A few weeks ago my wife and I were in our local food co-op and she turned to me and pointed at a woman in front of us in line. In a low voice she whispered “What are those shoes she’s wearing?” Now, you need to know that in our marriage I’m the shoe junkie, and my collection of footwear dwarfs hers. As such, a question like this is unusual from her, and I was surprised.
I was immediately able to identify the shoes as Altra Intuition 1.5’s (the women’s equivalent to the Instinct 1.5), and her response was something along the lines of “I really like those, can you get me a pair?” No need to ask me twice to buy a pair of shoes :) After receiving the shoes and finishing off her first run, she walked in the door and said “I think I’m in love.” Given that most other shoes that I have bought her have injured her in some way (not good for my credibility in her eyes…), this is high praise!
Why start a review with this story? Well, mainly because it demonstrates the primary difference between the original Altra Instinct/Intuition and their version 1.5 sequels. The original Intuition would never have caught my wife’s eye, and I felt similarly about the original Instinct. Functionally, the Instinct was a very solid shoe, but it was lacking in the aesthetic department. I actually spoke with Brian Beckstead (one of the founders of Altra) about this at Ragnar Florida Keys last year. He basically told me that the original Instinct was designed by him and his co-founders, but once the company got some financial backing they were able to hire professional designers to help make a better looking shoe. Mission accomplished.
Given that the Instinct 1.5 received mostly just a cosmetic update to the upper, I’m not going to go in depth regarding fit and function since I covered them in my review of the original Altra Instinct and not much has changed in these areas. In a nutshell, the Instinct 1.5 is exceptionally roomy in the forefoot (think Birkenstock or Croc shape – see photos below), zero drop (16.5 mm stack height without an insole, 3mm and 5mm insoles come with the shoes), and very firm underfoot. This is definitely not a cushy shoe, but I have run double-digit single-run mileage in the original Instincts without issue. It is also a fairly stiff shoe and runs right around 10oz in size 10, so it’s not a featherweight. However, a good chunk of the weight comes from the full-coverage rubber outsole, and thus I expect that they will be extremely durable.
As mentioned, the big change here is to the upper. Compared to the original, the new Instinct simply looks great, and the upper is both breathable and very well constructed. Comfort is fantastic, and I get no hotspots while running in the shoe. If you want a super roomy, firm, zero drop shoe that should last a good long time this shoe should be at the top of your list.
On a side note, it’s been really interesting to watch Altra develop as a company, and to see how much they have improved their footwear offerings in their second iterations. Of all the new shoe companies that have popped up over the past few years following the minimalist wave, my bet is that Altra has the best chance of growing into a major player in the running shoe market. The company knows runners, and they have cultivated a group of almost fanatical enthusiasts (the Altra Maniacs). Their last shape is indeed unique in the market, and for the wide forefooted (is that a word???) they are one of the best footwear options of any type out there. What’s more, they have a great lineup of shoes set to be released in early 2013.
I’ll finish this quasi-review off with one more story. I ran 4 miles in the Instinct 1.5’s earlier today while pushing my little guy in the jogging stroller. We stopped to pick up my older kids at their school at the end of the run, and while we were getting ready to head home a guy walked by and said to me “How do you like the new ones?” At first I had no idea what he was talking about. “New what?” I replied. He lifted up his pant leg and then pointed at my shoes. 
He was wearing the original black Instincts. “The new Altras” he said, “I love running in these.” Seems to be a common refrain among those who have tried them.
The Altra Instinct 1.5 is available for purchase at Running Warehouse. RW also carries the women’s version, called the Intuition 1.5 (picture at left).
For more information, visit the Altra Zero Drop website.
About Peter Larson
Looks like a good shoe with the wife wanting to try out one. Only problem is I’m going to be hard pressed to find them selling these over here.
They’re still a small company, I suspect distribution will grow with time.
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Is the sizing same as with version 1.0? I was bit confused as I read somewhere that they would have bit tighter upper and Running warehouse’s shoe fitter tells that size 11 of 1.5 sizes like size 11.5 of instinct 1.0.. Instinct is bit weird shoe, I used it as workshoe since I run mostly in fivefingers and shoes with similar weight, then I once tried to run with instinct and noticed that I can easily run pretty fast with them..
The Instinct 1.5 is true to size for me, I didn’t need to size up in this one like I did in the Altra Superior.
