Altra Paradigm 4.0

Name: Altra Paradigm 4.0
Brand: Altra

Daily trainer · Stability · Road · 10.5 oz

Discontinued — we no longer see this shoe in stock. The Altra Paradigm 4.5 replaced it

How it ranks

The Altra Paradigm 4.0 sits about average for daily trainers in our data. Cushioning and comfort are its strongest sub-ratings. The rating rests on 4 runner reviews and 7 other rated shoes in the Paradigm product line. Another 8 reviews would set the confidence on this shoe's own reviews.

Decent

78/100

Overall

Decent 78

Cushioning

Excellent 95

Comfort

Very good 93

Durability

Good 83

Value

Below average 68

Appearance

Bottom-tier 58

Confidence

How settled the rating is against every other rated shoe. A shoe can rate high on confidence with relatively few reviews of its own when its product line has a long record and external ratings from retailer sites agree. Confidence will score low when we have few ratings or when runners disagree.

See the product line's history

Confidence

33/100

Very low 33

What runners say

“It is easier to lift my feet and land underneath myself, while avoiding previous habits of over-striding + heel-striking”

5/5 Full review 35 mpw training for a marathon came from the Mizuno Wave Catalyst 2

“Probably the best cushion on the planet”

5/5 Full review 65 mpw training for a half marathon came from the New Balance Fresh Foam Beacon

“Probably the most miles I've ever had on a pair of shoes (at least 1200+ miles)”

4/5 Full review 50 mpw training for a half marathon came from the Altra Provision 3.0

“Initially, this shoe felt like I was running in a pair of bricks”

5/5 Full review 35 mpw training for a marathon came from the Mizuno Wave Catalyst 2

“The combination of Zero Drop and the EVA diagonal slice still makes this feel like an actual running shoe”

5/5 Full review 65 mpw training for a half marathon came from the New Balance Fresh Foam Beacon

“A bit too heavy to run really fast tempos or workouts in”

4/5 Full review 50 mpw training for a half marathon came from the Altra Provision 3.0

“The knit upper is comfy but not secure”

5/5 Full review 65 mpw training for a half marathon came from the New Balance Fresh Foam Beacon

“Once I put about 20 miles on them, the shoe started to feel very comfortable on my feet”

5/5 Full review 35 mpw training for a marathon came from the Mizuno Wave Catalyst 2

“The knit also retains a lot of moisture”

5/5 Full review 65 mpw training for a half marathon came from the New Balance Fresh Foam Beacon

“Not as comfortable as I had hoped for a max cushion shoe”

4/5 Full review 50 mpw training for a half marathon came from the Altra Provision 3.0

Where to buy

No offers available

Affiliate links included. They never affect our ratings.

Prices updated daily. Last checked Sep 14.

Pros

Reviewers single out the thick Ego midsole for recovery and long runs, one at over 1,200 miles.
It scores 78 against 75 for the Paradigm 3.0 before it.

Cons

Reviewers call it heavy and unsuited to fast tempo work, and one says it felt like running in bricks for the first 20 miles.

Paradigm 4.0 rates 78. This shoe has very low certainty. See how we rate shoes.

Better Shoes Rating of prior versions of the Altra Paradigm

Each dot is one version of the Paradigm, placed by its rating and release year. The gold dot is this shoe.

Rating

40 60 80 100

78 2017 77 2017 78 2018 71 2021 65 2023 60 2025 73 2016 67 2019

Release year

We use the reviews of past versions to inform this shoe’s rating. See why.

Paradigm 4.5

2019 · 4 reviews

67 Below average

43 Confidence
Paradigm 1.5

2016 · 1 review

73 Decent

18 Confidence
Paradigm 8

2025 · 1 review

60 Bottom-tier

39 Confidence
Paradigm 7

2023 · 6 reviews

65 Below average

63 Confidence
Paradigm 6

2021 · 2 reviews

71 Decent

29 Confidence
Paradigm 4.0 This shoe

2018 · 4 reviews

78 Decent

33 Confidence
Paradigm 3.0

2017 · 3 reviews

77 Decent

44 Confidence
Paradigm 2.0

2017 · 1 review

78 Decent

17 Confidence

Reader Ratings

4 ratings

5/5 3

4/5 1

3/5 0

2/5 0

1/5 0

See written reviews Write a review

Specs & fit

Sizing and ride details at a glance.

Weight: 10.5 oz
Release: 2018 Q2
MSRP: $150

Runner reviews

Write a review

Altra Paradigm 4.0

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.

Anonymous runner · Jul 30, 2019

50 mpw training for a half marathon came from the Altra Provision 3.0

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

Comfortable, yet fast shoe

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.

Anonymous runner · Jul 11, 2019

35 mpw training for a marathon came from the Mizuno Wave Catalyst 2

Comfort: 5/5
Cushioning: 5/5
Durability: 5/5
Appearance: 5/5
Value: 5/5

Reader review

5/5

Overall

Sroman · Nov 19, 2018

40 mpw training for a half marathon

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

Incredible Cushion

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.

theJeff · Jul 21, 2018

65 mpw training for a half marathon came from the New Balance Fresh Foam Beacon