Altra Torin 8 review

Midsole width - forefoot:

• Not for rearfoot strikers.
• Those who felt the Torin 7 was an awkward version—this update feels better on foot with an improved upper and more secure heel lockdown.
• Midfoot or forefoot strikers needing a shoe for easy-paced miles that can also double as a casual, all-day walking option.
• Runners aiming to transition toward minimalist footwear and want an in-between step that still offers a true zero-drop platform.

We think the Torin 8 isn’t the best option if you're after responsiveness—it gained weight over the previous version, and with its low-energy return midsole, that extra bulk feels even harder to justify. From our evaluation, both the Foot-shaped, wide toebox and are far better choices feel significantly faster underfoot. Both shoes lighter, snappier, and priced at a similar or even lower point.

Our perspective is that the Torin 8’s stack height may turn off runners looking for a more natural experience. If you're seeking a flexible, ground-connected feel, we believe the So congrats to Altra for nailing it, as we usually see much bigger differences here in the lab or In our experience, we noticed that this is a frequent thing with We use an average of four tests. The photo shows one of those tests.

With 27.6 mm of stack height in the heel, the Torin 8 may not seem like an ultra-cushioned design, but we can't forget this is a zero-drop running shoe—hence the heel is usually thinner than average.

On the flip side, the forefoot has above-average cushioning at 27.7 mm, which we think enables this shoe to handle even long runs for runners who strike with the midfoot or forefoot.

Altra Experience Form Altra that’s always worth clarifying. Some runners think that because the shoe doesn’t go over 30 mm of stack in the heel, it feels under-cushioned... but if you’re landing on the front of the shoe, who cares how much foam sits under the heel?

True to Altra’s roots, the Torin 8 keeps its signature zero-drop geometry. After testing, we discovered a real drop of -0.1 mm, which diverges from 0.0 mm like two human hairs stacked.

Midsole width - heel!

The Torin 8 comes with a balanced, 21.0-HA Altra EGO MAX foam, which brings both good news and bad news.

On the positive side, this is one of the best foams inside Altra’s lineup, and we’re glad they’re keeping it in the Torin series without any downgrades.

But on the flip side, we think it starts to feel a bit dated against competitors offering bouncier, energy-loaded setups with supercritical formulations—even when they are still bolstered on EVA like this shoe.

Being made from EVA (Ethylene Vinyl Acetate), it wasn’t a surprise to discover that the performance of this foam in cold temperatures is far from impressive. After spending 20 minutes in the freezer, it lost 31% of its softness!

The insole, at 5.0 mm, is extra-thick—and that’s quite noticeable when it comes to cushioning.

We’re happy to confirm that the Torin 8 keeps a moderate-rocker geometry, with a mostly-flat midsole that maintains a smooth and grounded ride.

Sure, it’s not as pancake-flat as a minimalist shoe, but a certain degree of toe spring is needed to overcome the semi-rigid stiffness of the shoe. After testing, we discovered that the forefoot only rises to 3.5 cm, which is quite low for a modern daily trainer nowadays.

If there’s a standout feature of the Altra Torin series, it’s the wide, roomy, foot-shaped toebox. To see if Altra keeps this model as generously-built as we’ve come to expect, we did a 1:1 gel mold replica of the toebox.

Starting with the widest part of the upper, we found that things have gotten a bit narrower here. After testing, we discovered it’s now more similar to an average shoe at 95.3 mm—way less than the 101.1 mm we clocked in version 7.

Hence, the shoe feels a bit more secure (or tight) in the ball of the foot compared to its predecessor, which can be seen as good or bad. However, this is not the most crucial measurement for those seeking the ultimate toe-splay freedom...

The big toe measurement is the one that uncovers how much the shoe tapers, and if it really follows the natural, foot-friendly design Altra promotes with the Torin series.

We discovered that, indeed, it’s really roomy. At 83.6 mm, it’s exactly the same as the Torin 7, which already delivered unlimited toe-splay freedom for most runners.

And wait, because there’s a Wide size available with even more front-room generosity—although Altra usually offers it in just a few less-exciting colorways.

At 26.8 mm, the room for the toes is not as vertically-generous as some runners might seek, but it’s not bothersome by any means.

During both short and long runs, we found it was never a problem—though if you favor ultra-spacious uppers that don't restrict vertical toe movement, then consider trying the Topo Atmos instead.

Through our evaluation, we found that the Torin 8 delivers a decently stable ride—especially for neutral runners or those with mild stability needs who value a natural feel without intrusive support.

Its reinforced heel counter and wide-landing forefoot base create a solid platform, further enhanced by a notably rigid heel area. However, runners seeking a 100% stability-focused, foot-shaped design should check out the Altra Torin 8 instead.

Altra shoes are often thought of as super-flexible, but that’s been changing in recent years. However, the Torin 8 stays average in this area with a 3/5 score, which feels like a good compromise to us.

