Outdoor Retailer 2018 Summer Market Recap – Altra Highlights

Outdoor Retailer is North America’s largest tradeshow for the outdoor industry. Split between an annual Summer Market show and an annual Winter Market show it is the conference where exhibitors, retail buyers, and the outdoor media come together to preview upcoming products. Brands previewed a ton of upcoming new products we should generally see in the next 3-9 months. In this article we’ll focus on what caught my eye from a running shoe standpoint.

Note: any specifications cited are pre-production numbers. As brands get closer to mass production and distribution we may occasionally see slight tweaks based on final wear testing and feedback.

Altra

Superior 4.0

Weight: 9.1oz / 258g, 7.5oz / 213g

Stack Height: 21mm/21mm, Zero Drop

Available Spring 2019

The Superior 4.0 was the highlight from a trail running perspective from Altra. Coming in at a claimed 1.7oz lighter than the Superior 3.5 we’ll see a new midsole compound Altra is calling Quantic which should result in a softer ride as well. This shoe looks awesome!

Lone Peak 4.0

Weight: 10.2oz / 289g, 8.5oz / 241g

Stack Height: 25mm / 25mm; 0mm drop

Available August 2018

A better draining upper and re-designed outsole are the key changes in v4 of the venerable Lone Peak.

Kayenta

Weight: 7oz / 198g, 6oz / 170g

Stack Height: 23mm / 23mm; 0mm drop

Available Spring 2019

Say hello to your new road workout and racer from Altra. Utilizing the new Quantic midsole as well this should be a firm but responsive ride. Think of it as v2.0 of the Ego midsole. The engineered mesh / bootie upper should also be a treat to your feet.

Timp 1.5

Weight: 10.5oz / 298g, 8.7oz / 247g

Stack Height: 29mm / 29mm; 0mm drop

Available Spring 2019

The big update here is a more performance-oriented last / updated mesh upper that should shed ~1oz of weight from v1 of the Timp. Hopefully this update also improves upon the midsole ‘flattening out’ issue we saw in v1.