Review on ALTRA AL0A5471 Paradigm Orange Men's Running Shoes: Optimize Your Athletic Performance by Jeff Ross

Altra, like every other sneaker company, feels compelled to redesign their shoes every year or so. As for Altra's Paradigm line, it's been downhill since the Paradigm 4, which was a pretty good shoe (as was the 3). The Paradigm 5 was a step backwards - less comfortable, less durable - but it was okay. The 6 isn't all that different from the 5, but the changes are annoying: the 5 has lost the heel-loop, making the 6 a bit more difficult to pull on, and the 5's flat laces have been replaced with 6s - short, thick, soft tubes that look like earthworms on the sidewalk after the rain. Altra made some structural changes to the 6, most notably a heavier "splint" to keep your foot in place. It doesn't seem to matter much, but the shoe has good stability. It also features Altra's flat toe-to-heel platform and Altra's large foot-shaped toe box. These are the features that make Altra owners like me loyal to the brand, but they may take a while to get used to if this is your first pair of Altras. although the forefoot of the model 6 is more flexible than the model 5. If you need a stiff sole to prevent toe snapping (e.g. with arthritis), but don't want it, Altra maxo-mondo Olympus soles, need You may have a hard insert that you can buy from a podiatrist or shoe store to help strengthen it. The advantages outweigh the disadvantages: If a Paradigm 4 or 5 is right for you, then a 6 will also suffice. It's a shame that Altra can't leave good shoes alone. Next time you play around with Paradigm, Altra, just bring back 4!