Altras

ajb422

ajb422

Barefooters
Sep 28, 2010
635
35
28
#1
So if somehow this already got discussed recently and I missed it, call me stupid and either point me to the thread or tell me to look harder. I've been sort of out of the loop the last month or so, but I went back in and didn't see anything and was suprised to not see much discussion on it.

Anyways, has anyone tried the Adams/Eve's recently. Good? Bad? Or rather as good as the hype? I'm sort of bummed that my Zem360s are falling apart on me already so I may unfortunently again be in the market for a good trail shoe. At the rate I'm going nearly a year and a half after starting this whole thing I'm going to end up having to buy a pair of the blasted VFFs that I dislike so much.

I mostly want them as a trail shoe. I currently do most of my trail running in the Minimus, my normal path running barefoot with huraches, or the 360s when I don't feel like paying attention to where I am stepping or its too dark to see the big rocks and thistles. So any comparision to these is helpful as well.
 
#2
I tried on the Adams and ran

I tried on the Adams and ran around a little bit at the store to see if I would like them. For me, and I'm ultra picky, the velcro strap anchor point around the toes is a problem and will possibly cause blisters. I am super duper picky about footwear though, so maybe someone not so picky should chip in. They would have easily been my favorite shoe though if not for that one problem, so I'm sure the less picky people in the world will love them. The sole is easily as flexible as the vff's which impressed me as well as the width of the shoe, not just in the toe box but in the midfoot as well. I hear they will be coming out with a lace up version sometime next year which I am so stoked for. Like I said, it was only that anchor point that got me, otherwise I would own a pair. I know that Saypay is going to be reviewing them sometime in the future, but I am not sure if he has a pair yet or not.
 
#3
I haven't had a chance to try

I haven't had a chance to try on the Altra Adam yet* but, for shoes that have individual straps for customizing fit (such as what these have), I'd do most of the tightening with the strap that's over the instep, and keep the one that's near the toes only tight enough to ensure that there aren't any problems with floppiness.





* Why is The Natural Running Store the only retailer with these so far? I'm REALLY not interested in wearing Evos or NB Minimus, which are the only supposed 'minimalist' shoes that my local retailer has, in addition to VFFs.
 
#4
I only found them in one

I only found them in one store here in Portland. I was shocked they had them actually. Its a single strap that zigzags across the foot. I made it so loose as to be worthless and that section still bothered me. I really can't wait for the version with laces to come out, although by then I may just never wear shoes at all anymore. Next spring or summer is a long way off.
 
#5
NickW wrote:I tried on the

NickW said:
I tried on the Adams and ran around a little bit at the store to see if I would like them.
Click to expand...



Nick, where did you try these on? I'm guessing Fit Right, but don't want to fight for parking there on a hunch...
 
#6
NickW wrote:Its a single

NickW said:
Its a single strap that zigzags across the foot.
Click to expand...



Each shoe has two individual straps. The one at the toe does cross over again but, the one I suggest doing the initial tightening with is separate from that one and, farther back, closer to the ankle but at a section of the foot where footwear can be secured without affecting joint movement.
 
#7
I tend to not be as picky as

I tend to not be as picky as a lot of people here. So maybe. Did the construction seem pretty stable? Plunking down 100 dollars for a pair of shoes that I don't know are going to last for a good long while make me nervous. I'd really love them to get the mileage that people in VFFs do.

I think I actually like the velcro idea better, mostly because I slip them on and off so much during runs and tieing takes time. If the velcro wears out quicker than the shoe I can always replace it.
 
#8
I just wear the front strap

I just wear the front strap ULTRA loose and have no problem with rubbing. If you do snug it up though it would be a problem for sure. I like running in my Adam's without any insoles and I use the flat insoles for walking in them. I'm quite pleased with them so far.
 
#9
Thats awsome AJW.  I wonder

Thats awsome AJW. I wonder what that strap is really for? Seems almost pointless when you have the other strap closer to the ankle. When I ran around in them I took the insoles out.
 
#10
I'll jump in here  The strap

I'll jump in here :) The strap is there to keep the toe box from flapping around. It's a roomy toe box and they didn't want it to be sloppy so the strap is literally there to keep your toes from raising too far up into the top of the shoe and making the shoe cause problems it shouldn't. The strap should not be tightened really any more than you need to keep the shoe in place over the foot.

The anchor point feels terrible at first but after wearing it a few times it gets looser and you don't notice it. My first thought was that the anchor point for the front strap was a shoe killer but it really hasn't been an issue at all.

The Adam/Eve are extremely well constructed and I expect that the durability factor on them is huge. I've had mine for a while now and they show no signs of wear. I've pummelled my Instincts for over a year now and they are a good as the day I got them...seriously. I expect the Adam to be the same.

As for finding them in stores it's a work in progress that is going extremely well. The number of stores that carry Altra is literally growing every day. If you want to know where to get them you can get that info on the website www.altrazerodrop.com

Any more questions just post em. I've got an inside track on all things Altra and am happy to share the info! oh and the lace up version of the Adam/Eve is called Samson/Deliliah and they are amazing.
 
