Altra Instinct: Run with Childlike Bliss Again

Remember what it felt like to run as a child? That feeling of freedom as your short quick strides carried you across the open grassy fields.

Back then we never thought about the length of our stride or how our feet contacted the ground. We just ran... fast and free. Thankfully today’s modern minimalist running movement offers us all the chance to go back to those moments of childlike bliss.

At the crux of the movement is the notion that the foot can do a better job at self-stabilizing and balancing the weight of the body when it can move freely and is allowed more, relatively unencumbered, natural contact with the ground than when it’s in a shoe that is thickly cushioned or overly correcting by design.

Rapidly establishing themselves as an innovative pioneer in the naturalist running movement Altra Footwear has designed line-up of running shoes that mimic the natural shape and heel-to-toe ratio of the foot thereby allowing the body to run more naturally, more efficiently.

Running gait and injury expert from the University of Virginia School of Medicine Jay Dicharry MPT says running in shoes with near level profile is an ideal situation because it allows the body to run in the most natural position possible without having to compensate too much for how the shoe is trying to dictate the movement of the foot.

If that is indeed the case - and we believe that it is - then the Altra Zero Drop platform is the shoe that puts your feet in the 'ideal situation'.

Most running shoes are built on a 2-to-1 heel-to-toe ratio (twice as thick in the heel as the forefoot). Unfortunately we know what happens next and it's not good for runners.  The cushioned heel strikes the ground first instead of the shoe landing on the more biomechanically efficient midfoot or forefoot. Excessive heel-striking marks an open-invitation for potential foot and leg injuries.  

Zero Drop footwear by ALTRA however is built on a 1-to-1 ratio meaning that the heel and forefoot are the same heights off the ground. This encourages a more natural stride allowing the runner to land on the midfoot or forefoot-- the way Mother Nature originally intended.  The Altra Instinct does this while still offering cushioning and protection.

As noted in our First Look review, the term zero-drop may lead some to believe that Altra’s Instinct is little more than another addition to the “minimalist movement”. While some “zero drop” shoes can be categorized as minimalist – certainly not all minimalist shoes are Zero Drop, nor is the men’s specific Instinct designed specifically as a minimalist running shoe.

For our crew member the beauty of the shoe rests in its foot shaped design.  By building a shoe that maps the design of your foot the Altra Instinct allows your feet and toes to lay in a natural and relaxed position.  Due to the gender-specific design the foot maintains its proper anatomical position allowing for maximum shock absorption and a more powerful toe off.

Credit to Altra for this image of the Instinct blazing through the Wasatch Mountains

Asymmetrical Lacing, Heel Claw, and an 'A' shaped midfoot design that snugly wraps the midfoot all add to a superior fit for this Zero Drop platform.  Once you try them on and experience the difference of fit and feel, you’ll wonder why Altra is the only shoe specifically designed to follow the natural contours of your feet.

Altra's FootPod outsole maps the bones and tendons of the human foot allowing for maximum flex and responsiveness. With canted lugs mapping your foot, this unique outsole provides a natural all-purpose traction system which served our tester well from sidewalks to dirt roads and everything in between.

And did we mention that the Gumption Gals thought the Instinct looks great with jeans?

The Results...

Over the course of a lengthy testing period our Gumption Crew member used the Altra Instinct as his primary running and training shoe.  For the purposes of this review you may find it helpful to know that our field tester tops the scales at 6’4” and is a traditional heavy heel striker. Yet from the treadmill to city streets, country roads and 10K’s our crew member tacked on the miles and came away with a new perspective on running. Following is a summation of the positive changes noted from running/ training in the Altra Instinct:

• Less impact and stress on knees, shins and lower back.
• Zero shin splints over the course of the testing period.
• Transformed the stride and gait increasing strength in calves.
• Increased awareness foot placement and balance so that every change made in step and stride was felt instantly allowing for quick adjustment improving form over the course of longer runs.

Our Altra Instincts beaten up, but never beaten down.

Room for Improvement...

The durability and fit of the Instinct exceeded any expectations that our team had for the shoe entering the review process.  The only minor complaint issued by our tester was that his midfoot was left slightly tender after the 10k competition.  However that is most likely due to the fact that the feet are still in the process of fully adjusting to a new running style.  

Bottom Line...

While the Instinct may not be a cure-all for all runners and their specific issues, we believe that Altra has crafted a shoe that strikes the perfect balance of barefoot styled minimalisim with cushion and comfort.  Evolving from Zero Drop Rookie to first place finishes in a 5K and 10K race, our crew member’s final response may provide the best summation of their time with the Altra Instinct: “Count me as a convert.”   

First Look: Altra Zero Drop Running Shoes

After 30 years of shoes primarily designed to control how the feet move while running, there's been a major shift in thinking toward shoe designs intended to accommodate the natural movement of your feet and optimally efficient running form.

At the crux of this movement is the notion that the foot can do a better job at self-stabilizing and balancing the weight of the body when it can move freely and is allowed more, relatively unencumbered, natural contact with the ground than when it’s in a shoe that is thickly cushioned or overly correcting by design.

