Altra Torin 6 Review – The Daily Trainer That Ended My Foot Pain Struggles
The Altra Torin 6 was my first proper pair of wide or anatomical running shoes. Up until this purchase, I had been relying on 'wide' sizing (like 2E instead of standard D sizing), hoping it would ease my growing foot pain. Note: 2E sizes didnt help.
After a positive experience with the Altra Lone Peaks (review coming soon), I decided to try the Torin 6 as a daily trainer. It was a total game changer — my wide-foot redemption arc.
Discovering true wide toe box shoes felt like unlocking a cheat code for people with wide or foot problems. I realised just how much time (and foot health) I’d been wasting in the wrong footwear.
Fast forward 350 km later, and these shoes have become my go-to daily trainers over the past 18 months.
They are not a tempo shoe but I’ve used them for everything—easy runs, long 20 km efforts, hill sprints, and even some strides at the end of workouts. They have handled it all.
Fit & Feel: Finally, Room to Breathe
Sizing is true to size. Each time I put them on there no need to fiddle with them. The upper is comfortable, plush and accommodating, no issues here. The tongue deserves some credit also. It has this nice padding without being too bulky which I've come to appreciate over time.
That is one nice shoe tongue
Let’s talk breathability. Hong Kong summers are brutal — think sauna with humidity. The Torins manage to keep things dry and airy. Even on long runs, my socks don’t get sweaty and squelchy like they do in other shoes (some issue I had in Hoka Mach 5s for instance).
Only complaint I have with the upper is around the toe box — the material tends to crease inward slightly on the right shoe. It doesn’t impact my running, but it’s definitely annoying!
That small crease - shouldn’t be but is annoying! Upper materials also very breathable
What sets them (and all Altras) apart is the toe box — one of the few where my toes aren’t crammed. They can spread naturally, which makes a big difference on long runs.
Nice round toe box for me toes
Midsole: Cushioned, but lacking a little
This is one area that really comes down to personal preference. The ride is incredibly comfortable and stable, even with just 28mm of stack height (which is quite low for modern shoes these days). The shoe is also very flexible which I love and think is important to have your rotations.
That said, the ride lacks responsiveness or bounce from the foam. Altra’s EGO Max foam (a compression-molded EVA) is soft and supportive but doesn’t give you that spring you might get from more modern, energetic foams or rocker-shaped midsoles. So, if your legs are tired or you're want to pick up the pace, it feels like you’re doing all the work alone and the show isn't helping you one bit.
Over 350km in my trusty steeds. Altra could do with an upgrade in their new versions.
Outsole: Grippy but Not Perfect
The grip is solid and does the job, I have learnt to trust it in all conditions, even in the rain (we get a lot here in Hong Kong) . Around the 300 km mark, I noticed some minor outsole peeling but I dont think that is a big issue.
Minor peeling on outsole after 300km
I feel these shoes could easily go another few hundred km. Outsole is starting to wear away in places but I havent notice any drop in grip yet.
Starting to wear in the forefoot
Alternatives & Comparisons
Version 7 & 8 of the Torins are now available. At the version 6 is quite old lets have a look at what options there are on the market for a neutral daily trainer with a wide toe box.
Note: I'm not looking at max cushion or stablility shoes, just neutral daily trainers
Altra Torin 7 / 8. Same 0mm drop and EGO MAX midsole. The Torin 8 retails around $170 USD which is do feel is on the more expensive side. When (not If) these go on sale, I'll be getting a pair but I am keen to try other a rockered shoeshoe and non zero drop.
Topo Phantom 3 — wide toe box and with a 5mm drop and more rockered ride, I'm very keen to get my hands on. Might be a better choice if you want more forward roll, which is a downside of the Torins. Approx. $150 USD, but as version 4 is almost out I have seen on sale for 99 USD.
Topo Magnifly 5 — Zero drop, wide-toe box. A strong daily option if you prefer a zero drop shoe. Good value also at approx. $135 USD.
Altra FWD Experience— Altra’s first rockered shoe with a 4mm drop. Priced around $140 USD. However I have read reviews complaining about the width in the forefoot, so I'll think carefully before purchasing this one.
Final Thoughts
If you need a daily trainer with an anatomical or wide toe box, its hard to go wrong with the Altra Torins line. Just be aware of the ride and bounce of the midsole.
Its a shoe I keep coming back to time and time again, when I want to run, be comfy and not worry about all my whole world of foot pain.
I still dream of a shoe that combines this shape with a more responsive & bouncy foam. (Novablast vides). Until then, the Torin 6 gets the job done — no fuss or frills, just great for your feet.
Have you run in the Torin 6 or something similar? Drop a comment or tag me on Instagram — I’d love to hear what your wide-foot daily trainer rotation looks like.
