My take on the Altra Adam (review)

I got a pair in the late summer, but did not use them until the beginning of November, and have done the bulk of my "winter (yeah, right)" running in them. I've never used them with either footbed but found them to be spectacularly comfortable for all the 700+ miles I've put on them. The majority of that has been road running - maybe 100 miles on gravel/cinder trail in Central Park. The soles are showing no wear and I've had no issues with build quality. I found that I do need to wear them with socks, to avoid chafing, but the huge advantage of that is that they do not stink. The few runs I've done in my Bikilas have led to my wife banishing them to a bleach/Efferdent bath immediately on my return home.

The Samsons I got recently have a little less ground feel but are more smoothly finished inside and I can happily run in those without socks - no stink yet after 3 or 4 runs!

Much though I like both pairs I expect they will be out of use until late Fall this year.
 
Those look like the most minimal shoes I've seen out there, right along with the typical Walmart water shoe. I didn't read the whole thing, as I'm not into shoes, but I did search for the word toe for toe box to see what you said there and was glad to know they are pretty wide in the toe box, since with a nerve problem in my feet, I would need something with a really wide toe box if I decide to ever go that route. I'm not sure about the strap over the top of the foot, as I would worry about TOFP with that if it was adjusted too tightly.

We are still working on getting the ads placed right on the site. Right now, they are only on the front page on the right, too hidden for my liking. But anywho, there's an Altra ad there now, but it shows a zero-drop shoe, but it's no where near as minimal as the one in your review. I wish Altra would give us more advertising options, so we can show how they do sell a truly minimal shoe (from toe to heel). Your pictures would work well in that advertising.
 
Thanks for the feedback, Chris. I hope to get the chance to review the Samson really soon.

TJ, I think the shoe in the ad is the Altra Instinct - a cushioned trainer that is very popular in Crossfit circles, apparently. Thanks for the kind words, too. I seriously love the Adam toe box. The strap issue is not nearly as severe as in something like the NB Minimus Trail (MT10) because it can just remain loose when running. I use the removable footbeds to customize the fit as well as the ground feel. I also leave the top strap loose and lock down the main upper strap, and I don't have any problems with TOFP or the like.

In any case, Altra rocks. The future is very bright for them. I would love to do some photographic work for them. Are you listening, Altra? :)
 
Agree..highly recommend this shoe. 50k trail race, excellent. 100k road race, wore for the first 35 miles, then switched to Merrell Bare Access for a little more cushion but could have worn for the entire race.
 
Jimmy is reading this thread, so maybe he can drop a word in for you with Altra, since he also works with them. Right, Jimmy? ;)
 
Let me know what you think!

Here I am, Chad, late as always. The Clymb had an Altra sale just before I went up to Vermont for the summer, so while I purchased a pair then I have only gotten into them in the last week. They fit well, even with their insoles inserted, but I prefer to go without an insole. I think the ground feel is fine and comparable to my VFF Sprints. Well the second time I put them on the little pull on strap snapped loose on the left shoe. It is a little frustrating, but I can sow it back in place once I locate my sowing supplies in this mess.

Today, even though I haven't sown them yet, I wore them for the third time to walk around the block with my wife. I admit I noticed the rubbing that others have mentioned with the front straps, but a quick adjustment cleared that up. Other than those to small things I am please with so-called "one-toed KSO" thus far.
 
My husband loves them. They have held up well for a few months of daily wear: work, dog walking, and basketball. It is also good to find a shoe over a size 13. Especially one that does not jack up the price.

As much as I love my better than Walmart water shoes, these make the Eve's tempting.
 
The one really odd thing about them (well the eve but same thing) that I find annoying is they somehow draw heat out from the very pits of hell or something. If its over about 85 degrees they get obscenely hot. Other than that I love them though. The Zems are a bit more minimal, but they also wear out really fast in comparison. They are a great thicker shoe for trails where I don't want to go all out and wear new balances which feel almost like a real shoe to me these days.
 
although I like the shoes and do still wear them, the outside of the front strap, where it attaches to the shoe, does jab me in the foot and rub some. This is with the strap as loose as I can get it. not super comfy on long runs, but I wear 4E width, so if you're less than than, prolly won't be a problem.
 
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