[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."
Written by Saito Titoce
I love jogging, but I can't get any faster at all. I didn't know the cause, but when I ran with ALTRA's "TIMP 5" and "ALTRAFWD EXPERIENCE," which advocates natural running with zero drop, the cause was disappointing. I'll report on the reasons and how comfortable running in Altra is.
table of contents
What are Zero Drop's ALTRA shoes?
I tried out Altra's "TIMP 5" (photo: left) and "ALTRAFWD EXPERIENCE" (photo: right). You can run in a natural way without squeezing your legs.
Altra shoes with no heels, wide toes and flexible sole
High heels are extreme, but it is common for regular shoes to be thicker and higher on the heel side than on the toe side. This is common even for running shoes, and is leaning forward compared to bare feet without shoes.
Golden Harper, co-founder of Altra Running, questioned this obvious and cut off the heels of commercial running shoes to create a zero-drop shoe with no difference in height between the toes and heels, and used them. The result was, "For the first time in my life, Golden put on running shoes and felt that he was not disturbed by running." This is the origin of the Altra brand, which aims to continue to drive naturally today.
Another major feature of Altra shoes is the design of the loose toe area that does not constrict the five fingers. The five toes of the feet are each spread out firmly, and Barefoot Altra is designed to keep your feet in a natural state. As a result, the foot arch structure is designed to function well and provide shock absorption, rebound and stability.
Furthermore, despite its zero drop, the sole has a firm cushioning performance, and is extremely flexible and flexible to match the movement of your foot.
I had the opportunity to try out Altra shoes that sound like such good things, so I actually tried out the ALTRAFWD EXPERIENCE, which is a way to make the transition from shoes to zero-drop shoes, and the TIMP 5, which is perfect for trail running and hiking, with a complete zero-drop feel.
One thing to note is that some people feel uncomfortable when transitioning from previous shoes to Altra shoes, such as those using heel strike running, which is common among Japanese runners, when running. In this case, it is said that you will need to gradually get used to it.
Recommended points
- You can be aware of how you run and how you walk
- It's easy to keep your toes and toes in place
- The impression of the sole changes depending on the strength of the driving
- Some people may increase their running speed
Points that interest me
- It may be strange to run heel strikes
Main Specifications and ratings
| item | ALTRA ALTRAFWD EXPERIENCE | ALTRA TIMP 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Weight (one foot) | 240g (US10.5/28.5cm) | 277g (Mens US10.5 / 28.5cm) |
| Midsole | Compression molded EVA foam | Altra EGO™ MAX |
| Outsole | Rubber | Vibram® Megagrip |
| Stack height | 28 mm/32 mm (4mm drop) | 29mm (Zero Drop) |
| upper | Engineered Mesh | Quick-Dry Air Mesh |
| price | 20,350 yen | 22,000 yen |
| Outdoor Gearzine Rating | ||
| Comfort | ★★★★☆ | |
| Cushioning | ★★★★☆ | |
| Easy to say goodbye | ★★★★★ | |
| Cost Performance | ★★★☆☆ | |
I realized how I actually ran, and then I became addicted to Zero Drop shoes.
I discovered that I only have two ways to go.
My favorite is "TIMP 5". This model is suitable for trails, and is suitable for trail running as well as hiking. It is useful not only for daily running, but also for strolling around the filming.
How do you walk or run? Before I put on my Altra shoes, I had hardly ever been conscious of how I walked or ran. Since I was a child, there have been two types of running: the so-called heel strike running method, like slamming your heel on the ground, and the forefoot running method, whether running, whether it's short or long distances, kicking the ground on the toe side.When you want to keep footsteps at room, such as when you want to keep footsteps at a low level, you may walk on toe, or the so-called forefoot running method, but you never run using the heel strike running method.
When I was a child, I was relatively avid exercise, and perhaps because I was petite and light in weight, I guess the forefoot running technique was enough when I was running. In fact, both short and long distances were pretty fast. However, for the current author, who started running in his 40s and is an unfamiliar man with little exercise and weight, the forefoot running technique, which barely touches the ground, is quite difficult. For this reason, I was running with the idea that I hadn't been able to properly transfer my weight, and that it was like a stepping on my feet, as if it were a mid-foot running method that used the entire sole of my foot. This is very slow.
By the way, I am not good at running heel strikes, where I put my feet from my heels while running, so I still practice occasionally. Aside from the top-level runners, heel strike running techniques have many benefits for liners who run leisurely at stress relief levels like me, so I recommend it to the rehabilitation teacher I attended when I had a calf strain, and I'm a bit admiring.
I'm really into Zero-drop shoes with a firm cushion
"ALTRAFWD EXPERIENCE." Isn't it a bit uneasy to suddenly drop and difficult to run? A 4mm low-drop model for those who are looking for such a person.
I started running for some reason to lose weight and relieve my lack of exercise, and didn't even know how I was running, but I was completely hooked on the two Altra shoes I tested this time, the ALTRAFWD EXPERIENCE and the TIMP 5.
When I switched from a typical running shoe, a shoe that probably had a drop of nearly 10mm, to a SALOMON's "Thundercross" that I also reviewed on this site, I was surprised to see how easy it was to run. I didn't notice it at this time, but for me, who is more like a mid-foot running style to forefoot running style, it seems that SALOMON's "Thundercross" with only 4mm drops was easy to run on an unconscious level.
