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The Torin has an approachable design that makes it a zero-drop version of the Brooks Ghost—a cushioned trainer we recommend for beginners because of its comfortable fit and responsive ride. I think of the Torin as a stepping stone trainer; its cozy upper and moderately cushioned midsole make it the best introductory running shoe for zero-drop newbies and new runners alike.
And the newest iteration is even more welcoming. Altra made significant changes with the Torin 9: a tackier outsole for some off-roading (because why stick to the streets?), roomier instep, and bouncier ride. Our testers were game to put the shoe through all kinds of workouts and terrain. They found the shoe was incredibly versatile on the road and trail, and during recovery runs and speedwork sessions. Find out why the Torin 9 is a multi-hyphenate trainer.
An Even Better Torin
Revamps can be scary; why fix something that isn’t broken? When it comes to running shoes, an item that basically becomes a part of our body for hours of a grueling activity, any change to something we deem near-perfect can be race-day-morning scary.
Testers had loved the Torin 8, describing it as slipper-comfy. It had all the Altra shoe attributes we love: spacious toebox, balanced zero-drop cushioning, a sex-specific foot shape. And you’ll find all these Altra signatures in the Torin 9. As for those changes? They truly improve an already good thing.
Vibram Grip
When fine-tuning the next Torin, it seemed developers thought: Why not put Vibram on a road shoe? According to the Altra team, the Torin 9’s traction is 8.5 percent better than the Torin 8’s with this update.
Our testers took advantage of the Vibram rubber, traversing off road to test its grip. “I felt that the shoe performed best on a packed dirt/trail surface where it felt like it had a great traction and springy push off. Those trail runs were at a 7:00 to 7:30 pace,” said tester Steven Blasi.
Though Blasi blazed the trails in the Torin 9, he found the shoe to be too grippy on pavement. But this was not the case for tester Matthew Aberant, who felt the shoe performed well across all terrains and speeds.
“I tested the shoes at varying paces, including slow recovery runs, mid-week tempo runs, and even faster paces for hill sprints and striders,” he said. “The shoe has better traction relative to other trainers, thanks to the Vibram rubber on the sole and more cushioning than previous zero-drop shoes I have run in, so it didn’t feel like a minimalist or barefoot shoe, which is a positive. Even with these features, the shoe didn’t feel overly heavy or bulky, and maintained a nice stable ride.”
Softer Ride
At a 28mm stack height, the Torin 9 is in the moderate cushioning category, falling at a much shorter height compared to other beefier trainers that have become the new standard. The Torin 9 has a modest height but that doesn’t mean it skimps on softness or support. The new dual-density P35X midsole provides increased comfort with a soft carrier and denser core.
Tester Don Kuntzman, who’s all about ground feel, praised the Torin 9 for its medium cushioning and protection, saying it’s one of the best cushioned trainers he’s tested this year.
“I generally prefer cushioning that provides protection without disconnecting me from the running experience, and the Torin strikes that balance exceptionally well,” he said. “The cushioning felt evenly distributed from heel to forefoot, creating a smooth, balanced ride that never felt overly soft, mushy, or unstable. Even with its generous cushioning, the shoe remained responsive and never felt slow when pushing off. That’s what really sets the Torin apart—it provides excellent impact protection while still feeling natural and connected to the ground.”
Upper Adjustments
To refine the fit, Altra nixed the gusseted tongue so it won’t cause pressure on insteps. Testers appreciated the molded tongue’s separation from the upper. This was Aberant’s favorite feature.
“I liked the tongue of the shoe, it felt more traditional and allowed some movement to adjust the fit,” he said, noting it’s sometimes the small things that matter most. “Many running shoes today have a tongue that is really just part of the upper material, so that it can’t really be adjusted. The Torin 9’s tongue, when pulled on, really allowed the shoe to slide into place better on the foot and feel comfortable.”
Another upper improvement: the collar doesn’t have that weird square cutout on the sides like it did with the Torin 8. The collar is rounded so it can cup the sides of your ankle instead.
Standard Fit
The Torin 9 has Altra’s “standard” foot shape, that I find to be slightly tighter in the midfoot area on my wide feet (Altra’s broader “original” foot shape is more my jibe). Some runners may want to opt for the wider width if they have wide feet.
Verdict
Because of its low stack, the Torin 9 may take on the singular role as a speed shoe for some, or mid-miler for runs that range 3 to 5 miles. But for those who love ground feel and venturing onto unpaved paths mid-road run, they’ll find the Torin 9 an all-around capable trainer.
