Altra Zero Drop shoes

I've got over 450 miles on a pair of Altra Instincts now (see a report at http://www.bridersplace.com/2011/11/altra-instinct-350-miles-later.html). Can't say enough good about them. I had the Saucony Kinvara before that, and had issues with the forefoot shape. The Altras solved all of them. And I found them comfy enough to take them on a 10-miler the first time I ran in them (http://www.bridersplace.com/2011/04/altra-instinct-initial-impressions-and.html). I wasn't as impressed with the Lone Peak, but I think some slight differences in the upper construction was what did it (the strap sewn under the "mountain profile" logo on the side pressed into my 5th metatarsal). If you like real minimalism, they've got the Adam as well. The Samson, coming out in the next couple months, is a slightly more cushioned and lace-up version of the Adam. I had a conversation with Brian at Altra a while back, and he said they have "more minimal" versions of both the Instinct and the Lone Peak planned for later this year.

I really like what Altra is doing. Their stuff lasts, has a real no-nonsense design, and I hope they're around for a long time.

I am not sure which model of Altras that you want to know about so...

I have a pair of the Altra Adams and the Altra Instinct Road shoes.  I don't like the Instinct road shoes.  They felt clumsy to me.  Too much sole.  I prefer the NB Minimus Road to the Altra Road shoes.  But, hey, that is only my unqualified opinion.  

However, I really like the Altra Adams.  They are my favorite shoes so far.  Previously my favorite shoes was the NB Minimus Trails shoes which I used on the road.  I have put around 50 miles on the Adams so far.  I wear them without socks and my feet stay dry.  They don't stink up like the VFF.  They are as minimal as the VFF without the toes.  The toes on the VFF kind of look creepy to me.  Again, that's just my unqualified opinion.  You can also get the Adams on faster in transitions than the VFFs since you don't have to deal with the toes.

If you are into minimalist footwear then you may want to take a look at the Altra Adams.

How do these run in sizes? I normally wear a 10.5 wide, but the Kinvara2 fits pretty good if I go up to an 11.5. Are the Altra's similar to the Kinvara in width/length, or would you recommend a size up or down? Thanks.

I have worn 10.5 in Nikes for some time. I had to size up to an 11 in the Kinvara, but with the Instinct I was back in a 10.5. For the Merrell Trail Glove I'm in a 10.

Hope that helps.

Zero drop -- Saucony Hattori, New Balance Minimus Zero line (don't know how widely available these are yet), GoLite has a few zero-drop models as well, Merrell Bare Access or Road Glove, any of the Vivobarefoot models (though not much cushion), and Inov8 Bare line.

Low drop -- the New Balance Minimus line is built on 4mm drop, as is the Skechers GoRun (but will feel very strange with a heel strike or when walking -- they have more models in the works that will be much more "normal"), Brooks Pureproject (though I found these fairly narrow in the toe box), Merrell Mix Master.

Yes, thanks. I have a pair of Kinvaras at size 11, and they are the ok in length, but not quite wide enough. They are barely acceptable in width in an 11.5 but a touch too long. Runner's Warehouse and Altra both say that the Instinct runs about 1/2 size small, so I'm thinking an 11.5 will work. If it gets to me to the same length as the Kinvara in an 11, but a little wider, it will be perfect.

Buying shoes is a big issue for me because of the wide feet and living in the middle of Illinois. There literally aren't any running stores within 160 miles of me that even carry Altras.. or any of the newer low drop shoes at all for that matter. I can't even find Kinvaras in my size around here at all. So Running Warehouse it is. At least their return policy is very generous in case I get the wrong size. Sure would be nice to be able to try some of these shoes on for once before buying them though.

I like to patronize local shops, but also I'd rather just be able to try on a few pairs so I can tell the difference.  It's tough to compare the feel of the shoes when there is a week between trying it.

Got the Altra Instincts the other day and had y first run yesterday.  Just did a 2 mile run after I was on the bike trainer.  Not going to beat around the bush, but the wide toe box looks pretty lame.  Feels great though!  After wearing the Merrel Trail gloves (not for running), I have noticed the tightness in the toe area of my Saucony Kinvara's, so I was a big reason I wanted these.  I could feel a difference in my calves, but nothing too sore.  There was some pain in my foot, but I'm guessing it's just using those muscles differently.

I'll put up a review after a couple weeks of running.

I ordered a pair and they ended up being defective. The heel counter was lower on one shoe than the other. It was enough that it caused one heel to slip a lot while running. So I sent them back. I was going to do an exchange but opted for a store credit after reading that the Kinvara 3 will be available in a 2E width! Can't wait to try those out!

http://blog.runningwarehouse.com/rs/saucony-kinvara-3/