Altra Torin 9 Review: Mileage Meets Magic?

All shoes are reviewed by the Fleet Feet tester team, which represents a wide variety of goals, foot shapes, running locations and terrains. Reviewers pound the pavement, climb the hills, tackle the trails, then come together to compare notes. Debates ensue over the feel of the cushioning, the purpose of the shoe, and how it compares to last year’s model. While each reviewer has their own individual preferences, we hope that capturing our debates will help you make an informed decision.

Unicorns may be mythical, but the Altra Torin 9 is very real. Altra calls their flagship model their “unicorn” as it boasts a variety of features that are hard to find in today’s footwear landscape. A zero-drop platform — meaning your heel and forefoot sit at the same level — an extra roomy toebox and a substantial stack of cushioning create a unique ride that’s classically Altra.

Our tried-and-true Altra fans, including Cooldown Running founder Bailey Ness, tested the Torin 9 to see how it fits, feels and performs. Does this shoe live up to its magical lore? Read on to find out.

The Torin 9 stays true to its roots while a couple of tweaks improve the overall ride of this mythical mileage-monster.

Altra calls their new dual-density midsole foam “P35X™,” giving me flashbacks to the alien “Experiment 626” from Disney’s Lilo & Stitch. But don’t worry, this midsole foam isn’t going to break out of a high-security spaceship or impersonate Elvis on a Hawaiian Beach. It’s going to sit right underfoot and deliver a balanced ride with substantive cushioning and smooth support all wrapped into one package.

“The moment I stood up in the Torin 9, I felt connected to the ground in a way that the cushier shoes in my rotation don't deliver,” says Tom. “The midsole is on the firmer side without feeling stiff and, while it doesn't provide much energy return, I actually think that's the point. Some shoes feel like they do the running for me. In the Torin 9, the spring and energy come from me. The shoe acts as a stable, reliable platform to work from. I found myself naturally staying light on my feet, which is exactly the kind of feedback I like from a shoe during speedwork or daily miles. Highly cushioned, super bouncy shoes can actually fatigue my feet faster. In the Torin 9, the toe-off feels natural and controlled and the ride never once felt like it was fighting my stride.”

Bailey also enjoys the natural ride of the Torin, saying, “The ride feels smooth, balanced, and really natural. This is the kind of shoe I reach for before easy runs, recovery days, walks or just daily wear. It has enough cushioning to feel protective without becoming overly soft or unstable. The zero-drop platform gives the shoe a very grounded feel, which I enjoyed especially on steady-paced runs around Denver. It’s not a super fast or aggressive shoe, but it feels reliable and comfortable for everyday training.”

Adding to its reliability and durability is a new Vibram® outsole — a proprietary rubber material synonymous with grip and traction in the trail running world. The material used in the Torin 9 is specifically designed for pavement and concrete, so you can get the most out of every mile no matter the conditions.

Adding to the Torin’s list of unicorn-esque features is Altra’s Standard FootShape™ fit, one of three different fits offered by the brand. The Original is the roomiest of all three options, while the Slim is the narrowest. The Standard falls in the middle.

Not only does it feel good to have some extra wiggle room, but it works in conjunction with the zero-drop stack height to deliver a balanced platform. Your toes naturally splay out more when your feet are flat on the ground, and allowing them ample room to do so promotes better balance and proprioception.

Altra tweaked the ankle and heel construction, which we appreciated.

“The Torin 9 feels more refined and comfortable compared to previous versions,” Bailey says. “The upper feels softer and more secure.”

However, Tom wishes they had spent more time on the tongue.

“It was difficult to get it lying flat over the top of my foot,” he says. “The sides kept folding over and rubbing against my feet, which had me stopping mid-run to readjust more than once. I eventually dialed it in and it stopped bothering me, but I had to go through the same routine almost every time I put them on. This is worth noting for anyone with a high-instep or high-volume foot — you may want to try the Torin on in person to find the right fit!”

Not sure about the height of your instep or volume of your feet? Your best bet will be to head into your local Fleet Feet. Fleet Feet outfitters use 3D fit id® foot scanning technology to gather information about your feet and the support they need by taking precise measurements of your foot length, width and arch height. You can learn a lot about your feet while you’re there!

The new Torin has dropped almost a half-ounce of weight, sports a new midsole foam and lost two millimeters of stack height from the prior version, the Torin 8. Overall, it feels more nimble and agile while still maintaining the same feel runners have come to know and love from the model.

“The latest updates make it feel more polished for daily training, and the overall ride feels smoother and slightly more responsive without losing the classic Torin feel,” says Bailey, who’s run in multiple previous iterations of the shoe.

We took a look at some comparable models to see how the Torin 9 stacks up. Here’s what we found:

It’s hard to find shoes that closely compare to the Torin 9 because, well, did we mention it’s unicorn status? Nevertheless, the Topo Phantom 4 and the Brooks Ghost 18 were top of mind when testing the Torin.

All three shoes deliver a seamlessly balanced ride, with not-too-soft yet not-too-firm midsoles. I think of them as Goldilocks shoes — they’re just right. That’s about where the similarities end.

The Ghost is the most traditional of the three, with a ten-millimeter heel-to-toe drop and a generous amount of cushioning underfoot. The Torin, with its zero-drop platform and 28-millimeter stack height, offers much more ground feedback on the run. The Phantom 4 sits somewhere in the middle of the spectrum between the former and the latter.

Unicorn chasers and magical mystics, this may be the shoe for you. But in all reality, the Torin 9 is best for runners who enjoy a connected-to-the-ground feel while they log their miles. It has just enough cushioning to feel comfortable but not enough to feel overly plush or luxurious (if that’s your jam, check out the Altra FWD Via 2).

“The Torin 9 is a great fit for Altra fans who want to get back to basics — zero drop, FootShape™ fit and a ride that keeps you honest,” says Tom.

If you're interested in trying a zero-drop platform but haven't run in one before, we recommend easing into the transition. Start by alternating the Torin with your current running shoes (or the Altra Experience Flow 3 for a low-drop option) rather than making an immediate switch for all of your runs.

And good news for wide-footed runners — even though the Torin 9 already has a wider-than-average toebox, it’s also available in wide sizing (D for women, 2E for men). Not sure if you need a wide? Head into your local Fleet Feet for an expert fitting.