of tilting your heel up the way most shoes do. That makes it feel natural and easy on the foot, especially if you have wider feet or you hate a cramped, pointy toe box. The cushioning is comfortable but on the firmer side, so you feel a little more of the ground than you would in a soft, pillowy shoe. It is a lovely pick for relaxed daily miles, walking, and long days on your feet, and a poor pick if you want that soft, bouncy feel or you have never worn a flat, level shoe before. Check latest price.
Altra has always done two things a little differently, and you notice both the moment you slip this shoe on. First, the front of the shoe is wide and shaped like an actual foot, so your toes can spread out and relax instead of being squeezed toward a point. Second, the shoe is what runners call “zero drop.” That is just a fancy way of saying your heel sits at the same height as your toes, rather than being propped up. Most running shoes lift the heel; this one keeps you flat and level. If you have never tried that before, it can feel a bit different at first, and we will walk you through who it suits and who it does not.
The Torin is Altra’s comfortable, do-everything daily shoe, and the 9 is the newest version. Think of it as the roomy, easygoing pair you reach for on an ordinary day: a relaxed run, a long walk, a day on your feet, or a wander around town. It is not a racing shoe and it is not trying to be exciting. It is trying to be comfortable, roomy, and dependable, and for the right person it hits that mark nicely.
Specs
Here are the specifications for the Altra Torin 9, in plain English:
| Best for | Relaxed daily runs, walking, wide feet, and anyone who likes a natural, level, roomy feel |
| Type | Everyday cushioned shoe with no built-in support posts (a “neutral” shoe) |
| Heel-to-toe height | Zero drop: your heel and toes sit level, for a flat, natural stride |
| Cushioning | A moderate amount underfoot: enough to take the sting out of pavement, but firmer than a soft, pillowy shoe, so you still feel the ground |
| Foam | A new foam Altra calls P35X, a little livelier and longer-lasting than the last version |
| Grip | A Vibram rubber outsole, about 20% grippier than the Torin 8 |
| Toe box | Wide and foot-shaped, with room for your toes to spread; wide sizes available |
| Weight | About 9.5 oz men’s / 8 oz women’s, right in the middle of the pack (approximate) |
| Price | About $160 at launch (approximate). Check latest price |
Pros
- Roomy, foot-shaped front that is a real relief for wide feet and cramped toes
- Flat, level ride that feels natural and encourages a comfortable, upright stride
- Comfortable enough for long walks and all-day wear
- Grippier, tougher Vibram sole than the last version
- Comes in wide sizes
Cons
- Firmer underfoot, so it is not the soft, cushiony shoe some people are after
- The flat, level design takes some getting used to if you are coming from regular shoes, so ease in slowly
- Not built for speed or race day
- A little pricey for a simple everyday shoe
What is new compared with the Torin 8
If you owned the Torin 8, the 9 is a real step up in the parts that matter. Altra swapped in a new foam that feels a touch more lively and should last longer, and it trimmed the shoe down slightly so it sits a little closer to the ground and feels more connected as you walk or run. The biggest practical upgrade is the outsole: it now uses Vibram rubber that grips noticeably better on wet pavement, which is reassuring on a rainy morning. The roomy toe box and the flat, level feel that Altra fans love are unchanged. In short, it is the same friendly, roomy shoe, now grippier and a bit more refined underfoot.
Who should buy the Altra Torin 9
This shoe is made for people who want their feet to feel free and natural rather than packaged into a stiff, narrow shoe. If you have wide feet, bunions, or you simply cannot stand having your toes pinched, the extra room up front feels wonderful. It also suits anyone who likes, or wants to try, a flatter, more natural way of moving, where your heel is not propped up above your toes. And because it is comfortable and roomy without being soft and unstable, it works well for relaxed everyday runs, long walks, travel, and time on your feet. If your running is mostly easy miles and the occasional weekend outing rather than chasing race times, this is squarely your kind of shoe.
Who should probably skip it
Two groups will be happier in something else. First, anyone who loves a soft, plush, pillowy ride. The Torin 9 is comfortable, but it is firmer and closer to the ground on purpose, so if you want to feel like you are running on clouds, a softer shoe will suit you better. Second, anyone brand new to flat, level shoes who plans to jump straight into long runs. Because your heel is not raised, this style asks a little more of your calves and Achilles at first. That is not a problem if you ease in over a few weeks with short outings, but it can cause soreness if you do too much too soon. If either of those is you, we point you to a couple of gentler options further down.
How does the Altra Torin 9 fit?
Learn about fit for this shoe.
Fit and sizing
The Torin 9 generally fits true to size, so most people can order their usual number. What is different is the shape: the front is noticeably wider and rounder than a typical running shoe, which is exactly the point. Your toes get room to spread and relax, which feels great for wide feet and anyone who hates a tight, pointy fit. The heel and midfoot are held snugly so your foot does not slide around, so you get a secure middle with a relaxed front. If your feet are especially broad, Altra also makes this shoe in wide sizes, and it takes a custom insole comfortably if you use one.
