Sarah Sellers to Altra

They're really limiting their market by having only zero drop shoes. My body can't handle them, and I tried on two occasions to adapt to them. Whole backside/hips got messed up. Trying to pushoff feels weird with the clown-like toebox. As a longtime high mileage runner, my mechanics are already somewhat fixed. I've heard others have had the same experience.

Also, I've not been impressed with the shoe quality of these smaller brands like Altra and Hoka. I don't get the appeal to so many hobby runners, but maybe they don't run enough to tell the difference. It seemed like there was something "off" with every Altra/Hoka shoe I tried. The serious runners putting in serious mileage are all sticking to the major shoe brands (Nike, Adidas, Brooks, New Balance, Saucony, Asics). I think there's simply more product testing and better quality materials in the namebrand shoes.

well,, wrote:

Altra has a zero drop on all their models. It can take a while to get used to.

Altra is now my favorite shoe, and I haven't even seen any yet. :))

I'm looking forward to running in them.

Hokas seem to work well for almost all the NY/NJ track club guys. Merber does 90+ mpw in singles with hokas.

Really .. wrote:

Scorpion_runner wrote:

Speaking of Altra, I tried their shoes, and my feet felt like they were simply lying on a flat board..

If that's true then I will absolutely love to wear them.

I hate shoes that have a bunch of ridges and lumps on them, and it's hard to find shoes that don't.

Let us know how your Achilles and calves feel after awhile.

This. Everything about them feels cheap sadly. Despite what others may argue i dont think the minor brands have the same accesss to materials, manufacturing and design as the major brands.

The foot shape last/toebox is over exaggerated as well. I get the concept but the altra shoes are definitley not in the shape of my feet. Im not a hobbit duck hybrid.

I also found the shoes felt best on the trails and awful on the roads. Maybe thats fine. Thats their market. I suspect the weartesters and founders are mostly testing the shoes up and down the mountains in utah.

vivalarepublica wrote:

Let us know how your Achilles and calves feel after awhile.

I've walked and run barefoot all my life, so I'm sure they'll be fine.

Now you, who are used to running in high heels, would probably have major problems.

Only a moron (read it right) could ask a question like that. Double moron points for not using a question mark.

keepgoing wrote:

Planet of the Apes wrote:

I predict a serious injury in the next 6 months.

I'm excited and happy for her. But yeah, I hope she doesn't change much, otherwise I fear you'll be right about that injury.

Happened to Allie Kieffer. Breakthrough run at NYC then bam, stress fracture about 4 months later. These athletes are so motivated that breakthrough races like they had can make them feel invincible.

Scorpion_runner wrote:

Speaking of Altra, I tried their shoes, and my feet felt like they were simply lying on a flat board. It didn't feel like a running shoe, and I developed pain in my plantar fascia as soon as I started to run in them.

Is that normal, and it takes awhile for the foot to adjust to them?

Usually, If I have a problem with a shoe, there will be an issue in my upper body, but never in my feet. No shoe has ever made my feet hurt except for Altra.

I thought we established you aren't normal. And considering how many shoes you have problems with, it's seriously amazing none of them have ever made your feet hurt. Maybe the problem is you?

Really ... wrote:

vivalarepublica wrote:

Let us know how your Achilles and calves feel after awhile.

I've walked and run barefoot all my life, so I'm sure they'll be fine.

Now you, who are used to running in high heels, would probably have major problems.

Sensitive much? I was hoping you could update simply for informative purposes. I wear zero drop shoes for casual use and run in the lowest drop shoes I can handle, which usually is 4mm drop.

keepgoing wrote:

Scorpion_runner wrote:

Speaking of Altra, I tried their shoes, and my feet felt like they were simply lying on a flat board. It didn't feel like a running shoe, and I developed pain in my plantar fascia as soon as I started to run in them.

Is that normal, and it takes awhile for the foot to adjust to them?

Usually, If I have a problem with a shoe, there will be an issue in my upper body, but never in my feet. No shoe has ever made my feet hurt except for Altra.

Which model did you try? I have found a couple like that (mostly the Instinct), but others are a nice mix of plush and flexible.

It was the escalante. Everything else was fine, and I'm use to a zero drop shoe. They felt great, but as soon as I took them off, I experience major plantar fascia pain. Something I had never experience before....

They just feel like Flintstone shoes

My current shoe rotation:

Vaze Rush 3 - easy, long runs, moderate runs

Nike Zoom Elite 9 - tempos, Vo2 max, race

Merrell Bare Access Flex ( 0 drop) - short tempos, vo2max, race ( no more than 3-6 miles)

vivalarepublica wrote:

Sensitive much? I was hoping you could update simply for informative purposes. I wear zero drop shoes for casual use and run in the lowest drop shoes I can handle, which usually is 4mm drop.

Barefoot is already zero drop / zero heel lift.

If you can't handle it, then you're the one who is sensitive.

P.S. Altra was started by mormons. Its all sold out now, but they are still basically Utah shoes.

Really ... wrote:

vivalarepublica wrote:

Sensitive much? I was hoping you could update simply for informative purposes. I wear zero drop shoes for casual use and run in the lowest drop shoes I can handle, which usually is 4mm drop.

Barefoot is already zero drop / zero heel lift.

If you can't handle it, then you're the one who is sensitive.

Lol.

katieagain wrote:

P.S. Altra was started by mormons. Its all sold out now, but they are still basically Utah shoes.

How on earth is this the least bit relevant? Do you typically point out the religion of the founders of every shoe brand?

To each their own...Mccandless has been doing well in Altras, 212 at CIM (4minute PB?) Last week was leading up to mile 12 in US 25k champs he managed a 1:15! Tyler may be have naturally flexible tendons which zero drop favors. I do know some people who cant run back to back in moderate cushion (Torin, Instinct) Altras but they can in Max cushion Altras like Olympus and Paradigm

I like Altras (paradigm 2.0). They last much longer than the brooks ghost shoes I had before that. I have a morton's neuroma between my 3rd and 4th toe on my right foot and the wide toe box helps with that.

Aaron Fletcher signed with them not long ago (2:14:xx) at St George Marathon in Utah in 2017 and 1:05:xx Ogden 1/2 Marathon last week. He ran 8:36:xx steeple for BYU a few years back.

Tyler also blogged a few yrs ago when he was struggling how he found out he was low testosterone. He later took down the post. Could taking testosterone be the reason for his resurgence?

Altra is the brand for Mormons, hence why Sarah would go with them.

Good for Sara. I am guessing it is mainly a performance based contract (with free gear, maybe some travel money, an a small stipend) as her top 5 in Boston was a fluke because of the weather and I can't see how they can/would pay a 2:40ish marathoner (or is she faster?) much money. Even if Altra could afford it. If she can do well in another major, should be a pretty good payday. If not, she should enjoy her five minutes of fame. I hope she can improve. Just have to wait and see.