Altra Paradigm 6 Review | Tips for Transitioning to Zero Drop

The team reviews Altra's max cushioned stability trainer, the Paradigm 6. We look at the fit, ride, and stability of the shoe before talking about how we'd transition into a zero drop trainer like the Paradigm or other zero drop shoes we have on hand currently.
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Doctors of Running aims to use knowledge of human movement, clinical biomechanics and performance to bring you cutting edge reviews, science and knowledge. Featuring reviews of the latest shoes and shoe technology from the perspective of physical therapy professionals.

[@LancePeterman]

Really late to this review, but agree with Matt's take that this shoe works even for neutral runners. I run mostly in Altras with Torin for my daily and Paradigm 6 for my race/longer distance run. I love the support as my legs & joints tire. I'm pretty new to running at age 52 (now 54) and have had both achilles surgically repaired and the Altras do fantastic for me. Great work on the videos and blog, gang. Really appreciate the insights!
Minor correction on the review, the stack is 30mm, not 34. Oddly enough, the Torin 7 now has the exact same stack as the Paradigm 6/7.

[@alanshrimpton6787]

Thanks guys. I really like this format you're doing with lead person with question and getting input from the other clowns (did I say that aloud?) guys i mean. Seriously great stuff and content. Very relatable and keep up the nurdy stuff. I had no idea about muscle strength building length of time.

[@cookinginpawleys]

Definitely agree about the Lone Peak. It is hands down my favorite shoe for walking, casual office, kicking around, family day hikes, etc. I HATE running in it.

[@veym424]

would you say its a good shoe for indoor basketball courts?

[@cookinginpawleys]

@@veym424 No. It's a lugged low-top trail shoe.

[@veym424]

@@cookinginpawleys im gonna use it for basketball

[@r.cordis8251]

Ankle and calf pain I understand but I had problems with my knees, strong pain inside in the middle of the knee (behind the patella/knee cap) had in the middle of a short 6k run. The pain trying to do squats or bend the legs so I had to stop my running after changing to zero drop shoes (had some with 8mm drop and several with 4/5mm before changing). Wait to get better and try again as I have wide foot and Altra are nice because of the toebox space.

[@TheJaycal77]

30 mm stack not 34mm

[@DarkPa1adin]

thanks Doctors! hope Provision 6 will be in for your review soon!

[@mouahmong]

Lots of useful info. I would love it if there were guests with a different foot shape. The three of them seem to have pretty narrow feet. For example, I have really wide and flat feet and my lone peaks are pretty snug at the heel through the mid foot. Based on their reviews I’m guessing the paradigm might be a bit tight at my regular shoe size.

[@paddywiggle]

Agree with Paradigm and Lone Peak fit. I Wish Altra could also make narrow fits with the same forefoot for people with narrower midfoots. On big selling shoes like the Lone Peak, this could sell even more shoes. Escalante Racer fits perfect 👍🏼

[@mushy470]

Btw, the women's versions have a narrower heels and midfoots

[@milospopovic4891]

i think people with weak narrow feet who need their shoe to "lock down" on their feet (especially those reviewing Altra products) will eventually ruin Altra ideas altogether. It's actually happening a lot lately, practically very few items in the "original fit" are being sold lately, especially for road shoes

[@pgreenx]

I think I injured my metatarsal/forefoot area from zero drops. Achilles and calves are fine.
Do you think the zero drops was the cause?

[@amandaball7116]

Hey, follow the channnel but only just come across this video. I’m transitioning and have been wearing zero drop (VIVOBAREFOOT) for daily wear for months now. Still finding my Achilles shouts tho’ since I’ve been running in Altras which is only 5 or 6 runs well spaced out and short as you described. Been doing some strength & mobility work but may need to up it from about 3x wk to daily maybe? I have a question tho’ because my feet have healthily splayed they now don’t like being shoved into a standard running shoe toe box! So I’m not completely ready for all my runs in Altra’s yet but my Saucony’s are now too narrow to be comfortable for many miles and finding ladies wide fit in running shoes is a nightmare. What would you do? Maybe I should find a 4mm drop insole for the Altras and alternate with and without them? Might sound stupid but how to I measure an insole drop? ! Would the alternative be to drop my miles right back and run in Altras all the time with say 3 runs / week? Also interested in the comment that these paradigms are a little firmer so they don’t squash down further for heel strikers. I’m wondering whether they would suit me better whilst I am transitioning than the Torin 6 (which is what I have). Also looking to get some lone peak 7’s for trails so maybe that would help to do one run a week in them rather than investing in another road shoe? I’ve had to pull out of a half marathon as I’m caught in this dilemma but do have one booked for May 2023. The max I have run in the Altras is 10k but that’s when I got a flare up so think I shifted up too much from 4.5 miles to 6. Thoughts about the insole idea very welcome along with any other suggestions.