Altra

Instinct 3.0

Instinct 3.0
Daily trainer · Neutral · Road
Below average (63/100)

Shoe details

Weight
8.1 oz
Release
2025
MSRP
$110
Stack Height
17mm heel - 17mm toe

Ratings & Reviews

Below average (63/100)

Better than about 16% of shoes

Based on product-line history, external ratings, and runner reviews.
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This score rates worse than 84% of shoes.

Our ratings use detailed reviews from knowledgeable runners, ratings for shoes in the same product line, and reliable product information from trusted retailers.

Rating breakdown

Better Shoes score out of 100. Shading shows the expected rating range.
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Rankings combine runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, direct comparisons to other shoes, related product-line performance, and trusted external ratings.

The darker band shows the central score range. The lighter band shows a wider range of reasonable outcomes. More reviews for this shoe usually narrow both bands.

Overall

Below average (63/100)

Overall ranking

We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.

Estimate

Below average (63/100)

Rank

Ranks above 16% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

The shaded band shows the score range we think is most likely.

Cushioning

Above average (87/100)

Cushioning ranking

We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.

Estimate

Above average (87/100)

Rank

Ranks above 76% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

The shaded band shows the score range we think is most likely.

Comfort

Good (79/100)

Comfort ranking

We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.

Estimate

Good (79/100)

Rank

Ranks above 60% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

The shaded band shows the score range we think is most likely.

Durability

Good (76/100)

Durability ranking

We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.

Estimate

Good (76/100)

Rank

Ranks above 52% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

The shaded band shows the score range we think is most likely.

Value

Good (71/100)

Value ranking

We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.

Estimate

Good (71/100)

Rank

Ranks above 36% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

The shaded band shows the score range we think is most likely.

Appearance

Bottom-tier (47/100)

Appearance ranking

We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.

Estimate

Bottom-tier (47/100)

Rank

Ranks above <1% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

The shaded band shows the score range we think is most likely.

14%

1/7

Prefer this shoe over another.

Reviewers said this shoe was better than another shoe they ran in.

All Running Shoes

Worse than 84% of 2,526 running shoes ranked.

Below average (63/100)

Daily Trainers

Worse than 81% of 1,847 daily trainers ranked.

19%

Altra

Worse than 97% of 126 Altra shoes ranked.

3%

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Popular shoe among LetsRun.com readers.
  • Rated above average overall.
  • Rated above average on durability.

Cons

  • A majority of reviewers like this shoe less than their last shoe.
  • Rated below average on comfort.
  • Rated below average on cushioning.

Compared to other shoes

See how this shoe compares to others like it.

Current shoe
Lightest / Newest
Best overall / Best comfort / Best cushioning
Shoe properties
Type
Daily trainer
Daily trainer
Daily trainer
Pronation
Neutral
Neutral
Neutral
Weight
8.1 oz M Lightest
10.8 oz M
8.5 oz M
Stack
17/17mm
40/35mm
Drop
5mm
Release
2025 Newest
2018 Q1
2023 Q1
MSRP
$110
$110
$165
Best price
$164.99
Ratings
Overall
Bottom tier (16%)
Average (44%)
Exceptional (>99%) Best overall
Comfort
Average (60%)
Very good (87%)
Exceptional (>99%) Best comfort
Cushioning
Good (76%)
Good (75%)
Exceptional (>99%) Best cushioning
Durability
Average (52%)
Below average (29%)
Good (80%) Best durability
Appearance
Bottom tier (<1%)
Bottom tier (<1%)
Very good (81%) Best appearance
Value
Below average (36%)
Below average (23%)
Good (74%) Best value
Specific shoe

Search for the exact model to add to this comparison.

Where to buy

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Better alternatives

Higher-rated shoes similar to this one

More from Altra

Reader Ratings

7 reader ratings

Review a shoe

Showing 1–5 of 7 written reviews

Reader review

[email protected] · Apr 13, 2016

5/5

Overall

I have wide feet and have struggled to find a comfortable shoe that fits. This is it. If you have wide feet - like a ducks webbed feet wide - and you are a forefoot runner who can handle nuetral zero drop shoes, try this out.
Comfort
5/5
Durability
5/5
Appearance
4/5
Value
5/5

Reader review

Anonymous runner · Dec 9, 2015

5/5

Overall

The wide toe splay is great and I love that is a zero drop shoe. The shoe fits better than any shoe I have ever had. The zero drop felt like I was walking like a duck at first but I got used to it in a few days. The durability has not been great as I had 145 miles on the first pair, bough another and the new one felt like there was a lot more question. But I'm still running in the old shoe some.
Comfort
4/5
Durability
2/5
Appearance
3/5
Value
4/5

Reader review

jar · Dec 7, 2015

4/5

Overall

The zero drop has done wonders for my achilles and heel issues. The transition was easy as I ran in 4mm drop shoes prior to running in the Altra Instinct 3.0. Although the shoe is low to the ground (I've seen it listed at 17mm and 20mm) there is just enough cushioning to feel comfortable. They are also firm enough to get a good spring off the ground vs. mushing into the shoe as you do with too much cushion.
Comfort
4/5
Durability
4/5
Appearance
3/5
Value
4/5

Reader review

PBjurner · Dec 1, 2015

5/5

Overall

Very comfortable. Nice roomy forefoot. Just enough cushioning. A little slippage in the heel.
Comfort
5/5
Durability
5/5
Appearance
4/5
Value
5/5

Reader review

spencerjsmall · Apr 26, 2015

4/5

Overall

Awesome shoe for natural running imitation - only problem is running downhill when toes ram into end of the uniquely designed large toe box.
Comfort
5/5
Durability
5/5
Appearance
1/5
Value
5/5