Altra Running

Altra Running – running shoes for natural foot movement since 2009

Altra was founded in 2009 in Utah by Golden Harper and Brian Beckstead, after many years of experimenting at his father's running shop Runner's Corner in Orem. Harper modified traditional running shoes by removing heel elevation and widening the toe box, and found that runners suffered fewer injuries and developed a more natural stride. The concept became Altra, and since 2018 the brand has been part of VF Corporation. The name comes from the Latin altera – to fix or repair something that is broken.

ZeroDrop and FootShape

Altra's two core principles are ZeroDrop – equal height under heel and toe – and FootShape, an anatomical toe box that lets the toes spread naturally. This is designed to reduce injury load, improve balance and deliver a smoother toe-off. FootShape comes in several fits: Original, Standard and Slim. Models such as Lone Peak (trail running), Olympus (ultra), Escalante and Torin (road) are well-established names among runners worldwide.

Women's and hiking models

Altra develops women's-specific lasts called Fit4Her, with an adjusted forefoot and heel. The range also includes trail shoes, hiking shoes and lighter everyday footwear. A natural choice for runners and walkers who want a roomier toe box, balanced cushioning and a shoe that lets the foot move the way it was built to.