Altra Instinct
Every version of the Instinct we track, compared on ratings, specs and current price.
The score is the median Better Shoes Rating of the line's shoes, out of 100. The average product line scores 76, and the Instinct scores above 81% 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 | Score | Change | Reviews | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Altra Instinct | 2025 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Altra Instinct 4.5 | 2018 | 10.8 oz (men's) | — | 88 | -6 | 3 | $110 MSRP |
| Altra Instinct 4.0 | 2017 | 9.4 oz (men's) | — | 94 | +7 | 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 | 87 | +10 | 7 | $110 MSRP |
| Altra Instinct 2.0 | 2014 | 10.2 oz (men's) | 19/19mm | 77 | +16 | 13 | $105 MSRP |
| Altra Instinct 1.5 | 2012 | 9.7 oz (men's) | 16/16mm | 61 | — | 12 | — |
8 shoes
Prices updated daily. Last checked Sep 14.
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Buy it now
Not available at tracked retailers right now.
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Altra
Instinct 4.588 Good Good · 3 reviews · Confidence 54/100
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 67MSRP $110
Overall88Comfort89Cushioning82Value70Durability67Appearance50Confidence54Buy 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 on sale, and one reviewer calls it a heavier shoe.
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Altra
Instinct 4.094 Excellent Excellent · 3 reviews · Confidence 76/100
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 78MSRP $110
Overall94Comfort87Value84Durability78Cushioning77Appearance50Confidence76Buy 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
Buy it now
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 3.087 Good Good · 7 reviews · Confidence 80/100
v3 (2015) · Daily trainer · Neutral · 8.1 oz (men's) · 17mm stack
Five reviewers praise the wide toe box, two of them for wide feet.
Durability 72MSRP $110
Overall87Cushioning76Comfort75Value73Durability72Appearance49Confidence80Buy 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 2.077 Decent Decent · 13 reviews · Confidence 78/100
v2 (2014) · Daily trainer · Neutral · 10.2 oz (men's) · 19mm stack
Reviewers value the wide toe box that lets the toes splay naturally.
Durability 58MSRP $105
Overall77Comfort87Cushioning78Value71Durability58Appearance49Confidence78Buy 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 Below average Below average · 12 reviews · Confidence 82/100
2012 · Daily trainer · Neutral · 9.7 oz (men's) · 16mm stack
Three reviewers credit the wide, foot-shaped toe box with letting their feet splay.
Durability 58Overall61Cushioning76Comfort76Durability58Value57Appearance49Confidence82Buy 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.