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I wish I had not sized up like I had with my Superiors. I’m only two runs in but thus far I am enjoying the Instinct. My only complaint is the fit is too loose at the heel. That has not been a tremendous issue yet but I am a bit concerned for double digit training runs.
Great review! The only thing is the stack height is 22mm, not 16mm like you mentioned. :) My boyfriend loves his Instinct 1.5’s.
Thanks for the correction, got my numbers from Running Warehouse. Per Altra website looks like its 16.5mm without an insole, and total stack depends on if you use the 3mm or 5mm insole.
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Pete Larson’s Web Links:
-My book: Tread Lightly: http://ow.ly/bdUO0
-Blog: https://runblogger.com
-Twitter: http://twitter.com/Runblogger
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I have run in both the original and the 1.5. I killed 3 pr prepping for my first marathon. One thing I will say is the 1.5 has a slightly more restrictive Toe box. I think I should have gone up 1/2 size to compensate for this. They do look gobbs cooler now. But even as vanilla as the originals looks were they felt like my perfect balance of cushion and minimalism. No gimmicks just fit.
I had a pre-production pair of the originals that was a half size small for me, so the new one’s obviously feel bigger on my feet due to them being the correct size. Thanks for the more direct comparison!
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Pete Larson’s Web Links:
-My book: Tread Lightly: http://ow.ly/bdUO0
-Blog: https://runblogger.com
-Twitter: http://twitter.com/Runblogger
-Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/Runbl…
-Discussion Forum: https://runblogger.com/forum
I am glad Altra is coming out with shoes that retain the functional design ideals with better aesthetics. I have really enjoyed running in my original Instincts and they have incredible durability.
Can’t wait to get this new version…i have the silver and the black one and i really like those shoes! I am a letter carrier in Quebec, Canada so i walk all day long with the instinct with no insole in and i think they have just the right stack height. I also just arrived this week from a 3 months trip in America and all over Europe and the shoes were just great! I started with the Merrell Bare Access but the little arch support hurt my feet so i put back my instinct and was so happy. The durability is so good four a relatively new shoes from a young company. Thanks Peter!
Glad to hear they’re working out for you! I’ve been asked for shoe recs by postal workers a few times, this would be a great option.
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Pete Larson’s Web Links:
-My book: Tread Lightly: http://ow.ly/bdUO0
-Blog: https://runblogger.com
-Twitter: http://twitter.com/Runblogger
-Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/Runbl…
-Discussion Forum: https://runblogger.com/forum
Nothing but good stuff to say on our end. This shoe and the Superior have been doing awesome in our store and getting great feedback from our customers.
Great to hear it!
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Pete Larson’s Web Links:
-My book: Tread Lightly: http://ow.ly/bdUO0
-Blog: https://runblogger.com
-Twitter: http://twitter.com/Runblogger
-Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/Runbl…
-Discussion Forum: https://runblogger.com/forum
I’ll add that I’m loving the Superior – it’s the Swiss Army Knife of running shoes. Extremely versatile.
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Pete Larson’s Web Links:
-My book: Tread Lightly: http://ow.ly/bdUO0
-Blog: https://runblogger.com
-Twitter: http://twitter.com/Runblogger
-Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/Runbl…
-Discussion Forum: https://runblogger.com/forum
Beware of those shoes. The rip after 100 or 200 miles. There are multiple reports of this on various web sites. My shoes show rips in the mesh in four places (both shoes, left and right). Customer service says there is nothing they can do after 30 days. They don’t feel responsible for their shoes if they break after 31 days!!!!!
Thanks for the info, good to know. Haven’t got that many miles on mine.
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Pete Larson’s Web Links:
-My book: Tread Lightly: http://ow.ly/bdUO0
-Blog: https://runblogger.com
-Twitter: http://twitter.com/Runblogger
-Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/Runbl…
-Discussion Forum: https://runblogger.com/forum
Wolfgang, Altra will gladly exchange any defective shoes, even after 30 days. The 30 day warranty is only for non-defective product. Please email returns @ altrafootwear.com and Jean will take care of you. There was a defective mesh problem on the first production run of the Instinct 1.5 that has since been fixed. A black color was also added with double reinforced mesh. Please accept our apologies!
Thanks. That’s great news that Altra has changed its policy for defective products. In the meantime, I found another way to exchange the shoe against a new pair.
I am not satisfied from the breathability of the Instinct 1.5. They changed the single layer mesh of version 1 and added a thin lining behind the mesh making it much less breathable.