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{{DISPLAYTITLE:Altra Instinct 2 /Intuition 3.5 Review}}The [[Altra Instinct 2 stands out as one ]] was a favorite shoe because of the most its comfortable and well-designed shoes I've testeddesign, but the updates since then have been a gradual decline. ItEach iteration has become slightly firmer, resulting in a shoe that's too heavy for the cushioning it provides. I still like it for being designed to be considered as a shoe to race in at any distancefit the human foot, but as I'd far rather [[Shoe Modifications| cutting open the toe box]] of a shoe for some gentle running[[Hoka Clifton]] or an [[Asics Gel Hyper Speed]]. That said, the Instinct 3.5 has no flaws or reasons why you wouldn't want to run in it; it stand out from 's just that there are better options available. I've rated the crowdInstinct 3. I consider 5 as "worth considering", and the Instinct 2 as I've rated it as "Highly Recommended." For reasons known only to be in marketing people, the Women'balanced' category, part way between s version of the Instinct is called the light weight optimal shoes and Intuition. (For the heavier latest version, see [[MinimaxAltra Instinct| Altra Instinct Review]]. ) {{H:WhatToLookForInShoes}}

|[[File:Altra-Instinct-23.5-top.jpgJPG|none|thumb|250px|Altra Instinct 2 3.5 top]] |[[File:Altra-Instinct-23.5-bottom.jpgJPG|none|thumb|250px|Altra Instinct 2 3.5 bottom]]

|[[File:Altra-Instinct-23.5-inside.jpgJPG|none|thumb|250px|Altra Instinct 2 3.5 inside]] |[[File:Altra-Instinct-23.5-outside.jpgJPG|none|thumb|250px|Altra Instinct 2 3.5 outside]]

* {{H:WhyBuycushioning}}. I'd recommend getting a pair of The Instinct 2 shoes as a counterpoint to your main shoes. Buy the [[Hoka Clifton]] or the [[Asics Gel Hyper Speed]] is too firmly cushioned for long or fast training and racingits weight, then put on your Instincts when you need with similar levels of cushioning to give your feet a treat. * {{H:cushioning}}shoes that are much lighter. The Instinct cushioning it provides is softly cushionedsmooth, even, and has reasonable spring, but not up to the levels youso 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. The midsole is not flat however, with some rise under the midfoot.

* {{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. (I have no signs of wear on my Instinct 2's after many, many miles.) 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 the Instinct that is so it's best kept for road running. * {{H:shape}}. The Altra Instinct is one of the few shoes truly designed to fit the human foot. Even some other Altra shoes have a toe box that lacks sufficient height, but the Instinct is remarkable in its fit. However, this is another area where the Instinct 2 was better, as the toe box height seems to be reduced with each version. {{H:TryCuttingShoes}}* {{H:upper}}. The upper it has a thick overlay that goes over the big toe which I didn't like. It's not enough to cause me problems, but I could see it being an issue for some runners. The forefoot area is unpadded in the forefoot, but has some of the nicest soft padding generously padded in the rear of . It's not like the shoe second version that I've come across. The Instinct is so comfortable that it reminds reminded me somewhat of a skateboarding shoe. The upper is more comfortable than the [[Asics GT 2000]], especially around the ankle opening which is deeply paddedbut it's still pretty good. * {{H:tongue}}. The Instinct has a traditional tongue that is has sown in on one side, which I think is the ideal approach for a tab to attach it to tongue. This is the only improvement I noticed over earlier versions of the lacesshoe. Like much of the upper, the tongue is softly padded.

