February 09, 2015

Altra Shoe Giveaway! And Torin and Intuition 3 "Zero Drop" Walking Shoe Review

By Crabby McSlacker


So I scored some Altra Torin and Intuition 3 shoes to review, yay! (And, in the interests of full disclosure, got to keep them).  And, better yet: one lucky Cranky Fitness reader can win a pair of Altra's of their choice. Cool, no?

But those of you who are already hip to Altra's are probably going: WTF, Crabby?  The Torin's and Intuitions are running shoes, not walking shoes, you misinformed nincompoop!




Why is this Mostly an Altra Walking Shoe Review and not a Running Shoe Review?


Well, yeah, okay. Altra is a well known running shoe brand and I had really hoped this would be a running shoe review.  Wishful thinking, as it turned out. My back injury is taking its sweet time to heal up.

And I suppose one might reasonably question the ethics of a blogger who takes on a running shoe review when she is not actually doing much in the way of running?

But in my defense, I thought I would be running again by now! My back seemed to be getting better. I was all set to hit the trails again--and I thought the Altra zero drops would make an intriguing choice to give that a shot with.


I swear I wasn't being a totally unscrupulous scheming greedy product-whore.

And heck, I did do some running. At least enough to form an impression of both pair, which I will of course share with you. But this is mainly a review of the Torin and Intuition 3's in terms of how they fare as walking shoes. I figured, surely I'm not the only chronically injured, yet eternally optimistic runner-wannabee who spends a lot of time walking?

Then, in a very happy development, I 'fessed up to the Altra Rep about the walking thing, and was assured: No problem, Crabby, LOTS of people use Altra's for walking! Race walkers in particular were early adapters of the Altra brand. The Altra folks are even introducing a new walking shoe for working stiffs who are on their feet all day, in employment-appropriate blacks, whites, etc. These may or may not have hit their website as this review goes live.  Whew!

So...  what did I think about the shoes? And what's the deal with the giveaway?

Why I Was Intrigued by Altra Zero Drop Shoe


Altra's are known for ditching the built-up heels so many athletic shoes have. (Thus they have "zero drop" from heel to toe.  They even invented that term).  This encourages runners to use a forefoot strike. And the shoes are more naturally "foot shaped" and thus have a have a wider toe box than traditional shoes, so your tootsies can spread out. Yet their shoes generally supply a lot more cushioning than barefoot-style shoes.

They come in a variety of styles with varying degrees of cushioning and support, from minimal to maximal, and they look... well, like actual shoes!


Meaning they don't have the creepy toe-sleeve design like Vibrams do.

The inserts are removable too so that you can decrease the amount of cushioning in your pair as your feet get stronger and you become more of a hard-core natural running beast like your cave-dwelling ancestors.

As it happens, part of my current rehabilitation plan is to try to strengthen my feet more, and rely less on footwear for cushioning and support, whether for walking or (mostly hypothetical) running.  I've begun to suspect that so many years of being propped up by orthotics and cushioning and coddling have not fixed my various biomechanical problems at all. Instead, I'm wondering if that hasn't made things worse, rendering my foot muscles weak and passive, and my toes barely functional at all. My balance is as crappy as a drunken peg-legged blindfolded sailor making a getaway on a stolen pogo stick.

Anyway. I was eager to check out some shoes that I hoped might give me a more natural foot strike and starting easing me into minimalism more gradually.

Walking Shoe Review of the Torin's and Intuition 3's:


Both of these fall in Altra's "neutral" shoe category--they also have stability, trail running, and everyday. Within neutral, there are Max, High, Moderate, and Light cushioning options; the Intuitions are "moderate" and have less cushioning than the Torin's which are "high." But, they both felt very comfy!

Altra is terribly careful about warning you to get into zero drop shoes gradually and incrementally, and give you lots of information and instructions.



And perhaps the transition is more of an issue for runners racking up lots of miles, or for women prone to wearing high heels during the day. (Which this unfashionable blogger is not.) For me--no transition time needed at all. I was expecting calf pain but... nope, no problems there. I can walk for miles and miles in these shoes and they feel great.

Here was the most interesting thing:  the shoes are springy enough that I actually prefered both models with the inserts removed, even though the underneath part looks a little forbidding.  I'm not sure this is a model that they encourage insert removal on or not, but whatever, it worked great.  I just laced them up a little tighter.


I like the roomy toe box, and the way I can feel my toes working more.  In fact, the next time I buy a pair of Altra's I think I may go even more minimal, with light cushioning, at least for walking purposes.

The biggest downside for me?  The "coral" color of the Intuitions 3's!

