Torin 8

Yes, the Torin 8 runs true to size in length, so order your usual running size and half sizes stay consistent. The difference is width, not length. Altra's FootShape last gives a much wider, more rounded toe box than most brands, so your toes get room to splay. Wide-footed runners will love it, while narrow-footed runners may need to snug the laces to take up the extra volume.

Zero-drop means the heel and forefoot sit at the same height, 0mm apart, so your foot stays level instead of tilted forward. It encourages a natural, foot-flat landing that many runners find comfortable, but it loads the calves and achilles more than a raised-heel shoe. If you are new to it, transition gradually over several weeks. If you already run in low or zero-drop shoes, the Torin 8 will feel right at home.

For long training runs, yes. The soft, protective cushioning stays comfortable deep into a run and the roomy toe box helps as feet swell over distance, so it is a strong easy and long-run shoe. For marathon race day it is more of a comfort cruiser than a fast, propulsive tool, so many runners train in the Torin and race in something lighter. If you value comfort and a natural ride over pace, it can absolutely go the distance.

It can be, with one caveat. The cushioning, comfort and roomy fit are all beginner-friendly, but the zero-drop geometry is a bigger change if you are coming from everyday cushioned shoes with a raised heel. Beginners who go in gradually and build up mileage slowly will get on well. If you want an easier first step into Altra, the lighter Escalante 4 is a gentler introduction to the zero-drop feel.

Both are cushioned neutral daily trainers, but they feel quite different. The Brooks Ghost 17 has a traditional raised heel, a standard-width fit and a smooth, familiar ride. The Torin 8 is zero-drop with a much wider toe box and a more natural, planted feel. Choose the Ghost if you want a conventional, no-adjustment daily trainer, and the Torin if you specifically want zero-drop and a roomy forefoot.

As a cushioned daily trainer built for high mileage, the Torin 8 is designed to hold up to regular training. The outsole rubber and midsole are tuned for everyday road use, so you can expect a typical daily-trainer lifespan of several hundred miles depending on your weight, surfaces and running style. Rotating it with another shoe and keeping it to road running rather than rough trails will help it last.