[Where are you using to run?] 】I was able to recognize the differences between short, long and walking with Zero Drop Altra's "TIMP 5" and "ALTRAFWD EXPERIENCE."

I love jogging, but I just can't seem to get any faster. I didn't know why, but after trying out the TIMP 5 and ALTRAFWD EXPERIENCE, shoes from ALTRA that promote natural running with zero drop, I finally understood why. Here, I'll share the reason and how comfortable it is to run in ALTRA

What are zero-drop "ALTRA" shoes?

This time I tried out Altra's "TIMP 5" (photo: left) and "ALTRAFWD EXPERIENCE" (photo: right). They don't constrict your feet, so you can run in a natural position

Altra shoes with no heel, wide toe box, and flexible sole

High heels are an extreme example, but most shoes tend to be higher than the toe area because the heel is thicker. This is also common in running shoes, and the feet lean forward more than when barefoot

Altra Running co-founder Golden Harper questioned this assumption and cut off the heel of a commercially available running shoe to create a zero-drop shoe with no difference in height between the toe and heel. As a result, Golden says, "For the first time in his life, he felt like he was not being hindered while running in running shoes." This was the origin of the Altra brand, which still aims for a natural running experience

Another major feature of Altra shoes is the roomy toe design that doesn't constrict the five toes. Each of the five toes is designed to spread out properly, and barefoot Altra shoes are designed to maintain the natural position of the foot. As a result, the arch structure of the foot is designed to function properly, providing shock absorption, rebound, and stability

Furthermore, despite being a zero drop shoe, the sole provides solid cushioning and is extremely flexible, flexing flexibly to match the movement of the foot

I had the opportunity to try out Altra shoes, which sound like they have so many great features, so I tried out the ALTRAFWD EXPERIENCE, which is said to make the transition from regular shoes to zero-drop shoes smooth, and the TIMP 5, which is a complete zero-drop shoe that is ideal for trail running as well as hiking

One thing to note is that some Japanese runners who run with a heel strike, which involves landing on the ground with their heels, may feel uncomfortable when switching from their old shoes to Altra shoes. In this case, it is said that they need to gradually get used to them

Recommended points

• Be aware of how you run and walk
• It is comfortable because it does not press down on the toes or fingers
• The impression of the sole changes depending on the intensity of running
• Some people may be able to run faster

Points that interest me

• Those who run with a heel strike may find this uncomfortable

Main Specifications and ratings

Once I realized how I actually run, I fell in love with zero-drop shoes

I discovered that there are only two ways for me to walk

My favorite is the TIMP 5. This trail model is great for trail running as well as hiking. It's great not only for daily running, but also for photography walks

How do you walk or run? Before I started wearing Altra shoes, I had never really paid much attention to the way I walked or ran. Ever since I was a child, I've used two methods: walking with my heel striking the ground, so-called heel strike, and running with my toes kicking the ground, so-called forefoot, whether I'm running short distances or long distances. When I want to keep my footsteps quiet indoors, I might walk on my toes, so-called forefoot, but I never ran with a heel strike

As a child, I was relatively athletic, and perhaps because I was small and light, a forefoot running style was sufficient for me when I ran. In fact, I was quite fast in both short and long distances. However, now that I'm in my 40s and an average-weight middle-aged man who started running due to lack of exercise, a forefoot running style in which the heel barely touches the ground is quite difficult for me. As a result, I was running with a form that didn't shift my weight properly, almost like stepping, and in my mind, I thought that a midfoot running style using the entire sole of my foot was a good fit. But this was very slow

By the way, I'm not very good at heel strike running, where you land your foot on your heel while running, and I still practice it from time to time. Aside from top-level runners, heel strike running has many benefits for runners like me who run at a relaxed pace to relieve stress, so it was recommended to me by the rehabilitation doctor I went to when I pulled a calf muscle, and I'm kind of envious of it

I'm hooked on these well-cushioned zero-drop shoes

"ALTRAFWD EXPERIENCE" is a 4mm low drop model for those who are worried about jumping straight into a zero drop bike and are worried it will be difficult to ride

I started running as a way to lose weight and get more exercise, and I didn't even know how I was running, but I became completely hooked on the two pairs of Altra shoes I tested this time: the ALTRAFWD EXPERIENCE and the TIMP 5

In fact, when I switched from regular running shoes, probably with a drop of nearly 10mm, to the SALOMON "Thundercross," which I have also reviewed on this site, I was surprised at how much easier it was to run in. I didn't realize it at the time, but for someone like me who tends to shift from a midfoot running style to a forefoot running style, the SALOMON "Thundercross," which has a drop of only 4mm, seemed to make running easier on an unconscious level

And coincidentally, the ALTRAFWD EXPERIENCE, which is available as an entry-level model for zero-drop Altra shoes, has the exact same drop of 4mm. Naturally, it felt completely natural and was extremely easy to run in. Furthermore, because I have wide feet, I have to choose a size larger than usual for shoes with a narrow toe box. However, Altra shoes have a barefoot design that allows the toes to swell, allowing the five toes to rest in a natural position, making them very comfortable. This is also one of the reasons why they are so easy to run in

However, I was even more hooked on the zero-drop "TIMP 5." When I switched to the "TIMP 5," I hadn't even realized that my running style had shifted from midfoot to forefoot. They're so easy to run in. What can I say? It's so comfortable, like your feet are automatically moving forward while you're running. I was so impressed that I didn't even need the heels of my running shoes!

It felt so good that I got carried away and did it!

