I’ve known the guys who started Altra Running for a long time. In fact, I had some conversations with one of the founders before they even launched their first shoe. One of the things they told me way back then was that they wanted to bring a wide, flat shoe for kids to the market. Well, it looks like the wait will soon be over – in July Altra will be releasing the Instinct Junior in youth sizes 1-6 (perfect for my two older kids!).
The Instinct Jr. will have a wide toebox as is typical of other Altra shoes, and it looks like it matches an Altra Instinct 1.5/Torin style upper with the more flexible sole of the Altra Superior.
I can’t tell you how happy it makes me to see more shoes like this coming out for children – my hope is that they sell well so we can get them in smaller sizes too. My 3yo has been wearing a pair of Merrell Flux Gloves for almost a year, and it’s a fantastic shoe, but it looks like it is no longer available. Here’s hoping Altra will come to the rescue!
You can read more about the Altra Instinct Jr. on the Altra website.
About Peter Larson
Yeah, what is up with no more infant flux gloves? They are the near perfect shoe for 4 years and under. Hoping our flux gloves with hold out till something else comes along. Kind of a strange move by merrell I think.
I agree, probably the best kid’s shoe that I’ve had. Super durable too. Well worth the price paid. I need to bug Merrell about it again.
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Pete Larson’s Web Links:
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That would be great if you could chat with Merrell. Like you said super durable, especially for how flexible and thin they are, so I don’t have a problem with the price tag either. With how many models they make for size 10 and up, at least one model (the infant flux) for the smaller sizes doesn’t seem like a lot to ask :).
Please, please, please talk to them!!! I agree they are the best toddler shoes on the market. Looks like I will have to check out the Keen Medomak CNX for my son’s next pair. Would love any reviews if anyone has tried those.
Always happy to see more wide flat kids shoes. You scared me with the Merrell note, but I guess that is just the infant size range. My son has just about worn through his pair of Flux Gloves, it really resolved every issue I had with the kid’s trail glove. Great shoe. It looks like Merrell really gouged the infant line, I hope that just means they are releasing new shoes soon.
That’s what I’m hoping as well, need new toddler shoes!
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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
any idea why they put the outrigger at the heel? i can see why they’d do it on the superior, but something like that could influence gait…
No idea, but pretty easy to lop it off.
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Pete – The Merrell Crush Glove is an awesome kids shoe that my daughter loves, a possible replacement for your Flux Glove situation (and it has no laces which is a bonus for the younger kids).
Flat and wide is good, but I think kids need flexible too. The photo of these still looks a little too built-up for my liking. What they should really be doing is making the equivalent of the Samson for kids… now I think that would be a great shoe.
There are various manufacturing of shoes companies which are gaining popularity in Indian as well as in global market.
There are various manufacturing of shoes companies which are gaining popularity in Indian as well as in
global market.
So this may be a little off topic, but my 7 yo daughter participated in her first tri last year (100m swim, 4k bike, 1k run) and wants to do another one (or two) this year. She was pretty unhappy with her running shoes, said they hurt her feet. Any thoughts on the viability of something like the kids’ trail gloves as a kid’s running shoe? Do kids also need to be properly adjusted to barefoot-style shoes? I’d start her off pretty light, like running around the yard and stuff, before doing longer jaunts down the block.
Also, seems like I’d need to go with velcro or some other shoe with speed laces. Thanks!
My 9 year old son wears Merrells and the New Balance Minimus all the time, no issues. My youngest son (3) also wears Merrell Flux Gloves, also no problems. Daughter (7) has too many shoes, but has run in Merrells as well as Skechers Goruns. They’re barefoot all the time by choice so no real adaptation was needed. We have a mile race in a few weeks, excited!
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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
Awesome. Looking at the Minimus and Flux or Trail Gloves for my girls. At this point, I think it’s going to be more about their particular style/tastes than anything else!
All are good choices. The Merrell are less cushioned and more flexible, but all are better than most of what is out there for kids. Just got a pair of Minimus for my 3 year old since I can no longer find the Flux Gloves in his size.
—-
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
They are well made.
I’ll be waiting for this..