Altra Womens Rivera 2

Black/Pink

The Altra Rivera is a daily trainer with a performance kick. It’s cushioned and comfortable, but when you pick up the pace it can feel energetic and lively.

Regular cushioning offers a blend of lightness, comfort, and ground feel. Popular for shorter distance racing as well as training and daily mileage running, the lower stack of midsole foam offers inherent stability and a lighter feel on your foot when compared to max-stack shoes.

Neutral running shoes are designed to provide a smooth sensation without correcting your gait. They allow your natural motion to flow, while still offering a snug fit and a cushioned feel underfoot. As such, they’re ideal for runners who don’t overpronate.

Experiment is often the precursor to innovation, and that was certainly the case with Altra, whose origins lie in the humble toaster oven their founders used to melt heel counters off running shoes.

The eventual result was the brand’s zero drop “Balanced Cushioning” that puts the heel and toes the same distance from the ground. This gives optimal alignment, cultivates better form, and encourages a low-impact landing.

Another key feature of Altra shoes is the wide toe box, known as the “Footshape”. By allowing your toes to relax and spread out naturally, it lets your big toe find the optimum position for stability and power.

In Altra’s women’s footwear, Fit4Her technology caters to the specific form of the female foot, with designs based around a narrower heel and midfoot, a higher instep, and a longer arch.