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Created page with "{{DISPLAYTITLE:Altra One 2.5 Review}} The Altra One is a wonderfully light, comfortable shoe that I love to run in. Putting on the One makes me feel like I'm putting on a comf..."
{{DISPLAYTITLE:Altra One 2.5 Review}}
The Altra One is a wonderfully light, comfortable shoe that I love to run in. Putting on the One makes me feel like I'm putting on a comfortable slipper rather than a running shoe. However there are two problems; the One wears out quickly, making it an expensive shoe in terms of cost per mile, and the best shoes are either lighter or better cushioned (or both.) {{H:WhatToLookForInShoes}}
{| class="wikitable"
|- valign="top"
|[[File:Altra The One 2.5-top.JPG|none|thumb|250px|Altra The One 2.5 top]]
|[[File:Altra The One 2.5-bottom.JPG|none|thumb|250px|Altra The One 2.5 bottom]]
|- valign="top"
|[[File:Altra The One 2.5-inside.JPG|none|thumb|250px|Altra The One 2.5 inside]]
|[[File:Altra The One 2.5-outside.JPG|none|thumb|250px|Altra The One 2.5 outside]]
|}
=Characteristics=
* {{H:WhyBuy}}. It's a softly cushioned, lightweight shoe that's designed for a human foot. The [[Hoka Clifton]] is much better cushioned, but a little heavier, the [[Asics Gel Hyper Speed]] is a little better cushioned and a lot lighter.
* {{H:cushioning}}. The One is softly cushioned, and comfortable underfoot. The cut away parts of the midsole add a bit of an egg crate effect, but not enough to cause problems.
* {{H:drop}}. In theory Altra shoes are zero drop but I measured a 3mm drop unloaded, which reduces to 2mm when worn, which is close enough to zero drop for most people.
* {{H:structure}}. This shoe uses single density of foam, but there is quite a bit of shape to the midsole. You might think that "zero drop" means a flat midsole, but it doesn't. There is a fair rise under the arch, though it didn't cause me any problems. The heel is quite cupped, which keeps your foot centered in the shoe without attempting to interfere with your biomechanics.
* {{H:flexibility}}. The One is a remarkably flexible for shoe due to the deep grooves in the bottom of the midsole, and the shallow grooves in the top. (The top cuts are hidden unless you dissect the shoe.)
* {{H:outsole}}. There is almost no outsole, just a couple of tiny patches of the extreme front and rear of the shoe. The bulk of the bottom of the shoe is exposed foam, which helps keep the shoe light as the harder rubber used on shoes is quite heavy. However, the exposed midsole wears very quickly and dramatically, and I've '''got only a little over 200 miles''' from mine before they needed retirement. Other shoes seem to do much, much better, even with exposed midsole.
* {{H:shape}}. The shoe is the classic Altra shape, which follows the outline of the human foot much better than other makes. It has a broad toe box, but I find there is not enough height for my toes and [[Shoe Modifications| I still have to cut the toe box open]]. {{H:TryCuttingShoes}}
* {{H:upper}}. The upper is reasonably thin and unpadded in the front, morphing into a thin layer of padding below the ankle opening. The ankle opening itself is nicely padded.
* {{H:tongue}}. The One has a classic tongue, but it's partially attached on one side to keep it positioned, which I like a lot. It has minimal but adequate padding.
* {{H:lacing}}. The flat laces work well and remained tied, though they are unusually long. I found they tended to catch on things, so I had to tuck the ends under the laces at the front.
* {{H:heelcounter}}. There's really nothing you could justify calling a "heel counter", which is nice.
{{BuyShoes|RW=T|RRS=T|AZ=T|ZP=T}}
{{ShoeGraphs}}
=Comparisons=
Here are some direct comparisons with its potential competition.
