Altra TIMP 3 Trail Running Shoes

Product Information

Mike P (9.5): Perhaps the closest comp here. Topo also features a wide toebox, but there’s not as much volume in the material, so it’s a bit tighter over the top and has a more secure fit. This works better in technical terrain, as the MTN Racer 2 is also more laterally stable. I do feel some pressure across the top of the foot with the MTN Racer 2, as it has a very thin tongue (big miss for them). Shannon is a Colorado native currently residing in Northern California. NorCal is nice, but Colorado has her heart. Having run competitively for around 20 years, she was a 7x All American at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, was a 2x member of the U.S. Mountain Running Team, 2x winner of the Mt. Washington Road Race, and was 3rd at the 2014 World Mountain Running Long Distance Championship. Her favorite shoes currently include the Hoka Torrent, Saucony Kinvara, and Brooks Launch, and her favorite runs include anything that goes uphill. I am not sure if it was the zero heel-to-toe offset, the type of midsole foam, or the weight of the rubber underneath, but these shoes seemed to hinder my run rather than help it. Superb traction I wore them around the house the first day. I had them on for several hours and they felt as comfortable as any pair of slippers I have tried on. On the run, they maintained a comfortable feel. After several miles on various terrain, the shoes did their job and did not distract. Debris finds its way in

Timp 4 is more cushioned, noticeably at the forefoot. MTN Racer 2 wins on traction and rubber durability. I’d take the MTN Racer 2 for moderate distance mountainous runs, and the Timp 4 for everything else on the more moderate side of the terrain spectrum. Inov-8 Parkclaw: A higher heel to forefoot drop of 8mm make these less of a midfoot running shoe. However, they have the same versatile outsole and cushioning. https://www.northernrunner.com/search/parkclaw Mike P (10): A very close comp. They are very similar in the plush feel of the upper as well as cushioned feel underfoot, especially at the forefoot. I think EGO MAX is a better foam though - it feels more lively while Nike’s React and Air unit feels just as soft, but a bit dull in its response. The TK is slightly lighter, but the difference is not felt. Both offer similar levels of traction, but I find the TK’s lug orientation feels intrusive underfoot. I prefer the Timp. Altra’s Timp 4 is Altra’s road-to-trail type trail shoe and is next up for review. It’s made on Altra’s ‘standard’ last, which like all Altra shoes has a broad rounded toe box and is Zero Drop. Other shoes made on the standard include the Superior, Mont Blanc and Provision. The standard last is a snugger fit through the midfoot, has less volume in the upper and is slightly narrower in the forefoot than Altra’s ‘original’ last which is used for shoes like the Lone Peak 6 and Olympus 4. If you haven’t worn Altra running shoes before, then the Timp is still likely to feel a roomy shoe unless you have very broad or high volume feet. The width is similar to a 2E in a lot of other brands, yet a more rounded shape. The consequence of this change in the upper design is an increase in weight from 281g to 311g in the TIMP 3.The Timp 3 has a gaiter trap at the heel and a loop at the base of the laces to take the Altra 2 point gaiters.

Thankfully, for me at least, the new Timp 4 feels completely different than its predecessors. The increased cushioning is readily apparent just standing in them, as well as much improved flexibility even with the big slab of EGO MAX midsole. My gripe about previous Timps feeling flat underfoot is completely gone with the Timp 4. The combination of likely a bit more contoured footbed + Ortholite insole + deep flexible midsole cushion really feels great underfoot. Now let's talk about some other relatively minor things to consider. Underfoot protection & durability TAYLOR: I would dare to say that the Timp has taken over, or equaled, the top spot for Altra’s number one preferred trail shoe. These things have gained a lot of popularity for creating a phenomenal balance in a shoe. For the foot-shaped zero-drop fanatics, it is pretty much a dream shoe that can handle the longest of races and the most technical terrain.Mike P (9.5): I have V4. The Superiors in 9.5 feel a bit short to me, I’d likely go with a 10.0 for sizing comparable to my Timp 4’s in 10. Superiors are more stable due to being much lower to the ground. That said, they are much less cushioned and you will have much more ground feel, whether you like that or not. The Superiors version of MAXTRAC outsole and lug pattern offers much better traction. Due to the extra cushion, all the Timp revisions will offer greater underfoot protection than all the Lone Peak revisions. Fit

This was my main beef with the Timp 1.5's, and it certainly is improved in Timp 2.0, but Lone Peak 4.5's are still a little bit superior in this department. Fit 10: Fit is true to size, doesn’t feel sloppy, and hugs the midfoot while still allowing ample room in the toebox. Works well even with a medium-volume insole or orthotic if you need it. Scarpa Goldengate: These are 6mm from heel to forefoot. The toe box is quite broad but not as rounded as an Altra shoe. Here is our review: The Altra Timp 4's midfoot is snug and we have no complaints of slips. And in the heel, the shoe was made plusher and more secure as a result. then the extra cushion in the Timp's are highly likely to make a positive difference for you - but not by a huge amount, because the Lone Peak's are also equipped with a fair amount of cushion. Traction

Altra Timp 3.0 Conclusion

Fast forward a season and the Timp 2 felt a bit off, particularly in regards to sizing, which was noticeably narrower and shorter than the previous version. The midsole had a nice update and the outsole traction remained the same, but the overall feel just wasn’t quite right. That’s why we were excited to find that revisions to this spring’s Timp 3 focus primarily on the fit of the upper, which is very similar to the old-school sizing we first admired. That’s the nutshell review of the Timp 3. If you loved the original, you’ll definitely love this new version. Topo MT-3: A similar shaped toe box to Altra. 3mm heel to forefoot drop. A much firmer more responsive ride.

The TIMP 3 would normally have been named the TIMP 2.5 but nevertheless the TIMP 3 does bring a few noteworthy improvements. The Altra Timp 4 may be in Altra's standard fit, but when compared to other running shoes, it's still exceptionally roomy. More cushioning underfoot, feels more protective on rougher terrain than the previous Timp(s). Still, it doesn’t feel like “a lot of shoe,” something most Altra fans will likely be happy about Shannon The Quantic midsole is as soft and bouncy as it was in the Timp 2 so the Timp 3 feels very comfortable and smooth on tarmac. Perfect for a road to trail shoe that you want to perform well on both a variety of trail and road. The Maxtrax outsole gives a good grip on most trail surfaces. As with all outsoles of this type they aren’t going to get you round your local cross country but, then your cross country shoes wouldn’t be comfortable in a 10km road race. The Timp 3 has the ability to be serviceable on a variety of surfaces.

Altra Women's Timp

Personally I tend to prefer less cushioned, more responsive feeling shoes but the flexibility makes these shoes so easy to run in that I find I am often reaching for them for my easier and long runs! A pleasant surprise and I judged them as initially as being too soft for me!