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 76, and the Instinct rates above 69% 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) | — | 84 | -3 | 3 | $110 MSRP |
| Altra Instinct 4.0 | 2017 | 9.4 oz (men's) | — | 87 | +8 | 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 | 73 | +11 | 13 | $105 MSRP |
| Altra Instinct 1.5 | 2012 | 8.9 oz (men's) | 16/16mm stack · zero-drop | 62 | — | 12 | — |
8 shoes
Prices updated daily. Last checked Oct 22.
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Buy it now
Not available at tracked retailers right now.
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Altra
Instinct 4.584 84 Good Good Good 3 reviews Confidence 70
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 65MSRP $110
Overall84Comfort81Cushioning73Value71Durability65Appearance50Confidence70Buy 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 4.087 87 Good Good Good 3 reviews Confidence 69
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
Overall87Comfort79Value77Durability71Cushioning70Appearance50Confidence69Buy 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 3.079 79 Decent Decent Decent 7 reviews Confidence 84
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
Overall79Value73Comfort73Cushioning71Durability68Appearance50Confidence84Buy 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 2.073 73 Decent Decent Decent 13 reviews Confidence 87
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
Overall73Comfort79Cushioning72Value71Durability62Appearance49Confidence87Buy 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 1.562 62 Below average Below average Below average 12 reviews Confidence 83
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 61Overall62Comfort73Cushioning71Durability61Value60Appearance50Confidence83Buy 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.