Type a shoe name, like Pegasus, Clifton or Kayano.

Altra Rivera 2

Daily trainer · Neutral · Road · 8.0 oz · 27/27mm stack · zero-drop

Discontinued — we no longer see this shoe in stock. The Altra Rivera 3 replaced it

How it ranks

The Altra Rivera 2’s rating is an early estimate. We’ve collected 3 runner reviews so far, with product line history and external ratings also informing the score.

Altra Rivera 2

of 3

Current estimate: Below average

69
Overall
69
Value
75
Comfort
72
Durability
72
Cushioning
69
Appearance
61
Confidence

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 is low when we have few ratings or when runners disagree.

See the product line's history

Confidence

69 Moderate

69

External retailer ratings

We break apart ratings from mass-market retailers and specialty running shops since they serve different audiences.

The middle of the bar marks the typical shoe at each type of retailer. The dot shows where this shoe ranks in comparison.

Based on

The bars show roughly how much each source contributes to this shoe’s rating. Their influence depends on how many reviews we’ve collected, how many earlier versions are in the product line, and the external ratings available.

  1. Product line track record
  2. External ratings
  3. Our ratings

What runners say

“Comfortable on longer runs yet unobtrusive enough for faster, shorter efforts”
4/5 Full review 25 mpw training for a half marathon came from the Altra Rivera
“Every time I put on the Rivera 2 I want to go fast”
5/5 Full review 30 mpw training for a marathon came from the Altra Rivera
“Less sloppy underfoot, and feels lighter”
4/5 Full review 25 mpw training for a half marathon came from the Altra Rivera
“Also comfortable as I am a bigger runner”
5/5 Full review 30 mpw training for a marathon came from the Altra Rivera
“Stable without being clunky”
4/5 Full review 25 mpw training for a half marathon came from the Altra Rivera
“Great ride and fits true for me”
5/5 Full review 30 mpw training for a marathon came from the Altra Rivera

Prefer this shoe over another

50% 2/4

Where to buy

No offers available

Affiliate links included. They never affect our ratings.

Prices updated daily. Last checked Oct 22.


Pros

  • Two reviewers find it comfortable on long runs yet quick enough for shorter, faster efforts, one having done a 12 mile tempo in it at 240 lb.
  • Both of those reviewers call it an improvement on the original Rivera, less sloppy underfoot and lighter feeling.

Cons

  • One of the three reviewers rates it 1 out of 5 across the board, saying the laces on two pairs would not stay tied.
  • Overall ratings average 3.3 out of 5, and appearance the same, the lowest marks of any dimension.
  • The Rivera 3 after it scores 84 on two reviews against its 70.

Rating & Confidence vs. other shoes for sale

Each dot is one rated shoe for sale, placed by its rating and by how much evidence sits behind it. Shoes toward the top right are both well rated and well established.

Confidence
50 60 70 80 90 100 25 50 75 100

Better Shoes Rating

Rivera 2 rates 69. This shoe has moderate confidence. See how we rate shoes.

Better Shoes Rating of prior versions of the Altra Rivera

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

Rating

Release year

We use the reviews of past versions to inform this shoe’s rating. See why.
  • Rivera 4

    2024 · 0 reviews

    67 Below average

    21 Confidence

  • Rivera 3

    2023 · 2 reviews

    74 Decent

    41 Confidence

  • Rivera 2 This shoe

    2022 · 3 reviews

    69 Below average

    69 Confidence

  • Rivera

    2021 · 2 reviews

    66 Below average

    50 Confidence

Runner Ratings

3 ratings
5/5 1
4/5 1
3/5 0
2/5 0
1/5 1

Specs & fit

Sizing and ride details at a glance.

Weight
8.0 oz
Men's / women's
Men's 9.1 oz · Women's 6.9 oz
Release
2022 Q1
Stack
27/27mm
Drop
0mm

Runner reviews

Write a review

Showing 1–3 of 3 written reviews

Laces dont stay tied!!!!!!!

1/5

Overall

I bought 2 pairs of Rivera 2 shoes, neither of them have laces that stay tied NO MATTER HOW TIGHT I TIE THEM!

Anonymous runner · Dec 27, 2023

10 mpw

Comfort
1/5
Cushioning
1/5
Durability
1/5
Appearance
1/5
Value
1/5

A Versatile Trainer

4/5

Overall

Comfortable on longer runs yet unobtrusive enough for faster, shorter efforts, the Altra Rivera 2 is stable without being clunky.   It’s traction is impressive on a variety of surfaces, although I wouldn’t recommend it for very technical trails.  It performs admirably on uneven packed earth, however.  If you’re looking for a zero-drop shoe in which you won’t feel every pebble but can still run fast, the Rivera 2 is for you.  In addition, it’s an improvement on the original Rivera  - - less sloppy underfoot, and feels lighter.

Anonymous runner · Nov 27, 2023

25 mpw training for a half marathon came from the Altra Rivera

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

Always want to go fast

5/5

Overall

Have the Rivera 1 and purchased the Rivera 2.  Rivera 1 has more midsole and stack height and I use them for long runs.  Every time I put on the Rivera 2 I want to go fast so I have to be careful as I don't want to peak too early in my marathon training.  So I am strategic when I wear the Rivera 2.  Great ride and fits true for me (12.5, but wear 13).  Also comfortable as I am a bigger runner (240lb/16-17 stone).  Have done a 12 mile tempo in them. Loved them so much I bought a second pair and am always on the lookout for sales of the 2 instead of buying the 3.

Anonymous runner · Jul 21, 2023

30 mpw training for a marathon came from the Altra Rivera

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

Alternatives

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Compared to other shoes

See how this shoe compares to others like it.

Current shoe
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Lightest
Newest
Best overall / Best comfort / Best cushioning
Shoe properties
Type
Daily trainer
Daily trainer
Daily trainer
Pronation
Neutral
Neutral
Neutral
Weight
8.0 oz Lightest
9.0 oz
9.9 oz
Stack
27/27mm
28/28mm
40/35mm
Drop
0mm
0mm
4mm
Release
2022 Q1
2024 Q1 Newest
2022 Q3
MSRP
—
—
$165
Best price
—
—
$95
Ratings
Overall
69 Below average
67 Below average
99 Exceptional Best overall
Comfort
72 Decent
71 Decent
99 Exceptional Best comfort
Cushioning
69 Below average
67 Below average
99 Exceptional Best cushioning
Durability
72 Decent
70 Decent
97 Exceptional Best durability
Appearance
61 Below average
61 Below average
75 Decent Best appearance
Value
75 Decent
72 Decent
77 Decent Best value rating
Specific shoe

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