And the "ALTRAFWD EXPERIENCE" which is available as an introductory model to the zero-drop Altra shoes was exactly the same, although it just happens to have a 4mm drop. Of course, it doesn't feel strange at all and it's very easy to run. Furthermore, since I have wide feet, I have to choose shoes with thin toes one size larger than usual. However, Altra shoes have a bare-foot design that makes the five toes of the feet look like they are bulging out, making them very comfortable. This is also a very easy cause for running.
However, what I'm even more addicted to was the Drop Zero TIMP 5. When I changed to this "TIMP 5," I didn't realize that my running style was like a midfoot running style or a forefoot running style. It's very easy to run. What should I say? It feels so good that your feet are moving forward on your own while you are running. For me, I didn't need the heels of running shoes! I was so moved.
It felt so good, I got carried away and did it!
While typical shoes are thinner towards the top, Altra shoes have bulged slightly to keep the five toes on the toes in a natural state without constricting them.
The barefoot, the five toes on the toes, are in a natural state, so there is no tightness and is very comfortable for the same with the ALTRAFWD EXPERIENCE and TIMP 5. "ALTRAFWD EXPERIENCE" has a 4mm drop, while "TIMP 5" has a zero drop. In my running style, I'm a bit of a forefoot-like running style and am conscious of the midfoot running style, but there's a further difference in the sole.
Although there are individual differences in how you feel, the sole of the ALTRAFWD EXPERIENCE, which was developed to help many people move from drop shoes to zero-drop Altra shoes without getting injured, is softer, and in comparison, the TIMP 5 has a slightly stiffer sole and a higher rebound.
This hardness fits the author's request, tired of running on snowy roads in Hokkaido, and gradually increased his running pace as the snow melted. I increased my pace from a 6-minute pace of 1km to a 5-minute pace for 10km and a 4-minute ride for 5-minute runs, but the more I speed up and step on, the stronger I step, the more I get the impression that I can run with a solid rebound.
I get the impression that my time will increase every time I run with "TIMP 5," and I was probably conscious of a midfoot running method where I landed on the entire sole of my foot as much as possible, fearing that it would result in a breakdown due to weight gain and weakness, but I was unconsciously becoming more like a forefoot that makes it easier to run faster.
One day, when the 10km started to go under 55 minutes and 5km was around 25 minutes, I was getting quite picky, and after updating my 10km early morning I then went on a 4km walk with my son, and for some reason I felt like I could also update my 5km renewal, so I ran at a pace of around 1km and 4 minutes, and then ran another 5km. Although I've certainly updated my 5km new life, I started to feel severe pain in my calves... and the next day I started walking as if I was protecting one leg.
Even after returning from muscle strain, he is running leisurely at TIMP 5
The "TIMP 5" uses Altra EGO™ MAX midsole and Vibram® Megagrip for the outsole. However, it is still more flexible than regular shoes and does not interfere with movement of your feet.
From a midfoot running style to a slightly forefoot running style, the Altra shoes that Zero Drop are made by Golden Harper, co-founder of Altra Running, and are homemade Zero Drop shoes, just like the story of "I was wearing running shoes for the first time in my life and felt that I couldn't get in the way of running," which is a little surprising impression of my feet moving smoothly. It was even moving.
However, the muscle strength required is not sufficient, and the running is a forefoot running style that is not suitable for heavy runners, but it feels so good that I pushed myself too hard. Well, it's completely my own fault...
It took about two months to return from a calf strain. After skipping the exercise thoroughly, I gained even more weight. However, I think it was a good experience to be able to walk pools, swim, and even go to hospital rehabilitation several times during a period when my legs were sore and not be able to run.
Now that I've returned from a muscle strain, I've been experiencing a period of over 30 degrees in Hokkaido, but I enjoy running at TIMP 5 while being conscious of not being too stressful on my feet. Unfortunately, the weight I gained hasn't returned and I'm afraid to step on my heavy body, so I'm at a slow pace of around 1km, but the zero-drop Altra shoes make me run comfortably.
Summary: By being aware of how you run, you can make running even more fun
I liked the Zero Drop, so I'm also trying out the heel strike running technique.
The biggest feature is the flat zero-drop sole without heels. The author's driving style is impressive, but his preferences are probably different.
For me, who can't run well when I'm aware of my heel landing, Zero Drop Altra shoes are in a way that can be said to be the best fit. It feels very good.
However, this is what makes you feel cocky, increase your distance and speed, and the result of your calf strain is probably the disadvantage of a typical forefoot running technique. Therefore, considering your age, weight and being a beginner in running, the rehabilitation teacher even recommended that you learn heel strike running techniques that are conscious of landing your heel.
Unfortunately, I have no intention of quitting my current running style, which is a bit more like a forefoot running style than a zero-drop Altra shoes and mid-foot running style. Because it feels good to run. However, it is also true that I became interested in the heel strike running technique, which I had not realized that I was unable to run well after landing on my heels.
If you're going to run every day, you can enjoy running with zero drop shoes today, or tomorrow you can enjoy running with heel strikes using high drop shoes over 1cm. It would also be interesting to intentionally change the running style while running with shoes with a drop of approximately 4mm, like the "ALTRAFWD EXPERIENCE."
Running involves repeating the same movements for tens of thousands of steps after a little run, and I tried out Altra shoes, which are basically zero drops, without even realizing how I was running. I realized that I can't do heel strike running properly, but I think there are many things I'll notice when running with zero-drop Altra shoes, whether I usually use heel strike running or not. Why not try Altra shoes with a barefoot, natural fit and zero drop? I personally highly recommend it.
Details and purchase of ALTRA "ALTRAFWD EXPERIENCE" and "TIMP 5"
For more information about the product, please visit the official ALTRA website
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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.