The heel counter is seriously rigid, getting a 4/5 in our lab tests. In our view, neutral runners will probably find it a bit too much, as this firm piece holding the heel is very noticeable and even a bit bothersome at slow paces.

During our test runs, we discovered it feels a bit stiffer than what we hoped for, but for those with slight stability needs, it will be an awesome feature.

We discovered that the Torin 8 stays true to its roots by featuring a broader-than-average forefoot midsole, now measuring 117.7 mm—almost 2 mm wider than the previous version for even more forefoot stability.

This wide-landing platform ensures stable landings for midfoot and forefoot strikers. However, the broad front does make the shoe feel slightly less agile than other daily trainers.

True to Altra’s design, the heel of the Torin 8 stays really narrow, as this shoe truly encourages forward landings—making it logical not to build a super-wide midsole in this area.

In our experience, we noticed that this is a frequent thing with.

With such a similar midsole design to last year’s model, we were not surprised to get 14.0N in our flex test—only 0.1N less than the previous version. Hence, it sits around the average, fitting perfectly with its role as a daily trainer.

We really liked most changes from version 7, but here’s a negative one—the weight has gone up, and that’s bad news no matter how you spin it. After testing, we discovered it now sits at 9.7 oz or 275g.

While still very reasonable, this means an 8% gain that puts the shoe in a less interesting spot when it comes to the important cushioning-to-weight ratio.

Altra has updated the upper in the Torin 8, and we were curious to find out if breathability was up to the challenge for year-round use. Using our smoke machine, we rated it at 3 out of 5—an average score that reflects a breathable-enough construction, but nothing standout.

We believe that this shoe can handle most conditions, though we recommend pairing it with thin, moisture-wicking socks on hot summer days. That’s a quick way to offset the not-so-heat-ready airflow and avoid discomfort in high temperatures, especially if you buy a dark colorway.

When we tested the shoe over a light source, we noticed that the ventilation zones were concentrated around the toebox and midfoot. This detail was a pleasant surprise, as it helps release warm air where it's most likely to build up.

In our lab, we’ve seen this type of engineered mesh hundreds of times—it’s a familiar choice that offers a blend of structure and comfort. It’s not luxurious, but it gets the job done.

are far better choices.

We found no glue marks or stitching errors, and the padding in both the tongue and heel offers a plush experience that many daily runners will appreciate.

Despite having numerous ventilation holes and lacking any reinforcement pieces, the engineered mesh used by Altra delivered surprisingly strong performance in our durability test. We gave it a solid 4/5!

And it scored the same in the heel padding, a zone that often takes a beating from certain runners. Therefore, reaching another 4 out of 5 is crucial for being seen as a long-lasting, everyday-use trainer for running, walking, or anything in between.

Now, let's focus on the outsole. Altra is sticking to its proven approach—designing an outsole with multiple bone-mimicking cutouts that enhance flexibility and create a more natural-feeling ride underfoot.

We found strong rubber coverage in the right zones, especially up front where runners need more impact protection. The rubber compound remains the same as in earlier models, and we measured 82.0 HC in hardness.

That puts the Torin 8 right in the average range of hardness—just like the grip, which feels fine for everyday conditions but doesn’t stand out as ultra-grippy.

After using our Dremel one more time, we found that the durability of the Torin 8 is genuinely good. At 0.8 mm, the result left us very satisfied—it clearly outperforms the average shoe in this test.

Thanks to the strong abrasion resistance of the rubber, Altra likely chose to use slightly less rubber thickness than what’s common in a daily trainer. With 2.5 mm, the shoe avoids extra weight and feels more connected to the ground.

The Altra Torin 8 holds the same price as before, which is good news in a market full of price surges. For this reason, we believe it’s a fair ask for a reliable daily trainer, although in performance and technology it starts to feel slightly outdated against faster-evolving competitors.

We found small reflective elements in the Torin 8 (enough to tick this box) but we wished for larger, more visible ones!

At 10.9 mm, the tongue is way more padded than in the Torin 7, which had just 6.3 mm. After testing, we discovered this can be good or bad news—depending on your cushion-loving or weight-conscious preferences.

For those who enjoy a pillow-soft feel over the instep and extra protection for tying the laces as tight as possible, this update is fantastic. However, for others, it may feel overly plush. In our view, maybe something moderately-padded would have struck a better balance between comfort and weight.

The tongue is not gusseted, and that’s a major letdown for us. After testing, we discovered that when shelling out 150 bucks for a daily trainer, a tongue that's fixed to the sides is something we've come to expect.

The heel tab of the Altra Torin 8 keeps a design very similar to its predecessor, featuring an extended collar that reminds us of some HOKA models. This setup offers extra support for the Achilles tendon and makes it easier to grab the shoe when putting it on.

It’s a huge plus that you can remove the insole, as many Altra fans might find the Torin 8 slightly over-cushioned. In that case, swap it for a minimalist 1 or 2 mm insole, and you’ll feel closer to the ground.