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Altra Footwear has some interesting announcements this week at the Running Event in Austin, TX. But the one that catches my eye most is the Altra Golden Spike. I’ve been talking to minimalist shoe vendors encouraging them to come up with a minimalist spike but it is coming soon also. Only Hoka has launched a pair of spikes – not maximalist spike but I have not tested them.
The Altra Golden Spike might be the secret weapon for making All-American for my age group (55-59) in USA Track & Field (USATF) next year. The shoe is made of ultra lightweight, hydrophobic mesh and weighs just 5.3 ounces – including the spikes – for a men’s size 9. I CAN’T WAIT!!!
My experiences with spikes have been written about here:
http://weartested.org/step-minimal-shoes-track-field-mastersseniors-games
Full press release below.
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LOGAN, Utah–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Altra Footwear announces its latest shoes and apparel, including first-ever categories such as a mid-high trail shoe and spikes.
Altra’s new products will be shown to specialty running store retailers at The Running Event, an industry trade show in Austin, Texas, from December 1-4, 2016.
Altra Lone Peak 3.0 series
The perfect balance of rugged tread, significant protection, sandwiched StoneGuard, yet light weight has made the Lone Peak trail shoe a consistent award winner. It’s the choice of leading ultra marathoners, including Ian Sharman (Leadville 100, 2015 winner), Josh Arthur (US SkyRunning series, 2015 winner) and Jeff Browning (Ultra Trail Mt. Fuji, 2015 third place), to name a few.
The significant update for the 3.0 version is the introduction of a mid-hiker, a first for Altra.
“We’ve had requests from both retailers and hikers to create a mid-high trail shoe with all the things everyone already loves about the Lone Peak,” said Brian Beckstead, Altra co-founder and VP of sales.
“The Lone Peak 3.0’s combination of the new mid-high top with Altra’s signature FootShape™ toe box and Zero Drop™ platform will have every day hiker, thru-hiker and backpacker in the world re-thinking their footwear,” Beckstead said.
The Altra Lone Peak is already the shoe of choice for “professional” thru-hikers such as Heather Anderson, who set the world record for fastest unsupported time on the Appalachian Trail in September.
The new Lone Peak 3.0 Mid will be made using Polartec’s Neoshell fabric, for lightweight, breathable waterproof capabilities. Also available will be Neoshell gaiters using Altra’s clever Gaiter Trap.
“Our current Neoshell shoe is selling beyond our expectations,” said Golden Harper, Altra founder and originator of the first-ever trail shoe to put the waterproof on the outside, using Neoshell instead of traditional Gore-Tex booty construction.
“The Lone Peak Neoshell Mid will be the ideal shoe for outdoor fun, sports and commuting,” Harper said.
Available July 2016. Altra Lone Peak 3.0, $120 and Altra Lone Peak 3.0 Mid Neoshell, $160
Altra Golden Spike
Altra’s first-ever spike shoe captures the powerful toe-off and landing benefits of the FootShape toebox for competitive track and cross-country athletes.
The shoe’s name, Golden Spike, nods to the goal of “first place gold medals” and the first name of Altra founder Golden Harper, who started competitive running at a young age and still holds the world’s best for fastest marathon by a 12-year-old (2:45:08 at St. George Marathon). In addition, the Golden Spike of 19th century U.S. history — commemorating the May 10, 1869, completion of the Transcontinental Railroad — is very near Altra’s northern Utah headquarters.
The shoe is made of ultra lightweight, hydrophobic mesh and weighs just 5.3 ounces – including the spikes – for a men’s size 9.
Available May 2016 in unisex sizes in four colors, MSRP $90
Altra Torin 2.5
This update gives a smoother, sleeker fit on the upper, takes some weight out and gives a pop art dot pattern to the upper.
Altra kept plush, lush cushioning that has made this shoe Altra’s best-selling road shoe.
MSRP $120 starting July 2016
Altra Paradigm 2.0
Altra’s ultra-cushioned road-to-trail hybrid is updated with a smoother fitting toebox, improved durability on the upper and increased reflectivity. New color options include an all-black version for men, due to popular demand from the Sports Medicine community.
MSRP $130 starting July 2016
Altra Everyday – Desert Boot and Tokala Slip-on
Altra founder Golden Harper loved his Altra shoes but needed a non-running shoe to wear to meetings and date night. Three years ago he paired original Instinct sole with a soft nubuck leather upper to create the Instinct Everyday. The shoe became a quiet hit, and now two more styles will be added to the Altra Everyday category.
Altra’s Desert boot combines Altra’s original Torin sole with supple Italian suede to create a desert boot that feels great and looks good. Currently offered for men, the Desert boot has three color options: Cobalt Blue with Lime, Taupe with Grey, and Black with Grey.
Altra Desert boot, MSRP $120, available May 2016
For the new Altra Tokala slip on shoe, Altra uses the ethereally light midsole of the popular One2, and is topped with a canvas upper and a neoprene fold down heel for the coolest run recovery shoe. Made for men and women in three color ways each, this slip on shoe folds flat and weighs next to nothing. It’s the perfect shoe to always keep in your backpack, car or suitcase.
Altra Tokala slip on, MSRP $90
“The science behind Altra shoes is about natural movement, whether you’re standing, walking or running,” said Harper. “For the health of your feet, keeping your feet in their natural position during the day is just as important as the shoes you wear while running.”
Altra apparel and accessories
Altra’s expansion into running apparel follows the same credo of natural, unrestricted movement that guides the shoe design, including:
- Welded seams and hems
- 360 degree zone ventilation
- Anti-odor
- Tagless
- Fabrics are light, supple and chosen for their comfort and performance. Altra created a proprietary fabric — Altra ZeroLite™ — for its performance jacket, shorts and running skirt.
Altra’s current offerings for Spring and Fall 2016 include 12 pieces of apparel each for men and women in flattering rich colors complementing Altra shoe colors.
Highlights of the line for Fall 2016 include innovative Zoned Heat™ Technology in both a Performance Full Tight and Performance Full Zip Jacket.
Both garments combine specific zones to keep key muscles warm and wind protected while running, with others that are ventilated. The thermal mapping approach means muscles don’t waste effort maintaining or dumping heat.
For Altra’s Performance Full Tight Zoned Heat™, insulated quilted panels on the quads and shin muscles give a quicker warm-up and a steady temperature. The Performance Full Zip Jacket Zoned Heat has the panels from shoulder to waist, and on the upper arms to prevent the shivers. The insulation is warm but light at 60 gsm. The Jacket is made with Altra’s proprietary ZeroLite fabric, a super lightweight, wind resistant material with 2-way stretch, bringing jacket weights at a mere 6 ounces for men and 5 ounces for women.
Women’s Zoned Heat tights and jacket come in black or Raspberry with black accents. Men’s version comes in black or Cobalt Blue with black accents.
Altra also introduces Performance Merino Seamless Top, a mix of Merino, Nylon, Modal and Spandex with excellent wicking, comfort and stretch in the perfect long sleeve running top for both men and women.
Altra’s new apparel line will be available in August 2016. MSRP for Altra Zoned Heat jackets are $130, Altra Zoned Heat tights are $100 and Altra Merino Seamless are $80.
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