REASONS TO BUY
Great traction
Protective
Relatively lightweight
REASONS TO AVOID
Incredibly narrow
Uncomfortable
Inflexible
Altra Timp 5 - Women's Review
While well-featured, this uncomfortable shoe is not one we outright recommend
The strong traction of the Timp 5 almost makes up for its ill-fit, but not quite.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
Our Verdict
With rugged features galore, our testers were excited about a redesigned shoe from Altra with a zero-drop profile, a grippy Vibram outsole, and a roomy toe box. Our hopes were dashed as the Altra Timp 5 revealed itself as an ill-fitting design encased in a feature-full package. The fit of the updated Timp is narrow and stiff, leading to cramped feet and toes, nearly inhibiting all of the natural movement one's foot might make while running. Previous fans of the Timp will find the comfort of this version disappointing. Unless you know that a tight, uncomfortable shoe with great traction is what you're after, we recommend looking elsewhere for your next trail running shoe.
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 This Product
Altra Timp 5 - Women's | |||||
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| Awards |  |  | |  | |
| Price | Check Price at Backcountry Compare at 3 sellers | Check Price at Backcountry Compare at 2 sellers | $190 List Check Price at Backcountry | Check Price at Backcountry Compare at 3 sellers | $100 List $79.95 at Amazon |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | Though this trail shoe has great traction, it doesn't hold up to comfort metrics across the board | This is our go-to recommendation for runners seeking a comfortable, well-tractioned shoe for short and long distances alike | A unisex shoe that offers superior performance across the board, boasting a protective yet sensitive ride with a grippy outsole and exceptional durability | Featuring an upgraded upper and a stable zero-drop design, this shoe is a dependable and comfortable trail running option, ensuring comfort even during extended runs | An affordable and functional trail shoe that is perfect for new runners, budget-conscious runners, any anyone looking to tackle moderate terrain |
| Rating Categories | Altra Timp 5 - Women's | Hoka Torrent 3 - Wo... | Salomon S/Lab Ultra... | Altra Lone Peak 8 -... | Brooks Divide 4 - W... |
| Foot Protection (25%) | |||||
| Traction (20%) | |||||
| Sensitivity (15%) | |||||
| Stability (15%) | |||||
| Comfort and Fit (15%) | |||||
| Weight (10%) | |||||
| Specs | Altra Timp 5 - Women's | Hoka Torrent 3 - Wo... | Salomon S/Lab Ultra... | Altra Lone Peak 8 -... | Brooks Divide 4 - W... |
| Sizes Available | 5.5 - 12 US regular |
5 - 11 US regular |
4 - 14 US regular |
5.5 - 12 US regular and wide |
5 - 12 US regular |
| Measured Heel Stack Height | 29 mm | 26 mm | 27 mm | 23 mm | 29 mm |
| Measured Heel-to-Toe Drop | 1 mm | 5 mm | 8 mm | 0 mm | 8 mm |
| Rock Plate | No | No | Not disclosed | TPU | No |
| Measured Lug Depth | 4.8 mm | 4 mm | 3.5 mm | 3.2 mm | 3 mm |
| Measured Weight | 7.61 oz | 7.52 oz | 8.05 oz | 8.14 oz | 7.82 oz |
| Upper | Quick-Dry Air Mesh | Mesh | Anti-Debris mesh with sockliner | Ripstop Mesh | Mesh |
| Midsole | Altra EGO Max | EVA | Energy Save PU foam with Profeel Film rock protection | Altra EGO | DNA Loft |
| Outsole | Vibram Megagrip | Rubber | Salomon Contagrip MA | MaxTrac | TrailTack rubber |
| Heel Tab Type | Finger loop | None | None | Finger loop | None |
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Our Analysis and Test Results
At 7.61 ounces per women's size 7 shoe, the Altra Timp 5 weighs in around the middle of the pack. With a measured outsole width of 3.86 inches, it is one of the more narrow shoes in our lineup - a comfort element that became abundantly clear during our field testing.
Performance Comparison
Views like this call for shoes that you'll want to get lost in. Unfortunately, this version of the Timp didn't hit the mark.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
Foot Protection
The underfoot stack of the Altra Timp 5 is 29mm in the heel and 28mm in the forefoot, creating a thick enough base of support to protect the undersides of your feet from trail hazards. Though this shoe does not contain an embedded rock plate, its underfoot protection does its job without one. With a somewhat flexible toe bumper and a unique-to-Altra-shaped toebox, there is adequate protection for toe stubs on rocks and roots. Our testers agree that the textile of the upper is the most noteworthy protection feature when it comes to the updated Altra Timp. While thin, the engineered mesh upper is so finely woven that debris particles cannot infiltrate through the upper. For added protection, Altra added a gaiter trap via a standard loop at the front of the lacing system and a Velcro tab at the heel.
