just curious if anyone is running in these? I just learned about them today and they look interesting. was thinking of trying out either the 2some, the one, or the one squared versions…
I have been running in Altras for a few years now. If you have a wide forefoot you will probably find them a good fit. If you have a narrow forefoot, they feel “sloppy” for sure. I have liked some of their shoes better than some of their others. The original instinct, original superiors, and lone peak 1.5 have been my favorites to-date. I have a lot of miles on all those shoes and have done distances from 5ks to 50 milers in them. I am currently running in the instinct 2.0. The jury is still out but I think it is going to be a good shoe. The ones however I did not like so much. That noted I do have a pair of ones squared on the way. I’ll let you know what I think of them after a few runs.
I think I’m about to order those as well. I have a pair of instinct 1.5s but they seem a little too squishy for my taste. They are a perfect knocking around in shoe though. If you like zero drop shoes but don’t like minimal cushioning they are worth trying.
Over the past few years had 3 pairs of the original Instinct, one pair the Instinct 1.5’s, the Sampson minimalist shoes, the Olympus trail running shoes and just picked up a pair of the Instinct 2. So I haven’t run on the types you are looking for but have had a good amount of experience with the brand. I also wear Merrell’s (bare access and ascend) and have a pair of Skora’s as well. I might pick up a pair of the one-squared when they come out to see how they compare with the Merrell’s. Though since I have 6 different “active” pairs of running shoes right now, I should probably wait until a pair or two wears out.
After going zero drop and with a wider toe box I don’t think I could go back to a traditional running shoe. I’m personally a mid-foot/forefoot striker and there is just something about not having a huge heel that makes running just feel a bit more natural. The wider toe box is a lot nicer as well, it just makes for a much more comfortable ride. I run about 60 miles/week these days and have put thousands of miles (road/gravel/single-track/snow/treadmill) and have never had a blister or any foot problems. Overall I think they are really well constructed. I was getting close to 400 miles out of the Instincts (which is more than I have gotten with any other shoe) and the soles were always holding up really well. They are all a bit heavier/more padded than my Merrell’s and Skora’s but that can be a good thing at times. When the road or trail is rough, I can go a bit faster if I don’t feel it and have to watch my step as much. I generally wear the Merrell Bare Access when I race since they are a bit lighter, however, I am pretty sure I wouldn’t be much slower in the instincts (based on training runs). The three pairs you mentioned are all a bit more light weight so they might be a bit faster/more race ready. In addition, I had the chance to meet and talk to founder Golden Harper at a trade show a couple weeks ago and he is a great guy. Nice, down to earth and easy to talk to. The rest of the guys with the company all seemed great as well. I told him how great I thought his shoes were and how they helped play a role in getting my to run high milage without getting patella tendonitis (which plagued my college track career). Instead of just sucking up praise he was quick to point out that it was (and I agree) mostly about form and how they aren’t just selling shoes, but also in selling/teaching proper running form.
The only cons I have regarding Altra: I didn’t care for was the Instinct 1.5’s as the upper ripped in less than 100 miles (a lot of people seemed to have this problem and they changed the fabric for the newest model). Also, The fit is a bit inconsistent across the models, but if you go to running warehouse and use the shoefitr app it should be easy to find the right size (or if you are lucky, your local store might carry them).
I run in the Olympus. I’m ok with the zero drop, but would prefer a 4mm drop. The cushioning is probably the squishiest out there (softer than Hokas by far). There’s no big arch support (a real plus for my flat feet), and the wide toebox feels great (never had issues with other shoes, but this just feels better).
I love the Instinct 1.5…wide forefoot, zero drop and contrary to what others have said, I have found them at the firmer end of cushioned shoes and find them really stable with a solid connection to the ground which I feel is lacking in the 4 lug Newton Models (really looking forward to their 5 lug versions).
I am looking to get a pair of Instinct 2.0 for some additional cushioning over the 1.5 for days when my legs are more trashed.
Dev
I tried them went one 7 mile run in them and suffered for weeks after - injured my plantar fascia - I have high arches and bunions and they were not for me. Perhaps if I put support in them but really not for me.
I tried them went one 7 mile run in them and suffered for weeks after - injured my plantar fascia - I have high arches and bunions and they were not for me. Perhaps if I put support in them but really not for me.
Sorry to hear about your injury. Did you have previous experience in zero ramp shoes or did you go from high ramp shoes directly to 7 miles in zero ramp. 7 miles is a lot if you are not used to it.
I have the provisioness. After many years of running in 4mm drop (Newtons), I thought I’d give them a try. I tried them out cautiously. For me they are OK for 4-5mi, but not much farther. I felt like there wasn’t enough padding. Might try them again. I like the fit.
I have a narrow foot but I like a wide forefoot. Fit was good in the heel with plenty of forefoot room.
just curious if anyone is running in these? I just learned about them today and they look interesting. was thinking of trying out either the 2some, the one, or the one squared versions…
LOVE LOVE LOVE. it’s all I run in and they’ve improved with every new generation.
