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{{DISPLAYTITLE:Altra Instinct 2 3 Review}}The Altra Instinct 2 stands out as one was a favorite shoe because of the most its comfortable and well-designed shoes design, but the update to the Instinct 3 has resulted in an inferior shoe that Ican've testedt recommend as strongly. It's too heavy for the cushioning it to be considered as a shoe to race in at any distance, but as a shoe for some gentle runningprovides, and even though it stand out from 's one of the crowd. I consider the Instinct few shoes designed to be in fit the human foot, I think you'balanced' category, part way between re better off [[Shoe Modifications| cutting open the light weight optimal toe box]] of a [[Hoka Clifton]] or an [[Asics Gel Hyper Speed]]. If you want to avoid cutting your shoes and , then look to the heavier [[MinimaxAltra One2]], or find a pair of the Instinct 2 (and see below for comparisons with each of these shoes.) That said, the Instinct 3 has no flaws or reasons why you wouldn't want to run in it; it's just that there are better options available. {{H:WhatToLookForInShoes}}

|[[File:Altra-Instinct-23-top.jpgJPG|none|thumb|250px|Altra Instinct 2 3 top]] |[[File:Altra-Instinct-23-bottom.jpgJPG|none|thumb|250px|Altra Instinct 2 3 bottom]]

|[[File:Altra-Instinct-23-inside.jpgJPG|none|thumb|250px|Altra Instinct 2 3 inside]] |[[File:Altra-Instinct-23-outside.jpgJPG|none|thumb|250px|Altra Instinct 2 3 outside]]

* {{H:WhyBuy}}. IThe main issue with the Instinct 3 is that there are better shoes available, and it suffers by comparison. It'd recommend getting s not a pair of Instinct 2 shoes bad shoe, as it lacks any serious problems, but it's not as good as a counterpoint to your main shoes. Buy its predecessor, or the [[Hoka Clifton]] or the , [[Asics Gel Hyper Speed]] , [[Altra One2]], and others. The main reason for long or fast training and racingbuying the Instinct would be for longer ultras where the open toe box could cause problems with debris from walking, then put on your Instincts when you need but try to give your feet find the Instinct 2. (I've not had a treatdebris problem when running with an open toe box. ) * {{H:cushioning}}. The Instinct is softly too firmly cushionedfor its weight, but not up with similar levels of cushioning to the levels youshoes that are much lighter. The cushioning it provides is smooth, even, and has reasonable spring, so don'd get with the best of the Hoka range like the [[Hoka Clifton]]t think this is a rock.

* {{H:structure}}. The Instinct uses just one density of foam, and doesn't attempt to manipulate or interfere with your natural biomechanics.

* {{H:outsole}}. There's a good layer of harder rubber outsole over nearly the entire sole of the shoe. There's a gap in the outsole near the smaller toes, which is an odd choice, but doesn't cause a problem. The layer sole of outsole means the shoe Instinct does not conform to stony trails in quite the same way that many of the Hoka shoes do. This softness gives the Hoka shoes surprising grip on many trail surfaces, unlike means the Instinct that is best kept for road running.

The Instinct and [[Asics Gel Hyper Speed]] are surprisingly close provides more cushioning in the heel than the Instinct and similar cushioning given in the Instinct is about 80% heavier than forefoot, even though the Hyper Speedonly weighs about two-thirds as much as the Instinct. Normally I'd say that this This makes the Hyper Speed the clear winner, but over the Instinct is worth considering due to its comfort3. (The Hyper Speed is far from uncomfortable, but when my feet are tired and beaten up, the softness of the Instinct is 2 was welcome. I'd never choose the Instinct over the Hyper Speed in a race (of any distance), but as a shoe for an easy training run, itthat's worth contemplatingnot the case with the Instinct 3. )

|[[File:Altra-Instinct-23-top.jpgJPG|none|thumb|150px200px|Altra Instinct 2 3 top]] |[[File:Altra-Instinct-23-bottom.jpgJPG|none|thumb|150px200px|Altra Instinct 2 3 bottom]] |[[File:Altra-Instinct-23-inside.jpgJPG|none|thumb|150px200px|Altra Instinct 2 3 inside]] |[[File:Altra-Instinct-23-outside.jpgJPG|none|thumb|150px200px|Altra Instinct 2 3 outside]]

|[[File:Asics-Gel-Hyper-Speed-6-top.jpg|none|thumb|150px200px|Asics Gel Hyper Speed 6 top]] |[[File:Asics-Gel-Hyper-Speed-6-bottom.jpg|none|thumb|150px200px|Asics Gel Hyper Speed 6 bottom]] |[[File:Asics-Gel-Hyper-Speed-6-inside.jpg|none|thumb|150px200px|Asics Gel Hyper Speed 6 inside]] |[[File:Asics-Gel-Hyper-Speed-6-outside.jpg|none|thumb|150px200px|Asics Gel Hyper Speed 6 outside]]

