Altra Timp 4 Review by Run Moore | February 2022

I love my timp 4, feels stable, responsive, comfortable. I hate my Torin 5, unnestable, floofy, unreliable. I thought they should be pretty similar... but nono.... They are not...

Hey Steve! Great videos. I am Considering picking one of these up from letsrunmore but I have a quick question. Currently I have a lone peak 6. I mainly go offroad/mountainous trails (latest example was in Utah, mountains and desert rocky terrain), but I do use them for casual pavement east coast as well. The fit is really nice, tho perhaps the slightest bit too wide as my foot is narrower. But still really good.
BUT - after extended hikes, especially with grade changes, my mid sole starts to hurt and the bottom of my foot just gets very very sore.
It appears the timp 4 is more cushioned than the lone peak? If so, I might go for it to replace my lone peak 6 as my primary longer distance runner and multi purpose. Seems like it might give me just a tad more padding and stability, What do you think in your professional opinion?

Is there a timp 5 yet? I purchased the timp4 a few months ago but that Tongue!!! Grrr

Hmm the out sole looks like it's for road running. I would need more lugs. True?

they feel amazing some might not like the heel, because it it seems to not grab the it well. it feel amazing and it flexes with all that cushion and the upper hold you down

So altra took my favorite running shoe and re designed it for people w narrow feet. NOT HAPPY. I moved up from lone peak to timp 1 and 2 when my lone peaks weren't doi g it. Now they tailored it for a different runner market.. Altra is bending to get a bigger market. Where is my Timp replacement shoe. Not happy. Bring back the timp for the runners who supported you early on. Plus after 6 pairs of altras at 10.5 it seems I had to size up to 11s to get the same fit.

Great review and price! Went to your site and ordered..thanks!

I've had the 1.5 - loved it. Two pairs of the 2 - even better. I have the Lone Peak 5 for MTB with flats and Lone Peak 4 high for lightweight backpacking. My comfort runners are the Olympus 4 which are a bit too high for my liking. How would the Timp 4 compare to the Olympus 4?

The best fitting Timp was the 1.5 in MHO. I was so looking forward to a good fitting, more durable midsole and non-slip sole. In Altra tradition, they gone and fu#%*ed it up yet again. Thanks for the review and saving me from waisting time trying this shoe. Sorry for sounding so negative, but there seems to be no shoe out there for a 6’4” 225 lb hiker. Ugh.

Are there two different versions of the soles on this model?

This review shows flex grooves on the side of the forefoot, but I aöso see pics on Timp 4:s with what look likes holes in the sides of the forefoot midsole?

I wanted to like this new Timp, but..the fit in the heel is a design flaw. I have the proper size but can’t get a proper lockdown in the heel. The cushion is also underwhelming when compared to my Hoka’s.

They just look terrible and unfortunately that killed it for me. I wouldn’t even try them on because of the looks.

I´ve always been an EU 43 in Altra but with Timp 2 I had to go up to EU 44. How would you say the two models compare when it comes to size? Should I go for EU 44 on the Timp 4 also?

I have Timp 2’s…use them as a recovery shoe after walking workouts …I saw a TIMP IQ online are those similar to Timp 2 or are they just a gimmick shoe?

The Timp 3 had a ridiculously low toebox ceiling that rubbed up against the tops of my toes all the way up to the metatarsal. Super uncomfortable. Have they fixed that issue in this model?

Great review, thank you again. How might this hold up as an alternative to the lone peak 6 for hiking please? I live in the UK and it is almost always wet and rocky under feet and I'm new to altras but have wide shaped feet and want to get the right shoe...

Hey Steve, I've had some recent strikeouts with Altra trail shoes but am in love with the Torin 5. LP5s gave me arch blisters and felt heavy to me, Superior 5 hurt my feet and are a bit too firm and don't provide enough protection for all of the roots on my trails. Timp 4 having EgoMAX is very promising. You mentioned that it's a little more firm than the Torin 5 but how does the upper compare to the Torin 5? I know it's the "standard" shape like the Torin but the Superior 5 is also "standard" but seemingly fits much tighter than the Torin. Is this new Timp close enough to a "Torin Trail" that I should give it a shot or do I give up on Altra for my trail adventures and try other brands? Buy, trying, and returning is exhausting (and wasteful). I just want a trail shoe that works for my stupid feet.

Great review as always, thanks! What is the stack height, same as the Timp 3 29mm? Do you think for an Ultra trail in the mountains (55k) it will work or should I better opt for Mont Blanc...?

Steve, @run moore between the Timp 4 and Mont Blonc, what use cases would drive your decision toward one or the other?

It seems the Timp is back. As long as it's more durable and the Ego Max...and better traction...of all the Altra updates and even amongst the new models like the Mont Blanc etc...I am choosing the Timp 4. Hope to not be disappointed this time.Fingers crossed.

Does it still have the insanely shallow toebox?

What is the width of the Timp 4 vs the Timp 2?

Thanks for another great video, question about the Altra brand. I have a love hate relationship with them, they have gotten narrower and narrower over the last versions. The Loan Peak is still a winner. What shoes/version do they offer with the original footbed, I know they are now offering 3 styles but I cannot find any information on their website. Thanks

maxtrac sucks so much in the wet! No idea what Altra is thinking!