Upper and step-in comfort
Slip it on and the first thing you notice is space and softness around the foot. The upper, which is the fabric part that wraps over the top of your foot, is breathable and comfortable straight out of the box, with a well-padded tongue and heel so nothing digs in. There is no long break-in period. It simply feels roomy and easy from the first wear, which is a big part of why Altra fans stay loyal.
How does the Altra Torin 9 perform?
We explore performance for the Torin 9 in this section.
Cushioning and ride
The ride is best described as comfortable but grounded. There is a sensible amount of cushioning to soften the pavement, but it is firmer and more stable than the soft, sink-in shoes on the market, so you stay connected to the ground and in control of your stride. Paired with the flat, level shape, that gives a natural, planted feel that many people find easy on their body once they are used to it. It is calm and steady rather than bouncy and springy. If you want energy and pop for faster runs, this is not that shoe, and it is not trying to be. It is trying to feel natural and dependable, mile after mile.
Grip and durability
This is where the 9 clearly improves on past versions. The new Vibram rubber sole grips confidently on dry and wet pavement, which is genuinely reassuring on a damp morning walk. It is a road shoe rather than a trail shoe, so it is happiest on sidewalks, paths, and the treadmill rather than mud or loose rock. That tougher rubber should also hold up well over time, so you can expect a good stretch of daily use before it wears down.
Is the Altra Torin 9 good for walking?
Yes, and for a lot of people it may be even better for walking than for running. Walking comfort comes from a roomy, stable, level platform, and that is exactly what this shoe offers. Your toes have space to spread with every step, the flat design keeps you feeling natural and grounded, and the firmer cushioning stays supportive over a long day instead of getting soft and sloppy the way some plush shoes do. That makes it a strong choice for long walks, travel days, and jobs that keep you on your feet, and a particularly good option if wide feet or squeezed toes usually leave you sore. The one thing to remember is the same as for running: if you are new to flat, level shoes, break them in gradually so your calves can adjust.
Altra Torin 9 alternatives
If the firmer ride is the sticking point and you want more softness with a more familiar raised-heel feel, the Brooks Ghost 18 is an easy, comfortable daily shoe that also comes in wide sizes (check price | read review). It does not have the roomy, foot-shaped toe box or the flat, level design, but it is a gentler, more forgiving everyday option.
If you like the idea of a soft, cushioned ride with a gentle rocker to roll you forward, the Hoka Clifton is worth a look too (check price | read review). It is softer and more heavily cushioned than the Torin, though again without Altra’s roomy shape and level feel.
And if it is the wide, natural Altra feel you love but you want more cushioning underfoot, stay in the family and look at Altra’s more heavily padded models, which keep the same roomy toe box and level ride with a taller, softer platform (check price).
See also: Best zero drop shoes.
Price and value
At around $160 the Torin 9 sits at the normal price for a good daily running shoe, so you are not overpaying, but you are not getting a bargain either. What you are really paying for is the roomy, natural fit and the tougher, grippier sole, and if those are the things you want, it is money well spent, because very few shoes give your toes this much room in a comfortable everyday package. If you do not care about the wide toe box or the flat, level feel, you can find softer or cheaper daily shoes elsewhere, so the value really comes down to how much you want what makes an Altra an Altra.
Final verdict
Best for: people who want a roomy, natural, level everyday shoe for easy runs, long walks, and time on their feet, especially wider feet.
Avoid if: you want a soft, pillowy ride, you need built-in support for heavy foot roll, or you are not willing to ease into a flat, level shoe.
Fit: true to size with a snug heel and a wide, roomy front; wide sizes available.
Verdict: a comfortable, roomy, natural-feeling daily shoe that is a joy for the right foot, as long as you know it is firm rather than soft and you break it in gently.
Frequently Asked Questions for the Altra Torin 9
Zero drop means your heel sits at the same height as your toes, instead of being raised up. It gives a flat, natural stride that many people find comfortable, but because your heel is not lifted it asks a bit more of your calves and Achilles at first. If you are new to it, ease in with short runs and walks over a few weeks.
Yes. Its wide, foot-shaped toe box gives your toes room to spread out, which is a big reason people with wide feet and cramped toes love Altra. It also comes in extra-wide sizes.
It is comfortable but on the firmer side. There is enough cushioning to soften the pavement, but it stays stable and grounded rather than soft and pillowy. If you want a plush, sink-in feel, a softer shoe will suit you better.
Yes. The roomy toe box, level platform, and firmer, stable cushioning make it comfortable for long walks, travel, and time on your feet, especially if wide feet or pinched toes usually leave you sore.
For most people, yes, so you can order your usual size. The fit is snug in the heel and midfoot with a much roomier front than a typical shoe. Wide sizes are available if you need extra room.
