REASONS TO BUY
Comfortable underfoot
Zero drop
Stable
REASONS TO AVOID
Flimsy tongue
Iffy upper comfort
Zero drop shoes aren't for everyone
Altra Torin 7 - Women's Review
This comfortable and stable shoe is a great choice if a zero drop road shoe is calling your name
With stability and underfoot comfort galore, this is a shoe that zero drop runners will love.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
RELATED: Best Running Shoes for Women of 2024
Our Verdict
If a zero-drop road shoe is what you are seeking, the semi-bouncy underfoot sensation with a spacious toe box is a perfect combo for comfort on the updated Altra Torin 7. With a plush underfoot stack and moderate weight, zero-drop fans will enjoy this stable kick's ride. That said, if you want a speedy race shoe with more traditional elements, the Torin will likely be unsatisfying. Zero-drop shoes also require a different body awareness, particularly if you tend to heel-strike. But if you know what you're getting into and want ample comfort and strong durability to keep you going through the doldrums of training, this is a worthy pick.
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Altra Torin 7 - Women's | |||||
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| Awards |  |  |  | | |
| Price | Check Price at Backcountry Compare at 3 sellers | $139.95 at Amazon Compare at 2 sellers | Check Price at Backcountry Compare at 2 sellers | $120 List $89.95 at Amazon | Check Price at Backcountry Compare at 3 sellers |
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| Bottom Line | With great underfoot cushion and a zero drop profile, runners seeking this style of shoe will enjoy what it has to offer | This running shoe offers the performance technology and comfort needed to be your go-to shoe, no matter your running goals | For epic versatility in a single shoe, we recommend this lightweight superstar | While not a race-focused shoe, this affordable and bouncy option will keep your legs turning over quickly and easily | The structure and comfort of this shoe make it a highly recommended option for long distance runners who want a reliable road running steed |
| Rating Categories | Altra Torin 7 - Wom... | Asics Novablast 4 -... | Hoka Mach 6 - Women's | Saucony Kinvara 14... | Brooks Adrenaline G... |
| Cushioning and Landing Comfort (25%) | |||||
| Responsiveness (25%) | |||||
| Stability (20%) | |||||
| Upper Comfort (15%) | |||||
| Weight (15%) | |||||
| Specs | Altra Torin 7 - Wom... | Asics Novablast 4 -... | Hoka Mach 6 - Women's | Saucony Kinvara 14... | Brooks Adrenaline G... |
| Sizes Available | 5.5 - 12 US, regular & wide | 5 - 12 US, regular | 5 - 11 US, regular & wide | 5 - 12 US, regular & wide | 5 - 13 US, narrow, medium, wide & extra wide |
| Style | Zero drop | Neutral | Daily | Neutral | Supportive |
| Measured Heel Stack Height | 28 mm | 40 mm | 34 mm | 30 mm | 34 mm |
| Measured Heel-to-Toe Drop | 1 mm | 9 mm | 2 mm | 5 mm | 12 mm |
| Plate Type | None | None | None | None | None |
| Rocker Angle | 24.0 deg | 22.0 deg | 24.5 deg | 26.0 deg | 26.5 deg |
| Rocker Apex Location | 71.22% | 69.48% | 65.38% | 68.15% | 71.43% |
| Measured Weight | 7.23 oz | 7.36 oz | 6.27 oz | 5.55 oz | 8.21 oz |
| Upper | Engineered mesh | Engineered knit mesh | Creel jaqquard | Mesh | Engineered air mesh |
| Midsole | AltraEgo Max | FF Blast Plus Eco | Supercritical EVA | PWRRUN, PWRRUN+ | DNA Loft v2 |
| Outsole | Footpod | AHAR outsole | Rubber | XT-900 rubber | Rubber |
| Heel Tab Type | Extended heel pull | Finger loop | Extended heel pull | Finger loop | None |
Show full specification details ▼Hide full specification details ▲
Our Analysis and Test Results
The Altra Torin 7 has been slightly reconfigured and is, by and large, a comfortable choice for runners seeking a zero drop option, though we technically measured the drop at 1mm in our lab.
