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Where do you start when designing a running shoe from Altra? Alex Lind, senior product line manager at Altra, explains.
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Let’s delve into how Footshape Fits works to figure out which shoe is best for us.
It’s always very interesting to understand how the design and development of running and trail running shoes work. And it is even more interesting when you have the opportunity to have an exceptional point of view, namely the inside view of a young and innovative brand like Altra is.
In fact, we had the chance to have a long chat with Alex Lind, Senior Product Line Manager at Altra, who told us how the products are developed and, most importantly, what the brand’s approach is in successfully tackling such a competitive market as running shoes.
Let’s start at the beginning, with the founding idea, because it is the basic approach that defines and makes any technology understood. In the case of Altra it is summed up in just seven words,“A product that works with your body.” Which means developing products that are able to integrate with your characteristics, your body, the way you run, and what you expect from running.
The spirit of the brands founding was tinkering and adjusting product to be as optimal as possible.
What is most surprising, however, is how the U.S. brand is moving in a specific direction that involves, on the one hand, listening to the performance and entertainment needs of athletes and, on the other hand, integrating products with human body mechanics.
It is in this context that Footshape Fits are born. The three shapes (original, standard and slim) that different Altra models have to fit the shape of our foot and be suitable for the specific use of the shoes.
The original shape is a higher volume and allows the foot to spread out in support and express all its mechanical characteristics in adequate natural cushioning.
Instead, the slim shape is typical of faster, higher-performance shoes, where the foot needs to be a bit more wrapped. While the standard lies somewhere between the two.
However, we need to pay close attention to this concept: we are not talking about the sole width but about the footshape. In the first case it is only used to calculate the right shoe size, while the Footshape Fits refer to the mechanics of our foot and integrate, interacting, with the compounds at the Altra EGO and Altra EGO Max midsoles.
It is therefore very important to find the Altra model that is right for you, the one that adheres to your characteristics and needs, because you will have on your feet a shoe that integrates with your movement and makes your body work in the best way.
Clearly this applies to both road and trail shoes. Although the two different types are developed with different purposes but common goal. In the first case there is a focus on balance and light weight, in the second the main feature is durability, strength.
Both, however, we said, are designed with the goal of making you have fun. And this is the most important part!
Find all the product info at Altrarunning.eu.