I ran an off-road half-marathon in the Altra Timp 5 BOA — here’s my verdict

I was a newbie to Altra until I started training for a fall trail race and, in search of a sturdy-looking trail shoe, the whacky-looking Altra Timp 5 BOA came onto my radar. By whacky, I mean the very wide toe box, which is a signature Altra feature letting your toes splay naturally, and the laceless design, a newer experiment from the brand that is likely to divide opinion.

The Timp 5 BOA is a very strong contender in my books when it comes to grip, and for all its a sturdy, safe shoe for trails, it has some flex too. It is cushioned, absorbs impact well, and features a zero-drop platform. If you are going to trust any brand with this feature, trust Altra, which pioneered this feature in running shoes.

To test it properly, I wore it on shorter training runs leading up to the Kielder Half Marathon Trail Race and then on race day itself. After Storm Amy hit the UK, it was the perfect opportunity to see how reliable the shoe really is on muddy, rolling trails.

Altra Timp 5 BOA: Price and availability

The Altra Timp 5 BOA launched in February 2025 and retails for $175 in the US and £155 in the UK. You can buy the Timp 5 BOA directly from Altra or from major retailers like Amazon, Backcountry and REI.

Altra Timp 5 BOA: Design and fit

The Timp 5 BOA is available in three colorways, with near-matching options for men and women. Men get white with coral, all black and grey with orange, while women can pick from white with coral, all black, or grey with pink. The shoe comes in sizes 7 to 15 for men and 5.5 to 12 for women. There’s no wide-fit option, but Altra shoes are already wider than average, so most runners with broader feet should find enough space.

The shoe has a stack height of 29mm and a zero heel-to-toe drop. This means there’s a decent amount of cushioning underfoot, which absorbs shock well and offers protection without removing all ground feel.

If you’re unfamiliar with the term "zero drop," it means the heel and forefoot sit at the same height. This flatter profile encourages a more natural midfoot landing for some runners and can help reduce the braking forces that occur when the foot lands too far in front of the body.

The Timp 5 BOA weighs around 10oz. This is on the heavier side and is more noticeable on roads. But if you are considering this shoe, you are likely prioritizing running on trails rather than road surfaces and will find it doesn't feel overly stompy on these surfaces.

Upper

The Timp 5 BOA features a sturdy engineered mesh upper with TPU overlays on the toe box, sides, and heel, giving it structure and protecting your feet from trail debris. At the heel, a GAITERTRAP tab lets you attach gaiters without fuss, while the reinforced toe cap adds confidence on rough terrain.

The biggest change from the original Timp 5 is the BOA Fit System, which replaces traditional laces with a twist dial connected to three straps across the top of the foot. It is clever for quick adjustments, though it feels different from normal laces.

Around the collar and tongue, moderate padding keeps the shoe comfortable without feeling bulky. Beneath the mesh, an inner lining adds support and structure, though it does not drain water particularly well. On wet trails or after puddle crossings, the shoe tends to hold moisture longer than a more open mesh design.

Midsole

The midsole uses Altra’s EGO MAX foam, which provides a soft and comfortable ride while still feeling supportive underfoot. It absorbs impact well on uneven terrain and offers enough cushioning for longer runs, while the 29mm stack height keeps your feet well protected from rocks, roots and other trail obstacles.

On firmer surfaces, the midsole isn’t particularly lively. During mixed-terrain runs leading up to my trail race, the shoe felt a little flat and heavy on road sections, lacking the spring or propulsion you might get from some other shoes.

Once I hit the trails, though, the midsole showed its strengths. It’s stable and protective, giving a sense of security over loose, muddy and uneven sections. That reliability allowed me to run confidently without worrying about sharp rocks or slippery roots, and it made a real difference on the rolling terrain at Kielder.

Outsole

The outsole uses Vibram MegaGrip rubber, which is as grippy as it sounds. The 3.5mm lugs aren’t huge, but they bite in well on packed trails, wet grass and loose gravel. The lug pattern gives good traction both uphill and downhill, and the sole flexes enough to move naturally over uneven ground.

The grip downhill was especially good and gave me the confidence to open up my stride rather than hold back. It’s a solid, grippy outsole that makes this shoe feel dependable when the conditions are unpredictable.

Altra Timp 5 BOA: Running performance

On the road, the Timp 5 BOA feels clunky. It’s not built for tarmac, and the weight and zero-drop platform make it feel awkward on hard surfaces. But once you take it off-road, the shoe really makes sense. It feels stable, balanced, and connected to the ground. The zero-drop design helped me stay more centered over my feet on uneven trails and made descending feel natural.

On my training runs and during the half-marathon race, I found the top strap of the upper rubbed the front of my ankle and left a few small cuts by the end of the race. The middle strap, made from a softer material, was far more comfortable, and I wish Altra had used that fabric for all three.

I also found that the dial can apply unwanted pressure around the foot, which became noticeable over longer distances. Runners who prefer a quick-adjust system and are used to BOA closures will likely adapt more easily, while others may need a bit of trial to find their ideal fit.

The Vibram outsole was a star performer during the Kielder Half. The grip was faultless, even when the rain left the ground moist, and I felt confident running at speed down and up steep trail slopes. The cushioning was enough to keep me comfortable through the constant up-and-down terrain for 13.1 miles, and although the EGO MAX midsole isn’t springy, it offered enough energy return to stop my legs from feeling dead by the final miles.

Should you buy the Altra Timp 5 BOA?

Even though my performance notes disfavor the BOA system, I still think the Altra Timp 5 BOA is an excellent trail running shoe. It offers a roomy toe box, great traction, solid protection and enough cushioning to keep you comfortable over long trail miles. If trail running is your bread and butter and you don't face much road on your runs, it has a lot going for it.

However, if your routes mix trail and road, you might find it too heavy and firm once you hit the pavement. For something that feels lighter and more versatile, I’d recommend the Hoka Speedgoat 6. And if you like the sound of the Timp but aren’t convinced by the BOA dial, the standard Altra Timp 5 has a similar design but keeps traditional laces.