Australian Hiker

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Altra Timp 5 Men's Trail Running Shoe Review

This is the fifth version of the Altra Timp Trail Running Shoe I have tested over the past few years and each version has gotten progressively better; that is, until this version. I’ll be upfront here and say that if these shoes fit you they are brilliant, but in my case the changes to the shoe sizing and shape has ruled them out for me.

This latest Timp version has a changed appearance like previous version but the latest ones case look a bit more ‘Altra like’. Up until a few years ago Altra was a privately owned company but no longer, now being owned by one of the larger conglomerates. In practice what this means that the parent company is trying to broaden the appeal and as such they are tinkering with the existing models and producing a wider ranger of footwear including shoes that aren’t zero drop.

So let’s talk about the negatives first. I have a wide forefoot which has been one of the main reasons I have always gravitated towards Altra running shoes. In the case of the Altra Timp 5 the length is the same and I always find it a true fit so that’s a bonus. For some reason the toe box on these shoes has been narrowed and while that will suit a broad section of hikers who have a narrower foot than me, the change cramps my toes. I managed to improve the comfort to an extent by altering the lacing (see image below).

Now for the positives. First up these shoes like the rest of the Altra range are zero drop which means that from the front to the back of the shoe, the footbed is even and doesn’t slope towards the toes like most running style shoes. If you’ve never worn zero drop shoes before then this will be one of the biggest things you will notice when you try them. Zero drop shoes push you more upright in your stance which I love as you don’t feel like you are falling forward.

The depth of cushioning (stack height) on the Altra Timp 5 is 29mm and it sits in the middle of the Altra trail running range with the better known Lone Peak being 25mm and the Olympus’s 33mm. This 29mm of rubber sits in that ‘Golidlocks range’ providing the right amount of cushioning and the right amount of tactile feel at the same time.

While I usually struggle to get my hands on a size 15 pair US pair in this case I was paying close attention and snapped up a pair as soon as they hit the market. They proceeded to sit in my testing pile for about three months while I worked my way through the other brands/models I was trying out. This current version of the Timp continues the durability of the previous version and even after 400+km, the wear is minimal.

The small gaiter hook at the front of the shoe has been retained on this model as has the velcro patch at the rear which caters for the Altra lycra trail gaiters or the more colourful Dirty Girl Gaiters. These lycra gaiters are purely meant to keep rubbish out of your shoes and they certainly do that job well. While this ‘gaiter trap’ system works well with the lycra gaiters, it’s not a great choice for the heavy style of gaiters so if you want snake protection then you probably should be looking at a different footwear option given the Altra shoes have a flat undersole.

Colour wise the Timp 5 also sports a new colour range which I love and there are neutral colours as well as bright and lairy ones for those who want to make a statement. Having said that I always find the colours are limited in the size 15 range. The size 15 pair I purchased is the Dusty Olive colour.

The toe guards and heel guards on these shoes aren’t as thick as they have been in previous models but are solid enough and will protect your feet as required.

The grip on the soles of these shoes is excellent and even when walking on wet greasy slopes they held up well. Grip aside, the soles are very durable and having worn my pair for over 400km they work well for short hikes but I wouldn’t want to be doing a long hike in these shoes given the narrower fit. For me this is the one and only negative of this the newest Timp version, but in my case, it’s a big one!

Price wise the Timp 5 has a RRP of AUD $270 which these days is typical for a trail running shoe but they are usually sold at a cheaper price.

As the Altra range of trail runners go, the Altra Timp 5 Men’s Trail Running Shoe is not as popular as the Olympus or the Lone Peak models are probably the least well known, but in this case they have put together a great set of features. Sadly for me this model is too narrow and while that will suit the average hiker, it doesn’t suit me. Oh well!

We Like

• True to length
• Reasonably lightweight which reduces the impact on the legs after long days hiking – this makes a big difference
• I love zero drop shoes but realise they don’t suit everyone. I feel ‘more upright’ when I wear any of the Altra range and don’t feel like I’m tipping forward
• The cushioning is good and on hard surfaces they provide ample protection and support
• The traction is good on a variety of surfaces but not great
• They breathe well so your feet don’t overheat
• They dry reasonably quickly in warm weather when they get wet
• The toe guard provides good protection for the front of the foot
• The Gaiter Trap works well with lycra style gaiters
• Good durability
• Good range of colours

We Don't Like

• Too narrow in the forefoot for me, but they will suit hikers who don’t have excessively wide feet like I do!

Would I Use These Shoes for Hiking?

No, they are too narrow for my wide forefoot, but they will suit an average width foot

Best Use

• For hikers who want excellent comfort and cushioning on the trail
• For hikers with a narrower forefoot (these shoes are a narrow fit for Altra Shoes)

Buy One

You can purchase the Altra Time 5 Men’s Trail Running Shoe at Wild Earth or from Wildfire Sports

Disclosure:  We may earn a small commission, at no additional expense to you, if you click through and make a purchase. Please note that our affiliations do not influence, in any way, the independence of our reviews. If we don’t like a product, you’ll hear about it from us!

Investment

AUD $269.90 RRP

Other Versions

• Available in both men’s and women’s sizings
• Altra also has a range of other shoes suitable for both hiking and trail running

Altra Timp 5 Orange colour

Altra Timp 5 Orange and Blue colour

Altra Timp 5 Lime colour

Altra Timp 5 Dusty Olive colour

Altra Timp 5 view of sole. This sole is nice and grippy in a range of conditions

Altra Timp 5 top view. The gaiter trap hook is located at the front of the laces

Altra Timp 5 heel and toe view. The shoe on the left shows the rear of the gaiter guard which holds the lycra gaiters in place

Altra Timp 5 sole after 400+km of use in a variety of conditions. The wear is minimal

Altra Timp 5 relaced to provide some extra space in the front of the shoe. This lacing option did help but my feet are so wide at the front that I wouldn’t be able to wear these shoes on long trails

Disclaimer

This review was done with product purchased from a retail store by Australian Hiker

Last updated

8 December 2024

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