Toe Shoes, Barefoot or Minimalist Shoes, and Vibram FiveFingers Reviews, News, Forums | Birthday Shoes - Latest Comments on Altra Samson Review

nhct [Visitor] in response to: Altra Samson Review

nhct [Visitor] — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 17:12:16 +0000

The Samson ( and the Delilah) is one of those strong-appeal, nicely-balanced (form and function), minimalist shoes that seems to be virtually impossible to find at meaningfully less than the MSRP, $99.99.

Please join me in requesting that Left Lane Sports add the Samson and the Delilah models to its (deeply discounted, as it were) Altra lineup. You may simply click on the "Feedback" link at the bottom of any of LLS's webpages and select "Brands I Want" in the top pull-down menu box. Thanks.

Antoine [Visitor] in response to: Altra Samson Review

Antoine [Visitor] — Wed, 27 Jun 2012 18:31:47 +0000

I ran in my new samsons yesterday in heavy rain, and I never had any kind of slippage. I got them pretty soaked and they were dry the next morning. So for me they past the test

mp0363 [Visitor] in response to: Altra Samson Review

mp0363 [Visitor] — Sun, 06 May 2012 14:56:09 +0000

I have the Adams and love the firm feel I get with these shoes. I've taken the insole out and my feet are happier for some reason - reminds me of my cycling days when (surprisingly) a firmer seat was better than a soft seat.

But that's for walking and standing at work. When I have to run in them (to get home from work) I do sometimes dream of mercy for my soles. Was trying on the Samsons @ Zombie and the seemed to offer a bit more cush. Reading your Bikila vs KSO analogy helped me understand Altra's positioning of this shoe. Of all my different shoes, the Bikila is my go-to shoe since it offers so little and yet just enough. To get me home from work, I'll have to see if these Samsons can offer me just the same over my Adams.

Zack [Visitor] in response to: Altra Samson Review

Zack [Visitor] — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 19:22:01 +0000

I'd like to see a review of the Samson vs the Instinct. I want a shoe to use in formation since I'm in the Marine Corp and my command won't allow me to wear my KSO's. I want to know the pros and cons of both of those shoes for pt which can involve anything from running on roads to trails and you never know what you're going to be doing until you do it.

Vernon Johnston [Visitor] in response to: Altra Samson Review

Vernon Johnston [Visitor] — Sat, 14 Apr 2012 00:06:33 +0000

Thanks for the review. I have only had my Samsons for 3 days. I love the size of the toe box. I will use them as a cross-training shoe. The Merrill Wides weren't wide enough. The Samsons fit nicely, not only for my toes, but those extra lacing holes help with cinching the heels. Haven't run on wet pavement yet. Anyone have any comments about the traction?

barry [Visitor] in response to: Altra Samson Review

barry [Visitor] — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 19:14:32 +0000

My feelmax OSMA's are worn out (well over 500 miles) and I am looking for a comfy minimalist replacement. The Altra-Samson and the Inov8-X180 seem like good candidates, but I am worried the x180 may not have as comfy a toe-box as the Samsons, and I am worried that the Samsons with out+inner sole may not be as flexible as X180s.

Any Comments?

Gabe [Visitor] in response to: Altra Samson Review

Gabe [Visitor] — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 14:19:04 +0000

I've been wearing the Adams for about 6 months now (I needed something for winter) and haven't been able to get rid of the slapping sound, no matter how carefully I run. They even make noise while walking. At first I tried so hard to land extra-softly, watch my gait, etc. thinking that it was a matter of form that I ended up altering my form for the worse. The only thing that has worked is to listen to music while I run, to muffle the sound of the shoes. I really don't like this approach but nothing else has worked. My form when I run barefoot is probably not perfect but I land really gently and make no sounds whatsoever; I can sneak up on squirrels, birds, dogs and of course people without them even noticing me. So it's definitely the shoes, the material and/or the shape; I can't find any other explanation.

Inquiring Minds [Visitor] in response to: Altra Samson Review

Inquiring Minds [Visitor] — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 17:47:42 +0000

Thanks for the info Dino, I'm glad to hear the noise is absent with proper form. Is your experience with the slapping sound coming from both the Adams and the Samsons?

Dino Aranda [Visitor] in response to: Altra Samson Review

Dino Aranda [Visitor] — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 23:39:28 +0000

I have both the Adams and the Samsons and I can attest to the slapping sound it makes. This usually occurs when I am fatigued and run with poor form. With proper form, I don't hear the noise.

Inquiring Minds [Visitor] in response to: Altra Samson Review

Inquiring Minds [Visitor] — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 16:04:43 +0000

I read another review about the Altra Adams and the loud noise the shoes made when running. Could you comment on this, is the noise really that loud? How about the Samsons as well, do they make a noise comparable to the Adams?