Best For

Zero drop running shoes equals comfort and recovery for many of my training duties. The Altra Rivera 2 is by far my favorite road running shoe from the zero drop family, okay, the Torin line up is good too. But for a classic tweener road running shoe, the Altra Rivera 2 gets the job done in a big way for my recovery days and much more. This running shoe falls into the daily trainer, simple easy days, and even the tempo day category, especially if you love the zero drop feel understep without too much splaying in that toebox. 

Upper

The bells and whistles of the Altra Rivera 2 upper are simply nonexistent, and that’s a good thing. Simplicity in the upper design and construction is the name of the game. With no impeding overlays, just a simple engineered mesh, this Altra running shoe will keep you locked in well without the feel of being overbuilt. Even though the tongue is not gussetted, it’s wide enough to wrap your midfoot in comfort. The heel counter is not stout, but it is plush, unite heel counter comfort fans! How the collar wraps the ankle may be the highlight of the upper. And for the durability prediction on that upper, the eyelet chain is reinforced with a solid rubberized overlay, along with the toecap wrap down to the lower vamp area on both the medial and lateral side of the shoe. One key note, if you love a really wide toebox (traditional Altra shoes), this Rivera line up may not be for you. The splaying happening inside the toebox is present but not over abundantly. 

Midsole

AltraEgo midsole cushioning is absolutely responsive and resilient under step. You feel peppy under your feet with the Rivera 2. With a 41 durometer score, it lands well for the happy medium midsole experience, not too soft and not too firm. Even on easy running days I wanted to pick up the paces in the Rivera 2. With a weight landing at 7.5 oz in my size, this daily trainer road running shoe is one of the lighter on the marketplace. That weight is in line with the Saucony Endorphin Speed 3 actually, that’s impressive. And of course, the zero drop midsole stretches out that achilles tendon and soleus so well through one’s biomechanics, a nice benefit of zero drop running shoe design. At 26 mm in the heel and toe, you will feel very united with the ground beneath you. Think ground contact running rather than mountains of cushion below your feet. 

Outsole

Altra applies a nice layer of rubber on the outsole, with that classic metatarsal look (see pictures below). This rubber is very durable, I saw zero wear and tear after the 50+ miles of testing. Live in a tough weather location? Fear not, the rubber is tacky to the touch and will perform well in wet conditions. Altra also places firmer rubber in high impact areas of the medial heel and lateral toebox. With a 450 mile durability prediction for this running shoe, much of that comes from the resilience and build quality of this outsole. 

Would I Buy This Shoe Again?

Runners around the world, the Rivera 2 lands in the EIGHTS! Eight point zero on the nose to be exact. Altra really is pushing the limits for daily training speed AND your zero drop tempo run experiences with this shoe. I would absolutely buy this neutral road running shoe again, even at full price. Zero drop midsole fans won’t be disappointed adding the Rivera 2 into their uptempo running shoe quiver. This lightweight and responsive daily trainer beckons me back for more miles in my annual training goals pursuit. Run on DGR!