The Altra Timp 3 fits true to size. My usual U.S. men’s 9.5 was the perfect length with a thumbnail’s width in the front and the width accommodated my regular foot, without being too loose, apart from the occasional slide when I turned tight corners. Slightly wider than average

Speaking of Hoka, for a moment I mistook the drainage holes on the lateral parts of the Timp’s forefoot to be something akin to Hoka’s earliest models, where the wearer could actually drill their own holes into the lateral aspects of the shoe’s foam to create more inherent stability. But that’s an aside. I didn’t get to test these guys out in wet conditions yet so am unsure how they would have drained, but it seems they thought of every trail condition with this shoe.

Anatomy of a Shoe

If you were to line up all 5 Altra trail running shoes by the amount of their cushioning, Lone Peak's would be right in the middle. 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. TAYLOR: Not all is good in the hood. I’m not sure that I have ever been audibly frustrated with a shoe before this.

Its also a much better looking shoe than the TIMP 2 and for many people this is very important. I love the grey colourway above and the women's shoes are also looking really good. VF is certainly improving that aspect of ALTRA. 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.

The shoe felt a bit like running in sand. I felt like I had to adjust my stride from its norm so I could gain momentum, which was frustrating and decreased the enjoyment I got from these shoes. Now let's talk about some other relatively minor things to consider. Underfoot protection & durability 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.

I have been running in it now for a few weeks and it remains a very good shoe for what it is designed to do, as was the TIMP 2. Don't push it hard on wet, highly technical trails but for runs which are a combination of pavement and trails, especially in the dry what you get is a very similar ride to the Torin 4.5 Plush but with a more technical outsole. Shannon’s Score: 9/10 Love it. My other favorites have been the Salomon Sense Ultra (the OG, not the later versions), the Hoka Torrent, the Terra Kiger, and the Asics Fuji Trail Lite. I’d throw the Timp right in there with them and maybe even give them an extra point for versatility compared to some of those previously mentioned. 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. This is actually a nice surprise given that the lugs of the Timp 4 aren't the deepest. We measured them at 2.9 mm, while the average is 3.5 mm. Topo MT-3: A similar shaped toe box to Altra. 3mm heel to forefoot drop. A much firmer more responsive ride.

Mike P: An Altra for the people! I think this shoe will do really well for Altra. It looks great, rides great, and feels great on foot. I’m not an avid Altra user, but I am a fan of forefoot space, and these will definitely be part of my rotation going forward. I tended to think of each model of Altra trail shoes as having its own specific niche. LP for hiking, firm feel with super wide toebox. Olympus for max volume and cushioning. Superior for lightweight, more traditional natural feel. The upper of the Altra Timp 4 has a solid width of 100.7 mm in the forefoot. This is roomier than the average 98.2 mm. The shoe remains comfy and spacious even when the foot starts to swell after long miles of running. And the Timp's, having a little more cushioning than the Lone Peak's, would be placed right next to the them. 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

The previous Timp was just kind of there, somewhat technically oriented, but not quite comfortable or cushioned enough to appeal to most. Altra seems to have focused on the technical mountain side of the equation with the new Mont Blanc, and moved the Timp more towards the smoother, comfortable, and cushioned side. It is definitely the most versatile Altra trail shoe right now, and should appeal to both Altra and non-Altra trail runners alike. 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 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. I find the overall fit of the upper to be really great, almost slipper-like in comfort and feel. This may be a bit of a detriment on more technically oriented trails, but it’s great for most anything else. The sides of the upper wrap further over the top of the foot, so the gap the laces span is shorter.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. At times, I noticed little pebbles found their way into the shoes easier than in some of my other pairs. This did not affect my enjoyment of the shoe but was something I noticed.