Comments on: Altra 3-SUM Zero Drop Running Shoe Review

By: Jen

Jen — Thu, 06 Aug 2015 12:42:45 +0000

I LOVE these shoes. I trained for and ran an ironman in them last summer (with socks) and felt awesome. The foot-shaped shoes allow for swelling during the race so I didn’t have extra pressure or pain. As for blisters, I run 1/2 marathons in these without socks. I don’t have a problem but I did dial in the laces (pretty loose) and I worked myself up to 1/2 marathon distance with/without socks to allow my feet time to adjust. They are worth a shot if you are interested in triathlon. I love that the tongue is incorporated into the shoe and they are so fast to put on and go during a race or for your morning run!

By: Jynxy or Jill in Texas

Jynxy or Jill in Texas — Thu, 23 Jul 2015 04:35:04 +0000

I have had a few altras now. I am not loving that they wear out around 250 miles, but I keep buying them because they are the most comfortable shoes for me. They literally changed my life. I have bunions. I didn’t even know what a bunion was until a few years ago when I started running and all running shoes hurt my feet. Anyways, I love altras.

I got these shoes, and alas… I am not in love. I wear them for walking around and just doing stuff, because I like how they look and people asking me questions about them, but they rub so this pair is not doing it for me. I don’t know why, as only one of my feet rub in these shoes. The other foot is fine. That plastic that goes over the toes is really no bueno. I wish these were exactly like this, but take away that plastic smear that is over the top of the toes to the tongue area.

By: IronMummy

IronMummy — Wed, 17 Jun 2015 03:24:47 +0000

I run in the 3sums for anything up to 10km or OD triathlons with no socks.
They are fantastic.
This weekend I did a half iron distance in them, with no socks. That was probably a little bit too far and my feet were a little sore by the end.

By: Mike

Mike — Mon, 02 Feb 2015 13:08:38 +0000

Just recently started running and not realizing this was a tri shoe, I bought it for a great price I found and jumped on it..i do a lot of trail events(OCR) but started running on a local pavement course and my trail shoes don’t work well for that..will these workout for pavement running?(ordered but not received yet) thank you!

By: Chris Gordon

Chris Gordon — Wed, 24 Sep 2014 02:26:55 +0000

I just bought the 3-SUM, and I’m excited to try them. However, that’s not why I’m commenting. I just want to say that this is the most civil comment thread I have seen in a long time. Thank you for that!

Leave it to runners to show everyone else how to live.

By: Pete Larson

Pete Larson — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

In reply to egonk.

Don't know the answer to that unfortunately

By: egonk

egonk — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Any insider info: Altra in Europe?

By: Brian Hazard

Brian Hazard — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

I'm an Altra fanatic myself, but my sizing is not consistent among models. I'm a 9.5 (my "normal" shoe size) in The One and the Lone Peak 1.5, but a 10 in the Instinct, Instinct 1.5, and Torin. Even the Altra site says the original Instinct runs small. For what it's worth...

By: Jake

Jake — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Maybe this is a naive question, but what is the difference between this shoe and "The One"? I'm not a triathlete (too much swimming...). The specs look similar.

By: Scott Revlin

Scott Revlin — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Really wanted to like these, but I could not get my heel to stop slipping around, even after downsizing a full size from my other Altras. I'm a frequent user of lace pulls so I don't think this was a lacing issue (although an additional eyelet probably would have solved the problem).

By: Brian Hazard

Brian Hazard — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

In reply to Pete Larson.

The phrase "once your Altra sizing dialed in, expect the same fit across the brand" is what prompted me to comment. As for the actual fit, I find that The One (and therefore the 3-SUM) provide a little extra room for the big toe to splay. I've got a blister on the inside of my right big toe that gets aggravated in every other shoe but The One.

By: John Shepard

John Shepard — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

In reply to Pete Larson.

That's correct Pete. They have a different upper material also. Altra really tried to get the "no socks thing" right and did a seamless upper and did some anti-odor/anti-bacteria treatments as well to the 3-SUM