As it happens, I liked the Intuitions slightly better since they have less cushioning.  But the bright orange look just ain't me.


I do know this is a hip look, but let's review: I am not hip. Everything I own that has a color clashes with these shoes except for one shirt I use as a pajama shirt. Though it will be nice to know I am fetchingly color-coordinated should I ever wear my athletic shoes to bed.


The Altra's Intuition 3 and Torin Running Shoe Review

Let's pretend I am still a runner!

I tested at the nearby park, running a few hundred yards on first sidewalk and then grass.


So, ok, I have absolutely no f--cking clue how these would perform for real runners running real distances.

Also, for kicks, I ran barefoot as well, just to see the contrast.  I miraculously avoided encountering any glass, rocks, or dog shit, but again, just a few hundred yards because I didn't want to push my luck.



My impressions?  Both pair of shoes were very comfy and springy!  However, the comfort and give of the cushioning combined with my abysmal body mechanics meant I had more leeway to splay my feet and veer my knees in unhelpful directions than I did going barefoot. Going barefoot was tougher on my feet, but seemed to activate more corrective stabilizing muscles. Or maybe it was so creepy and laborious that I went slower and could pay more attention to my running form.

My stability improved somewhat with the inserts out, but since running is a lot more impactful than walking, I would probably leave the inserts in until my feet got a lot stronger.  Especially on pavement.  In my case, I probably need more hip and feet strengthening work before I take the running show on the road.

And I just noticed that Altra sells a Stability Wedge, which adds support without putting it all in the arch, and I may check these out when (or sigh, perhaps "if") I eventually go back to running.

Bottom line:  I liked these shoes a lot!  I just need more models available in black and other drab colors and I'll be all set!

So, anyone want to win a pair?

About the Altra Giveaway:

According to the Altra folks, you get to choose your pair, "anything from the super light Superior to the Ultra Cushioned Paradigm."  Go to Altra Running to see what they've got!

Enter by leaving a comment below; winner will be chosen randomly in a week.  IF YOU WIN AND DO NOT CHECK IN AND EMAIL ME BY FEB 23 TO CLAIM YOUR SHOES I WILL RE-DRAW!  This is too cool a prize to go unclaimed. If you win, email is crabby mcslacker at gmail dot com.

I'm afraid I forgot yet again to ask if you have to be a U.S. resident to win.  I have a query in, and you can either wait or just enter, but if you don't live in the U.S. it would be great if you let me know in your comment so if it turns out we're screwed, I don't announce you as a winner and then have to say "sorry, tough luck" and then redraw.  

Good luck!

Any thoughts on footwear this fine monday morning?

66 comments:

  1. I feel like there is a massive campaign on for Altra these days!? A really good and competitive trail runner I have know for years has sworn by these but I never gave them much thought...until recently. I would absolutely love to win a pair so I could test them out!! Thanks for doing the giveaway and for such a great and intense review. Love that about you :-)

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  2. Yes please please please please please. My current shoes are just not doing it and these sound great!

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  3. Oooh .. I'm in the market for a new pair of running shoes and I'd love to try these. I've been wearing the Brooks minimalist shoes and like them a lot, but there's always room for something new!

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  4. As a non-US resident, I won't get my hopes up, but I am intrigued. I don't think I've ever seen these anywhere (though I confess it has been a while since I've gone sneaker shopping, which I find to be an extremely frustrating experience). I don't like a lot of cushioning, but I do feel better with arch support, and it seems difficult to find the support without all the cushioning.

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  5. I would LOVE to win a pair of Altras. If you can believe it, I haven't tried this brand in all of my years of running. I'm intrigued by the zero drop, and I'm also wanting a good shoe for walking (so I can keep my running mileage on a particular pair of shoes). Spring (all two weeks of it) is coming, followed quickly by Texas Summer (aka April), and that's when I add 2-4 miles of walking several times a week to my routine.

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  6. OK, I'm going on 15 years of running and have never heard of these shoes. Fascinating. I don't mind the bright colors as I learned years ago that you buy the shoe you need and forget about the color. I'm also interested in that stability wedge. It would be nice if they are another option aside from the Superfeet inserts.

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  7. These are new to me, too. I mostly pick my shoes by price (cheap) , and whether or not they hurt when wearing them around the store. (Hiking boots are another story, there are no sag wagons if your feet fall off 10 miles into a 20 mile hike.) But I'd love to try some fancy running/walking shoes and compare.

    LynM

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  8. They look and sound wonderful. While I'd love to have a pair even as I don't run, I need to try shoes on in the store to make sure they fit. My feet are finicky that way. Please keep my name out of the draw.

