Altra

Paradigm 5 Running Shoe - Men's

No

These shoes lasted less than 200 miles of use. Unfortunately, the uppers tore from the sole at the arch, compromising arch support. Customer service called it wear and tear and wouldn't offer any help. Won't be buying these or other Altras for a while as it looks like quality hasn't been upkept in recent years. I used to love my paradigm 4.5s, and escalantes, but 5 years has been enough to depart from running with Altra anymore.

Great shoe

Familiarity:

I've used it several times

Size Bought:

12

Height:

5' 9"

Weight:

170

Not only a great show but also a great company. Return for a larger size was quick and simple. Will do more business with Backcountry!

Comfortable (Runs Large)

Familiarity:

I've used it several times

Size Bought:

9.0

Height:

5' 10"

Weight:

140

I?ve had these shoes for about a month and run several miles per week in them. So far they are very comfortable. They have a high level of cushion and you can feel it when you run. I wear a 9.5 in Altra Lone Peak, but in the Paradigm 5 I had to go a half size down (9.0) and still have about a thumb-width of space between my big toe and the end of the shoe. For the discounted price it is a great shoe.

No

I wore them only a few times and my hips are killing me; cannot wear. Would like to return, though I am outside 30 days window. I will accept partial refund.

Best Running Shoe for a Wide Foot

I don't know what all these complaints are about. Some people you can never please. I have been running for 41 years and find the Paradigm (whatever number) to be the most comfortable and healthy running shoe I have ever owned. I have owned about 10 of them since it was recommended by my podiatrist a few years ago. I have a very wide foot and developed a type of neuropathy due to using conventionally shaped shoes. These are the first ones that didn't cramp my toes. I even had enough room for an orthotic insert. I especially like the cushioning. Please don't change anything. Regarding the colors that all these people are complaining about.........like I said, you can never please everybody. Besides, that's not as important as the way it fits and performs!

Hot, overbuilt and unattractive. Bring back the old designs.

Really disappointed in the updates to both this and the Torin Plush. First of all the color options are terrible. This was the only half way decent combination, and half way decent is high praise. Contrary to what some designers and consumers seem to think, dulling down a color with gray will not satisfy the person who wants color and the person to chicken to wear any--if someone wants gray, they will gray (I don't understand this person, but whatever) and if they want blue they will get blue. Blue-gray just disappoints both buyers. Secondly, the shoe has way too much cushioning, especially around the ankle. It just adds to the weight and the feeling of being smothered by the shoe without causing any noticeable increase in comfort. I don't know if it is some attempt to compete with other companies, but, like the Torin, this version of the Paradigm has been altered in some way that makes my foot hurt in a vertical line of pain right down the middle of my foot. The longer I run, the worse this pain gets. Finally, this fabric the shoe is made out of does not breath at all--I don't know if its cheaper or what but its terrible and should be discontinued. What happened to the old minimal designs, the breathable knit, the adventurous color combinations? Just another example of a company that seems to be being ruined by is absorption into a larger conglomerate. I only run in Altra, but I am starting to think I might have to give up the square toe box and zero drop to get back breathable, lightweight and stylish. I hope I don't have to, but one more bad run of the Torin or Paradigm (my main two shoes) and I might have no choice.

they do not look very good

I like the fit but they were just ugly. As soon as the Torin 5 wide is out I hope to try it

Is not deep enough to use orthotics

Walking- the lace system is not easy to adjust and does not hold the heel in like previous versions.

Color rubbing off

I was use to wearing flat sock-like shoes. They felt great for a while until I was having problems with my ankles. My doctor told me I needed more cushion and support. I went to a running store and Altra was recommended. When I ordered them they felt great but I noticed the color rubbing off the "guide rail". I ordered this shoe from Altra and in another color from another store. Now I don't expect shoes to not have any wear but for the price that shouldn't happen to a shoe. Since I have a big foot I don't have a lot of options to go into a store and try on shoes. I'll be sending these back and choosing another style.

Perfect for it's purpose

Shoe shopping sucks so let me try to be thorough... 34, 203lb (lean), 6'1", 24mi/week +gym (definitely heavy runner catagory), average 7:45min/mile in these. Have about 400 miles on my pair and they are holding up great. Minor color wear but nothing else. The width is wide open for a normal foot (my foot is a regular width but I really like VERY wide toe box), the weight is a little heavier but this isn't a speed shoe so who cares. Upper is very secure with no hot spots, midsole shoes no sign of loosing its cushion and is perfectly soft and responsive. Warm shoe but I'm sweaty and run in Florida summers so that's going to be true for anything. Perfect distance or recovery shoe. All the negative comments I've read are really trivial. If you're shopping for a max cushion, wide toe, zero drop shoe then this is it. Don't expect a 7oz rocket and don't expect it to look new after a little wear, it's a shoe after all. Between this and my Rivera I've covered all my runs. That's an awesome speed shoe btw. Keep it up Altra! Maybe ask Nike about color choice though...