The Timps are ready-to-handle gaiters for extreme ankle protection.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
Traction
If a shoe's overall ranking were based on its traction alone, the Timp 5 would be in exceptional standing among its competitors. Its grippy Vibram outsole and multidirectional lugs thrive when challenged in slick mud and complicated terrain. The lugs are a bitey 4.76mm deep, which explains how the outsole can grip onto so many surfaces with ease. Each lug's angular nature and specified placement create a surefootedness that will thrill alpine running enthusiasts.
The Vibram outsole of the Timp is incredibly functional and equipped to tackle tough trails.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
Sensitivity
The sensitivity of the Timp 5 is average, inhibited by its toe-crushing fit. Without a rock plate, the Timp's nearly 20mm of underfoot stack dampens the sensation of the trail by a lot. Since the forefoot of the Timp holds toes so snugly together, it is difficult to spread your toes to get a feel for what the trail feels like beneath the stack. Ultimately, this shoe will not appeal to runners seeking a shoe that provides a ton of trail information. While it is not the least sensitive shoe in our collection, its fit prevents it from being a functional and moderately sensitive choice for the trails.
The thick outsole and capable lugs of the Timp 5 make it a less sensitive trail running option.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Stability
As with other zero drop shoes, or 1mm drop shoes as measured by our in-house testing team, the Timp scores well in the stability category since they provide stability by promoting a more natural alignment of the foot. The shape of the Timp scored well in this category because its differential, or lack thereof, helps reduce the risk of overpronation or supination, i.e., ankle rolling. The consistent height from heel to toe encourages a balanced foot strike, enhancing stability on uneven terrain. In the case of the Timp, though, its stability does not outweigh its other qualities. There are plenty of other great shoes that are equally stable and 100% more comfortable.
The Timp's zero-drop profile and profoundly rigid sidewalls add a strong element of stability.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
Comfort and Fit
We suffered through over 30 miles on the trails in the Timp 5 to bring you information about its comfort and fit, and, well, this shoe just is not it. Altra has long been known for its large toe boxes and comfortable shoes, but the new Timp is a far cry from everything many runners know and love about Altra-made shoes. The narrow, slightly curved shape of the Timp is profoundly uncomfortable. At first, our testers thought that the lacing system was too tamped down, so the laces were loosened. Even still, the pinch of the midfoot and toebox never relented, causing midfoot pain, scrunched toes, and irritation throughout the entirety of each run. Having tested different iterations of the Altra Timp in the past, we can confidently say that the updates have made a reliable, sturdy, and beloved trail running shoe nearly worthless. We have high hopes for the next version but will not recommend the fifth model to anyone.
Even after fiddling with the laces, our testers could not find a way to make the upper of the Timp comfortable. We sacrificed our feet so you don't have to.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
Weight
At 7.61 ounces per womens size 6.5 shoe, the Timp is rather average when it comes to weight. Its grippy outsole adds a bit of heft, which we often view as a small price to pay for lugs that bite deep into the trail. The weight seems a tad high for a shoe with such thin engineered mesh on its upper, but the weight doesn't make or break the running experience in this shoe.
The Timp is of average weight, but its rugged outsole makes it feel a bit bottom heavy.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Should You Buy the Altra Timp 5?
If you like to run in shoes that you feel comfortable in, no, you should not buy the updated Timp. If you like your shoes to feel like your feet are trapped within a vice grip, the Timp might just be your speed. There are plenty of shoes on the market that are highly functional and deliver prime comfort.
The uncomfortable forefoot of the Timp tanked its rating on our end, forcing it down toward the lower echelon of our lineup despite its awesome traction and protection.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
What Other Trail Running Shoes Should You Consider?
The most notable replacement is the Timp's cousin, the Altra Lone Peak 8. The Lone Peak is a zero drop shoe that delivers exceptional comfort in a slightly less rugged package. The Salomon Speedcross 6 is our go-to recommendation for runners who plan on getting dirty in mucky, unsavory terrain. If a narrow shoe is what you're after, but comfort is still a priority, the Brooks Catamount 3 is a narrow-ish but high-performing trail running shoe that outscores the mediocrity of the Timp 5.
—
Ally Arcuri
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