Altra Timp 5 vs Timp 5 BOA: Should You Dial In or Lace Up?

Ever find yourself standing in your local running store staring at two nearly identical trail shoes and thinking, “Is this a gimmick, or will it actually make my run better?” 

That’s exactly where the Altra Timp 5 and Altra Timp BOA come in. 

They’re built on the same basic platform, but the details—especially the lacing system—turn that decision into more than a coin flip.

Here’s my breakdown after logging trail miles in both versions.

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Quickfire: What do you choose?

• Pick Timp 5 if you want a traditional locked-in feel, no moving parts, and a proven lacing setup, or if you’re worried about the part breaking.
• Pick Timp BOA if you want quick adjustments on the trail, need a more relaxed fit, or are running on mellow trails.

Traditional Lacing vs BOA Dial—This is the major split.
The Timp 5 uses traditional laces, which are great if you want a precise fit to loosen or tighten specific areas or add a lace lock. In contrast, the Timp BOA replaces these laces with a micro-adjustable dial and cable, enabling you to fine-tune the fit on the fly—sometimes mid-run—without missing a step. However, this comes with no adjustments in lacing specific areas. 

Flexibility over static lockdown.
BOA lets you easily tweak midfoot tension. That’s a plus if your feet swell or conditions change, such as wet feet. With laces, you set your fit and pretty much forget it unless you stop for minutes. The Timp 5’s fit is more traditional; the BOA’s is about adjustability.

Upper construction matches, feel differs.
While both shoes use the same shape and last, the Timp 5 can feel snug if you tie down hard—especially for high-volume feet. This is because there are more overlays, which feel more relaxed and flexible than the BOA version.

The Timp 5 has an advantage on technical trails.
Loose, rocky, or off-camber trail? The Timp 5’s laces and stiffer overlays can keep your feet firmly locked in place. The BOA can feel loose and sloppy due to the lack of a precise fit and the inability to use a lace lock. So you may find a more comfortable fit out of the box in the BOA, but that doesn’t always translate to performance.

Timp BOA offers flexible comfort on mellow trails.
For those who run smoother trails where foot movement inside the shoe isn’t as much of a concern, the comfort offered by the flexible upper on the BOA will be welcomed. That’s not to say the Timp 5 is bad, but choosing the option that best fits your running conditions is optimal.

BOA is heavier, but only by a hair.
The Timp BOA weighs slightly more (about 0.2oz/10g per shoe). In practice, you won’t feel this—still, if you’re chasing every gram, it’s worth noting.

BOA adds a moving part—potential for failure.
The cable system and dial are robust, but not bombproof. While I’ve only ever broken BOA systems on snowboard boots, traditional laces are undeniably simpler and easier to swap or fix if they snap. I’ve heard the replacement service for BOA parts is good, but that’s not from personal experience.

The outsole and midsole are identical.
Both rock a grippy Vibram Megagrip outsole and semi-soft Ego Max midsoles are the same on both models. So we can expect the same wear rate for both models.

The upper materials differ, and the abundance of overlays on the Timp 5 gives it the edge.

I mentioned this in the fit, but the overlays also affect the durability. If you scrape the side of the shoe too often, you could rip the upper of the BOA. That’s likely not true in the Timp 5 because tougher overlays mostly protect it. 

BOA tech comes at a premium.
Expect to pay about $20 more retail for the Timp BOA ($175) over the standard Timp 5 ($155). Considering the added tech, this is a decent price, but from my testing, I’m not sure the upgrade is worth it. 

Conclusion

Both the Altra Timp 5 and Timp BOA will get you through various trails, wet creek crossings, and ultra distances. They’re very similar underfoot but differ drastically in the upper.

If you like the routine of classic laces or want pure simplicity, stick with the Timp 5. If you’re out to experiment, optimize, or just hate tying shoes, the Timp BOA is a genuine innovation—and at the cheapest price I’ve seen on a shoe.

For me. Laces and fit win out every time.