Embracing the less is more movement, Altra Zero Drop Footwear has introduced a line of gender specific Zero Drop™ running shoes designed to accommodate the natural movement of your body and feet. Thanks to the good crew at Altra, our Gumption Field Team has the opportunity of vetting the men’s Instinct and women’s Intuition running shoes. 

The Intuition (Left) and The Instinct (Right)

On Style and Design…
For a first generation shoe, both the Instinct and Intuition are sharp and eye catching without being overly bedazzled with bright colors or gaudy designs. Admittedly when you pull the shoes out of the box, the unassuming design can easily lull one into perceiving these shoes as a basic minimalist runner. Yet simply tossing these shoes into the one-size-fits-all minimalist category does them no justice.

Our crew quickly discovered that every element of these shoes is based upon an underlying premise of a shoe designed to develop a more natural, optimally-efficient running form.

Both the Instinct and Intuition are built with a natural foot shaped design presenting a wide forefront to the shoe. Any preconceived notions and duck foot jokes regarding the unconventional shape quickly faded as our testers found that the wide cage provides a relaxed fit and feel, allowing the toes to splay naturally as they would in your favorite pair of slippers. While it seems contrarian to think that a foot-shaped shoe can be considered an innovation, in this instance that is exactly the case – these shoes were built to run.

There’s nothing fancy about the Altra outsole… just a whole lot of innovative goodness. Altra's FootPod outsole maps the bones and tendons of the human foot allowing for maximum flex and responsiveness. With canted lugs mapping your foot, this unique outsole is intended provides a natural all-purpose traction system which thus far has served our crew members well on a variety of surfaces from dirt roads to treadmills and a world of running surfaces in between.

The Zero Drop™ Platform…
By name, you'd think zero-drop shoes are yet another addition to the “minimalist movement” sweeping the running landscape. While some “zero drop” shoes can be categorized as minimalist – certainly not all minimalist shoes are Zero Drop, nor are the Instinct and Intuition designed specifically as minimalist runners.

Most Running Shoes are built on a 2-to-1 heel-to-toe ratio (Twice as thick in the heel as the forefoot). Zero Drop footwear by ALTRA has been built on a 1-to-1 ratio meaning that the heel and forefoot are the same heights off the ground just as Mother Nature intended.

The Altra Zero Drop shoes offer cushioning and protection while mimicking the foots’ natural zero drop build. This means the usual aggressive heel striking that occurs in a normal running shoe is replaced with a more natural running motion in which the runner lands on the mid to fore foot region.

This means that moving to the Altra line-up of shoes is a transition that takes some time. To their credit, the company makes no qualms about that fact and properly informs their customers about the adjustment period.

Despite going through their own adjustment period, our team's initial impressions of the Zero Drop line-up are overwhelmingly positive. Over the coming weeks our field team will continue to put the miles on both the Instinct and Intuition continuing to test the fit, feel, durability and performance of these shoes over the long haul.

First Look: Hoka One One Bondi B Running Shoe

"I think being different, going against the grain of society, is the greatest thing in the world." - Elijah Woods

As individuals, we were never designed to fit neatly into a one-size-fits-all box. In an attempt to conform to that which is deemed “popular” we relinquish our individuality in an attempt to accommodate the wishes of others.

The same is can be said for the equipment we depend on day in and out. At the end of the day, corporations are no different from individuals, they are susceptible to falling in line with the latest trends and fads.

Towards this end, Hoka One One is charting a distinct course that stands apart from the rest of the running world. While much of the early refocus of this new era of shoe design has been around minimalism and less cushioning, Hoka One One has pursued innovation in an entirely different direction.

The Hoka One One shoes are engineered for maximum cushioning, comfort, protection and energy return, while still offering lightweight, nimble performance and uninhibited movement.

With the goal of designing shoes for optimal performance, comfort, efficiency and fun, Hoka One One has pioneered a new philosophy in running by merging aspects of minmalism and maximal- ism. The design guru’s at Hoka One One have incorporated several of the key performance traits of the oversized technology trend in skiing, mountain biking, golf, tennis, while also paying heed to recent footwear advances that aid in natural foot motion and efficient running mechanics.

Foam in the midsoles of Hoka shoes is 30 percent softer than the material used in traditional running shoes, and there is 2.5 times more midsole volume than in most running shoes. 50 percent increase in outsole surface area (com-pared to traditional running shoes) improves grip and stability.

The additional surface area allows greater contact with the ground, allowing the runner’s foot to dynamically engage the ground while the shoe’s outsole gains traction on pavement, dirt trails or rocky surfaces.

Hoka One One notes that “Running in Hoka shoes is like nothing you’ve ever experienced, and it’s something you’ll never forget. Unlike shoes that produce a hard or rigid feeling, Hokas offer up luxurious softness and a sensation of weightlessness.” While our field team has only put limited miles on the shoes thus far, there’s no doubt that running in the Bondi B is like nothing we’ve ever experienced.

In the early testing stages the Hoka One One innovation combination of minmalism and maximal- ism does deliver a near floating sensation during runs that reduces fatigue in the runner's feet, legs and core. One thing is for certain, on downhill runs the Bondi B leaves you feeling as though you’ve stepped outside of the Space Shuttle Atlantis for a weightless space jog.

