Altra Footwear in Salt Lake City, Utah, will be debuting Altra EGO, a new midsole cushioning technology at this week’s Outdoor Retailer show. The proprietary blend of cushioning compound is designed for trail- and road-running shoes to deliver enhanced rebound and lightweight comfort.
“We’re excited about what we’ve achieved with Altra EGO cushioning,” said Golden Harper, founder of Altra Footwear. “Traditionally, running shoes that felt soft could also feel like they robbed energy, a bit like slo-mo or running in mud. On the other hand, shoes marketed as performance or responsive are firm and less comfortable.”
According to Harper, the cushioning works for elite runners because the shoe runs fast and is responsive, yet it’s also ideal for recreational runners because it feels soft and comfortable underfoot. And, the company says, unlike traditional EVA midsoles, Altra EGO performs more consistently in extreme temperatures.
Included in the offering is the Altra Escalante, retailing for $130, whose name is inspired by the river that runs through the company’s home state. The undulating patterns in the shoe’s knit upper echo the river’s sandstone gorges. The Escalante also features Altra’s FootShape toe box, cushioned ZeroDrop sole and female-specific fit with a new name — Fit4Her.
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Next is the Altra King MT, retailing for $140. It’s made for runners who plow through mud, wet grass and burly mountain trails. The shoe features 5.5 mm outsole lugs for lateral braking, medial gripping and maximum traction in wet and slippery conditions. It also has a flexible Stone Guard plate for added protection underfoot and FootLock, a midfoot strap to secure the foot in the shoe on steep ascents and descents.
The shoes will be available for sale in February 2017.
