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Altra

Superior 3.0

Superior 3.0
Trail · Neutral
Above average (87/100)

Shoe details

Weight
9.3 oz
Release
2017 Q3
MSRP
$110

Ratings & Reviews

Above average (87/100)

Based on product-line history, external ratings, and 3 runner ratings.
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This score rates better than 78% of shoes.

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

Review a shoe.

Rating breakdown

Better Shoes score out of 100. 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 score range. The lighter band shows a wider range of reasonable outcomes. More reviews for this shoe usually narrow both bands.

Overall

Above average (87/100)

Overall ranking

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.

Estimate

Above average (87/100)

Rank

Ranks above 78% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

Comfort

Excellent (93/100)

Comfort ranking

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.

Estimate

Excellent (93/100)

Rank

Ranks above 90% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

Value

Above average (85/100)

Value ranking

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.

Estimate

Above average (85/100)

Rank

Ranks above 73% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

Appearance

Good (74/100)

Appearance ranking

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.

Estimate

Good (74/100)

Rank

Ranks above 42% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

Durability

Good (67/100)

Durability ranking

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.

Estimate

Good (67/100)

Rank

Ranks above 21% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

Cushioning

Below average (56/100)

Cushioning ranking

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.

Estimate

Below average (56/100)

Rank

Ranks above 4% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

20%

1/5

Prefer this shoe over another.

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

All Running Shoes

Better than 78% of 2,526 running shoes ranked.

Above average (87/100)

Trail Shoes

Better than 84% of 391 trail shoes ranked.

84%

Altra

Better than 87% of 126 Altra shoes ranked.

87%

Compared to other shoes

See how this shoe compares to others like it.

Altra Superior 3.0
Altra Superior 6
HOKA Speedgoat 6
Superior 3.0
Superior 6
Speedgoat 6
Current shoe
Reference shoe
Lightest / Newest / Best overall
Shoe properties
Type
Trail
Trail
Trail
Pronation
Neutral
Neutral
Neutral
Weight
9.3 oz M
9.1 oz M
8.6 oz M Lightest
Stack
—
21/21mm
37/32mm
Drop
—
—
5mm
Release
2017 Q3
2023 Q2
2024 Q2 Newest
MSRP
$110 Lower MSRP
$130
$155
Best price
—
—
$108.97
Ratings
Overall
Good (79%)
Good (76%)
Excellent (96%) Best overall
Comfort
Excellent (90%)
Very good (85%)
Excellent (91%) Best comfort
Cushioning
Bottom tier (4%)
Bottom tier (<1%)
Exceptional (98%) Best cushioning
Durability
Below average (21%)
Average (43%)
Very good (90%) Best durability
Appearance
Average (42%)
Below average (38%)
Good (71%) Best appearance
Value
Good (73%)
Above average (68%)
Very good (86%) Best value
Specific shoe

Search for the exact model to add to this comparison.

Where to buy

No offers available

Better alternatives

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93rd percentile

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New Balance Fuelcell Rebel v1

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86th percentile

+8 percentile points vs this shoe
Nike Pegasus Trail 5

Pegasus Trail 5

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$106.17

85th percentile

+7 percentile points vs this shoe
Nike Wildhorse 10

Wildhorse 10

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$99.88

83rd percentile

+5 percentile points vs this shoe
On Cloudsurfer

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81st percentile

+3 percentile points vs this shoe

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Reader Ratings

3 reader ratings

Review a shoe

Showing 1–3 of 3 written reviews

Sure Landing Shoe

Goatherder97 · Sep 30, 2018

5/5

Overall

I run in this shoe on surfaces from dirt road to rugged trail and never have to worry where I step. Some of these trails have bare rock that when wet can be troublesome but I put little thought into where I step traction wise.
Comfort
5/5
Cushioning
2/5
Durability
4/5
Appearance
5/5
Value
5/5

Altra Superior 3.0

curtbentley · Jan 29, 2018

4/5

Overall

The Superiors are some of my favorite trail shoes. Not max cushion or protection, but a good balance of both with a decent weight. My BIG issue with these shoes is durability. Past versions of the shoe have basically fallen apart before 200 miles, blowing out on both sides of the forefoot. So far I have about 150 miles on this shoe, so it's either on the verge of falling apart or it's improved. It still looks to be in good condition, so I hope it's improved, but winter is easier on trail shoes than summer. I also use this shoe on the road on particularly icy or snowy days. The price would be fine if the durability were better, but given the consistent durability issues with past versions, the full price of $110 is too high. I got mine on significant discount or I would not have bought them again. I like almost everything else about this shoe aside from the problems with durability.
Comfort
4/5
Durability
3/5
Appearance
4/5
Value
4/5

Altra Superior -- Great shoe

Anonymous runner · Dec 27, 2017

5/5

Overall

Though part of the reason that I bought the shoe was for the foot-shaped toe box, initially, all the space up front felt strange. I have noticed that I have experienced less pain from Morton's neuroma since I started wearing them. It's actually been a few months since I had any pain. I do like how my mid-foot and heel fit snugly before the shoe spreads into the roomy toe box. For me, appearance is nearly irrelevant in purchasing a shoe. I decided on which model I wanted and then sought the best price. This is only the second time that I've spent over $90 on a pair of running shoes. Prior to this, I had just been buying whatever is on sale and sometimes buying some Saucony XC flats for $30 or so. Some years I have done nearly all of my training runs in XC flats. The only down side that I've had with the Superiors is that there are some tears in the upper. I have about 350-400 miles on them so far, but as someone who regularly puts 800+ miles on a pair of shoes before retiring them, that seems pretty early to be showing such wear. I expect to wear out the soles -- not the uppers. Initially, I thought maybe I had just caught the right shoe on something to tear it, but now the left shoe is starting to tear in about the same place (on the inside of the shoe above and maybe slightly behind the ball of the foot -- along the border of the blue Altra stripe. Still, I plan to buy more in the future since I have really liked these shoes. I have yet to run on trails in them, but I do most of my running on gravel roads and they work well for me. I'm not the most consistent runner. I am currently picking up running again after a few years of barely running. So, I'm not bothering to compare to my last shoe.
Comfort
5/5
Durability
4/5
Appearance
4/5
Value
4/5