Over the next several months our Gumption Gear team of runners, triathletes and fitness junkies will be putting the Hoka One One Bondi B Road Shoes to the test.  We will continue to examine functionality, features, impact of the technological innovations and of course the long term durability and gumption of Bondi B Runners.  

First Look: Hoka One One Bondi B Running Shoe

"I think being different, going against the grain of society, is the greatest thing in the world." - Elijah Woods

As individuals, we were never designed to fit neatly into a one-size-fits-all box. In an attempt to conform to that which is deemed “popular” we relinquish our individuality in an attempt to accommodate the wishes of others.

The same is can be said for the equipment we depend on day in and out. Corporations are no different from individuals, they are susceptible to falling in line with the latest trends and fads.

Towards this end, Hoka One One is charting a distinct course that stands apart from the rest of the running world. While much of the early refocus of this new era of shoe design has been around minimalism and less cushioning, Hoka One One has pursued innovation in an entirely different direction.
The Hoka One One shoes are engineered for maximum cushioning, comfort, protection and energy return, while still offering lightweight, nimble performance and uninhibited movement.
With the goal of designing shoes for optimal performance, comfort, efficiency and fun, Hoka One One has pioneered a new philosophy in running by merging aspects of minmalism and maximal- ism. The design guru’s at Hoka One One have incorporated several of the key performance traits of the oversized technology trend in skiing, mountain biking, golf, tennis, while also paying heed to recent footwear advances that aid in natural foot motion and efficient running mechanics.

Foam in the midsoles of Hoka shoes is 30 percent softer than the material used in traditional running shoes, and there is 2.5 times more midsole volume than in most running shoes. 50 percent increase in outsole surface area (com-pared to traditional running shoes) improves grip and stability.

The additional surface area allows greater contact with the ground, allowing the runner’s foot to dynamically engage the ground while the shoe’s outsole gains traction on pavement, dirt trails or rocky surfaces.

Hoka One One notes that “Running in Hoka shoes is like nothing you’ve ever experienced, and it’s something you’ll never forget. Unlike shoes that produce a hard or rigid feeling, Hokas offer up luxurious softness and a sensation of weightlessness.” While our field team has only put limited miles on the shoes thus far, there’s no doubt that running in the Bondi B is like nothing we’ve ever experienced.

In the early testing stages the Hoka One One innovation combination of minmalism and maximal- ism does deliver a near floating sensation during runs that reduces fatigue in the runner's feet, legs and core. One thing is for certain, on downhill runs the Bondi B leaves you feeling as though you’ve stepped outside of the Space Shuttle Atlantis for a weightless space jog.

Over the next several months our Gumption Gear team of runners, triathletes and fitness junkies will be putting the Hoka One One Bondi B Road Shoes to the test.  We will continue to examine functionality, features, impact of the technological innovations and of course the long term durability and gumption of Bondi B Runners.  

Long Term Durability Review: Scott® MK3 Running Shoe

Just a few years ago, if someone would have said that Scott®, best known for making high performance bikes and appeal, would make an award winning performance running shoe, few if any would have likely believed it.  Yet the

Scott® MK3 is just that shoe.

While shopping for shoes at the local running store in January 2011, the salesperson – knowing my feet and running preferences – suggested I test the MK3s.

While the trend has been towards minimalist or barefoot running shoes, they may not be right for everybody.  Whether because of physical limitations or personal preference, some runners may need more support and cushion than those shoes can provide.

A minimalist shoe, the Scott® MK3 is not.  The MK3 2011 is a stability performance running shoe made for those who prefer and require more structure and cushion in a running shoe.

Weighing in at 11.0 ounces, the shoe is packed with performance-enhancing goodness. Scott® engineered the MK3 shoe with a low profile, and a carbon midfoot structure providing an optimal arch which helps guide the foot efficiently, transferring energy from front to rear.

Excellent shock absorption is created by the heel gel and forefoot rubberized EVA insert. The stable and flexible midsole is ideal for a broad range of running styles and foot types. 

Their Ergologic Fit technology provides support and control where needed and provides flexibility and adjustability in the anatomically correct places. Scott incorporated a full carbon rubber outsole that intended to accelerate the shoe through increased energy return and increased durability.

The MK3s have been exceeding my own personal expectations since I pulled them off the storeroom shelf.  Now, having blazed over 400 miles of both on and off-road running in the MK3, these shoes have proven to be as durable as they are comfortable.  These shoes have marshaled me through trails, 5ks, 10ks, half marathons and a few triathlons, and truth be told, they show no sign of letting up anytime soon. 

Bottom Line:

When you spend big money on a running shoe you expect it to perform, but you also hope that it will last longer than that whole parachute pants fad.  The Scott MK3 delivers exceptionally well on both fronts. 

Light as a racing shoe, but as stable, cushioned and comfortable as a training shoe.  If you’re a runner who, whether through preference or necessity, needs a fast and steady stability shoe, then the Scott® MK3 will provide you with the energy and performance you desire.