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  9. Oh, those look awesome!! I've never tried Altra shoes. I was reading along thinking how much I loved that orangey color:)

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  10. Dear Cranky,
    I just wanted you to know... I'll still love you even if you are a totally unscrupulous scheming greedy product-wh0re!

    Best, Tabby

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  11. I was actually looking at the Torins online the other day! How awesome would it be to WIN a pair? :D

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  12. I just checked the Altra site and LOVE the Intuition 3.0 - awesome, indeed! Thanks for the chance, Crabby!

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  13. Me, Me! Pick ME!! Those shoes sound great - I am a middle-aged runner and as such, am all about that cushioning. :)

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  14. I would absolutely love these. I so need something to motivate me into moving more. If it turns out that you pull my name and it's not open to Canadians, can I just donate them to a specific one of your Amurikan readers?

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  15. A drunken, blindfolded, peglegged pirate on a pogo stick? I'd pay to watch that! You really should post more video. Hahaha

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  16. Dangit, my comment got eaten. I had said, "Oooh, sign me the heck up!" I'd love new running shoes because my current ones have a squishy toe box that make them deeply uncomfortable for more than a really short distance. I tend to do the forefoot thing, so these would work out well. Great info, Crabby, thanks! And yes, please do post more video. :-D

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  17. Pick me! Pick Me! Hmmm just recalled the pile of rejected shoes that sit at my front door and under my desk. Better to curb my greedy voice and do some spring cleaning first. So no shoes for me 'til my room is clean.

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  18. I'd love to win a pair of these shoes; would help with my goal of walking more this year. Thanks for the opportunity.

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  19. Hope I win and then reeeaaaallllly hope they make my size - heading over to the site now to check it out! Thanks for the chance. Deb

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  20. I just gave away an expensive (to me) pair of Nikes because they hurt my little toes. I've tried even more expensive Asics and had sore toes as well. I have a different pair of Nikes that squeak. Yes, they squeak like a brand new pair of rubber soled shoes on a freshly waxed floor....even though I am walking on carpeting.
    I would LOVE to try these out. I might not have read carefully enough, but I am guessing these are not cheap shoes. Probably the only way I could try them would be to win a pair.
    btw, I buy running shoes for walking all the time. I like lighter weight, flexible shoes. These Altras do look to be very comfortable! Yay YOU for thinking of your LOYAL readers for this give away! :D

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  21. I am starting a 5k Training program this Sunday, and would love to have a new pair of sneakers to go with it. I LOVE the orange... :)

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  22. I am commenting to win shoes since I wear a 12 and am always left with what is left:) Keep bloggin'.

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  23. I Want these shoes! I might even have time to break them in before the Austin 10/20 March 29th. Fingers crossed!

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  24. Not a runner, but i'm glad to know someone out there makes shoes with a wide toe box and good cushioning! If they ever make a good one for walking, i'll try it!

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  25. I have yet to find a pair of running shoes that really work for me. I'm glad you liked these!

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  26. I'm on my second pair of Torins. Easily the best running shoes I've owned (and I've owned a lot). I also have Paradigms for long runs; may be too much cushioning for some, but they are easy on my feet. I'd love to win a pair of Instincts!

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  27. OK, you know I want these sooooooooooooooooo bad cause they are like the Hoka shoe!! I tried to get them to give me a pair to test way back when with no luck so please pick me! :) I need them for the width and that they work like Hoka....

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  28. My feet got happy looking at these shoes…and I definitely need a new pair. If Canadians are in, please enter me!!! By the way, I did receive my DVD!!! Thanks for hosting that giveaway as well as this one. Crankyfitness rocksssssss!!!

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  29. Please please me! These shoes have saved my feet!

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  30. Those look like cool shoes. I'll have to see if they sell them up here in Canada-land. I have wide feet that plus osteoarthritis, so good comfortable shoes are hard to find. Thanks for the review; I really am going to look for them.

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  31. I really need new shoes, and these look like they would be great!

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  32. I'd really love to have these shoes! Please enter me.

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  33. How awesome! I've been wanting a pair of Altra shoes. Thank you for the wonderful giveaway.
    Erin
    ErinLoves2Run at gmail dot com

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  34. Love my Altra Olympus and would like to try another style!

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  35. I'm on my third pair of Torins, but I'd love to try another model. Thanks for getting the word out about Altra!

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  36. I have fat feet that splay out and I keep looking at the Altras wondering if they'd work for me. But I haven't taken the leap to try them because of the cost -- I've been burned on so many pairs of shoes that don't work that I've learned to stick with what does. Winning a pair would give me a chance to try them for free though -- that would be super awesome!