==Altra One 2.5 and One 2==
I'm assured the 2.5 is different from the 2, but it's hard to spot the differences. Apparently the upper has been redesigned, but I can't spot anything even on close inspection. The toe box has slightly more height, but it's still woefully short. The 2.5 also has "improved fit", but again, I couldn't spot anything. The biggest change appears to be that the 2.5 comes in different colors, so buy whatever's cheaper.
{| class="wikitable"
|- valign="top"
|[[File:Altra The One 2.5-top.JPG|none|thumb|200px|Altra The One 2.5 top]]
|[[File:Altra The One 2.5-bottom.JPG|none|thumb|200px|Altra The One 2.5 bottom]]
|[[File:Altra The One 2.5-inside.JPG|none|thumb|200px|Altra The One 2.5 inside]]
|[[File:Altra The One 2.5-outside.JPG|none|thumb|200px|Altra The One 2.5 outside]]
|- valign="top"
|[[File:Altra-One2-top.jpg|none|thumb|200px|Altra One2 top]]
|[[File:Altra-One2-bottom.jpg|none|thumb|200px|Altra One2 bottom]]
|[[File:Altra-One2-inside.jpg|none|thumb|200px|Altra One2 inside]]
|[[File:Altra-One2-outside.jpg|none|thumb|200px|Altra One2 outside]]
|}
{{FastBlr|altra/the-one2-1080|1080|Altra One2}}
==Altra One and Hoka Clifton 2==
I like running in the Altra One, but the [[Hoka Clifton| Hoka Clifton 2]] is a far superior shoe. The Clifton offers vastly more cushioning for only a couple of ounces more weight. However, the One is a lot more slipper like, with more flexibility and a more comfortable upper. It's not that the Clifton is uncomfortable in any conventional way, but because the midsole is so thick and inflexible, the upper has to be more sturdy to keep the shoe attached to your foot. The Clifton is also a lot cheaper shoe in the long run, as even though it has exposed midsole it does not wear as quickly as the One.
{| class="wikitable"
|- valign="top"
|[[File:Altra The One 2.5-top.JPG|none|thumb|200px|Altra The One 2.5 top]]
|[[File:Altra The One 2.5-bottom.JPG|none|thumb|200px|Altra The One 2.5 bottom]]
|[[File:Altra The One 2.5-inside.JPG|none|thumb|200px|Altra The One 2.5 inside]]
|[[File:Altra The One 2.5-outside.JPG|none|thumb|200px|Altra The One 2.5 outside]]
|- valign="top"
|[[File:Hoka Clifton 2-top.JPG|none|thumb|200px|Hoka Clifton 2 top]]
|[[File:Hoka Clifton 2-bottom.JPG|none|thumb|200px|Hoka Clifton 2 bottom]]
|[[File:Hoka Clifton 2-inside.JPG|none|thumb|200px|Hoka Clifton 2 inside]]
|[[File:Hoka Clifton 2-outside.JPG|none|thumb|200px|Hoka Clifton 2 outside]]
|}
{{FastBlr|hoka-one-one/clifton-2-1062|1062|Hoka Clifton 2}}
==Altra One and Asics Gel Hyper Speed==
The [[Asics Gel Hyper Speed]] offers nearly the same forefoot cushioning, and more real cushioning than the One, and it does so at a considerably lighter weight, and it lasts a lot longer. The One is shaped more like the human foot than the Hyper Speed, but I still find I need to cut open the toe box of either shoe. For fast, efficient running I'd always choose the Hyper Speed over the One.
