Founded in 2009, the American brand ALTRA is well-regarded by serious runners for its "zero-drop + wide last" barefoot-like shoe design. ALTRA's trail running shoes follow the same philosophy — models like the Olympus were already famous when I first got into running shoes. So what else is in ALTRA's trail lineup right now? The Mont Blanc Carbon / Speed are ALTRA's two top-tier "zero-drop" trail racing shoes. The former features a carbon plate, while the Speed does not. Both use a "boat-shaped" midsole geometry: the EGO MAX outer frame provides stability and cushioning, while the "cabin-fill" EGO PRO supplies long-lasting energy return. The Speed is about 20 g lighter. If you prefer a lighter or less-stiff zero-drop racing feel, try the Speed; if you like the traditional carbon-plate structure, pick the Carbon. The King MT 2 is ALTRA's model for short, fast, or technical courses. Its rare combination of an ultra-thin sole, zero drop, and V-lug outsole gives excellent ground feel, push-off efficiency, and traction control. The Olympus 7 is the latest in the well-known zero-drop cushioned trail series. What looks like a relatively thin engineered mesh actually provides solid upper strength and zonal support, and the forefoot breathability is very good. There is also an Olympus 275 HiLo. Unlike the low-cut standard version, this shoe uses a mid-cut sock collar paired with a MATRYX tear-resistant upper; its midsole and outsole are the same as the standard model — cushioned EGO MAX foam plus a V-lug outsole. The Olympus line is designed for middle- to long-distance trail running; if you're concerned about rough terrain around the course, try the new 275 HiLo — its upper is thinner yet strong, and it's over 20 g lighter than the standard model. Another model, the Timp 6, is also a mid- to long-distance cushioned shoe, but it features a larger rear area covered by the V-lug outsole and relatively more lugs, which gives it an edge on technical sections. Its high-density PET woven upper also dries faster than traditional mesh. The Lone Peak series is another line familiar to trail runners. The current Lone Peak 9/9+ has upgraded the EGO midsole foam to 25 mm of stack, which still qualifies it as a lower-stack shoe today. The upper has thermally bonded overlays where support and protection are needed. This protective zero-drop, low-stack "barefoot" setup is one reason the series is so popular. If you've never worn zero-drop shoes before and worry about extra calf load but still want to try ALTRA, consider the Experience Wild 3/3+. A comfortable 4 mm offset will be more forgiving and easier to adapt to. More lugs and a larger rubber contact area improve grip. The EGO P45 foam keeps the shoe lightweight. As for the "Plus" distinction: the 3 uses ALTRA's MaxTrac outsole, while the 3+ uses the V-lug outsole. Will you try any of these zero-drop products? #ALTRA #trailrunning #TrailRunningShoes #TrailRunningBoom