Thanks for the video! The original Rivera was ok for me, but not a favorite. I decided not to buy the 2's, but have been very curious about the changes. Thanks again. I am also planning to get the Escalante 3's.
Thanks for watching! Can you pinpoint what you didn't like about it? It's one of the rare Altras I'm just not that excited about, but I could not skip it 😅
@@TDMiller, I almost bought it again. I did run about 550 km in the original Rivera's. I am not sure why I was not excited about it. I don't prefer the slim fit so that might be why. However, the slim fit still worked fine for me, I have a pretty standard width foot. I just found for slower runs, I prefer the Torin and faster paced runs something like the Escalante's. The shoe worked for most things but was just not the best at anything.
My Riveras were my first Altras. I was slightly surprised that I needed size 11.5 US, as I'm usually 10.5. Later in the fall I got a pair of Loan Peak for snow running, and those I got 10.5. So yes, I really noticed the slimmer fit. Oddly the insoles from the two are nearly identical. I've got over 400 miles on the Altra's, and the soles are showing noticable wear but still have plenty of miles on them. What I didn't realize was how much the insole had collapsed. Last weekend I did a half marathon and finished with a large blister under the ball of my foot. One of my recent long runs I started noticing a hotspot, but finished with just redness so didn't pay enough attention to it. Comparing to the insoles on the Loan Peaks, the Riveras are now noticably thinner under the forefoot. My local REI currently has the Rivera 1 on clearance for 50% off, so I've just ordered another pair to keep as a backup. I'll be going in to try the Torin, Paradigm, and Provision.
Yeah, the insoles are rather flimsy. Did you know that Altras are designed to also be used without the insoles? This way, you'll have more space, but this may also remove the hotspot. I've never done this myself, but Altra's founder (Golden Harper) recommended this once, and I've heard many people doing this.
@@TDMiller No, I didn't know that. I might try a half-size down next time and wear thinner socks when it's warm, thicker socks without the insoles when it's cold.
Hey Timothy! So now we are well and truly into summer, have you managed to form an opinion on the breathability of the R2? I am considering these or *shock horror* a pair of Topos for my next road shoe. My escalante 2.0s seem to have a vendetta against my achilles...
Breathability is pretty good! I never had any issues with my feet heating up 👌 I must admit, when I was in Italy I saw some Topos in a shop and I considered committing a sin. 😲
The toe guard is what turned me off from the Rivera 1. I would begin to feel pain on my pinky toe around 7 miles as it would just jam into it. I wore the correct size but the pain just didn’t leave. I returned them and swapped to a different runner. Waiting on my Escalante’s to come in the mail
Yes, it does feel a tad looser and better breathable. The tongue seems improved not as bulky as before but still nice and padded. I like the colors much better too! I got the grey/black and pink soled ones. I prefer not to have white bottoms for running shoes.
Hey can I ask how you found codes that got you 30% off? Does Altra ever run sales or anything? I have a 10% off my first order but I haven't seen any other codes anywhere
Hey mate! Can you tell me please at the back of rivera 2 they have anything rigid like heel cup made of somthing hard that can make blisters/iritations or somthing? Thx aloot
Hey Gabriel, the heel cup is pretty soft, however inside the cup you do feel something keeping the heel in place. It doesn't cause me any irritation though, as the heel is very nicely padded.
I'm a bit worried about the outsole durability. Got almost 100k in my Rivera V1, but there is significantly more wear than I usually notice. Hope they can make it to 600k. No comparison to my beloved (but retired) Torin 4 or even the Escalante 2. Guess I need to get back to the Torin, when V6 is released ... or maybe the upcoming Vanish Tempo 😊
I'm actually positively surprised by outsole of the Rivera 1. It's hardly touched. But I've seen others with completely worn down outsoles. I've gotten 500k out of my 1s, and could have put more into them if I really wanted to use them more. I expect to reach the same in the 2s. Thanks for watching and leaving a comment :-)
I've got about 700k on my Riveras. The sole is noticably worn, but still looks to have plenty of life. The forefoot is much more flexible now. I just bought a new pair, same model, and the new ones are much stiffer. The insole may have suffered the most. It was fairly minimal under the forefoot even when new, but has compressed to almost nothing. If you start feeling soreness up front, try new insoles and see if that helps.
