ALTRATorin 5 Luxe

Love, love, love these shoes, but not why you might think. These are better than bare foot shoes for me—Read on to see why.First let me say, I use these for walking, I do not jog.I know these are marketed as barefoot type shoes and maybe they are, but barefoot shoes don’t work for me I just looked into them because I was hitting dead end after dead end trying to find comfortable shoes that work for my fussy, fragile feet. I did try a pair of barefoot shoes before. They had a zero heel drop, thin flexible sole, no arch support, wider toe box and secure to the feet, but they just aren’t right for my shoe needs—they were not comfortable at all and my feet were very unhappy. So why do I love the Altra Torin 5 Luxe so much even though they are barefoot shoes?I’ve learned over many years that I need some arch support, not too much and not too little. I also need some cushion, again, not too much and not too little. Zero heel drop, a flexible sole, a wide toe box and being secure to my feet are also attributes I’ve learned over the years that work for my feet and also my ankles. The Altra Torin 5 Luxe shoe meets all my needs. Read on as I break down the parts of the shoe in more detail.ARCH SUPPORT AND CUSHIONI find that the Altra Torin 5 Luxe have a little arch support, not as much as I normally need, but enough when combined with the amount of cushion these shoes have—Let me explain. I have a pair of shoes from another brand that are know as being good for foot health. They have a nice amount of arch support, but the cushion is a bit too soft. When I walk my heel, which bears the most weight with each step, sinks into the insole, but so much that the arch of my foot is driven into the insole. Even though the insole is soft it applies too much pressure to my arch because my arch doesn’t apply nearly as much downward pressure as my heel. This dynamic effectively increases the overall amount of arch support of the shoe, but too much so. The Altra Torin 5 Luxe shoes have the right balance of arch support to amount of cushion. So the arch support is slightly increased as my heel sinks into the heel area, effectively increasing the arch support, but not so much as to over increase the arch and drive it uncomfortably into my arch. The cushion is also just right for my foot pad, the area just behind my toes, as well as my heel cushioning both against the hard surface of the road.ZERO HEEL DROP, FLEXIBLE SOLE, WIDE TOE BOX AND SECURE TO THE FEETThe Altra Torin 5 Luxe meets all these barefoot shoe basics. I’ll add, I find well know brands of running shoes that have a mesh fabric top to be overly constrictive. The Altra Torin 5 Luxe mesh fabric feels just right—secure and with just the right amount of give. I assume the wider toe box, as compared to non barefoot shoes, plays apart in the increase in comfort.As far as size goes I tried a 10 my usual size and it fit, but just barely. Although they were comfortable and I immediately loved them I wanted to try a 10.5—it fit perfectly. So I kept the 10.5 and returned the 10. I like these shoes so much that I quickly bought a second pair for fear that they be discontinued.So if you are looking for an ultra comfortable shoe with just the right amount of support, cushion and toe room I recommend you give these shoes a try. I’ve also read if you are transitioning from traditional shoes to barefoot shoes for the first time that these are a good pick to ease you into the world of barefoot shoes. I don’t think I’ll be transitioning beyond these, because the check all the boxes I need in a comfortable walking shoe.

I walk every day but I also sometimes like to wear sneakers out on the job or on the town. These shoes enable you to do just that. They basically match any outfit you wear and if you get the black/black ones, they really do not look like running shoes. I can't stand people that wear bright patterned running shoes in their normal clothes. I totally understand why people do, but they look like such goobers when doing it. These shoes are definitely not that. The first pair I bought, I put hundreds of miles in walking and running, this pair will strictly be used for walking and on my job which also requires walking.I think it is important to mention the tongue issue experienced in the other Torin 5 and 6s....the Torin Luxe is a totally different shoe in almost every regard. This tongue is nice and soft and won't dig into your foot like the other Torin does. These are definitely designed more for every day walking: they are a lot more comfortable, durable, and classy looking. My point here is to not be scared off if you have had a bad experience with the other Torins....I also made the mistake of buying the 6 and couldn't stand it.The only thing that sucks is that it doesnt look like Altra is going to make another Luxe model like these. Get them while you can!

There are sacrifices, this shoe probably wont last the longest, might not be the most stylish, but if you are looking for a combo of comfort and style, this is a winner. I wish they kept on making them...I bought an additional pair because of this.

Been in Altras for a number of years, this purchase was to replace used up ones, usually buy from REI, Amazon selection and pricing was better this time.. Unfortunately, the first pair from Amazon was defective, had a workmanship issue: the right shoe tongue was sewed in at an angle causing it to slide far to the right. Realize the issue was more over from poor workmanship and QC, rather than the overall design. Returned and reordered a second pair, no issues with the tongue sliding to one side or the other….Will be providing follow up on overall comfort and durability later…once I’ve gotten enough miles down the road.

Why in the name of all that is holy, do shoe designers create a toe box that INTENTIONALLY bends the big toe inwards? Shoe manufacturers are on a program to cripple us from birth.The toe box of Altra shoes is substantially different: try a pair and discover for yourself.My only gripe is that Altra needs to make proper dress shoes so the sensible can wear their products for any occasion.Have now purchased two pair. My Keens and related styles have all gone to Goodwill as they are no longer comfortable or preferable.

The first pair I ordered were dirty and worn. Someone evidently put their plastic hard-edged insoles into the shoes and damaged the foam and left their dirt and debris behind, so I returned that pair. But they were comfortable so I ordered another. Ironically I'm a women's size 8 and the other Altra styles are so narrow and short toe box that I moved to a men's size 8 so I could use toe spacers and have room for my feet which are rehabbing from injuries. The second pair arrived in a tattered shoe box! These men's size 8 were too narrow for my narrow women's size 8 foot! They were misshapen and the toe of the shoe turns up one inch from the ground, which is awful and unnatural for a human foot.