On my way to the 2014 Montreal Marathon Show, I was shopping for new running shoes and came across a business I had never heard of. In addition, they had my size, 14 US! So I went to see what the Altra company was offering.
I must admit that I was very skeptical to hear the representative tell me about a shoe with no drop that simulates a natural stride. I’ve always seen it as a subtle marketing technique to sell something different. But I was curious enough to find out more about their products so I left with a pair of Instinct 1.5s.
In order not to make a radical change in the type of shoe, I started to go out intermittently with my new Altra. I experienced a new sensation in my strides and felt that I had a smoother and easier momentum while running. I wouldn’t start to tell you that I run faster and that they are the best, they are not paying me to write this article. I do this on my own, because it is a product that I highly esteem and deserves to be known more.
I have always run with shoes that offer support in the ark because of my pronation, and if I have the misfortune to run, or even walk a lot, with a neutral type shoe , I have acute pains in the calves and ankles, sometimes swelling… I never knew if it was due to the lack of adaptation of the sports articles for my height or my weight, 6’6 ” 235lb ?
To my surprise, the more I run with my new shoes, the more often I want to run for a long time with them! This shoe is literally the most comfortable I have worn, even without the support of my normal shoes! The soft sole pushes me to land more on the middle of my foot and helps me propel myself forward more. It is my whole posture that benefits from this change.
The Altra company
The company was founded by Golden Harper, a runner who wanted more than anything to modify his running shoes to suit them. prevent frequent injuries . He used his toast oven to melt his soles to remove the angle that would be consistent with his scientific studies. The results were very conclusive and began to manufacture his shoes to become one of the 10 best shoes on the market in a few years!
2 distinct characteristics:
- Zero Drop technology provides a sole with zero drop from heel to toe. This shape promotes the natural balance of the foot, back and posture for less impact. This helps strengthen the calf muscles and Achilles tendon, which have been weakened over time with raised soles.
- The shoe’s “FootShape” toe box allows the toes to take their natural shape with the necessary space and relax as they spread naturally. The big toe can therefore move in an upright position. This improves stability and creates a powerful toe lift so you can run more comfortably.
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Conclusion
Scientifically speaking, this type of shoe offers only revolutionary advantages to runners. It’s just weird not to see the well-known companies offering a line of shoes that helps prevent many common running injuries …
Experimentally speaking, while trying on the shoe I had a WOW reaction! It’s like putting on a slipper and running on a running track. Even with an unsupported model, I didn’t experience any pain with fast exits and long runs. It is obviously a company that I will follow closely!
Where to find them?
While looking for where to find them, I saw that we can buy them online on their website, otherwise there are stores in the Quebec City area. The site offers more information about the company, as well as a comparison of your current shoe with an Altra model that interests you.
I am giving 5 stars to my new find, because after over 30 different models tried in my running life, this is the only one I would buy again.
This post is also available in: Français (French)