Great overview as always. I was initially excited about a new timp until I saw the Mont Blanc. The upgrade to vibram rubber alone is worth the wait in my opinion.

Do enjoy your reviews. More informative. Thanks.

I have a few observations, and a question I would really like some feedback on from this crowd. (Since I am literally the only one I know who puts a lot of miles on my poor 52 year old feet!) I have been alternating between the Timp 3, and the Lone Peak 5 for the past few months.. I did my 8th marathon in December, 42.3 miles actually. Unfortunately, I am so goal oriented that I ignored the plantar fasciitis that was rearing its ugly head on my right foot before I even started. I would very much like to know if you or anyone has dealt with that, because I can't seem to shake it no matter what treatments I look up and try. Originally, the Timps seemed more suitable for the 42.3 miles, but over the past 6 weeks or so, I'm back in my LPs most of the time. My daily distance (12-18 miles) has been cut in half or less because of the pain, and I am trying everything. Any ideas about treatments, or which shoes I should lean toward? It's about time for a new pair!

@run moore - rock plate?

I’m wondering how the timp 4 compared to the Olympus in terms of cushion. The previous timps fit me but less cushion than the Olympus and I’m in my mid 60s with “old knees” and need the cushion . I get blisters with the Olympus because they are too wide.

I am a big fan of the Timp 3 !!! This looks like a great update and appears to be reinventing the Timp line !!! EGOMAX and a more accommodating upper, higher heel, WOW !!! Thanks for another great review !!! See it's up for pre-order on your store site. Definitely looks like it's worth the price point. Bravo sir !!!

I used the Timp 3 to hike the Florida Trail last year and found the grip to be good, flexibility for allowing my foot to bend and grip an old Cypress tree that was down across a stream to be great, sharp rocks were very bad on the forefoot, and while drainage was ok...the inner liner held onto sand and silt...but it was still better than other options because the Quantic midsole tended to recover every night for almost 500 miles. My Olympus 4s had pancaked around 140 as the old Ego midsole just couldn't handle everyday use. I guess my big question is; Does the new Ego Max midsole material work for everyday use for a month or more?

GREAT REVIEW!!! I'M BUYING THESE!!

is it slippery like the previous models?
and is it still narrow that need 1/2 size bigger than model- olympus? thanks!

Timo 4 vs the Mont Blanc- what's the major difference? I see the weight is a bit less with the MB. But is that basically it?

The Timp has not been a good shoe since the 1.5. Every iteration so far keeps getting worse in terms of durability and fit while increasing in price which is just sad. Dont get me wrong I will try it but dont have high hopes. Now the Olympus 5 thats what we need to see!

I thought people for the most part didn’t like the the tongue from the Torin 5. It looks like this new Timp 4 has that tongue style. Is it slightly softer at least?

Im getting a pair in blue.

I so wish I could try this on somewhere and see if it would work for me. No one stocks a 5.5 in store. Looks like a great update. If my Olympus ever arrive and they don’t fit, maybe I’ll try this.

After seeing how bad a reputation the timp 3s had for (a lack of) durability in the uppers, I’m hesitant to spring for this at $160! Definitely want a lone peak type fit aand durability with the extra cushion of the timp. Wish ALTRA made one!

Its ugly, but I like what they did. Ill be picking one up. The main problem with the old non-EGO timps is that they once they were run in wet, the midsole compressed and never came back. I hope this midsole fixes that issue. I had 4 pairs of Timp 1.5's and they have been disappointing since that release. Fingers Crossed.

How does the width compare to the Olympus 4? I could barely squeeze my feet into the Timp 3.

I really wish we could talk about Altra by fit first. Everything should start there. OG, standard, and narrow. If the customers don't get it, you're going to get complaints on fit, returns, the same questions over and over, etc. I also wish Altra would make some new shoes with the new egomax foam in OG fit, but that's just me.

Thank you for the review, I think it’s the first one out there. Do you have a weight for a size 9 by any chance? I love that they built it up, but I’ve also heard rumors of weight over 11oz.

TIMP 2 is the best overall. The 3’s feel cheap.

Nice update. Hope the build quality is better than the Timp 3 - I loved mine initially but started to break down after 200km plus that gap in the heel could be painful with rocks on downhill.

Will they add the new "slim" fit to this model? My understanding was that they'd offer two fit offerings for most of their models, but only one of the trail models would have a slim option

which upcoming altra shoe is wide like the lone peak, but has the max or high amount of cushion like this does? seems like lone peak is the only wide trail shoe, but just doesnt have the cushion im looking for.

Hi Steve, how does the ego max feel underfoot. Does it feel like you took the torin onto the trail? I tried to torin 5 and did not like how soft it was but I tend to like a softer shoe for trail vs road. Thanks , as always, for Altra reviews. Got really excited when I saw this one pop up. Ran in the timp 2 and 3 😁

What I'm wondering is if the solved the glue issue with the overlays. Mine came loose after 10k. All three pairs I had.

Nice! Not in the market for a trail shoe right now. This is one Altra I've never tried. I like the Superior best for trails.....Lone Peak is my 2nd choice. And for super muddy or snow conditions, I'll dig out my old King MT 1.5