{| class="wikitable"
|- valign="top"
|[[File:Altra The One 2.5-top.JPG|none|thumb|200px|Altra The One 2.5 top]]
|[[File:Altra The One 2.5-bottom.JPG|none|thumb|200px|Altra The One 2.5 bottom]]
|[[File:Altra The One 2.5-inside.JPG|none|thumb|200px|Altra The One 2.5 inside]]
|[[File:Altra The One 2.5-outside.JPG|none|thumb|200px|Altra The One 2.5 outside]]
|- valign="top"
|[[File:Asics-Gel-Hyper-Speed-6-top.jpg|none|thumb|200px|Asics Gel Hyper Speed 6 top]]
|[[File:Asics-Gel-Hyper-Speed-6-bottom.jpg|none|thumb|200px|Asics Gel Hyper Speed 6 bottom]]
|[[File:Asics-Gel-Hyper-Speed-6-inside.jpg|none|thumb|200px|Asics Gel Hyper Speed 6 inside]]
|[[File:Asics-Gel-Hyper-Speed-6-outside.jpg|none|thumb|200px|Asics Gel Hyper Speed 6 outside]]
|}
{{FastBlr|asics/gel-hyperspeed-6-192|192|Asics Gel Hyper Speed 6}}
==Altra One and New Balance RC5000==
Compared with many shoes, the One is lightweight, but it's more than twice the weight of the [[New Balance RC5000]]. The RC5000 is the fastest shoe I've tested, providing just enough cushioning to improve [[Running Economy]]. The RC5000 suffers from being too cushioned to be a pseudo-barefoot shoe, but not cushioned enough for most runners used to a traditional running shoe. However, if you're efficient enough to be happy with this level of cushioning at your chosen distance, and you're looking for every edge you can get in a race there is nothing else that comes close. By comparison, the One is soft and luxurious. If the One is a Porsche 911 (reasonably fast, but comfortable), then the RC 5000 is a purpose built race car (speed is everything, and forget the comfort.)
{| class="wikitable"
|- valign="top"
|[[File:Altra The One 2.5-top.JPG|none|thumb|200px|Altra The One 2.5 top]]
|[[File:Altra The One 2.5-bottom.JPG|none|thumb|200px|Altra The One 2.5 bottom]]
|[[File:Altra The One 2.5-inside.JPG|none|thumb|200px|Altra The One 2.5 inside]]
|[[File:Altra The One 2.5-outside.JPG|none|thumb|200px|Altra The One 2.5 outside]]
|- valign="top"
|[[File:New-Balance-MRC-5000-top.jpg|none|thumb|200px|New Balance MRC 5000 top]]
|[[File:New-Balance-MRC-5000-bottom.jpg|none|thumb|200px|New Balance MRC 5000 bottom]]
|[[File:New-Balance-MRC-5000-inside.jpg|none|thumb|200px|New Balance MRC 5000 inside]]
|[[File:New-Balance-MRC-5000-outside.jpg|none|thumb|200px|New Balance MRC 5000 outside]]
|}
{{FastBlr|new-balance/rc5000-v1-852|852|New Balance RC5000}}
==Altra One and Asics GT 2000==
I tend to compare shoes against my benchmark "normal running shoe", the [[Asics GT 2000]]. The GT 2000 is over engineered and these features go against [[The Science of Running Shoes]], causing more problems than they solve. The One stands in stark contrast to the GT 2000, offering better cushioning, greater comfort, with less weight. The One is designed for the human foot, both in shape and function, while it seems like the designers of the GT 2011 never even seen a foot before. Compared with the One, the GT 2000 feels like you're running in a wooden clog.
