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Altra Kayenta Pronounced Ka-yen-ta, this is Altra's latest road running shoe, launched in 2019, with three interesting features.
- Features the firm and responsive Max-LT™ midsole, first used in the Duo model. The feel is unique, and I really like it.
- Extremely lightweight
- Winner of the WOMEN’S HEALTH magazine Editor’s Choice Award in the Best Road Debut (new road running shoe) category
Read the review of the Altra Duo here
Because of these three points, I couldn't just leave it sitting there. I had to pick it up and review it so fellow runners could make their decision.
Let's talk about the components and technology.
Let's start with the three key features.
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Midsole: Max-LT™
This foam has a very distinctive feel when running. The sole is soft and highly flexible, but it doesn't feel mushy or drain energy when running. It's responsive and helps maintain cadence. This is the feel I got from the Altra Duo. As for how the Altra Kayenta feels when running, that's in the summary below.
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The key feature is the Innerflex midsole construction, which has a honeycomb-like structure on the inside, making it highly flexible.
Weight: 167 grams
These are extremely lightweight running shoes. A men's size 9US weighs only 167 grams.
Award: Editor’s Choice
Winner of the WOMEN’S HEALTH magazine Editor’s Choice Award in the Best Road Debut (new road running shoe) category. The reason is that it is the lightest 23mm shoe with a unique sock-like two-layer upper structure. The innermost layer feels as comfortable as wearing socks, while the outer layer wraps the foot securely, fitting all foot sizes. How it does this, I'll explain in another section.
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Buy shoes from Runnercart and exchange sizes for free until they fit perfectly.
Or if you're not satisfied, get a full refund. ...
Order the Altra Kayenta here..
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Upper: 2-layer Quick-Dry Air Mesh
The upper is two layers. The inner layer is a single piece of mesh with no tongue, feeling as comfortable as wearing socks. The outer layer is also mesh, designed to wrap the foot securely. ... Even though it's two layers, I can tell you it doesn't make my feet hot at all. It's even more comfortable than the single-layer knit upper of the Escalante 1.5!
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There are also two ventilation holes under the insole. They also help prevent sweat from getting trapped in the shoes during long-distance running.
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A-Strap:
This is the lacing structure commonly found in most running shoes. In the Altra Kayenta , to make it even more special, it alternates between lacing from the sole and lacing from the upper, allowing it to fit all foot sizes securely.
Shoelaces:
The laces are round and quite strong. They don't come untied while running.
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Heel Counter:
The heel has no structure at all. It's thin, unpadded, and just a shaped piece of fabric, but it holds the heel quite well. It feels open and not restrictive.
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Buy shoes from Runnercart and exchange sizes for free until they fit perfectly.
Or if you're not satisfied, get a full refund. ...
Order the Altra Kayenta here
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Running Review
The first feeling when putting them on is that the sock-like upper of this pair is really comfortable. It gives a spacious feel to the foot, with no part squeezing it. It's really well designed. ... Walking around, I could clearly feel how light they are. ... Trying them out for a jog, the sole doesn't feel mushy or drain energy. It doesn't pop like the Escalante, but it responds well to foot movement. ... The first thing that came to mind was the Altra Vanish-R. Thin, light, and raw, but in a version with slightly better support. You can run up to 21K in them. I was also surprised that the Max-LT sole didn't remind me of the Altra Duo at all. Perhaps because the sole is only 23mm thick.
Read the review of running with the Altra Vanish-R here
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After 40K
I've tried speed running, long-distance running, city runs, and even wearing them for sightseeing because I like how comfortable they are. ... I found that the responsiveness is quite good, even though the pop is very minimal. During acceleration and deceleration, maintaining cadence is smooth.
For a 20K long-distance run , I can say it's very comfortable. Both the ventilation and the minimal heat buildup in the toebox, combined with the comfort of the upper, make it a fantastic experience. And even though the sole is only 23mm thick, finishing 20K didn't leave my feet as sore as I thought it would.
City running I had the opportunity to go for a city run while reviewing this pair of shoes. I ran from Suan Rot Fai to Paragon, taking the Phahonyothin route towards Victory Monument, then onto Phaya Thai Road to Siam, running along the BTS line. ... The Altra Kayenta met my needs well because it's lightweight and agile. ... It performed well when accelerating away from cars on the road or crossing intersections. There were no problems when slowing down in traffic on the sidewalk.
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Sightseeing Thanks to the comfort of the upper, the Altra Kayenta has naturally become one of the shoes I wear most often for sightseeing.
What I like
- The running feel is spacious, light, responsive, and makes me feel free.
- The upper is comfortable on the foot, and it's comfortable even without socks.
- Comfortable for both running and sightseeing.
What I don't like
- Because there's no tongue, putting them on is harder than usual, as you can't pull the tongue out like normal shoes.
- I feel like the sole wears out a bit faster than usual.
Overall, I think they are shoes you can wear for all types of running, but they lean more towards training shoes. They aren't the best shoes for serious performance in any one area. ... For example, if you want short-distance speed, there's still the Altra Vanish-R, which excels in both lightness and thinness. Or if you want a bit more pop, there's still the Escalante Racer, which offers both speed and pop. ... If you want shoes that support impact for long-distance running, whether half or full marathon, there's still the Altra Duo+, which excels in this area. ... Or if you want both support and more agility, there's still the Altra Torin and Altra Escalante that meet your needs better. ... So I consider the Altra Kayenta the best training shoes. Or if you want shoes you can wear for running and sightseeing comfortably, I think this pair is the answer!
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Buy shoes from Runnercart and exchange sizes for free until they fit perfectly.
Or if you're not satisfied, get a full refund. ...
Order the Altra Kayenta here
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Altra Kayenta review by Admin Chai
The running team at Runnercart
April 14, 2019
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