Shoelaces aren't all they're cracked up to be. Not according to the latest breed of BOA-dial equipped trail running shoes anyway. If you ask us, there aren't enough convenient twist-and-click footwear options available. Especially ones that actually look good, which is why word of this latest Altra x and wander collab was music to our ears.
The Timp 5 BOA is the result of two brands with a shared reverence for the outdoors. Altra’s zero-drop platform and FootShape toebox – beloved by long-distance runners for promoting natural movement – meets and wander’s considered function-meets-fashion minimalism. The result is a clean, granite-grey silhouette, finished with reflective accents that only really reveal themselves once the sun starts to dip.
Performance remains front and centre. There’s a Vibram Megagrip outsole designed to chew through technical terrain, a quick-dry mesh upper, and that all-important BOA Fit System for quick adjustments mid run... or mid walk to the pub. Underfoot, a plush Altra EGO MAX midsole handles the heavy lifting, while the neutral support and high cushioning strike a balance between comfort and control.
It’s a trail shoe that doesn’t shout about its capabilities but has plenty tucked away should you need it. According to and wander co-founder Keita Ikeuchi, the collaboration is about building a shoe that performs, while elevating it enough to hold its own on the streets – something the Timp 5 BOA manages effortlessly.
Available in two muted colourways – Falcon and Antique White – the shoe launches 19 March, priced at £175. You’ll find it at altrarunning.eu, andwander.com and select premium retailers.
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