* {{H:heelcounter}}. The Instinct has a far more ridged , exoskeleton heel counter than I'd like, but the thick padding isolates it from your foot. {{BuyShoesFastBlr|RRS=Taltra/instinct-3-1321|AZ=T1321|ZP=TAltra Instinct 3.5}}

==Altra Instinct‏ Instinct 2, 3, and Asics Gel Hyper Speed3.5==The Instinct and 2 was softly cushioned, which made it a remarkably comfortable shoe, even though it wasn't up to the cushioning-to-weight level of shoes like the [[Asics Gel Hyper Speed]] are surprisingly close in cushioning given . Each subsequent iteration has made the Instinct is about 80% heavier than firmer, though the Hyper Speed. Normally I'd say that this makes change from the Hyper Speed [[Altra Instinct 3| Instinct 3]] to the clear winner, but the Instinct 3.5 is worth considering due to its comfortquite small. The Hyper Speed Instinct 3 is far from uncomfortable, but when my feet are tired and beaten uplighter than the 2, though the softness 3.5 erodes some of the that advantage. The other noteworthy change is in sizing; a size 10 Instinct 2 is welcome. I'd never choose the Instinct over the Hyper Speed in a race (of any distance), but same size as a shoe for an easy training runsize 10.5 Instinct 3, it's worth contemplatingwhile the 3.5 returns to the original sizing.

|[[File:Altra-Instinct-23.5-top.jpgJPG|none|thumb|150px200px|Altra Instinct 2 3.5 top]] |[[File:Altra-Instinct-23.5-bottom.jpgJPG|none|thumb|150px200px|Altra Instinct 2 3.5 bottom]] |[[File:Altra-Instinct-23.5-inside.jpgJPG|none|thumb|150px200px|Altra Instinct 2 3.5 inside]] |[[File:Altra-Instinct-23.5-outside.jpgJPG|none|thumb|150px200px|Altra Instinct 2 3.5 outside]]

|[[File:AsicsAltra Instinct 3-Geltop.JPG|none|thumb|200px|[[Altra Instinct 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]]|-Hypervalign="top"|[[File:Altra-SpeedInstinct-62-top.jpg|none|thumb|150px200px|Asics Gel Hyper Speed 6 [[Altra Instinct 2]] top]] |[[File:AsicsAltra-GelInstinct-Hyper-Speed-62-bottom.jpg|none|thumb|150px200px|Asics Gel Hyper Speed 6 [[Altra Instinct 2]] bottom]] |[[File:Asics-GelAltra-HyperInstinct-Speed-62-inside.jpg|none|thumb|150px200px|Asics Gel Hyper Speed 6 [[Altra Instinct 2]] inside]] |[[File:Asics-Gel-HyperAltra-SpeedInstinct-62-outside.jpg|none|thumb|150px200px|Asics Gel Hyper Speed 6 [[Altra Instinct 2]] outside]]

{{FastBlr|altra/instinct-2-1078|1078|Altra Instinct 2}}==Altra Instinct‏ Instinct and Hoka CliftonAsics Gel Hyper Speed==The [[Hoka CliftonAsics Gel Hyper Speed]] is provides more cushioning in the heel than the Instinct and similar cushioning in the best [[Minimax]] shoe by farforefoot, combining massive cushioning with light weight. The even though the Hyper Speed only weighs about two-thirds as much as the Instinct is 30% heavier, but offers far less cushioning. What This makes the Instinct does offer is a shoe designed for Hyper Speed the human footclear winner, with far more padding in over the upperInstinct 3. As with the 5. (The Hyper Speed aboveis far from uncomfortable, I'd never think about choosing but when my feet are tired and beaten up, the softness of the Instinct over the Clifton in any race. But if you want a more comfortable shoe for some gentle runs2 was welcome, or you donbut that't like cutting holes in your brand new Hoka shoes, then cast your eye over s not the case with the Instinct3. )

|[[File:Altra-Instinct-23.5-top.jpgJPG|none|thumb|150px200px|Altra Instinct 2 3.5 top]] |[[File:Altra-Instinct-23.5-bottom.jpgJPG|none|thumb|150px200px|Altra Instinct 2 3.5 bottom]] |[[File:Altra-Instinct-23.5-inside.jpgJPG|none|thumb|150px200px|Altra Instinct 2 3.5 inside]] |[[File:Altra-Instinct-23.5-outside.jpgJPG|none|thumb|150px200px|Altra Instinct 2 3.5 outside]]

