Altra Instinct
Every version of the Instinct we track, compared on ratings, specs and current price.
The line's rating is the median Better Shoes Rating of its five most recent rated versions. The median product line rates 75, and the Instinct rates above 70% of the lines we track.
Altra Instinct vs. Other Shoes
Each dot is one rated shoe: the Instinct in gold, all other shoes in gray.
Rating by version, oldest first
Each dot is one version of the Instinct, placed by its rating and release year.
Release year
See our analysis of whether a new version is usually as good as the one it replaces.
| Version | Released | Weight | Stack | Rating | Change | Reviews | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Altra Instinct | 2025 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Altra Instinct 4.5 | 2018 | 10.8 oz (men's) | — | 85 | -4 | 3 | $110 MSRP |
| Altra Instinct 4.0 | 2017 | 9.4 oz (men's) | — | 88 | +9 | 3 | $110 MSRP |
| Altra Instinct 3.5 | 2017 | — | — | — | — | — | $115 MSRP |
| Altra Instinct 1.0 | 2016 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Altra Instinct 3.0 | 2015 | 8.1 oz (men's) | 17/17mm stack · zero-drop | 79 | +6 | 7 | $110 MSRP |
| Altra Instinct 2.0 | 2014 | 10.2 oz (men's) | 19/19mm stack · zero-drop | 74 | +12 | 13 | $105 MSRP |
| Altra Instinct 1.5 | 2012 | 8.9 oz (men's) | 16/16mm stack · zero-drop | 61 | — | 12 | — |
8 shoes
Prices updated daily. Last checked Oct 29.
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Altra
Instinct 4.585 85 Good Good Good 3 reviews Confidence 5 Few reviews. Our runners have rated this shoe only a few times, so its rating may change.
2018 · Daily trainer · Neutral · 10.8 oz (men's)
All three reviewers rate comfort 5 out of 5 and use it for everyday miles.
Durability 66MSRP $110
Overall85Comfort81Cushioning74Value72Durability66Appearance50Confidence5Buy it now
Not available at tracked retailers right now.
Pros
All three reviewers rate comfort 5 out of 5 and use it for everyday miles.
One reviewer likes the zero drop and the wide toe box.
The Instinct line has climbed steadily, from the 1.5's 60 to the 4.0's 94.
Cons
One reviewer finds the upper stitching coming apart at under 100 miles.
At 10.8 oz it is heavier than the 8.9 oz median for daily trainers for sale, and one reviewer calls it a heavier shoe.
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Altra
Instinct 4.088 88 Good Good Good 3 reviews Confidence 13 Few reviews. Our runners have rated this shoe only a few times, so its rating may change.
v4 (2017) · Daily trainer · Neutral · 9.4 oz (men's)
All three reviewers so far rate durability 5 out of 5, one at nearly 100 miles and another past 300.
Durability 71MSRP $110
Overall88Comfort79Value77Durability71Cushioning70Appearance50Confidence13Buy it now
Not available at tracked retailers right now.
Pros
All three reviewers so far rate durability 5 out of 5, one at nearly 100 miles and another past 300.
Two reviewers describe a low-profile, responsive ride with enough cushion and no softness.
All three also rate it 5 out of 5 overall, for appearance and for value.
Cons
One reviewer prefers a more cushioned Altra for runs over two hours.
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MSRP $115
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Not available at tracked retailers right now.
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Buy it now
Not available at tracked retailers right now.
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Altra
Instinct 3.079 79 Decent Decent Decent 7 reviews Confidence 22
v3 (2015) · Daily trainer · Neutral · 8.1 oz (men's) · 17mm stack · zero-drop
Five reviewers praise the wide toe box, two of them for wide feet.
Durability 68MSRP $110
Overall79Value73Comfort72Cushioning71Durability68Appearance50Confidence22Buy it now
Not available at tracked retailers right now.
Pros
Five reviewers praise the wide toe box, two of them for wide feet.
Three reviewers say the zero drop suited them, one citing Achilles and heel trouble that eased.
It stacks 17mm front and back at zero drop, and weighs 8.1 oz.
Cons
Reviewers rate appearance 2.9 out of 5, its lowest dimension by a wide margin.
One of seven reviewers so far has their toes hit the end of the toe box running downhill.
One of seven reviewers so far got 145 miles from a pair before replacing it.
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Altra
Instinct 2.074 74 Decent Decent Decent 13 reviews Confidence 37
v2 (2014) · Daily trainer · Neutral · 10.2 oz (men's) · 19mm stack · zero-drop
Reviewers value the wide toe box that lets the toes splay naturally.
Durability 62MSRP $105
Overall74Comfort80Cushioning72Value71Durability62Appearance49Confidence37Buy it now
Not available at tracked retailers right now.
Pros
Reviewers value the wide toe box that lets the toes splay naturally.
Reviewers use the zero-drop ride for base and long runs, and the one who rated cushioning gives it 5 out of 5.
Cons
Appearance draws 2.4 out of 5 across thirteen reviewers, the lowest mark of any dimension, with one calling it a clown shoe.
Several reviewers report the mesh upper tearing fairly early.
Reviewers find it too soft and unresponsive for faster paces.
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Altra
Instinct 1.561 61 Below average Below average Below average 12 reviews Confidence 18
2012 · Daily trainer · Neutral · 8.9 oz (men's) · 16mm stack · zero-drop
Three reviewers credit the wide, foot-shaped toe box with letting their feet splay.
Durability 62Overall61Comfort73Cushioning71Durability62Value61Appearance50Confidence18Buy it now
Not available at tracked retailers right now.
Pros
Three reviewers credit the wide, foot-shaped toe box with letting their feet splay.
Comfort averages 4.6 out of 5 across twelve reviews, and one reviewer uses it for all their easy long and recovery runs.
Two reviewers get past 500 miles, one of them 800.
Cons
One reviewer finds the cushioning runs out after about eight miles.
Appearance averages 3.2 out of 5, well below its other dimensions.
One reviewer needs 200 miles to break it in, and another says rocks get stuck around the heel.