I have been using Altra for a while (One, Instinct and 3-sum).
However, they are a pain to find in Canada. Distributor doesn’t have much in stock, they are very late in regards to US availability and generally speaking, they don’t seem to be that interested in promoting the brand. The only local store that has them only carries the more cushioned models, which are of no interest to me.
Both my current pair of One and Instinct are approaching the end of their lives, so I need to buy replacement, and at this time, I can’t get Altras unless I import them from USA. With customs and exchange rate it’s not ideal, and I’d like to avoid having to go through that every time I want to buy a replacement. So I’m looking for alternatives for now to my One. I went back to Kinvaras to replace the Instinct. Not exactly the same, but I react well to Kinvaras and they work well with me for half and full marathons.
What could be similar to Altra The One (One2, One 2.5)? Beside the 0 drop, I like the wide toebox. Saucony Type A6?
I tried Merrell Bare Access, and it wasn’t a success with me (too narrow).
Are you ordering from Entrix or someone else? “We” (the Altra Ambassadors) are out at a lot of races across the country but I’ll admit mostly trail and running races. As far as late getting the US models that is typical for most smaller companies as they all feed the bigger market(s) before we get them here in Canada.
I was ordering from Entrix (or buying from them at expos, like Montreal marathon). There was a local store that carried all models but they went under last year, leaving me with two other stores that stock only 1-2 models (and not the ones I want). Entrix have been very nice answering me all the time and I don’t want to criticize their business, but at this point, I want shoes and I got no one to buy them from (the Entrix store is offline for now, I was told). I’ve had similar issues in the past with Altra where I had been 3-4 months unable to find a pair, which is why I went to Kinvaras in the meantime. I tried other brands in the past as well that I would have had an easier time to find locally (last year at IMMT I picked up some Merrell) but so far nothing to my liking (beside the Kinvara).
And while I’m not against online stores, I’ve had some issues when switching from one version of a model to another (Instinct) without trying them first.
As someone who runs in each of those three Altras…
I think the Type A6 is a fantastic shoe, but it is exactly the opposite of a wide toebox. Saucony used to make an excellent zero-drop shoe with a decent toebox called the Virrata. Doubt you can find them anymore but if you can, thats your best bet I think. Skechers (goRun probably), Hoka Clifton, Newton Gravity (maybe another or two) are all vaguely similar to Altra - low-drop and normal to roomy toeboxes. Our preferences seemed tightly aligned though and I’m lukewarm on those shoes at best. Maybe the Brooks PureConnect if it fits your foot right. Fire away if you have questions about any of those
Yeah I’m wary about the Type A6 fit. Kinvara is “ok” but when it dies on me, it’s because the side splits apart (aka, it’s kinda narrow on my feet). And while it’s relatively easy to find Kinvaras, Type A6 (and Virrata back then) is a different beast. Speaking of the Virrata, it is more cushioned than the Kinvara… I’m trying to get something lighter / speedier than the Kinvara. Typically, I would use the Instinct / Kinvara for long runs or marathons, and the One for speed workouts or half marathon and shorter races. Heck, I ran a few half marathons in my original 3-sum because I couldn’t buy replacement One at the time.
Skechers is roomy? That’s probably the complete opposite of trying to find Altra, there’s a Skechers store every 2 blocks around here…
Input on Inov-8 toebox? According to their website, the toebox is “large” on the Road-X-Treme 220 and there are a few stores carrying those around here…
I’ve had several pairs of Inov-8 including the Road-X 233 and currently the Tri-X 275. I really like both, although they definitely are not as wide as Altras. The Tri-X is probably the best triathlon-specific shoe I’ve ever worn but unfortunately Inov-8 stopped making them so they’re pretty hard to find. Plenty of room in the toe box, good lacing system and very comfortable without socks. In general I’d say Inov-8 have a wider toe box than the average conventional running shoe but not as wide as Altra.
I’m also a fan of the Saucony Virrata but as someone else noted they are also hard to find. I also have a pair of Topo ST’s and they’re pretty sweet - nice wide toe box, super light, zero drop with a little cushioning. For me personally, I find they don’t have enough cushioning for longer runs (over 4 or 5 miles), and I also can’t wear them without socks for anything over 5k.
The best fitting shoe I’ve ever worn is the New Balance Minimus Zero, but it has almost no cushioning so I use it only for speedwork and the gym.
May not be any easier to get in Canada, but Skora or Topo come to mind.
FWIW, I’m a huge Altra fan. Been running in them exclusively since the original Instinct.
Yeah I had looked at Skora and Topo a long time ago. Heck, Shoefitr says Skora is roomier than Altra. Skora are non existant here. Topo has a web site for ordering but that’s about it.
To be frank, I really, really love my Altra. My hope is that Entrix is there again in Montreal before the marathon and that I can stock myself for a while at that time… But I need a plan B if that doesn’t pan out.
On Running Cloudracer? Another one touted as wide, low drop and fairly easy to find here.
I really like the ON Clouds. I have a huge bunion on my right foot and it is one of the only shoes that does not aggravate it. I had to size up from a 10.5US to an 11 when switching to the ON’s.
Got a lot of mileage out of them as well. Almost double my normal shoes (Pegasus).
Just received my second pair yesterday.
As someone who runs in each of those three Altras…
I think the Type A6 is a fantastic shoe, but it is exactly the opposite of a wide toebox. Saucony used to make an excellent zero-drop shoe with a decent toebox called the Virrata. Doubt you can find them anymore but if you can, thats your best bet I think. Skechers (goRun probably), Hoka Clifton, Newton Gravity (maybe another or two) are all vaguely similar to Altra - low-drop and normal to roomy toeboxes. Our preferences seemed tightly aligned though and I’m lukewarm on those shoes at best. Maybe the Brooks PureConnect if it fits your foot right. Fire away if you have questions about any of those
Big thanks on the PureConnect.
I went tonight at my local store that carries Altra to see if by any chance they would have One2 or Instinct in stock. They didn’t. I decided to try out a few other things. Pearl Izumi, Skechers - I don’t think these were for me. But man, the PureConnect seems to fit me perfectly… Haven’t gone out with them yet, but it seems like a winner for me
Looks like you already pulled the trigger, but for others following this thread, I love the Merrell Bare Access series. They make a road version and a trail version. Zero drop, roomy toe box, Vibram outsoles, lightweight. They have really scaled back what used to be their minimal running lineup, but I hope they keep making these. They’re not very minimal, just zero drop and nice wide toe box.
Well, I have pulled the trigger on a discounted price, but I have yet to run in them. I’m still into Altra if they fix the supply in Canada. Interestingly, I found out that the store carried a few Topo as well. But… the fit of the PureConnect is very particular (I found) and the arch support is fairly high. I could see it being an issue with some people, but it seemed like for me, it was the exact same shape as my foot.
I do have a pair of Bare Access 3; I did not find that the toe box is roomy, that was actually the main problem with me - very narrow when compared to Altra or even Kinvara. I still use them as walking shoes though (result of me actually forgetting to bring some walking shoes on vacation…)
I do have a pair of Bare Access 3; I did not find that the toe box is roomy, that was actually the main problem with me - very narrow when compared to Altra or even Kinvara. I still use them as walking shoes though (result of me actually forgetting to bring some walking shoes on vacation…)
Interesting, I have a pair of Bare Access 2 and the toe box is huge - significantly wider than any Saucony’s I’ve worn. The problem for me was they had a little too much arch support vs. the other shoes I had been wearing, which I believe was the main cause of a nagging case of PF I developed. I still use them as casual shoes as well but I don’t run in them anymore. I wonder if they changed the last between the 2 and 3?