|[[File:Hoka-OneOne-CliftonAsics Gel Hyper Speed 7-top.jpgJPG|none|thumb|150px200px|Hoka OneOne Clifton Asics Gel Hyper Speed 7 top]] |[[File:Hoka-OneOne-CliftonAsics Gel Hyper Speed 7-bottom.jpgJPG|none|thumb|150px200px|Hoka OneOne Clifton Asics Gel Hyper Speed 7 bottom]]|[[File:Hoka-OneOne-CliftonAsics Gel Hyper Speed 7-inside.jpgJPG|none|thumb|150px200px|Hoka OneOne Clifton Asics Gel Hyper Speed 7 inside]]|[[File:Hoka-OneOne-CliftonAsics Gel Hyper Speed 7-outside.jpgJPG|none|thumb|150px200px|Hoka OneOne Clifton Asics Gel Hyper Speed 7 outside]]

{{FastBlr|asics/gel-hyperspeed-6-192|192|Asics Gel Hyper Speed 7}}==Altra Instinct‏ Instinct and Saucony KinvaraHoka Clifton==The [[Saucony KinvaraHoka Clifton]] and Instinct have similar levels of cushioning, but there are far more difference than similarities. * I classify the Kinvara as a transitional shoe, partway between a traditional shoe like is the best [[Asics GT 2000]] and a [[MinimaxMaximalist]] shoe like the Instinct or a by far, combining massive cushioning with light weight optimal shoe like the Hyper Speed.* The Kinvara Instinct is lighterthe same weight as the Clifton, but it offers far less cushioning. What the Instinct does offer is more comfortable due to its more padded upper.* The Instinct is a shoe designed for the human foot, with zero drop and an anatomical toe box. The Kinvara mimics plus a little more padding in the traditional shape that makes me think the designers have never seen a naked human foot beforeupper. So I would choose the Kinvara if youClifton every time over the Instinct, except those occasions where I didn're looking t want to migrate away from cut the toe box open. This would be in ultras where I'm walking a traditional shoe like lot and having problems with debris getting in the GT 2000openings. (That said, but check out the Instinct if you've made the transitionAltra One below first. ) {| class="wikitable"

|[[File:Altra-Instinct-23.5-top.jpgJPG|none|thumb|150px200px|Altra Instinct 2 3.5 top]] |[[File:Altra-Instinct-23.5-bottom.jpgJPG|none|thumb|150px200px|Altra Instinct 2 3.5 bottom]] |[[File:Altra-Instinct-23.5-inside.jpgJPG|none|thumb|150px200px|Altra Instinct 2 3.5 inside]] |[[File:Altra-Instinct-23.5-outside.jpgJPG|none|thumb|150px200px|Altra Instinct 2 3.5 outside]]

|[[File:Saucony-Kinvara-5Hoka Clifton 2-top.jpgJPG|none|thumb|150px200px|TopHoka Clifton 2 top]] |[[File:Saucony-Kinvara-5Hoka Clifton 2-bottom.jpgJPG|none|thumb|150px200px|BottomHoka Clifton 2 bottom]] |[[File:Saucony-Kinvara-5Hoka Clifton 2-inside.jpgJPG|none|thumb|150px200px|InsideHoka Clifton 2 inside]] |[[File:Saucony-Kinvara-5Hoka Clifton 2-outside.jpgJPG|none|thumb|150px200px|OutsideHoka Clifton 2 outside]]

{{FastBlr|hoka-one-one/clifton-2-1062|1062|Hoka Clifton 2}}==Altra Instinct‏ Instinct and Asics GT 2000==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-23.5-top.jpgJPG|none|thumb|150px200px|Altra Instinct 2 3.5 top]] |[[File:Altra-Instinct-23.5-bottom.jpgJPG|none|thumb|150px200px|Altra Instinct 2 3.5 bottom]] |[[File:Altra-Instinct-23.5-inside.jpgJPG|none|thumb|150px200px|Altra Instinct 2 3.5 inside]] |[[File:Altra-Instinct-23.5-outside.jpgJPG|none|thumb|150px200px|Altra Instinct 2 3.5 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]]