About a month ago I received my second shipment of gear from Experticity which I was to test out for their #ExpertGear program. I was so excited about the experience that I recorded a short Unboxing video and posted about it here. Now that my thirty days are up I think it’s time to write my full review.
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| Straight out of the box |
I received a pair of blue Altra Instict 3.5 running
shoes in size 11. This is a neutral shoe with moderate cushioning, designed
to be “light, fast and let the foot do what it naturally wants to.” The shoe weighs about 8.1 ounces and comes in
three other colors. Below is a list of the specs and details taken from the
Altra website.
The Skinny: I need to admit, right off the bat that this review is
based off of my specific use of the Altra Instict 3.5 shoe. As I stated in my
short unboxing video, I am NOT a runner. I wore these shoes out walking,
hiking, fishing and all around the office at work. Not your typical “runner’s
review” but an honest review none the less.
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| The FootShape toe box won it for me. |
Hits: Where do I begin? I think I will begin with the one thing
this shoe does that I haven’t seen anywhere else and which made the most impact
for me personally; The FootShape toe box. Altra does a great job explaining on their website why
they created the FootShape toe box. But for me the reason I loved it is simple;
Freedom. My toes didn’t feel cramped or constricted. They felt free for the
first time in a shoe. Free like they do when I walk barefoot in the grass in
the Spring and on sand in the Summer. It’s something you need to truly
experience for yourself to actually understand it. It just FEELS RIGHT. Next up
on the “hit list” is the Zero Drop design. Zero Drop, as I
would come to find out, is a description of the distance which your heel and
forefoot have compared to each other in relation to the ground. Typical shoe
designs have a higher heel as compared to the forefoot. Not Altra. Your foot
lays flat and is parallel to the ground, as nature intended it to be. After
walking a lifetime in traditional shoes this is another feature which is
difficult to explain without trying on a pair and comparing them to your
regular shoes. As with the FootShape toe box, Zero Drop just FEELS RIGHT.
Another benefit I found in the Instinct 3.5, which is a direct result of the
FootShape toe box, is that the rest of the shoe is wider as well. I have a
wider than normal foot as well as a very thick foot (the instep is elevated so
that I typically have a difficult time with the tongue and laces not bulging).
My foot felt right at home in the Altra Instinct 3.5.
Misses: One of the only negatives about the Altra shoes I tested
really has nothing to do with the Instinct 3.5 itself. I am traditionally a
size 11 in men’s, which is the size I received from Altra and it fit perfectly.
I loved the shoes so much I went out to find a pair more suitable for hiking,
the Lone Peak 2.5. Upon trying those shoes on I learned the one negative. In the Lone Peak 2.5 I needed an 11.5 shoe. Not all of their shoes are sized similar. That’s a great feature for a shoe that is
truly customized to each individual, but not so much for those of us who love
to shop on the internet. Who wants to have to return a shoe that doesn’t fit?
But then again, it would probably serve better to go into an actual retail
store and try these shoes on every time. You start to learn the nuances that
make each unique.
Ideal for: Anyone who cares about their feet. Also this is ideal
for minimalists or runners who believe in natural running.
Most people I know are exactly like me. They wear running shoes for things other than running. They WANT to get into running but often times find it a challenge. What I learned while wearing my Altra Instinct 3.5 shoes is that, despite not being a runner, they made me feel like I could run comfortably in them if I ever needed or wanted to. The same can’t be said for the rest of the shoes in my closet which I affectionately refer to as “my bricks”. So if you are a runner looking for a great running shoe, or you are like me and just want a comfortable shoe to wear in daily life, go check out the full line of Altra shoes to see which works best for you. Until then keep taking your kids outdoors...
Forward Momentum Posture
Proper Arm Swing
Low-Impact Landing
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