History
Golden Harper cut up and altered different running shoe brands to design a better-performing shoe, later named "Zero Drop." The name refers to the lack of height differential between the shoe's heel and toe area.[10]
Harper and early co-founders Brian Beckstead, Quirl Hansen, and Jeremy Howlett demonstrated their new design to various footwear companies with little success, so they decided to start their own company. "Altra Footwear" was launched in 2009, partnering with Pulse Labs, an engineering firm at Brigham Young University, and with contract manufacturers in Asia.[1][6][11]
Harper chose the name "Altra" based on the Latin word "altera", which means "to fix or mend something that is broken."[9]
The company was acquired in March 2011 by Icon Health & Fitness, a developer, marketer, and manufacturer of fitness-related products.[12]
In April 2017, the company announced a partnership with the Utah State University Outdoor Product Design and Development (OPDD) program. The purpose of the partnership will be to create an "Altra Running Lab" to provide expertise to participating as well as internship opportunities. The OPDD students will also be able to design and develop shoes, apparel, and other sports-related products in a laboratory setting.[13]
In June 2018, VF Corporation completed the acquisition of Altra.[7]
In April 2023, Jen McLaren was named brand president of Altra.[14]