I'm thinking of getting a pair of 2's for the gym as they're only £60 now. That way I can save my Torins just for running. Do you think they'd be s decent cross training shoe? 🤔
I'm not sure. I think they'll just get too long and sloppy. It's not the size or fit that bothers me too much. But mainly them being too boring or basic, if that makes sense? But I think I'll enjoy the 2 a lot more than the 1, due to the minor improvements to it.
Thanks for the review, TD M. Wishing you great springtime running.
Thanks! 😊
Great thorough review! I appreciate comparisons to previous models.
Nice review … my old Torin 4.5 are still good for the road … as you, I will grab the escalante 3 when they come
I managed to get over 700km in my Torin 4.5 Plush. They were one of my favourite.
Great review, Timothy! Awesome details, the shoe looks so good! Looking at your clips made me wanna try some Altra trails & flat shoes soon!
You should! Thanks!
Thank you so much. This is EXACTLY what I needed.
Perfect! Glad I could help 😊 that's why I make these videos 👌
Thanks for the video! The original Rivera was ok for me, but not a favorite. I decided not to buy the 2's, but have been very curious about the changes. Thanks again. I am also planning to get the Escalante 3's.
Thanks for watching! Can you pinpoint what you didn't like about it? It's one of the rare Altras I'm just not that excited about, but I could not skip it 😅
@@TDMiller, I almost bought it again. I did run about 550 km in the original Rivera's. I am not sure why I was not excited about it. I don't prefer the slim fit so that might be why. However, the slim fit still worked fine for me, I have a pretty standard width foot. I just found for slower runs, I prefer the Torin and faster paced runs something like the Escalante's. The shoe worked for most things but was just not the best at anything.
@@TheOldUltraRunner exactly 😆 that's probably just it
My Riveras were my first Altras. I was slightly surprised that I needed size 11.5 US, as I'm usually 10.5. Later in the fall I got a pair of Loan Peak for snow running, and those I got 10.5. So yes, I really noticed the slimmer fit. Oddly the insoles from the two are nearly identical.
I've got over 400 miles on the Altra's, and the soles are showing noticable wear but still have plenty of miles on them. What I didn't realize was how much the insole had collapsed.
Last weekend I did a half marathon and finished with a large blister under the ball of my foot. One of my recent long runs I started noticing a hotspot, but finished with just redness so didn't pay enough attention to it. Comparing to the insoles on the Loan Peaks, the Riveras are now noticably thinner under the forefoot.
My local REI currently has the Rivera 1 on clearance for 50% off, so I've just ordered another pair to keep as a backup. I'll be going in to try the Torin, Paradigm, and Provision.
Yeah, the insoles are rather flimsy. Did you know that Altras are designed to also be used without the insoles? This way, you'll have more space, but this may also remove the hotspot. I've never done this myself, but Altra's founder (Golden Harper) recommended this once, and I've heard many people doing this.
@@TDMiller No, I didn't know that. I might try a half-size down next time and wear thinner socks when it's warm, thicker socks without the insoles when it's cold.
I love the second version
Hey Timothy! So now we are well and truly into summer, have you managed to form an opinion on the breathability of the R2? I am considering these or *shock horror* a pair of Topos for my next road shoe. My escalante 2.0s seem to have a vendetta against my achilles...
Breathability is pretty good! I never had any issues with my feet heating up 👌 I must admit, when I was in Italy I saw some Topos in a shop and I considered committing a sin. 😲
The toe guard is what turned me off from the Rivera 1. I would begin to feel pain on my pinky toe around 7 miles as it would just jam into it. I wore the correct size but the pain just didn’t leave. I returned them and swapped to a different runner. Waiting on my Escalante’s to come in the mail
Great choice. The Escalante are great shoes!
