Most would describe the cushioning of the Altra Timp 1.5 as the sweet spot between the max cushioning of the Olympus and the moderate midsole of the Lone Peak. Delivering a responsive ride, it could be your next trail companion if you have already started down the path of using zero-drop trail shoes to explore the great outdoors.

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The Altra Timp is designed to be somewhere between the moderate cushioning of the Lone Peak and the max cushioning of the Olympus. The first version was already a good trail shoe but with the Altra Timp 1.5, small tweaks were made on the weight, the ride, and the traction to make it an even better trail shoe. On our list, it comes in second after the Top Zero-drop Trail Shoe—the Altra Lone Peak 4.5, but it’s still a contender in its own right.

Grip & Foot Protection

On the outsole, the DuraTread rubber compound, which was formulated to last, offers great grip on both manicured and technical terrain. It was combined with the TrailClaw, an Altra outsole design where the canted lugs were strategically positioned below the metatarsals to deliver good traction during toe-off. While the outsole rubber is sticky on most surfaces, the lugs aren’t high-profile and spaced widely enough to deliver maximum traction. Your footing might not feel secure on wet surfaces, especially wet rock.

The toe bumper might not seem too significant because it only covers the very tip of the shoe.  However, the material it is made of is stiff and sturdy enough to protect your toes from impact. There are some toe guards that cover a good portion of the tip of the shoe, but with the accommodating design of the forefoot, the small toe guard still offers moderate protection.

The stack height helps the shoe be very forgiving on your joints. Every time you land, most of the impact will be absorbed by the material instead of directly impacting your lower limbs.

Durability

Just like most maximalist shoes, there’s a good amount of material to wear through with the Altra Timp 1.5. Despite the shallowness of the canted lugs, the outsole and midsole hold up well even after a couple of hundred miles. Flipping the shoe over, you will see areas where the midsole foam is exposed. This is likely so that the weight of the shoe could be reduced. You would think that the exposed rubber can cause durability issues, but that is not the case at all, as the outsole, as a whole, is seemingly durable.

Stability

Although the Altra Timp 1.5‘s midsole has more volume, it doesn’t quite have that cloud-like or squishy feel on the bottom of your foot. It may feel stiffer compared to other trail shoes with the same amount of volume on the midsole. With its stiffness, you’ll get a good amount of ground feel, and that’s going to give you more confidence and balance with every stride.

For terrain that’s highly-technical, however, it’s more ideal to go for a shoe that is lower to the ground, like the Salomon Speedross 5, as highly-cushioned shoes tend to deliver a ride that’s a bit unstable.

Comfort & Fit

The multidirectional mesh upper does a good job of keeping tiny debris from getting inside the shoe without compromising its breathability. It seems like you won’t have to worry about your feet overheating or about tiny particles of dirt getting into the shoe and making your run uncomfortable.

If you look closely at the shape of the forefoot, you’ll see that it’s accommodating for most feet shapes. From the inside, your toes have enough room to spread. Although the forefoot has enough room, the midfoot and heel are secured with sufficient padding, so they don’t move too much when you’re running or hiking. This padding doesn’t pinch the middle or back of the foot at all, so there’s a good chance that you won’t develop any blisters.

One of the minor drawbacks of the Altra Timp 1.5, however, is that foot sweat doesn’t dry quickly. Unlike the Salomon Supercross 5 and the Salomon Speedcross which have the Othrolite insole, you may feel sweat accumulating during hot runs. It’s a small but important to note setback; though, it wouldn’t really cause major problems with your run or hike.

Versatility & Value for Your Money

The Altra Timp 1.5 has an MSRP of $130. It’s considered to be a mid-priced trail shoe that delivers average performance. If you’re looking for a zero-drop trail shoe with good cushioning, then this might be the shoe for you. Whether you are going to use it for training or for long hikes, you will get good value for your money. On the other hand, if it is performance that you are focused on, it’s ideal to check out other options within the same price range, like the Salomon Speedcross 5.

Additional Features

You’ll be glad to know that the Altra Timp 1.5 has a GaiterTrap. You will find hook-and-loop tabs that serve as attachment points for the gaiters that you already have. When you have connected your gaiters, you’ll be better protected from trail debris.

Another feature that’s interesting on the Timp 1.5 is the way the laces are placed on the shoe—asymmetrical and non-traditional. According to Altra, this lacing design allows for better cinching.

The Bottom Line

What’s great with the Altra Timp 1.5 is that it doesn’t really feel like a highly-cushioned shoe despite its stack height. It may deliver a bit of an unstable ride especially on terrain that’s more challenging, but it does make up for it through the level of responsiveness it delivers. The fit is welcoming to all foot shapes, and it’s comfortable too. 

It doesn’t have a rock guard on the midsole like the Altra Lone Peak 4.5, but it is both protective and durable. The grip may not be suitable for highly-technical trails, and there will be better-performing trail shoes within the same price range. That said, the Altra Timp 1.5 is an affordable yet satisfactory zero-drop trail shoe to handle your usual needs on an easy run or hike.

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