While regular shoes taper towards the toe, Altra shoes swell slightly and then taper to keep the five toes in a natural position without constricting them

Both the ALTRAFWD EXPERIENCE and the TIMP 5 are designed to feel barefoot, as Altra calls it, meaning the five toes are in a natural position, without any tightness, and are extremely comfortable. The ALTRAFWD EXPERIENCE has a 4mm drop, while the TIMP 5 has a zero drop. For me, who runs with a slightly forefoot stance while focusing on midfoot running, the zero-drop TIMP 5 is more comfortable to wear, but there's another difference in the sole

Although people may feel differently, the sole of the ALTRAFWD EXPERIENCE, which was developed to allow many people to transition from shoes with drop to zero-drop Altra shoes without getting injured, is softer, while the sole of the TIMP 5 is slightly harder and more responsive

This hardness was perfect for me, as I was getting tired of running on snowy roads in Hokkaido and gradually increasing my running pace as the snow melted. I increased my pace from a 6-minute 1km pace to a 5-minute 10km pace and a 4-minute 5km pace, and the more I increased my speed and pushed harder, the firmer the rebound made it feel more comfortable to run

I had the impression that my times were improving every time I ran with the TIMP 5. Perhaps because I was afraid of injury due to weight gain and muscle weakness, I was conscious of using a midfoot running style, landing on the entire sole of my foot as much as possible, but this was unconsciously leading me to use a forefoot style, which makes it easier to run faster

I started to break 55 minutes for 10km, and then around 25 minutes for 5km. One day, I was feeling pretty good about myself. I beat my 10km PR early in the morning, then walked 4km with my son. For some reason, I felt like I could beat my 5km PR as well, so I ran another 5km at a pace of around 4 minutes per kilometer. Although I did beat my 5km PR, I ended up with a severe pain in my calf... and the next day, I started walking while protecting one leg

Even after recovering from a muscle strain, you can still enjoy a leisurely run with "TIMP 5"

The TIMP 5 features an Altra EGO™ MAX midsole and a Vibram® Megagrip outsole, yet is more flexible than regular shoes and doesn't restrict foot movement

For me, the zero-drop Altra shoes, which shift from a midfoot running style to a slightly forefoot running style, are surprisingly smooth and move my feet, just like Altra Running co-founder Golden Harper said of his homemade zero-drop shoes, "The first time I put on running shoes, I felt like I was running unhindered." It was almost moving

However, I didn't have enough muscle strength in the necessary areas, and I was running with a forefoot sprint that isn't suitable for a heavy runner, but I felt too good and pushed myself too hard, which is probably why I pulled my calf muscle. Well, it's completely my own fault..

It took me about two months to recover from my torn calf muscle. By skipping exercise regularly, I ended up gaining even more weight. However, during the time my leg was so painful I couldn't run, I tried pool walking and swimming, and even attended rehabilitation at the hospital several times for the first time in my life. I think it was a good experience because it allowed me to become more conscious of how I walk and run

Now that I've recovered from a pulled muscle, even in Hokkaido, where temperatures continue to exceed 30 degrees, I'm enjoying running in the TIMP 5, being mindful not to run with a forefoot style that puts too much strain on my feet. Unfortunately, I haven't lost the weight I gained, and I'm afraid to push forward with my heavy body, so I run at a slow pace of around 6 minutes per kilometer, but the zero-drop Altra shoes allow me to run comfortably

Summary: Being conscious of how you run will make running more enjoyable

I like the zero drop, so I'm also trying out the heel strike running technique

The biggest feature is the flat, zero-drop sole without a heel. It fits my running style perfectly, but preferences may vary

For me, who finds it difficult to run properly when I try to land on my heels, the zero-drop Altra shoes are the perfect fit. They feel great

However, if he got carried away and increased his distance and speed, resulting in a torn calf muscle, it would be a typical drawback of a forefoot running style. Considering his age, weight, and the fact that he was a beginner at running, his rehabilitation teacher recommended that he learn a heel-strike running style, which focuses on landing on his heel

Unfortunately, I have no intention of abandoning my current running style, which is slightly more forefoot-oriented than my zero-drop Altra shoes and midfoot running style, because it feels good to run in. However, it's also true that I've become interested in heel-strike running, which I didn't realize I couldn't run well with when landing on my heel

If you run every day, you could try a midfoot running style with zero-drop shoes today, and a heel strike style with shoes that have a high drop of over 1cm tomorrow. It might also be fun to intentionally change your running style mid-run with shoes that have a low drop of about 4mm, like the ALTRAFWD EXPERIENCE

A short run can mean tens of thousands of steps, and I tried out the zero-drop Altra shoes without even thinking about how I was running. I realized I couldn't run with a heel strike properly, but whether you normally run with a heel strike or not, there's likely a lot you'll notice when running in zero-drop Altra shoes. Why not try out the barefoot, natural fit of zero-drop Altra shoes? Personally, I highly recommend them

ALTRA TIMP 5 Men's US8.5 (26.5cm) BLACK

created by Rinker

Altra

¥23,100 (as of 2025/12/26 15:27:57, according to Amazon - details)

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For details and purchase of ALTRA's "ALTRAFWD EXPERIENCE" and "TIMP 5"

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Saito Titoce

Former monthly camera magazine editor. While pursuing the spectacular views of Hokkaido and the wildlife, I was completely hooked on the outdoor life of camper vans and sleeping in my car. While traveling the entire country with his 2-year-old son and wife, he is a photographer writer who photographs and writes everything he has experienced, not only cameras and lenses, but also outdoor camping, child-rearing, PC gadgets, cooking, and dieting. OUTDOOR GEARZINE plans to write a variety of articles, focusing on the QOCL (Quality of Camping Life) Improvement Committee, which will improve the quality of life in camping and camper vans.

Rag Photo Blog

   

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