Having a hard time finding a minimalist, zero-drop shoe that still offers a touch of cushioning from the world underfoot? You simply haven’t encountered the Torin 1.5 Running Shoe. Altra’s Torin 1.5 neutral running shoe for men and women embraces the idea of minimalist design without shortchanging you on cushioning or comfort.
On Performance & Design…
The guys at Altra know not to mess with a winning formula, which is why the core design philosophy of the zero drop platform and natural toe-box of the Torin 1.5 are the same as the popular Instinct and Intuition shoes. The difference in the Torin 1.5 is an elevated 27mm stack height, which offers some additional cushioning for your zero-drop lifestyle.
Last year we added the original Torin to our run collection. And while we watched legions of fans confess their adoration for the shoe, we admittedly had difficulty falling in love with the 1.0 version. For our runners, when it came to the balance of firmness and flexibility, the first generation Torin seemed to error heavily on the side of “firm”. Despite the lengthy miles we put into it, the original Torin never felt fully broken in. This, in part, was also due to the synthetic overlays on the forefront of the shoe which inhibited the natural upward motion of the toe.
What a difference a year makes. While Altra left the essence of the shoe alone in the 1.5, it feels like a completely refreshed running experience. Breathable air mesh goes from the tips of your toes the back of your heel for an improved fit while also allowing air to flow freely through the shoes to keep those hard working feet cool and comfortable. The new upper also feels more flexible and lends a nice aesthetic to the this next generation Torin.
Blended EVA/A-Bound™ cushioning offers a lightweight, responsive ride that returns energy back into each stride and reduces impact on hard surfaces. Meanwhile the combination of the Natural Ride System (NRS) and FootPod Outsole provide ample feedback from the road while following the anatomy of the human foot, minimizing any external influence from the shoe on your gait.
Notes from the Road…
For those uninitiated to the zero drop lifestyle, we’ve written extensively about the design philosophy in our previous reviews of Altra shoes, including Instinct which can be viewed here.
In short, the crux of the design centers on putting your feet, and thereby your body, in the ‘ideal situation’. Simply put, by placing your heel and forefoot the same distance from the ground and allowing proper toe splay with a wider toe-box, your foot and body are put in a position to run the way you were born too.
Overall, the Torin 1.5 managed to put plenty of spring in the the step of our run team after winter running doldrums. The updated Torn quickly became a go-to choice for short and middle-distance running, and they seemed to thrive on hill repeats.
Bottom Line…
The Torin 1.5 is an ideal marriage of minimalist aesthetic, performance and comfort that makes for a worthy update.
*Gumption Gear Review received the product samples featured in this review from Altra. The items featured were provided solely in exchange for testing the products and providing our honest views and opinions. We received no other form of compensation for this or any related review.