It’s nonetheless early on a Saturday fall morning with my run already within the rearview. Generally the grind of the week with the demand of early rising stays the course into the weekend. I’m all for dawn runs, however I additionally get pleasure from sleep greater than something. I accepted this case and after some recent brew I slipped on the Altra Outroad 2 ($120).

My half marathon route was going to include highway working and non-technical wetted singletrack and these sneakers had been a great selection. I then capitalized on feeling the heat of the earth get up throughout me.

I’ve been carrying the Altra Outroad 2 during the last three months for when my runs incorporate each highway and path — it’s designed to be a hybrid or cross working shoe, and it’s optimum for clean transitions and getting the job completed with consolation and ease.

The Altra Outroad 2 hit the market in June 2023, after the unique Altra Outroad got here to the scene in 2022. It’s constituted of the Slim FootShape shoe final and hits the size with an precise weight of 10.26 ounces (291 grams) for a U.S. males’s dimension 9. It has the zero drop Altra followers are accustomed to, and a claimed stack top of 27 millimeters.

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The Altra Outroad 2. All images: iRunFar/Bryon Powell

Altra Outroad 2 Higher

The Altra Outroad 2 higher is made out of engineered mesh with modest consolation within the heel cup and tongue. It feels cozy within the saddle, particularly with the stiffened plastic heel for stability. The higher materials is sturdy and particles resistant, nevertheless it isn’t essentially the most breathable.

I haven’t had the chance to check it in rain, however I did some yard mock trials with the hose in addition to working by standing water out on the path. The drain holes on the lateral aspect positioned inside the welded thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) work, however the thicker mesh materials tended to carry on to water simply barely. Socks and continued working matter too, so takes this technique with a grain of salt. My expertise in different Altras is that they dry shortly.

The TPU reinforcement runs alongside the lateral aspect and onto the toebox, offering some construction and toebox safety for these path moments.

Compared to different Altras, the Outroad 2 has an elevated lateral arch. Nonetheless, by the gait cycle, the toes really feel clean and balanced but lifted. Likewise, the higher on the toebox tends to crease alongside the medial forefoot on the base of the laces whereas mountaineering, strolling, and slowly working. Initially, this was a trigger for concern for me. The crease marks are seen within the tightly woven mesh when the sneakers are at relaxation. Happily, as soon as I hit my stride both mountaineering or whereas working, the creasing higher mesh was negligible and never a difficulty.

A lateral view of the Altra Outroad 2.

Altra Outroad 2 Midsole

The Altra Outroad 2 makes use of the model’s acquainted Altra EGO midsole foam, as discovered within the Altra Escalante 3 and the Altra Lone Peak 7 — take a look at my Altra Lone Peak 7 evaluate. As a daily Altra wearer, that is par for the course for my toes and I’m total happy with this medium cushioned foam.

Responsiveness and extra cushion are generally at odds with one another. It’s a advantageous steadiness to make sure that the additional cushion doesn’t take up stride compression forces with out sufficient vitality return. There’s something to be mentioned for a midsole that may defend, elicit a power response, and ignite some nimble athleticism right into a path run — whereas nonetheless offering cushioned assist.

I consider the Altra EGO midsole foam does this properly, each for his or her highway and path sneakers. The Outroad 2 is unquestionably heavier than a highway shoe, however these weren’t designed for tempo runs and intervals.

A medial view of the Altra Outroad 2.

Altra Outroad 2 Outsole

One of many foremost causes I’ve been such an enormous fan of the Altra Outroad 2 is the MaxTrac outsole. A lot of my day-to-day coaching is on highway and on non-technical, under-aggressive trails. That is primarily for effectivity throughout a harried work week.

Noteworthy, for southern Oregon the place I dwell, is that through the summer season the substrate dries out, and through the winter there may be loads of rain and snow. However within the best shoulder seasons, the MaxTrac works and permits for that seamless highway to simple path transition that so many path runners expertise routinely.

Mainly, the outsole is characterised by many shallow and small lugs on a balanced zero-drop platform. There’s a river of uncovered midsole foam from the heel flowing as much as the forefoot, separating the large toe from the remaining 4. This highlights the performance for touchdown and push-off mechanics, and permits for respectable stability and adaptability.

Additionally, given the environmental circumstances described, MaxTrac supplies a good quantity of traction for notable efficiency. I haven’t observed any substantial lug put on.

I additionally get pleasure from not dreading the primary and final two- to three-mile highway stretches to and from the path. There additionally isn’t highway stickiness or pronounced floor contact time as skilled with different outsoles, however that are positively superior with regards to technical, more difficult, all-weather, and all-terrain path working.

The outsole of the Altra Outroad 2.

Altra Outroad 2 Total Impressions

It’s good to have a hybrid path runner such because the Altra Outroad 2 within the closet. I’m a agency believer in having the correct shoe for the course and/or coaching demand. A cross shoe such because the Altra Outroad 2 opens doorways to coaching flexibility with consolation and sturdiness. Merely put — that is a particularly versatile working and mountaineering shoe.

Additionally, Altra’s new iterations are proving to be extra sturdy than unique fashions, extending their lifetimes and mileage capabilities. It’s best to maintain this sort of shoe within the combine all year long. I usually take it together with me on lengthy discipline days on the prospect that I can run throughout lunch. I usually don’t know the place I will likely be or what working grounds I’ll have entry to, thus, having the Outroad 2 permits for a reliable and good performing shoe on highway or path.

It is very important word that the Outroad 2 runs small and going up a half dimension is extremely really helpful. As said earlier than, this mannequin is the Slim FootShape, thus wider toes beware. Particularly take word if you’re a runner accustomed to Altra’s Unique FootShape match.

The thick higher mesh isn’t essentially the most breathable, however I don’t thoughts it on early morning star-filled sky runs when the temperatures dip into the 30s and 40s Fahrenheit. On my solo run this morning, I agreed with myself that the Outroad 2 is right for distances as much as 20 miles, perhaps a path marathon if seasoned. It’s a zone two coach with motion in thoughts.

Total, I’m eager on having this addition to my rotation, and I take advantage of it accordingly.

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Name for Feedback

• Have you ever tried the Altra Outroad 2 and, if that’s the case, what had been your ideas?
• Do you will have a spot in your working wardrobe for a highway to path shoe?

[Editor’s Note: If you’re affiliated (i.e., an employee, ambassador, etc.) with a brand, please share your relation in each of your comments on this article. Thanks!]

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A high view of the Altra Outroad 2.