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    1. There's a good chance they'll work for you. If you don't win, we have a 30 days no risk return policy if you don't like them with free shipping both ways so you can try them out risk free.

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  37. Just checked out the website for the first time, and they seem to have a great selection of sneakers! I could really use a new pair, so I'm hoping to win. Thanks so much for the giveaway :)

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  38. OOOH I LOVE THE COLORS.
    yep.
    I be superficial like that.

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  39. The Provision women's shoes. AHHH I would love to win a pair! atthisvolume_x@hotmail.com

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  40. My husband has a pair but I've never tried them.

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  41. Being entirely ignorant of running shoes, I'm having trouble with the concept of zero drop. I wouldn't mind winning them if they're good for walking, because a roomy toe box is hard to find. Cushioning, yay! I certainly wouldn't try them out if I had to spend my own money on them, though.

    Mary Anne in Kentucky

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    1. Mary Anne, Zero Drop just means the shoes don't mess with the natural position of your feet. You were born Zero Drop, and you are Zero Drop when you're barefoot...the shoes simply don't elevate your heel, causing an unnatural, high impact landing. They let you land wherever you naturally would land. The FootShape toe box is the more impactful piece of the story anyway!

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    2. "Shaped like feet" sounds like my dream shoe. :)

      Mary Anne in Kentucky

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  42. Running for the first time in my life. I'm in my 50's. Afraid I'm going to spend way too much on shoes before I find the best pair for me.

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    1. Try the Altra 30 day guarantee with free shipping both ways. Our shoes are IDEAL for beginning runners as they help teach good running habits from the get go, instead of regular raised heel shoes that encourage inefficient, high impact running form and teach bad habits. They will also let your toes completely splay out and relax because they're actually shaped like feet!

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  43. OKAY OKAY OKAY!!! I WILL BUY NEW SNEAKERS in the next two weeks, I PROMISE!!! (I have had the same sneakers for the past 6 years, LOL)

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  44. My non branded shoes are excessively worn so these would totally help with my 5k coming up! *fingers crossed* :3

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  45. These look very interesting! I've tried using Earth shoes with their negative heel and they can be tiring for longer distances. That Abound feature sounds very useful, too, and it's good to see a company using recycled materials.

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  46. So I'm in the middle of a big move (Ohio to South Carolina) and I've been doing some serious weight struggling lately...last time I took up running and got into the best shape of my life, ever. So once I move I plan to start running again (yes, once I move...because making multiple major life changes at the same time just doesn't work for me). Anyway, I could really use a new pair of running shoes, because my old ones are really old. Which means I'm going to have to buy a new pair anyway. Eek. And these! These Altras look fantastic! Like maybe my wide foot wouldn't be so much of a problem.

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  47. It's time for a new pair for my tired little feet. The Altras sound like they'd love them. Bright orange would clash with my excessively pink wardrobe but I think that'd be just fine by me (and my feet).

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  48. Ready for a new pair of shoes. The perfect ones.

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  49. Am on my third pair of torin 1.5s . They've been great- more mileage, easier recovery; happy feet. I also like the one2 for faster stuff. Altra is doing good stuff!

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  50. Oh I really like the Superior 1.5! It looks so comfy!

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  51. Oh, gosh, I would really love a pair! Our AC broke down, and it caused mold/mildew to grow in the closet. Today, I had to throw out ever y pair of my running/walking/athletic shoes. What a heart breaker. The email I check most often is fossil316!aol.com

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  52. Oh, gosh, I would really love a pair! Our AC broke down, and it caused mold/mildew to grow in the closet. Today, I had to throw out ever y pair of my running/walking/athletic shoes. What a heart breaker. The email I check most often is fossil316!aol.com

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  53. I am more faithful to Brooks than I am any other brand in my home, but ... I too run with back problems and in fact, had clicked over on an Altra ad just a few minutes ago.

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  54. I'm from Canada so fingers crossed they'll ship here! Would love a pair of the Intuition 3.0 since I only have one other pair of runners!

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  55. I've never heard of altra before but they seem really interesting.

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  56. If I win, my hubby and I will be battling over who gets the new pair of shoes! LOL.
    Digicats {at} Sbcglobal {dot} Net

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  57. Just got my first pair. Love them!

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  58. I heard about the walking shoe pair before and read some reviews. But I never found a detailed review that you have in your site! This is really pleasing to have wonderful information about the walking shoes! I will surely go for the shoe. Can you share the price too?

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  59. Thanks for sharing the great review. I like the green color. I think the shoes are made for my feet! I was looking for the right shoe for walking. Are they good for flat feet too?

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