The slipper-like comfort of the Altra Timp 4 is impressive with a wide toe box to allow the feet to relax and spread out, as well as luxuriously soft cushioning in the sole, a zero drop from heel to toe and a wonderfully padded ankle cuff. Even the tongue has padding underneath. The flex of the upper, with a slightly more rigid ankle, is also easy to like. It’s great to have a large pull-on loop at the rear of the shoes, too.
Fiona Russell Recommends
Overall, the shoes are at the barefoot end of the trail walking and running spectrum and will suit people who prefer a natural feel rather than those more used to being supported by their footwear.- Comfy
- Grippy
- Cushioning
- Wide Toe Box
- Lack support
- Slippery laces
- Wide toe box doesn’t suit narrow foot
| Quick specs | |
|---|---|
| Price: £135 Weight: 308g Materials & features: stack height: 29mm, MaxRac outsole, Altra EGO™ MAX midsole, quick-dry air mesh upper, foot-shape toe box Heel-to-toe drop: 0mm Lug depth: 3mm Sizes: UK 3.5 to 8.5 Women/Mens version: Yes URL: https://www.altrarunning.eu/uk/ |
Walking and running in the Altra Timp 4 feels easy and natural. However, the softness underfoot and the relaxed upper means there is little support, such as at the foot arch, and if you are used to footwear that is a bit more structured and stabilising, you will need to build up to wearing the Altras otherwise your may suffer niggles and injuries in foot and ankle muscles.
The wide shoe shape gives great confidence on uneven ground, whether walking or running, and the shoes are at the lighter end of those I’ve tested so they are easy to wear for long-distance outings.
The MaxTrac outsole offers good grip on most terrain, except for for steep, muddy and grassy slopes, so I would reserve the Timp 4s for drier hill paths or hard-packed trails. They are not great on greasy rocks, nor wet tree roots, but few shoes can cope with these natural obstacles in my experience.
The uppers are made with a durable mesh, plus an overlap rand that almost circuits the shoe, a toe cap and heel protection.
Annoyingly the laces untie too easily and small bits of trail debris collect under the lace box.
Overall, the Altra Timp 4’s are at the barefoot end of the trail walking and running spectrum and will suit people who prefer a natural feel rather than those more used to being supported by their footwear.
Written and Tested by Fiona Russell
Fiona Russell is a size UK8.5 and has a narrow foot. She is a keen trail and hill runner, as well as a mountain walker and especially enjoys the Munros and Corbetts in Scotland. To test the trail shoes, she walked and ran in each pair of shoes on a range of terrain.
