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Altra

Paradigm 4.0

Paradigm 4.0
Daily trainer · Neutral · Road
Very good (81/100)

Shoe details

Weight
10.5 oz
Release
2018 Q2
MSRP
$150

Ratings & Reviews

Very good (81/100)

Based on product-line history, external ratings, and runner reviews.
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Scores better than 64% of all shoes.

Our ratings use detailed reviews from knowledgeable runners, ratings for shoes in the same product line, and reliable product information from trusted retailers.

Rating breakdown

Better Shoes Rating. Shading shows the expected rating range.
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Rankings combine runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, direct comparisons to other shoes, related product-line performance, and trusted external ratings.

The darker band shows the central rating range. The lighter band shows a wider range of reasonable outcomes. More reviews for this shoe usually narrow both bands.

Overall

Very good (81/100)

Overall rating

We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.

Better Shoes Rating

Very good (81/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 64% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

The shaded band shows the rating range we think is most likely.

Cushioning

Exceptional (96/100)

Cushioning rating

We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.

Better Shoes Rating

Exceptional (96/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 94% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

The shaded band shows the rating range we think is most likely.

Comfort

Excellent (90/100)

Comfort rating

We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.

Better Shoes Rating

Excellent (90/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 86% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

The shaded band shows the rating range we think is most likely.

Durability

Good (78/100)

Durability rating

We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.

Better Shoes Rating

Good (78/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 57% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

The shaded band shows the rating range we think is most likely.

Value

Good (70/100)

Value rating

We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.

Better Shoes Rating

Good (70/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 31% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

The shaded band shows the rating range we think is most likely.

Appearance

Average (63/100)

Appearance rating

We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.

Better Shoes Rating

Average (63/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 14% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

The shaded band shows the rating range we think is most likely.

50%

1/2

Prefer this shoe over another.

Reviewers said this shoe was better than another shoe they ran in.

All Running Shoes

Scores better than 64% of 2,617 running shoes.

Very good

Daily Trainers

Scores better than 65% of 1,872 daily trainers.

65%

Altra

Scores better than 58% of 132 Altra shoes.

58%

Pros & Cons

Pros

Compared to other shoes

See how this shoe compares to others like it.

Altra Paradigm 4.0
Altra Paradigm 8
ASICS SUPERBLAST 2
Paradigm 4.0
Paradigm 8
SUPERBLAST 2
Current shoe
Reference shoe
Lightest / Newest / Lowest price
Best overall / Best comfort / Best cushioning
Shoe properties
Type
Daily trainer
Daily trainer
Daily trainer
Pronation
Neutral
Stability
Neutral
Weight
10.5 oz M
8.6 oz M Lightest
—
Stack
—
32/32mm
—
Drop
—
mm
7mm
Release
2018 Q2
2025 Q3 Newest
2024 Q2
MSRP
$150
$160
$200
Best price
—
$119.88 Lowest price
$149.99
Ratings
Overall
Above average (64%)
Bottom tier (8%)
Exceptional (>99%) Best overall
Comfort
Very good (86%)
Below average (34%)
Exceptional (99%) Best comfort
Cushioning
Excellent (94%)
Above average (63%)
Exceptional (99%) Best cushioning
Durability
Average (57%)
Bottom tier (5%)
Exceptional (99%) Best durability
Appearance
Bottom tier (14%)
Bottom tier (5%)
Exceptional (98%) Best appearance
Value
Below average (31%)
Bottom tier (9%)
Very good (86%) Best value
Specific shoe

Search for the exact model to add to this comparison.

Where to buy

No offers available

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Reader Ratings

4 reader ratings

Review a shoe

Showing 1–4 of 4 written reviews

Altra Paradigm 4.0

Anonymous runner · Jul 30, 2019

4/5

Overall

Overall a work horse of a shoe, probably the most miles I've ever had on a pair of shoes (at least 1200+ miles). A bit too heavy to run really fast tempos or workouts in, but the shoe is capable of anything from short and easy to long and quick. Not as comfortable as I had hoped for a max cushion shoe, but the Altra footshaped shoe is significantly better than other companies in my opinion.
Comfort
4/5
Cushioning
5/5
Durability
5/5
Appearance
4/5
Value
4/5

Comfortable, yet fast shoe

Anonymous runner · Jul 11, 2019

5/5

Overall

Initially, this shoe felt like I was running in a pair of bricks! They are tall and dense. Once I put about 20 miles on them, the shoe started to feel very comfortable on my feet. I also like how the Paradigms helps my form: it is easier to lift my feet and land underneath myself, while avoiding my previous habits of over-striding + heel-striking. As a result, it is effortless to stay on goal pace during my runs, and even find myself running faster. I typically use the Paradigms for recovery runs and long runs, however I have also used this shoe for tempo and progression runs as well.
Comfort
5/5
Cushioning
5/5
Durability
5/5
Appearance
5/5
Value
5/5

Reader review

Sroman · Nov 19, 2018

5/5

Overall

Comfort
5/5
Cushioning
5/5
Durability
5/5
Appearance
4/5
Value
4/5

Incredible Cushion

theJeff · Jul 21, 2018

5/5

Overall

Pros: probably the best cushion on the planet. That is a lot of Ego midsole! Even so, the combination of Zero Drop and the EVA diagonal slice still makes this feel like an actual running shoe. Cons: It’s heavy, but you knew that when you purchased a shoe with a maximal TPU midsole. (It still weighs less than most Boost shoes, and you get better cushion.) Knit Upper: Like the Escalante, the knit upper is comfy but not secure. (I believe this is more secure than the Esc, but still similar issue.) The knit also retains a lot of moisture, so if you sweat a ton or plan on encountering rain or puddles, be advised. Great shoe for recovery miles and to save your legs a beating a few times per week.
Comfort
5/5
Cushioning
5/5
Durability
4/5
Appearance
4/5
Value
4/5