{| class="wikitable"
|- valign="top"
|[[File:Altra The One 2.5-top.JPG|none|thumb|200px|Altra The One 2.5 top]]
|[[File:Altra The One 2.5-bottom.JPG|none|thumb|200px|Altra The One 2.5 bottom]]
|[[File:Altra The One 2.5-inside.JPG|none|thumb|200px|Altra The One 2.5 inside]]
|[[File:Altra The One 2.5-outside.JPG|none|thumb|200px|Altra The One 2.5 outside]]
|- valign="top"
|[[File:Asics-GT2000-top.jpg|none|thumb|200px|Asics GT2000 top]]
|[[File:Asics-GT2000-bottom.jpg|none|thumb|200px|Asics GT2000 bottom]]
|[[File:Asics-GT2000-inside.jpg|none|thumb|200px|Asics GT2000 inside]]
|[[File:Asics-GT2000-outside.jpg|none|thumb|200px|Asics GT2000 outside]]
|}
=A Comparison with other Recommended Shoes=
{{:Shoes-include}}
The Altra One is a wonderfully light, comfortable shoe that I love to run in. Putting on the One makes me feel like I'm putting on a comfortable slipper rather than a running shoe. However there are two problems; the One wears out quickly, making it an expensive shoe in terms of cost per mile, and the best shoes are either lighter or better cushioned (or both.) {{H:WhatToLookForInShoes}}
{| class="wikitable"
|- valign="top"
|[[File:Altra The One 2.5-top.JPG|none|thumb|250px|Altra The One 2.5 top]]
|[[File:Altra The One 2.5-bottom.JPG|none|thumb|250px|Altra The One 2.5 bottom]]
|- valign="top"
|[[File:Altra The One 2.5-inside.JPG|none|thumb|250px|Altra The One 2.5 inside]]
|[[File:Altra The One 2.5-outside.JPG|none|thumb|250px|Altra The One 2.5 outside]]
|}
=Characteristics=
* {{H:WhyBuy}}. It's a softly cushioned, lightweight shoe that's designed for a human foot. The [[Hoka Clifton]] is much better cushioned, but a little heavier, the [[Asics Gel Hyper Speed]] is a little better cushioned and a lot lighter.
* {{H:cushioning}}. The One is softly cushioned, and comfortable underfoot. The cut away parts of the midsole add a bit of an egg crate effect, but not enough to cause problems.
* {{H:drop}}. In theory Altra shoes are zero drop but I measured a 3mm drop unloaded, which reduces to 2mm when worn, which is close enough to zero drop for most people.
* {{H:structure}}. This shoe uses single density of foam, but there is quite a bit of shape to the midsole. You might think that "zero drop" means a flat midsole, but it doesn't. There is a fair rise under the arch, though it didn't cause me any problems. The heel is quite cupped, which keeps your foot centered in the shoe without attempting to interfere with your biomechanics.
* {{H:flexibility}}. The One is a remarkably flexible for shoe due to the deep grooves in the bottom of the midsole, and the shallow grooves in the top. (The top cuts are hidden unless you dissect the shoe.)
* {{H:outsole}}. There is almost no outsole, just a couple of tiny patches of the extreme front and rear of the shoe. The bulk of the bottom of the shoe is exposed foam, which helps keep the shoe light as the harder rubber used on shoes is quite heavy. However, the exposed midsole wears very quickly and dramatically, and I've '''got only a little over 200 miles''' from mine before they needed retirement. Other shoes seem to do much, much better, even with exposed midsole.
* {{H:shape}}. The shoe is the classic Altra shape, which follows the outline of the human foot much better than other makes. It has a broad toe box, but I find there is not enough height for my toes and [[Shoe Modifications| I still have to cut the toe box open]]. {{H:TryCuttingShoes}}
* {{H:upper}}. The upper is reasonably thin and unpadded in the front, morphing into a thin layer of padding below the ankle opening. The ankle opening itself is nicely padded.
* {{H:tongue}}. The One has a classic tongue, but it's partially attached on one side to keep it positioned, which I like a lot. It has minimal but adequate padding.
* {{H:lacing}}. The flat laces work well and remained tied, though they are unusually long. I found they tended to catch on things, so I had to tuck the ends under the laces at the front.
* {{H:heelcounter}}. There's really nothing you could justify calling a "heel counter", which is nice.
{{BuyShoes|RW=T|RRS=T|AZ=T|ZP=T}}
{{ShoeGraphs}}
=Comparisons=
Here are some direct comparisons with its potential competition.
==Altra One 2.5 and One 2==
I'm assured the 2.5 is different from the 2, but it's hard to spot the differences. Apparently the upper has been redesigned, but I can't spot anything even on close inspection. The toe box has slightly more height, but it's still woefully short. The 2.5 also has "improved fit", but again, I couldn't spot anything. The biggest change appears to be that the 2.5 comes in different colors, so buy whatever's cheaper.
