2018 Altra Superior 3.5 Review - What We Love About This Trail Shoe

Price: $110
Weight: 11.1 oz (M), 7.3 oz (W)
Type: Trail
sold to the owners of The North Face: CA Notice at Collection

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The Superior trail shoe has a lot going for it, but two features stand out: its foot-shaped toe box that makes it exceptionally comfortable, and an aggressive sole that can handle a wide range of rugged conditions. Our wear-test crew put it through a beating on the rocks in Pennsylvania and found that it excelled on tough trails. “They have been awesome in ascending hilly trails,” one reported.

Altra, which was recently sold to the owners of The North Face, was founded on two principles: that keeping the heel and forefoot the same height off the ground (also known as “zero drop”) to return a runner’s foot to its barefoot position, and that building a shoe with a wide foot-shaped toe box, would alleviate foot problems like bunions. Some runners need to ease into Altras over time to get used to zero drop, but most who try them immediately enjoy the generous fit up front. This fit makes a big difference over long days on the trail when feet tend to swell. In addition to comfort, another benefit some see–and that Altra intended–in the toe-box design is the ability for the forefoot to splay out when it makes contact with the ground, giving the body a wider base to stabilize and for toe off. The design also puts more sole in contact with the trail for better traction.

The 3.5 gets minimal updates. The most notable is a four-point gaiter connection on the upper that makes it easier to keep debris from sneaking into the shoe. Though the changes were few, we found this version heavier than its predecessor. For a trail shoe, 11.1 oz isn’t necessarily heavy, but it’s a notable increase from the roughly 9 oz (for a men’s size 9) of the Superior 3.

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Trevor Raab

The Superior has a wide toe box and tons of traction (men’s version shown).

Unique Midsole

The 8 Best Running Jackets for Surviving Winter zero-drop, wider foot-shaped forefoot midsole design as the Superior 3. While the sole is wider than on a lot of shoes, it’s still flexible and relatively soft, according to our lab testing. This gives the shoe a nimble feel, especially on rugged trails. The 3.5 also includes a removable rock guard, which is inserted under the sock liner, for added protection on tough terrain or long distances. Not many of our wear-testers used it, but those who did appreciated the extra level of security. They noted that this insert, not surprisingly, made the shoe stiffer.

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Trevor Raab

Testers loved how the upper protects against trail debris (women’s version shown).

A Sturdy Outsole

The Superior 3.5 offers good protection, especially under the ball of the foot. The lugs under the forefoot angle back for steady uphill traction, while the rear foot extends slightly behind the shoe, giving runners just a bit more contact with the trail. This relatively small feature can make a big difference on steep downhill trails.

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Revised Upper

Altra’s trademark generous forefoot design is often a hit with runners. This foot shape adds comfort, giving runners’ toes a bit more room over long days on the trail. It also allows the foot to splay out more than traditional shaped footwear. For added protection, there is a flexible plastic film covering the upper from the toe box back, along the base of the shoe, which fends off sharp trail debris. New to this version is a four-point gaiter attachment design to help keep dirt from getting inside the shoe.