Altra Timp 3.0 Review [Updated]

After continued disappointing experiences with Altra shoes in the last two years (the last pair I loved was the Altra Lone Peak 3.5's), I decided to give the new Altra Timp 3.0's a go. New midsole, new upper, new version number - surely they've got it right (again?).

Here goes.

The trusty old Lone Peak 3.5's. Not what this review is about. Had to stick 'em in though.

First Run Impressions

Trying on, the standard wide toe box fit applies - as with all Altra's. I'm still surprised more shoe companies don't do this. Am I the only one who prefers all that room?

NB: The first run I took them on was perhaps not the most friendly. Super technical trail, rocky, lots of vert - and it was wet. But it was an easy day, so I figured what the heck.

These bad boyz got treated to some viewzzz on their first outing.

Stack Height

The midsole padding (stack height) seems reduced. It's not (at least from the predecessor, the Timp 2.0's). They both sit at a slightly-above-normal of 29mm.

On the first few runs, they feel like new shoes. They're cushy, with good rebound. There is a little bit of ground-feel though - if you concentrate hard enough.

The stack height does mean they're not quite as nimble as the Lone Peak's or Superior's. I found particularly on sharp direction changes and rocky trails, my foot doesn't feel super 'set' in them. Slightly 'topply' is how I'd describe it.

Despite the stack height, though, you do get the odd spiky rock that makes it's way through to your forefoot. I've never had a situation where it's been painful enough for me to squeal, but if you do catch a sharp edge hard enough - you'll know it's there. I guess that's down to the lack of a rock plate. Not complaining, I think I prefer the added flexibility you get out of them, because of the lack of one.

Durability

Two words: Not good. (NB: See end of review for comments from Altra)

Literally ten kay's in and the rubber 'webbing' overlay on the side of the shoes has started to separate from the upper. It is cosmetic for now, as I can't see that rubber having much functional value, but I'll keep an eye on it.

We'll see how far this degrades. Stay tuned.

See the rubber separating. This happened on both sides.

Outer Sole

Super grippy. Seems durable. Not too sticky for tar running. So far, I'm a fan.

If you look close enough, you might be able to spot *two* pairs of Altra Timp's in this photo.

Upper

A change from the last pair of Timp's (1.5's) I owned, and a change from the last version too (my friend has them). It looks good. Durable but with a bit of breathability. Time will tell on the durability part. I know from my own experience and friends' that the Timp upper does not have a great track record. They tend to rip around the arch of the foot area where the upper meets the midsole.

We shall see!

One other notable is the toe protector. That shit's solid. Ain't gonna hurt kicking any rocks around with that on your team. It even looks gnarly, like they've mixed tiny pieces of stone with the rubber compound to make it look even more bad-ass.

Midsole

I'm excited to see how the new midsole that's featuring in this model and the new Lone Peak 5.0's performs. After a few years of being disappointed with the Altra midsole, I'm hoping that this one brings back some of the Lone Peak 3.5's boogie!

Price

Steep. At R3000.00 landed here in South Africa, thats $200 for a pair of shoes.

Getting on the pricey side there Altra. I think it may also have something to do with the current ZAR-USD exchange rate (but we'll leave that for another discussion).

If they do a 1000km's, that's aound $0.2 every km. (I'm good at maths, I know). So your weekend 30km long run is costing you as much as a good restaurant meal, basically. Though it's way more fun.

100 Kay's In

Here are my impressions after 100 kay's of running in 'em.

First Race

It wasn't really the race for them. 25k, quite technical, mostly trail. I wore 'em anyway. The alternative was a pair of (700km+) Altra Lone Peak 4.5's which have quite a worn outer, and I didn't want to take the chance.

They did well, besides the issue I had with the inner sole, described below.

Wet Conditions

And they were pretty wet.

Grip-wise the shoe performed like a dream. I'm a big fan of the outer. Plenty of grip, and gives you ton's of confidence going downhill.... when you're going in a straight line.

Because I run on a lot of rocky trails, with an outer that is that grippy and a stack height that is slightly higher than normal, if you change direction too quickly the shoe can feel a bit unstable.

One thing I was very disappointed with was the inner sole scrunching up into the front of the shoe after a short amount of descending. Granted, it was quite steep and jarring, and the shoes (by this stage) were soaked through and through. The descent was only +- 200m of elevation drop though. Once the inner had scrunched, there was no way to set them back without taking the shoe off completely.

And then it happened again, on another run in wet conditions. Not stoked. Not sure if it's to be expected or not but I have run in wet conditions in other shoes and other Altra's even and never experienced this before.

I suspect it may be because the interface between the bottom of the inner sole and the bottom of the shoe are both quite slippery foam/rubbery surfaces so when they get wet, it's easy to slide.

Drainage

They drained well, even after some proper river crossings.

Snow

Yup. Took 'em in the snow.

Okay, okay pipe down all you American's and Europeans and everyone else who always get's snow. We very seldom do down here in sunny South Africa, so it's always worth a mention.

So, how'd they do? Well, okay... I think?

Not much of a reference point there. They were grippy and felt stable. I only slipped and landed on my butt once, but I don't think that was the shoes' fault.