Hate too when some shoelaces are kind of silky and come undone. Why would they even do that...
My review much like yours! I like the Rivera2 much more and the laces do suck... I'll probably switch to the tieless chords
Thanks for watching Nicole, and leaving a comment 😊 any idea what it is you prefer on the 2 compared to the 1?
Yes, it does feel a tad looser and better breathable. The tongue seems improved not as bulky as before but still nice and padded. I like the colors much better too! I got the grey/black and pink soled ones. I prefer not to have white bottoms for running shoes.
I kinda like the women's salmon pink /yellow version too 😅
@@TDMiller my Rivera ones were a weird pinkish red color
Hey can I ask how you found codes that got you 30% off? Does Altra ever run sales or anything? I have a 10% off my first order but I haven't seen any other codes anywhere
I always search the web for the best price. Where do you live? I know a few European webshops that often have good deals, also on new shoes.
@@TDMiller thanks for the reply, I am in the USA
Hey mate! Can you tell me please at the back of rivera 2 they have anything rigid like heel cup made of somthing hard that can make blisters/iritations or somthing? Thx aloot
Hey Gabriel, the heel cup is pretty soft, however inside the cup you do feel something keeping the heel in place. It doesn't cause me any irritation though, as the heel is very nicely padded.
I'm a bit worried about the outsole durability. Got almost 100k in my Rivera V1, but there is significantly more wear than I usually notice. Hope they can make it to 600k. No comparison to my beloved (but retired) Torin 4 or even the Escalante 2. Guess I need to get back to the Torin, when V6 is released ... or maybe the upcoming Vanish Tempo 😊
I'm actually positively surprised by outsole of the Rivera 1. It's hardly touched. But I've seen others with completely worn down outsoles. I've gotten 500k out of my 1s, and could have put more into them if I really wanted to use them more. I expect to reach the same in the 2s.
Thanks for watching and leaving a comment :-)
I've got about 700k on my Riveras. The sole is noticably worn, but still looks to have plenty of life. The forefoot is much more flexible now. I just bought a new pair, same model, and the new ones are much stiffer.
The insole may have suffered the most. It was fairly minimal under the forefoot even when new, but has compressed to almost nothing. If you start feeling soreness up front, try new insoles and see if that helps.
I'm thinking of getting a pair of 2's for the gym as they're only £60 now. That way I can save my Torins just for running. Do you think they'd be s decent cross training shoe? 🤔
Definitely! I think they'd be great for the gym!
@TD Miller I actually ended up swapping them round! I now use my Torins for the gym and run in the Riveras! I think they're great! 😁
That's awesome 😁
If you got half size up, will you enjoy Rivera2?
I'm not sure. I think they'll just get too long and sloppy. It's not the size or fit that bothers me too much. But mainly them being too boring or basic, if that makes sense? But I think I'll enjoy the 2 a lot more than the 1, due to the minor improvements to it.
A reasonable shoe then by the sounds of it. Hopefully not too walky 😄👍🏻
🤣 Not very walky with these laces!
you should publish your height and weight so people can gauge the shoe sizes you are discussing versus their own stats.
Thanks for the tip! Will keep that in mind next time 😊 in case it still helps: I'm about 70kg and 1.71m
only issue i have with this rivera shoe is a bit narrow in the midfoot causing some ache. i wonder if all altra shoes are wide front and narrow mid?
Ive always watched TD miller to justify my buying of altra shoes 😝
Haha, that's what I do it for! 😅
Ooh ooh ooh FIRST!
My biggest fan, right here!
@@TDMiller U know!!!!🤙🤙
Oh man, Altra’s got to ditch those Houdini laces. What escape artists they are!
Yes the laces are annoying af coming undone and too short if you do a heel lock lacing
Great review
Thanks ☺️