{| class="wikitable"
|- valign="top"
|[[File:Altra The One 2.5-top.JPG|none|thumb|200px|Altra The One 2.5 top]]
|[[File:Altra The One 2.5-bottom.JPG|none|thumb|200px|Altra The One 2.5 bottom]]
|[[File:Altra The One 2.5-inside.JPG|none|thumb|200px|Altra The One 2.5 inside]]
|[[File:Altra The One 2.5-outside.JPG|none|thumb|200px|Altra The One 2.5 outside]]
|- valign="top"
|[[File:Altra-One2-top.jpg|none|thumb|200px|Altra One2 top]]
|[[File:Altra-One2-bottom.jpg|none|thumb|200px|Altra One2 bottom]]
|[[File:Altra-One2-inside.jpg|none|thumb|200px|Altra One2 inside]]
|[[File:Altra-One2-outside.jpg|none|thumb|200px|Altra One2 outside]]
|}
{{FastBlr|altra/the-one2-1080|1080|Altra One2}}
==Altra One and Hoka Clifton 2==
I like running in the Altra One, but the [[Hoka Clifton| Hoka Clifton 2]] is a far superior shoe. The Clifton offers vastly more cushioning for only a couple of ounces more weight. However, the One is a lot more slipper like, with more flexibility and a more comfortable upper. It's not that the Clifton is uncomfortable in any conventional way, but because the midsole is so thick and inflexible, the upper has to be more sturdy to keep the shoe attached to your foot. The Clifton is also a lot cheaper shoe in the long run, as even though it has exposed midsole it does not wear as quickly as the One.
{| class="wikitable"
|- valign="top"
|[[File:Altra The One 2.5-top.JPG|none|thumb|200px|Altra The One 2.5 top]]
|[[File:Altra The One 2.5-bottom.JPG|none|thumb|200px|Altra The One 2.5 bottom]]
|[[File:Altra The One 2.5-inside.JPG|none|thumb|200px|Altra The One 2.5 inside]]
|[[File:Altra The One 2.5-outside.JPG|none|thumb|200px|Altra The One 2.5 outside]]
|- valign="top"
|[[File:Hoka Clifton 2-top.JPG|none|thumb|200px|Hoka Clifton 2 top]]
|[[File:Hoka Clifton 2-bottom.JPG|none|thumb|200px|Hoka Clifton 2 bottom]]
|[[File:Hoka Clifton 2-inside.JPG|none|thumb|200px|Hoka Clifton 2 inside]]
|[[File:Hoka Clifton 2-outside.JPG|none|thumb|200px|Hoka Clifton 2 outside]]
|}
{{FastBlr|hoka-one-one/clifton-2-1062|1062|Hoka Clifton 2}}
==Altra One and Asics Gel Hyper Speed==
The [[Asics Gel Hyper Speed]] offers nearly the same forefoot cushioning, and more real cushioning than the One, and it does so at a considerably lighter weight, and it lasts a lot longer. The One is shaped more like the human foot than the Hyper Speed, but I still find I need to cut open the toe box of either shoe. For fast, efficient running I'd always choose the Hyper Speed over the One.