The [[Hoka Clifton]] is the best [[Minimax]] shoe by far, combining massive cushioning with light weight. The Instinct is 30% heavierthe same weight as the Clifton, but it offers far less cushioning. What the Instinct does offer is a shoe designed for the human foot, with far plus a little more padding in the upper. As with I would choose the Clifton every time over the Hyper Speed aboveInstinct, except those occasions where Ididn'd never think about choosing t want to cut the toe box open. This would be in ultras where I'm walking a lot and having problems with debris getting in the openings. (That said, check out the Altra One below first.) {| class="wikitable"|- valign="top"|[[File:Altra Instinct 3-top.JPG|none|thumb|200px|Altra Instinct over the 3 top]]|[[File:Altra Instinct 3-bottom.JPG|none|thumb|200px|Altra Instinct 3 bottom]]|[[File:Altra Instinct 3-inside.JPG|none|thumb|200px|Altra Instinct 3 inside]]|[[File:Altra Instinct 3-outside.JPG|none|thumb|200px|Altra Instinct 3 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 in any race2-outside. But if you want JPG|none|thumb|200px|Hoka Clifton 2 outside]]|}{{FastBlr|hoka-one-one/clifton-2-1062|1062|Hoka Clifton 2}}==Altra Instinct‏ and Altra One==The [[Altra One2]] offers slightly more cushioning while weighing quite a more bit less than the Instinct. Both are remarkably comfortable shoe and are shaped for the human foot. However the One will not offer the same level of protection from stones on rocky trails, and it can get stones trapped underneath. Also, while both are shaped for some gentle runsthe human foot, the One has a toe box that doesn't quite have the height you need, or so it may still cause toe blisters if you don't like cutting holes in your brand new Hoka shoes, then cast your eye over cut the Instincttoe box open.

|[[File:Altra-Instinct-23-top.jpgJPG|none|thumb|150px200px|Altra Instinct 2 3 top]] |[[File:Altra-Instinct-23-bottom.jpgJPG|none|thumb|150px200px|Altra Instinct 2 3 bottom]] |[[File:Altra-Instinct-23-inside.jpgJPG|none|thumb|150px200px|Altra Instinct 2 3 inside]] |[[File:Altra-Instinct-23-outside.jpgJPG|none|thumb|150px200px|Altra Instinct 2 3 outside]]

|[[File:Hoka-OneOne-CliftonAltra The One 2.5-top.jpgJPG|none|thumb|150px200px|Hoka OneOne Clifton Altra The One 2.5 top]] |[[File:Hoka-OneOne-CliftonAltra The One 2.5-bottom.jpgJPG|none|thumb|150px200px|Hoka OneOne Clifton Altra The One 2.5 bottom]]|[[File:Hoka-OneOne-CliftonAltra The One 2.5-inside.jpgJPG|none|thumb|150px200px|Hoka OneOne Clifton Altra The One 2.5 inside]]|[[File:Hoka-OneOne-CliftonAltra The One 2.5-outside.jpgJPG|none|thumb|150px200px|Hoka OneOne Clifton Altra The One 2.5 outside]]

The [[Saucony Kinvara]] and Instinct have similar levels of cushioning6, but there are far more difference is lighter than similarities. * I classify the Kinvara as a transitional shoeInstinct, has better cushioning, partway between a traditional shoe like the [[Asics GT 2000]] and a [[Minimax]] shoe like the Instinct or a light weight optimal shoe like the Hyper Speed.* The Kinvara is lighter, but the Instinct is more comfortable due to its more padded upper.* The Instinct is designed for the human foot, with nearly zero -drop and an anatomical toe box. The Kinvara mimics the traditional shape that makes me think the designers have never seen a naked human foot before. So choose the Kinvara if you're looking to migrate away from a traditional shoe like the GT 2000, but the Instinct if you've made the transition.

|[[File:Altra-Instinct-23-top.jpgJPG|none|thumb|150px200px|Altra Instinct 2 3 top]] |[[File:Altra-Instinct-23-bottom.jpgJPG|none|thumb|150px200px|Altra Instinct 2 3 bottom]] |[[File:Altra-Instinct-23-inside.jpgJPG|none|thumb|150px200px|Altra Instinct 2 3 inside]] |[[File:Altra-Instinct-23-outside.jpgJPG|none|thumb|150px200px|Altra Instinct 2 3 outside]]

|[[File:Saucony-Kinvara-56-top.jpgJPG|none|thumb|150px200px|TopSaucony Kinvara 6 top]] |[[File:Saucony-Kinvara6-5-bottomoutside.jpgJPG|none|thumb|150px200px|BottomSaucony Kinvara 6 outside]] |[[File:Saucony-Kinvara6-5-insidebottom.jpgJPG|none|thumb|150px200px|InsideSaucony Kinvara 6 bottom]] |[[File:Saucony-Kinvara6-5-outsideinside.jpgJPG|none|thumb|150px200px|OutsideSaucony Kinvara 6 inside]]

I like to compare shoes against my benchmark "normal running shoe", the [[Asics GT 2000]]. The GT 2000 is only slightly heavier than the Instinct, and has less slightly more cushioning. The , but the two shoes could not be farther apart in their use of [[The Science of Running Shoes]], with the GT 2000 adding lots of over engineering and counterproductive features. The Instinct doesn't try to interfere with your stride, or encourage a heel strike like the GT 2000. Comparing how the two shoes feel, the Instinct is like running barefoot on a well cushioned track, while the GT 2000 is like running in a wooden clog. The Instinct is a clear demonstration of what's wrong with traditional running shoes and how they should be created.

|[[File:Altra-Instinct-23-top.jpgJPG|none|thumb|150px200px|Altra Instinct 2 3 top]] |[[File:Altra-Instinct-23-bottom.jpgJPG|none|thumb|150px200px|Altra Instinct 2 3 bottom]] |[[File:Altra-Instinct-23-inside.jpgJPG|none|thumb|150px200px|Altra Instinct 2 3 inside]] |[[File:Altra-Instinct-23-outside.jpgJPG|none|thumb|150px200px|Altra Instinct 2 3 outside]]

|[[File:Asics-GT2000-top.jpg|none|thumb|150px200px|Asics GT2000 top]]|[[File:Asics-GT2000-bottom.jpg|none|thumb|150px200px|Asics GT2000 bottom]]|[[File:Asics-GT2000-inside.jpg|none|thumb|150px200px|Asics GT2000 inside]]|[[File:Asics-GT2000-outside.jpg|none|thumb|150px200px|Asics GT2000 outside]]