Altra Rivera 4 review

8 expert score
0 user's score
As editorial policy, we do not accept free samples. We purchased this pair at Running Warehouse with our own money.
Review written on 02nd May by TJ Jones Road and trail runner, stability shoes expert.
59 other reviews

Altra Rivera 4 Verdict

The Altra Rivera 4 is a versatile daily trainer. Built with Altras trademarks (FootShape and 0 mm drop) it provides a natural and comfortable ride from start to finish.

The pros

  • 0 mm drop and FootShape
  • Balanced Ride
  • Tailored Fit

The cons

  • Lack of structure in heel

Where to buy

Best offers today in United States, all prices in USD

Rating breakdown

Comfort
9.0
Build quality
8.0
Upper
7.0
Sole unit
9.0
Landing
9.0
Transition
10
Toe-off
8.0
Traction
7.0
Durability
8.0
Value / Price
9.0

Facts / Specs

Brand
Model
Rivera 4
Weight
10 oz (283 g)
MSRP
$130.00

Heel
28 mm.
Toe
28 mm.
Heel drop
mm.
Carbon plate
No plate

Size/Fit

Sizing
True to size
Heel fit
Normal
Midfoot fit
Normal
Toebox fit
Wide

Cushioning & ride

Type of cushioning
Balanced
Amount of cushioning
Medium cushioning
Stability
Some stability
Flexibility
Flexible

Usage

Racing
Speedwork
Daily training  
Long distance racing
Ultra distance racing

Who should buy the Altra Rivera 4 ?

Someone who is looking for a simple yet effective neutral trainer built for anything.

Who should not buy the Altra Rivera 4 ?

Someone who is looking for a max cushioned trainer. And not willing to try an unorthodox trainer.

Altra Rivera 4 Introduction

Picture of Altra Rivera 4

It has been a while since we’ve done a review of the Altra Rivera. It seems to have not changed much since it was unveiled.

It bridges the gap between the Escalante and the Torin. I would say it is the middle child of their neutral lineup. Just because it’s the middle child doesn’t mean it is overlooked.

It has moderate cushioning while the Escalante has a mid amount and the Torin has a maximum amount. The 4th edition has a few noticeable changes. It retails for 130 dollars.

It competes with the Brooks Ghost, Saucony Ride and the Hoka Clifton among others.

Altra Rivera 4 First Impressions

Picture of Altra Rivera 4

If you have read my reviews you know I am a fan of Altra. I was excited when these got delivered. I haven’t reviewed them before.

Upon opening them for the first time I instantly loved the look of them. The orange pops and the design is sleek. It is an eye-catching shoe which piques people’s interest.

They felt responsive and comfortable the first moment on my feet. There was also a strong bounce. They had a slimmer fit than all the other Altras I’ve reviewed, this was a welcome difference.

The maiden voyage of the Rivera 4 was a 5k. It was a comfortable ride where I found myself pushing the pace slightly. This was because of the slimmed down and lighter weight on my feet. I was looking forward to more miles in these.

Altra Rivera 4 Upper

Picture of Altra Rivera 4

The upper of the Rivera has received some updates. THe engineered mesh has been updated to give it a more sock-like feel. It is a dual layer mesh with a medium amount of structure. It is adaptable and breathable.

You will find a slimmed down FootShape in the Rivera. It hugs the heel and midfoot while still giving you a roomy toe box for your feet to splay out. Its tailored fit along with both the light weight and Foot Shape makes it a fast shoe.

The heel portion has been rebuilt to improve comfort and fit. The amount of cushioning along with the flared heel collar help. A little bit more cushioning would help achieve this.

Overall, the upper provides a traditional fit in a slim form.

Altra Rivera 4 Sole Unit

Picture of Altra Rivera 4

Let’s start from the ground up. The outsole is a standard rubber with thicker areas strategically placed in high impact areas. After 50+ miles the rubber has shown some wear. You will find guidelines on the outsole that segments the outline of your feet. This encourages natural flexibility while you run.

AltraEGO is the material used for the midsole. It leans to the responsive side but has a bounce to it.

It wouldn’t be an Altra without the natural FootShape and balanced cushioning, referring to the 0 mm heel to toe drop.

The FootShape of the Rivera is slimmer than other offerings. There is still room in the toe box. The 0 mm drop continues the trend of propelling you forward.

There is a small adjustment period to this drop. Overall, the midsole is a responsive ride with a bit of bounce.

Altra Rivera 4 Conclusions

The Rivera would be ideal for runners curious to try an Altra trainer. Just because it is a slimmed down faster trainer doesn’t mean it is only meant for race day. I could see it being one of my daily trainers. The Rivera has many strengths which would convert many runners to Altra.

The midsole achieves an ideal balance of responsiveness and bounce. The bounce along with the 0 mm drop naturally encourages you to push the pace slightly.

I was surprised to feel the slimmed down Foot Shape while maintaining its strengths. It hugs the contours of the midfoot and heel while giving you an ample toe box to splay out. The only downside would be the amount of cushioning is less than the other moderate trainers it competes with.

The upper has a new mesh which is adaptable and breathable. It gives sock like vibes. The amount of cushioning along with the flared heel collar made the upper comfortable. The heel collar bends out at the sides while wearing these, this affects the fit of the upper slightly. This would be the only drawback of the upper.

This was a different Altra I’ve never reviewed before. The Rivera continues the trend of me enjoying Altras. The Rivera is simple yet sleek in design.

Built with the foundation Altra is known for in a tailored package. It is a versatile trainer that naturally propels you forward at a slightly faster pace. It does this while being comfortable from first to last step.

How does the Rivera 4 compare?

Saucony Ride 17
Altra Rivera 4
Hoka One One Clifton 9
Expert score
9
8
8
User score
Best price
Retail price
US$140
US$129.95
US$144.95
Weight
10.1 oz
10 oz
8.7 oz
Heel Drop
8 mm
mm
5 mm
Recommended for
Daily training
Daily training
Daily training, long distance racing
Cushioning type
responsive/balanced
balanced
balanced/plush
Cushioning amount
Medium cushioning
Medium cushioning
Highly cushioned
Flexibility
flexible
flexible
flexible
Stability
very stable
some stability
very stable
Sizing
true to size
true to size
true to size

Why you can trust us

As editorial policy, we do not accept free samples from companies.
We purchased this pair of Altra at Running Warehouse  with our own money.

This page contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Read more about our policy.
Lowest price:

$90

Altra Rivera 4 price comparison

Best offers today in United States, all prices in USD

Reviewed by TJ

This review was written by TJ Jones on 02nd May.
TJ Jones lives in Omaha, Nebraska with his wife and toddler son. He has been running for over half of his life. He has completed 3 full marathons and countless half marathons. In the daytime, he is a school counselor. He loves running no matter if it is on the road or trails

User feedback (2)

  • avatar-comment-1042899
    MJ54
    3 weeks ago

    Do you think the Rivera 4 would be a good option for someone who does both short fast runs and longer distances? I usually run 10k, but I want something versatile for all kinds of runs.

  • avatar-comment-1041413
    Lena A.
    2 months ago

    I’m really looking for shoes that can handle both speed and long-distance. How does the Rivera 4 stack up against something like the Hoka Clifton for longer runs?

Lowest price:
$90

Where to buy

Best offers today in United States, all prices in USD

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