Altra wasn't started in some corporate office brainstorm session, but in the back room of a Wasatch Mountain running store. The founders wanted a shoe that lets you run the way you were born to. What began as experimental shoe alterations has transformed into the only shoe company to provide a cushioned Zero Drop platform and FootShape™ toe box.
Why Altra?
The idea of Altra was founded in the backroom of a running store in Orem, Utah. The founders were elite runners and store staff from the town's leading running store. They were looking for a shoe that could help runners run as naturally as possible. After testing and video analyses, they concluded that the market lacked a shoe with these qualities. They started developing a shoe with zero drop and a wide toe box, as well as good cushioning. The idea was to create a running shoe that promotes good running technique, reduces injuries, and is comfortable. What started as experiments and modifications on running shoes has evolved into the unique shoe brand that offers a cushioning Zero Drop™ sole and a FootShape™ toe box. This innovative combo promotes running styles with lower collision forces and allows the foot to work in a natural position regardless of terrain.
Designed to Reduce Injuries
Altra's award-winning shoes have changed how we view running shoes. They create, according to themselves and others, shoes that help you run better and reduce injuries.
Zero Drop Shoes
Zero drop means that there is no "drop" from heel to toe, which is the most common in most other running shoes. The foot thus goes more parallel to the ground instead of having the classic slope from heel to toe.