ALTRA PARADIGM 5: Embrace the Space

 

Speed is not everything in running. 

Not all running is a 100 meter sprint.  For many of us weekend warriors, a lot more of our running is not a track meet but a long slow distance (LSD) run. And for our LSD, we value comfort and injury-free. 

That is why for the Bicolano Penguin, a favorite running shoe is the Altra Paradigm.  First started running with it in 2014  with the very first edition of the Paradigm. Since then, I have been blessed to run with all the editions. The  Paradigm is the most cushioned shoe in the Altra lineup with the Altra difference of foot shape and balance cushioning resulting in a better running experience. 

This month of May, I received a pair of the Altra Paradigm 5.  This edition was released in the late months of 2020  but here in the Philippines, the new models come in a bit late. I have my classmate and fellow running 83neans Fards, who was based in New York for some time,  to thank for having the latest Paradigm model available for me. 

Fresh out of the box. 

Opening the box, I could see that the Paradigm 5 is a bit similar to its predecessor the Paradigm 4.5.  It does have all the key features like FootShape, Balanced Cushioning, Altra Ego, GuideRail, and Stabilipod.  There are a couple of improvement from Paradigm 4.  

The upper has undergone a slight change in materials used.  The knit upper in the Paradigm 4 and 4 has been replace with an engineered mesh.  The engineered mesh is more supportive and flexible than the previous knit upper.  

The GuideRail is a layer of midsole foam that projects up from the footbed along the medial side of the foot. It's designed to keep your foot aligned in the shoe, and helps punter overpronation during the stride.  In the Paradigm, it was first introduced in the 4 edition. In the latest Paradigm 5, it is bigger on the medial side. More is better.  

More material for the GuideRail in the Paradigm 5 (left) compared to the 4.  

Engineered mesh for the Paradigm 5 and knit upper for the 4.  

One of the core technologies of Altra that is in the Paradigm is the foot shape. In a 2015 interview with Running Northwest , the founder of Altra,  Golden Harper expounded on the larger toe box:

We had a massive debate internally about whether we should do this at all as it’s so different looking and really difficult to pull off. I knew it would look different to people, and that it could kill the brand. However, I also knew that we were trying to build the world’s best shoes for reducing injuries and that shaping the shoe like a foot so the foot could actually work right was critical. The bottom line is that when you put square shaped feet in triangle shaped shoes, bad things eventually happen. If you want to keep people injury free, then the toe box needs to be shaped like a healthy shaped foot. The reality is that the 1 billion people on earth that don’t wear closed-toe shoes, have a 3% incidence of foot problems. In America, where we have the “best shoes in the world”, it’s 73%. Our raised heels and tapered toe boxes are literally wreaking havoc with our feet and our bodies!

So there yo have it.  The key to the appeal of the Altra shoes to those runners who value comfort and injury free . 

Early morning run with the Altra Paradigm 5

I got to test already the Altra Paradigm 5 and here are my key take aways:

1.  The Altra Paradigm 5 is listed to weigh at 11.2 oz.  Quite heavy however, I have ran with it for almost 10kms already and it does not feel heavy.  Just about right for an overweight (according to my BMI) runner like me. 

2.  The cushioning is plush.  Feeling like a pillow for my sole.  Thanks in large part to the Ego foam.  Compared to traditional EVA foam, it's formulated to provide spingier feel and more durability.  

3. The zero drop ( 31 mm both  for the forefoot and heel) helps me have a comfortable stride.  Hope this lessens my injury. 

Overall, I like very much the Altra Paradigm 5.  In recent months, I may have dabbled with a few models of Asics, Saucony, Hoka and the North Face, particularly the plated shoes.  But for the Bicolano Penguin, the Altra Paradigm 5 will be at the heart of its running line up. 

BP's line up of running shoes.  The Altra Paradigm 5 is in the center.  

     Embrace the space.