Can I go straight from the Altra Timp 3 to the Timp 5 and skip the Timp 4?

You can, but treat the Timp 5 as a new shoe rather than a restock. Both the Timp 4 and the Timp 5 reworked the ride, so a Timp 3 owner takes two character changes at once: Quantic became Altra EGO MAX, updated formula.

How much did the weight change across these two updates?

It nets out. The Timp 3 and the Timp 5 both weigh about 9.6 oz in a men's US 9, though the Timp 4 sat at 10.7 oz in between.

Is the Timp 4 the better buy than either of these?

On paper it splits them: 10.7 oz against 9.6 oz for the Timp 3 and 9.5 oz for the Timp 5, on a 29 mm heel and a $160 list price. Whether that is worth chasing depends on what the Timp 4 update actually did, which the section above works through.

Where does the Timp 5 sit in the Timp lineup now?

Two versions on from the Timp 3, and already replaced itself: the Timp 6 arrived in 2025. If you are shopping old stock anyway, price the Timp 5 against it before deciding.

Altra Timp 3 vs Timp 5

Two versions apart. Updated August 7, 2026. Specs are men's US 9.

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THE SHORT ANSWER

Two updates and 3 years separate the Altra Timp 3 from the Timp 5. Net change: a new midsole, $15 more at list. Both updates in between reworked the ride, so the Timp 5 is two character changes away from what you own.

Altra Timp 5Men's at Amazon Women's

Availability last checked Aug 7, 2026. Prices and stock change without notice.

Timp 3 · 2021

Timp 5 · 2024

The two updates in between

Each step has its own page with the full change list and the verdict on that update.

Step 1Timp 3 to Timp 42022Changed character
Timp 3 vs 4 What replaced the Altra Timp 3?
Step 2Timp 4 to Timp 52024Changed character
Timp 4 vs 5 What replaced the Altra Timp 4?

Timp 3 vs Timp 5: every spec, side by side

The net of both updates. Per-update change notes stay on the step pages above, because they explain changes measured from a different starting point than this table uses.

Spec	Timp 3	Timp 5
FIT AND WEIGHT
Weight	9.6 oz	9.5 oz
Widths	D	D
Upper	Thicker mesh with hot-melt vamp panels, a reshaped heel cup and a lace garage	Engineered mesh with structured midfoot overlays
CUSHIONING GEOMETRY
Heel stack	29 mm	29 mm
Forefoot stack	29 mm	29 mm
Drop	0 mm	0 mm
MATERIALS
Midsole	Quantic	Altra EGO MAX, updated formula
VALUE
List price at launch	$140	$155

Or buy the Timp 4 instead?

The Timp 4 is worth a look only if you want the ride it introduced, because that is the update that changed the shoe. Buying it to soften the jump does not work: you would be adapting to the same change either way, just at an older spec.

Buy the Timp 4

Sizes running out

Discontinued at retail. Amazon carries what remains, so treat an in-stock size as a closing window, and expect prices to swing.

Men's: Check remaining stock Women's: Check remaining stock

Availability last checked Aug 7, 2026.

Questions runners ask

Can I go straight from the Altra Timp 3 to the Timp 5 and skip the Timp 4?: You can, but treat the Timp 5 as a new shoe rather than a restock. Both the Timp 4 and the Timp 5 reworked the ride, so a Timp 3 owner takes two character changes at once: Quantic became Altra EGO MAX, updated formula.
How much did the weight change across these two updates?: It nets out. The Timp 3 and the Timp 5 both weigh about 9.6 oz in a men's US 9, though the Timp 4 sat at 10.7 oz in between.
Is the Timp 4 the better buy than either of these?: On paper it splits them: 10.7 oz against 9.6 oz for the Timp 3 and 9.5 oz for the Timp 5, on a 29 mm heel and a $160 list price. Whether that is worth chasing depends on what the Timp 4 update actually did, which the section above works through.
Where does the Timp 5 sit in the Timp lineup now?: Two versions on from the Timp 3, and already replaced itself: the Timp 6 arrived in 2025. If you are shopping old stock anyway, price the Timp 5 against it before deciding.