An Excellent Trail Shoe - Not a Great Everyday Shoe
Hey everyone! My title kind of explains how I felt about this shoe. I got the Dusty Olive color way and I absolutely love it. I’ve found that this shoe has done great *on hikes or trail runs*, but I got it for another reason and it doesn’t really serve my purpose there.I got this pair of shoes to be a normal part of my shoe rotation. I like to rotate shoes and give them a chance to breathe between days of use. The smell doesn’t get so bad and the support foam has a chance to breathe and retain shape.My other pair of Altra’s are the FWD VIA model and I am absolutely in love with them. They are great for work wear, errands, home, etc etc. When I first slipped them on, I was amazed at the roomy toe box and plush foam. They were my first pair of shoes ever that really didn’t feel like they were compressing my toes. I ordered them in the same size I ordered every other tennis shoe I’ve owned and they fit like a dream.Then there’s the Timp 5. There’s nothing inherently wrong with them and I don’t think I should remove a star for this, but they just didn’t have the same everyday functionality as the FWDs. I thought “maybe my other pair can be a little trail oriented for the occasional hike” so I got the Timp 5. It’s definitely amazing on the trail. There’s a nice rock shield protecting your toes, the vibram grip sole is insanely grippy, great for dirt or rocky terrain. It’s even insanely grippy on pavement and indoor flooring as well. The upper seems like a somewhat breathable material that won’t trap too much heat. The support foam is definitely there beneath the feet too, but it does feel more stiff than the FWD.That leads me to why this isn’t a great everyday shoe… it feels significantly stiffer and harsher for pavement walking/running than the FWD. The foam is seemingly stiffer, so the everyday comfort just isn’t the same. The vibram sole, while it is incredibly capable on the trails, seems to wear down faster on pavement due to the lugs contacting an abrasive surface.And the biggest thing… the entire shoe just feels tighter. I almost thought I should have sized up a half size due to the tight fit. It’s gotten better after breaking these in, but the upper is just significantly tighter around my foot than the FWD is. The toe box is also definitely narrower, as you can see in my picture (gray shoe is FWD) but it’s worth mentioning that it is still wider than most other brands.So, is the Timp 5 an excellent hiking shoe? YES! If you are looking for a dedicated hiking shoe or trail shoe then I think this is one of the best. The only reason it’s not getting a full 5 stars is because of sizing differences compared to other Altra shoes of the same size.Is it a great shoe that can be used for daily casual use and then broken out for the occasional trail? I wouldn’t say so. If you’re looking for a shoe to wear to work or for standing on your feet all day, this isn’t it. I know Altra has become popular for nurses and retail employees due to their natural foot shape and zero drop, but do not get this shoe working indoors is your intended use case.This should have been self explanatory. All of the reviews I read and watched were raving about this shoe *for trail use*. If you’re like me looking for an everyday shoe, look at the FWD if you don’t need a trail shoe. If you want a hybrid that can handle trails, I have heard that the Lone Peak is a bit more forgiving than this Timp 5 for casual use.