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Altra

Paradigm 4.5

Paradigm 4.5
Daily trainer · Stability · Road
Bottom tier (10%)

Shoe details

Weight
10.5 oz
Release
2019 Q2
MSRP
$150

Ratings & Reviews

Bottom tier (10%)

Rated worse overall than 90% of all shoes.
?

This score rates worse than 90% of other shoes we judged.

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

Percentile vs. all shoes. Shaded bars reflect our uncertainty.
?

Rankings are based on real review data, but there is always some uncertainty.

The shaded bar shows a plausible range for this shoe’s rank based on the review data we have and normal variation in runner feedback. More reviews usually narrow the range.

Overall

Bottom tier (10%)

Cushioning

Above average (66%)

Comfort

Below average (30%)

Value

Below average (22%)

Appearance

Bottom tier (8%)

Durability

Bottom tier (5%)

All Running Shoes

Worse than 90% of 2,492 running shoes ranked.

Bottom tier (10%)

Daily Trainers

Worse than 88% of 1,818 daily trainers ranked.

Bottom tier (12%)

Paradigm Family

Worse than 75% of 10 paradigm family ranked.

Below average (25%)

Altra

Worse than 81% of 125 Altra shoes ranked.

Bottom tier (19%)

Pros & Cons

Cons

Compared to other shoes

See how this shoe compares to others like it.

Altra Paradigm 4.5
Altra Paradigm 8
Saucony Kinvara 16
Paradigm 4.5
Paradigm 8
Kinvara 16
Current shoe
Reference shoe
Lightest / Newest
Lowest price / Best overall / Best comfort
Shoe properties
Type
Daily trainer
Daily trainer
Daily trainer
Pronation
Stability (Moderate)
Stability
Neutral
Weight
10.5 oz M
8.6 oz M Lightest
—
Stack
—
32/32mm
—
Drop
—
mm
—
Release
2019 Q2
2025 Q3 Newest
2025 Q2
MSRP
$150
$160
—
Best price
—
$169.95
$129.95 Lowest price
Ratings
Overall
Bottom tier (1%)
Bottom tier (0%)
Exceptional (100%) Best overall
Comfort
Below average (30%)
Bottom tier (0%)
Exceptional (100%) Best comfort
Cushioning
Above average (66%)
Bottom tier (2%)
Exceptional (99%) Best cushioning
Durability
Bottom tier (5%)
Bottom tier (1%)
Exceptional (99%) Best durability
Appearance
Bottom tier (8%)
Bottom tier (1%)
Exceptional (99%) Best appearance
Value
Below average (22%)
Bottom tier (1%)
Exceptional (100%) Best value
Specific shoe

Search for the exact model to add to this comparison.

Where to buy

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Reader Reviews

4 reader reviews

Review a shoe

Showing 1–4 of 4 reviews

Altra paradigm 4.5

Anonymous runner · Sep 28, 2025

5/5

Overall

This was my 1st altra’s and I feel in love with them. The wide toe box and zero drop are perfect for good form and comfort.
Comfort
5/5
Cushioning
5/5
Durability
5/5
Appearance
5/5
Value
5/5

Perfect shoe for older or joint sensitive folks

Anonymous runner · Sep 28, 2025

4/5

Overall

I have been running in this shoe for about 200 miles, mostly road running, in training for a marathon. I am a big guy 6'2' inches and 245#'s this shoe has a very roomy toe box, great cushioning, and grips the road well. I run about half of my miles on dirt roads, and it grips well there too. This shoe had a zero drop, and has really helped me improve my foot striking. The only drawback i have seen is that the sole seems soft and seems to be wearing out quicker than most.
Comfort
5/5
Cushioning
5/5
Durability
3/5
Appearance
4/5
Value
5/5

Nice cushioning, but...

Anonymous runner · Sep 28, 2025

2/5

Overall

This shoe feels good in the store but goes quickly downhill with use... Cushioning - great, nice feel, lasts through usage Fit - good at first but knit upper stretches a lot, you'll add an entire size and a half with use Upper - knit is bad !!! ok at first, it quickly stretches out, additionally, it holds a lot of fluid so if you step in water or sweat a lot, it stays in the shoe...effectively doubling its weight...woof ! It makes the end of a run tough ;-) Sole - ok but the inserts on the sides (Stabilpods) cut into your legs like razors... I think I'll file them down Overall, would not reco this shoes... Altra still needs to do some work to make it better. Gold or Garbage rating : Garbage
Comfort
3/5
Cushioning
4/5
Durability
2/5
Appearance
2/5
Value
1/5

My shoe

Anonymous runner · Sep 28, 2025

5/5

Overall

Love the toe room.great distance shoe also seems to help my archives problem.
Comfort
5/5
Cushioning
5/5
Durability
4/5
Appearance
5/5
Value
5/5