I particularly love the room in the toe box, that extra space to leg my foot move and wiggle some is a life saver.
I’ve got the new Torins, Olympus, 3-Sums and will get The ONE^2 when I can
I have read and heard nothing but good things about them…only complaint was customer service. A co-worker tried calling them for a return and he said it was like talking to a couple hippies fighting over a pot brownie!
Try the Torins or Olympus. Much more cushion
I’ve had 7 pair so I think I would give them a thumbs up overall. They are the only thing that seemed to get me past long term plantar fasciitis and I’ve been uninjured since (fingers crossed and YMMV). The zero drop and wide toe box work for me.
Instinct 1 - perfect
Instinct 1.5 - more firm and the upper wore out quickly at the big toe but still a great shoe - can now get cheap
Instinct 2 - midsole a little softer and squishier. Closer to the 1. Very nice
Lone Peak 1 - couldn’t run in them due to placement of part of the upper (huge arch blisters) but can walk forever with no problems
Torin 1 - hated it. Felt super stiff and toe box was wide but really shallow. Returned it after 5 miles.
Superior 1 - Awesome. Love this shoe
Olympus - Hoka with a wide toe box. Great shoe. Weird to walk in but running in it is phenomenal, especially on tired legs
Had the original Instincts. Hated them. Wore them a few times and then wondered why I ever bought them.
Just picked up the One2 (or “One Squared”, not sure what the true name is). I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again: It’s like they read my mind when designing these shoes. Simply the best training – and long racing – shoes I have ever worn in over 30 years of competitive running. The best, bar none. I knew it from the first step I took in them. I couldn’t believe how great they were.
Less than 7 ounces, but with more cushioning where I need it (midfoot) than most any trainer I’ve ever worn. But not too insanely cushioned like Hokas or Nike LunaRacers. I still get a good feel for the ground.
Also zero drop (but you knew that) so not too much cushioning where I don’t need it - the heel. Also wide enough in the forefoot so I don’t split out the sides.
I’ve already gone online and purchased several more pairs. I intend to keep stocking up until I have enough of these to last me for years.
My experience is like most others on this thread. I’ve had a number of different models, and now swear by them. Have had instinct 1 and 1.5, loved them. Like others said, upper is crap, but wide toe box and zero drop make you not care. Had the 3sum, and I actually didn’t like. It was like the sizing of the upper and last didn’t match. To get enough length, the upper was way too roomy, and wouldn’t cinch down enough to make up for it. Seemed hot, and just hurt. The superiors (v1) are a great looking shoe, and perform well, if you get the right size. I had to go up a whole size, but was happy with them. Looking forward to trying the Olympus one day. I say give them a try!
Had been running in hokas so not zero drop but training for Boston so 7 was. Short day
Love love hokas
have the Torins, had to put heel pads in mine, the zero-drop felt like a negative drop and stressed my calf/achilles painfully in just a mile or two of running. With 4mm gel heel pads they are fine.
Also I find them a little short - actual foot size is 10.5 extra wide, 11 usually is fine but a bit too long, 11 in the Torin is too short - toes bump up against the end of the shoe. Cutting the toe box open relieves the pressure.
With those two things fixed, I actually like the shoe quite a bit, will replace mine maybe with the Olympus. Or perhaps a Skechers Gorun Ultra, to support Meb 
Note however the shoe has absolutely no support as such - it’s essentially a barefoot shoe with cushioning. For me, this means the shoe won’t wear out, instead the upper will eventually be distorted to the point where I can’t run in it any more.
Had the original Instincts. Hated them. Wore them a few times and then wondered why I ever bought them.
Just picked up the One2 (or “One Squared”, not sure what the true name is). I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again: It’s like they read my mind when designing these shoes. Simply the best training – and long racing – shoes I have ever worn in over 30 years of competitive running. The best, bar none. I knew it from the first step I took in them. I couldn’t believe how great they were.
Less than 7 ounces, but with more cushioning where I need it (midfoot) than most any trainer I’ve ever worn. But not too insanely cushioned like Hokas or Nike LunaRacers. I still get a good feel for the ground.
Also zero drop (but you knew that) so not too much cushioning where I don’t need it - the heel. Also wide enough in the forefoot so I don’t split out the sides.
I’ve already gone online and purchased several more pairs. I intend to keep stocking up until I have enough of these to last me for years.
Sounds like another item to spend more money on. I’m sold by your “review”. Would you say is like a zero drop Nike Lunaracer, slightly wider and less squishy?
Most comfortable shoe I’ve run in for my wide foot. Felt so good I over did it and got hurt. PT’s suggested I go back to a shoe with more of a heal. I hope I can get back in them because nothing has felt good on my feet since.
It’s nothing like the Lunaracer except that it has good cushioning. It’s a very different, more responsive type-of good-cushioning. No wasted cushioning in places it isn’t needed. The extra width means I don’t constantly feel like I am going to slide off the edge of the Lunaracer and rip out the side. That combined with the slight curve to the outsole means I feel much better with the little, lateral movements you sometimes need to do in running (e.g. when cornering).