#11
When does the Samson come out

When does the Samson come out Jimmy? Like I said earlier I really think this shoe could be the best/near the best minimalist shoe out there. I hate to spend $100 though on a shoe that MAY loosen up at that anchor point, or, with my luck won't and will just be another shoe collecting dust in my closet. I wish there were more reviews on the ZEM 360's as well, because I am interested in those too. Unfortunately, I've seen a lot of complaints about some of the pods or whatever falling off the bottom and so am nervous about ordering them. Not sure if they've figured this problem out yet or not.
 
#12
Quote:If you want to know

If you want to know where to get them you can get that info on the website www.altrazerodrop.com
Click to expand...



Altra listed those retailers even before their shoes were produced. The retailer which is closest to me has never offered Altras on their online store.







As for the Zems, I wouldn't bother, as they have a lycra upper, which defeats the purpose of having shoes in my opinion, since lycra takes as long to dry as it does.
 
#13
I am just looking for some

I am just looking for some shoes that I occasionally wear, on days that my feet need a break and need to heal from cuts or blisters or what have you. The Zems are cheap as far as running shoes go. I just worry about durability. As far as them staying wet, it always rains here so they would constantly be wet anyways, so thats not as much of an issue to me. Anything I get will be wet inside of five minutes on the road.
 
#14
The Samson is looking like

The Samson is looking like the end of the year to first of next year for release. Next up for Altra is the trail shoe the Lone Peak and then Samson I believe. I'm super excited for the Samson. I think the sole they've created for the Adam is possibly the best minimal shoe sole out there and a laceable upper would make that the best minimal shoe on the market.

As for locations, if you tell me where you are located I can probably find a store near you and let you know. All stores listed on the site either have the shoes or were on the pre-order list (which means they may have decided not to carry Altra between the time they applied for an account and the release date). I will do all I can to get you location info so you can try them on.
 
#15
Are you saying possibly the

Are you saying possibly the end of this year? Sweet! I do wish that they were better about staying on schedule, because I waited to see the Adams a long time.
 
#16
Yes it is a possibility for

Yes it is a possibility for the end of this year. The culprit behind the delays is a common one with start ups like Altra. Not too long ago this company was literally three guys in a basement trying to make shoes. They threw as much money together as they could and gave it a run that almost ran out of room on them as they were about to go broke before it took off. Now after some growing pains and learning they have endless opportunity and are making sure they do it right. If there is a delay at all now it's because the product wasn't right and they wanted to make it as good as it could be before they took your money for it. That's what happened with Lone Peak. It was ready to go but the toe box just wasn't right so they delayed it until they got it right and now I believe it will be one of if not the best trail shoe on the market. It's not really a minimal shoe so a lot of you guys won't love it but as a shoe it's awesome.

Altra is definitely headed in the right direction and I think they've got the right attitude so you won't be disappointed.
 
#17
I can understand and

I can understand and appreciate that Jimmy. Do you work in the shoe industry? I think I saw you on the Zem thread saying you knew them also.
 
#18
 NickW wrote: I hate to

NickW said:
I hate to spend $100 though on a shoe that MAY loosen up at that anchor point, or, with my luck won't and will just be another shoe collecting dust in my closet.
Click to expand...

Certainly my worry as well. Especially since I know from previous comparisions that I'm way way harder on shoes than Jimmy is. I don't know how or why, but I know I destroy them at a much faster rate. My huaraches have been the only ones that seem to hold up. I suppose the minimus is also doing pretty well. Some little holes in the fabric but all in all still totally runnable. lol my nike frees were amazing at durablity too, I put like 1500 miles on one pair, but I can't run in frees anymore, they are just too heavy.



NickW said:
I wish there were more reviews on the ZEM 360's as well, because I am interested in those too. Unfortunately, I've seen a lot of complaints about some of the pods or whatever falling off the bottom and so am nervous about ordering them. Not sure if they've figured this problem out yet or not
Click to expand...

I seriously wouldn't. They are great to run in if it is dry and not to hot. But the lycra holds a ton of heat so they really aren't very pleasent if its warm out. If its wet they suck water like crazy and take forever to dry. With all of that I would still totally reccomend them if they hadn't started falling apart on me because the are so good in cool dry weather. Super glue has saved them a bit. With that I'd still very much reccomend them if they were 10-15 dollars, but for 60 I expect a shoe that is breathable, holds up in water and lasts a minimum of 500 miles. And the zems fall totally short of those requirements. Which is really too bad because I do love running them and I love how fast they are to get on and off and they are very comfy. But the negatives just currently outnumber the positives. With any luck they will fix these issues on the next iteration.
 
#20
Hey Jimmy, I just wanted to

Hey Jimmy, I just wanted to let you know I got a pair of the Adams for my bday and your right, at first that front strap is a little annoying but then it goes away really fast and you don't notice it. Thanks, I love these and they are much faster for me to put on and my wife doesnt have to be embarressed by my huaraches. I absolutely love these. For me I think KSO without the toes and that I love. I've never been able to wear vff's without pain because I have odd toes I guess.
 
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