{| class="wikitable"
|- valign="top"
|[[File:Altra The One 2.5-top.JPG|none|thumb|200px|Altra The One 2.5 top]]
|[[File:Altra The One 2.5-bottom.JPG|none|thumb|200px|Altra The One 2.5 bottom]]
|[[File:Altra The One 2.5-inside.JPG|none|thumb|200px|Altra The One 2.5 inside]]
|[[File:Altra The One 2.5-outside.JPG|none|thumb|200px|Altra The One 2.5 outside]]
|- valign="top"
|[[File:Asics-Gel-Hyper-Speed-6-top.jpg|none|thumb|200px|Asics Gel Hyper Speed 6 top]]
|[[File:Asics-Gel-Hyper-Speed-6-bottom.jpg|none|thumb|200px|Asics Gel Hyper Speed 6 bottom]]
|[[File:Asics-Gel-Hyper-Speed-6-inside.jpg|none|thumb|200px|Asics Gel Hyper Speed 6 inside]]
|[[File:Asics-Gel-Hyper-Speed-6-outside.jpg|none|thumb|200px|Asics Gel Hyper Speed 6 outside]]
|}
{{FastBlr|asics/gel-hyperspeed-6-192|192|Asics Gel Hyper Speed 6}}
==Altra One and New Balance RC5000==
Compared with many shoes, the One is lightweight, but it's more than twice the weight of the [[New Balance RC5000]]. The RC5000 is the fastest shoe I've tested, providing just enough cushioning to improve [[Running Economy]]. The RC5000 suffers from being too cushioned to be a pseudo-barefoot shoe, but not cushioned enough for most runners used to a traditional running shoe. However, if you're efficient enough to be happy with this level of cushioning at your chosen distance, and you're looking for every edge you can get in a race there is nothing else that comes close. By comparison, the One is soft and luxurious. If the One is a Porsche 911 (reasonably fast, but comfortable), then the RC 5000 is a purpose built race car (speed is everything, and forget the comfort.)
{| class="wikitable"
|- valign="top"
|[[File:Altra The One 2.5-top.JPG|none|thumb|200px|Altra The One 2.5 top]]
|[[File:Altra The One 2.5-bottom.JPG|none|thumb|200px|Altra The One 2.5 bottom]]
|[[File:Altra The One 2.5-inside.JPG|none|thumb|200px|Altra The One 2.5 inside]]
|[[File:Altra The One 2.5-outside.JPG|none|thumb|200px|Altra The One 2.5 outside]]
|- valign="top"
|[[File:New-Balance-MRC-5000-top.jpg|none|thumb|200px|New Balance MRC 5000 top]]
|[[File:New-Balance-MRC-5000-bottom.jpg|none|thumb|200px|New Balance MRC 5000 bottom]]
|[[File:New-Balance-MRC-5000-inside.jpg|none|thumb|200px|New Balance MRC 5000 inside]]
|[[File:New-Balance-MRC-5000-outside.jpg|none|thumb|200px|New Balance MRC 5000 outside]]
|}
{{FastBlr|new-balance/rc5000-v1-852|852|New Balance RC5000}}
==Altra One and Asics GT 2000==
I tend to compare shoes against my benchmark "normal running shoe", the [[Asics GT 2000]]. The GT 2000 is over engineered and these features go against [[The Science of Running Shoes]], causing more problems than they solve. The One stands in stark contrast to the GT 2000, offering better cushioning, greater comfort, with less weight. The One is designed for the human foot, both in shape and function, while it seems like the designers of the GT 2011 never even seen a foot before. Compared with the One, the GT 2000 feels like you're running in a wooden clog.
{| class="wikitable"
|- valign="top"
|[[File:Altra The One 2.5-top.JPG|none|thumb|200px|Altra The One 2.5 top]]
|[[File:Altra The One 2.5-bottom.JPG|none|thumb|200px|Altra The One 2.5 bottom]]
|[[File:Altra The One 2.5-inside.JPG|none|thumb|200px|Altra The One 2.5 inside]]
|[[File:Altra The One 2.5-outside.JPG|none|thumb|200px|Altra The One 2.5 outside]]
|- valign="top"
|[[File:Asics-GT2000-top.jpg|none|thumb|200px|Asics GT2000 top]]
|[[File:Asics-GT2000-bottom.jpg|none|thumb|200px|Asics GT2000 bottom]]
|[[File:Asics-GT2000-inside.jpg|none|thumb|200px|Asics GT2000 inside]]
|[[File:Asics-GT2000-outside.jpg|none|thumb|200px|Asics GT2000 outside]]
|}
=A Comparison with other Recommended Shoes=
{{:Shoes-include}}