Altra

Who we are
Altra Running is an American footwear brand specializing in athletic shoes for road running, trail running, and outdoor activities.

Founding & history

• The brand was founded around 2009 by runners and entrepreneurs including Golden Harper, Brian Beckstead, Jeremy Howlett and Quirl Jacob Hansen in Utah.

• Their origin: Harper worked in a specialty running store and began modifying shoes to reduce heel impact and allow more natural foot mechanics.

• In 2018 they were acquired by VF Corporation (which also owns brands like The North Face, Timberland, etc.).

Key design/features

• Zero Drop / Balanced Cushioning: Their shoes position the heel and forefoot at the same stack height (i.e., no “drop” from heel to toe), to encourage a more natural gait.

• FootShape™ toe box: A wider, anatomically shaped toe box that lets toes spread naturally instead of being constricted.

• They emphasize “shoes shaped like feet” and letting the feet run rather than be constrained.

What makes us different (in the market)

• Most traditional running shoes elevate the heel relative to the toe; Altra’s “zero drop” challenges that by offering a level platform.

• Many running shoes narrow at the forefoot; Altra’s design gives more room for toe splay and wider natural forefoot contact.

• They cover both road and trail categories and have a growing profile among trail-running enthusiasts.