Customer Reviews Altra Paradigm 4.5

This is a well made shoe, I have no complaints with the quality. It definitely will not accommodate a wider foot. It may work for someone with a straight foot, no bumps or bunions. It also throws your weight onto the big toe area so will not work for someone with forefoot problems.

I tried both the gray and the black Paradigm 4.5 and decided on the black. One reason was the mesh toe cloth. On the gray shoes, the mesh is so open you can see your toes, a feature that might be fine for hot weather, but I didn't like it. The black shoes, on the other hand, have another layer of cloth under that mesh. I thought this was odd for the very same style.

Picture tells it all. My order date was August 23, 2019. I wore these shoes 6 days a week, for only 45 minutes a day walking. My toe was hitting pavement on the left shoe where you can see the holes. I gave comfort and style top points, but that was only for the length of time the shoes actually lasted. Overall I give 1 star because these shoes were expensive and they were shot by 2 months.

The first pair of Altra footwear I purchased was Paradigm. I was totally impressed. I have bought several pairs since then but in different styles. I decided to try this style of Paradigm 4.5 because of the very first pair I tried and this is the best yet. As soon as I put them on my feet and stood up, my posture changed and felt wonderful. I felt like I was walking on a cloud. My feet had room to spread out and the arch support was great. I hope to order this one again.

Where have you been all my life Altra???? To be honest, these shoes were on a clearance rack and I grabbed them to try on as a fluke. After years of Brooks Ghost, I was looking for something new- Hokas are supposed to be the be all end all, but they caused extreme knee pain due to creating roll I hadn't had before within half a mile. I switched to a different line of Brooks, but they were causing me to have some numbness issues in my feet no matter how I laced them. Frustration was growing to say the least.....Despite not being in love with the styling of the Altras, I tried them on (Paradigm 4.5) and instantly fell in love.I have pretty severe arthritis in both knees, have had arthroscopies in both and have an ortho pushing for knee replacement, so needless to say I cannot get by with just any shoe. I've run a few miles per day in them now and can say I can run further, faster, and have none of the soreness afterward I had with my Brooks Ghosts, which were the best shoe I'd found to date. I'm not suffering from swollen knees, calf cramps, or foot soreness at all. Definitely give the Altras a try if you suffer from osteoarthrisis and think you have to give up running. This is my ideal shoe- so much so that I'm buying up multiple pairs as I fear they may change them. The toe box is awesome, as is the zero drop heel. The styling isn't the sexiest, but who cares if you can run all day and feel great!!

I had high hopes for these and never tried this brand before but they are half to a full size too small, even though I actually went half size up (because most athletic shoes seems to run smaller these days) but these shoes are just weird. They do have lots of orthotic type features, soft pillowy padding and I'm sure for the right foot would be amazing but, it's a No for me.

I got these to replace my Hoka Bondi shoes for jogging/walking since I noticed my toes were being scrunched together and forming calluses. The toe box on the Paradigm feels good. I need substantial cushioning for my feet and the cushioning on the Paradigm is almost equal to the Hokas. I had to order a 1/2 size larger for length. The zero drop footbed took some getting used to. The first week I used them I had lower back and knee pain the morning after wearing them. However, this is no longer the case. Count me as a new Altra fan!

I really love these shoes. I have a tailor’s bunion and even Hoka One Ones started to hurt after a mile or so. The stability factor in these is great. My only complaint is that they do not last very long. I had my last ones for about two and a half months before they were totally worn down, causing my knee and back to hurt. Altra! I love your shoes, but please make them more durable.

I usually wear an 8.5 in sneakers such as Hoka and these ran true to size. I need a wide toe box and a narrow heel. The heel on these is too wide for me, and my foot was slipping around. My orthotics did not fit well because they raised my heel too far out of the shoe. The tongue on these could use more padding as well.

Liked the style a lot. But too narrow in the toe box for my duck like feet. Also, length seemed a full size shorter than size I normally wear. I will return.

Upper material is very thin (yes! those are holes on the toe the go straight through the upper part of the shoe), there is no cushioning in the upper, even in the tung of the shoe. Also, the depth of the toe, while wide enough felt very shallow & tight (& my feet are not “thick”). BUT, the absolute worst part is that my feet do not exactly line up with the foot imprint on the bottom of the sole. The imprint is not just for looks - the black rubber part is significantly harder than the white part; this means that I feel like I’m walking across hard ridges with every step. I’m sending these back immediately.

This is my first pair of Paradigm 4.5 style shoes, they fit well and have the extra cushion comfort I like. Will be ordering in another color.

ordered my usual size (8.0); loved the shoe, but had to return my toes were crunched; was very surprised it ran small

These shoes are fantastic - what shoes are supposed to be. I am a Baker - on my feet from 2:30am - 3:30pm 5 days a week - my back, knees, and feet are never sore with these shoes so I'm a happier person and a better boss thanks to my Altra's!

I have now tried this shoe in both the 11 and the 12. The 11 was too short for me and I could not keep my foot in the heel of the 12. I am guessing that 11.5 might have worked, but this shoe is not made in that size. I always try to give Zappos as much business as possible because the company is good with returns. When dealing with the high end of the shoe sizes for women, this is very helpful.

I purchased a size 8.5 originally and it was too short. I normally wear 8.5 in sneakers. So I returned them and bought a size 9. I suffer from metatarsal pain and my doctor recommended Altra because of the wider toe toe box. The size 9 fit perfectly. Sadly the shoe felt heavy and it did not make my feet feel good. I am sad to say I returned the size 9. I have bad feet and I use to love Brooks but I have no idea why Brooks changed. It is no longer my go to sneaker. I tried other Altra but this brand is not for me. Thank you Zappos for your generous return Policy. I honestly would love to keep what I buy and don't enjoy returning shoes but Zappos takes the pressure off. I prefer to try on in person but no one store is like Zappos.

I have worn the Altra Paradigm since it was introduced. Through all its annual updates and versions, it is still the shoe I come back to and wear daily. Thanks Zappos for carrying the Altra brand!

Purchased for wife who is pregnant and pharmacist on her feet for long shifts. Had to purchase a half size larger than her previous Altra Escalante's. She likes the look, wears them on walks and to work.

I really liked these but they were short on me. I wear an 11 medium in New Balance (several styes).

Oh my goodness, I wish I would have tried these two years ago. I have been an Altra fan for years, but have usually gone the minimalist route. Plantar fasciitis has changed that. I went for my first run in these today. No pain and I felt like I was running on clouds. Big fan. I wear the same size in this style as I wore in the Solstice. My feet are very happy!

This shoes are as close to a miracle as possible. I have some foot issues that make it very difficult to find "walking" shoes or anything with laces. The sole has very little give which is what I need and, although I have them laces differently, they do not hurt the tops of my feet. I am on my feet all day as a teacher and these are amazing!

Bought this shoe for supportive running shoe. Great performance. Lots of toe room. No blisters. Love them.

These shoes are comfortable. I feel stable in them and can easily put my own orthotics in them. I am going back to my teaching job this week, and am hoping for all day comfort and support.

I am writing this review for others with high arches. Altras are great shoes, but the zero drop made me develop peroneal tendonitis, and I've been dealing with it for months now. I can't even wear these for casual wear because the midsole is so narrow and causes me pain. Zero drop may be great for some foot issues but absolutely not for those with high arches. Buyer beware!

Unfortunately I have to return this shoe. The toe box is slightly smaller than the Altra Torin Plush I have been wearing. The small adjustment this company made was just enough to make the shoe uncomfortable for me. Disappointed.