Performance Comparison
Zero drop shoes aren't for everyone, but if they work for you, the Torin is a sold choice.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
Cushioning and Landing Comfort
The Torin 7 feels plush underfoot, though its insole isn't particularly fluffy. But the forgiving stack provides great cushion with a bit of pep. The standard-style insole also offers durability that many super-comfortable shoes lack internally. Even after our testing runs, the insole didn't pack out or show indentations where our feet were. Some runners like it when shoes conform to their feet, and others don't, which is why this element is important to note. Overall, the landing comfort and cushioning of the Torin is what we have grown to expect from Altra. It protects your joints well from impact, provides long-term comfort, and is plenty spacious so toes can splay.
The stack of the Torin is relatively thick and very comfortable, two attributes that lend themselves well to long distance running.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
Responsiveness
While the sole of the Torin has a nice bit of pep and rebound, it did not score especially high in this metric when placed next to its competitors. The midsole foam provides a semi-soft landing pad, which directly contrasts many of the super rigid midsoles among speed-focused shoes. The wide toe box shape, which Altra is known for, also cuts down on this shoe's responsiveness. The foot-shaped forefoot can feel slightly slappy and large, inhibiting speed. We don't recommend the Torin for speed workouts, but for slower runs in comfort, the mid and outsole materials will do the trick.
Comfortable, zero drop shoes are not known for their responsiveness. The Torin does an okay job providing energy return, but likely won't be a shoe you chase speed records in.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
Stability
Zero-drop shoes allow your heel to lock in closer to the ground and provide fantastic stability, and the Torin is no exception. The snug heel cup combines well with the outsole design, including some additional lateral bumpers, which add further stability at the rear foot.
The Torin is an ultra-stable shoe. If stability is what you're after, this is one of our top recommendations for you.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
Upper Comfort
The upper mesh of the Torin 7 runs a bit hot due to its tightly wound fibers. The tongue is somewhat plush but feels a little flimsy and imbalanced, especially considering how comfortable the rest of the shoe is. The tongue is not adhered on either side, and our testers had comfort issues due to it wrinkling when putting the shoe on. To fix this, we needed to remove the shoe, loosen the laces, and hold the tongue flat as we put the shoe back on. From there, we tightened the laces and felt ready to run. The tongue is on the thinner side, standing at only 2mm thick. This isn't a total dealbreaker, but it is a disappointment since the tongue was one of the elements that was redesigned for this iteration.
Our testers had some issues with getting the tongue to lay flat at the front of the lacebed. Aside from the tongue, the upper of the Torin is forgiving and comfortable.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
Weight
This isn't a heavy shoe, but it isn't the lightest one in our lineup, either. Each women's size 6.5 Torin weighs 7.23 ounces, and the weight is well-distributed and feels comfortable during runs. Since the Torin is not a speed-focused shoe, we would have preferred the bit of additional weight be used on a more comfortable tongue and lace bed over its current configuration.
The Torin isn't especially heavy, but it also isn't especially light. It weighs in in the middle of the pack, which is to be expected for a shoe with such strong underfoot comfort.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
Should You Buy the Altra Torin 7?
If you want a zero-drop shoe, the Torin is on the short list of options that our gear testers recommend in this category. With great underfoot cushion and strong stability, it is a reliable shoe that will stay strong throughout the course of training. For some runners, the toe box space is not negotiable, so if that is your stance, definitely check out what the Torin has to offer. If you are neutral toward the forefoot space and the Torin's zero drop profile, other shoes are more highly recommended.
If the Torin checks your boxes, it will be a great shoe for you. It isn't going to suit all runners and run types, but those it does will be very happy with the overall ride.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
What Other Running Shoes Should You Consider?
For strong stability, our go-to recommendation is the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 23. With built-in architecture for support and a traditional running shoe shape, the Adrenaline is a solid and comfortable shoe. For a plush ride, we recommend the Asics Gel Kayano 30 and the Hoka Clifton 9. Both options offer great underfoot cushion, comfortable uppers, and slightly stronger responsiveness than the Torin. If you are set on a zero-drop shoe, the Altra Via Olympus 2 is a lower-scoring alternative.
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Ally Arcuri
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