ALTRA Running - HIIT Shoe Review - July 2017

In May, I had a great conversation with a representative of ALTRA running in regards to an event that I organize called the Thermopylae.  This event has had great sponsorship from Altra through an Altra distributor, Entrix Sports, and has supported the youth fitness initiative that I have run.  As a result of that programming (now in it's eleventh year) I am participating in this year's IDEA World Fitness Conference in Las Vegas.

As the discussion evolved the idea came up of putting two of Altra's hottest new products through their paces under an enhanced real world training program. 

First, I would run in the ALTRA Torin IQ's, utilizing the ALTRA IQ app (Altra IQ Page, ITUNES Link, ANDROID/GOOGLE Link).
Put them through approximately 25 - 100+ kilometers per week and see how they hold up for comfort, durability, performance and then all of the technical aspects that come as a benefit of Smart Shoes.  Then take them to the heat of Las Vegas and start all over again, running on the strip.

Following this, I would participate in all of my normal training (Crossfit, Functional Training, Obstacle Course Racing, Ninja Course, Military Obstacle Course Training, Olympic Lifting, Coaching, HIIT and many other modalities) in the ALTRA HIIT.  The goal of which would be to put them through the entire range of what could be asked of them at any given time (I also took them to a climbing center).

All of this information, and data, I would then share on my site and link back to on social media.

I was ecstatic.  I got to demo two of the most advanced, and functional, pieces of fitness equipment available (before it was available).  I was, and am, very lucky and wanted to do it right.

After almost a month and a half of hard use, I have an initial review.  A more comprehensive, final, review will follow the IDEA Conference.

Out of the Box
Out of the box they look like cross between a Nike Metcon and a Reebok Nano 6.0/7.0.  There are similarities through each design brand such as: profile, grip design and general material.  They have a great fabric, a low profile, very bold accent colors and a significant cut out around the Malleolus.  The tongue is heavily padded, as are the two heel guards on either side of the Achilles.  The thing that catches most people, that haven't tried Altra before, is very large toe box.
Altra calls this their FootShape toe box.  Each pair of Altra's comes with a booklet to ease you into Zero Drop Running.

Full disclosure.  It looks strange the first time you see them.  Then you put them on.

On your Feet
On your feet is a completely new story.  For those that have never tried Altra before, they fit true to size with Nike or Reebok.  What is different is how that size "feels" on your foot.  When you first put on your size, it will feel like your foot is swimming in the shoes and that you should have sized down.  Take a step back and relax.  Tie them up and go for a walk.  What you're feeling is your foot adjusting to the space that your toes now have and they will take up that space quite rapidly.  Then they feel like you are wearing the most technical pair of slippers in the world.  They are very comfortable.

Side note:  it's recommended to those that are not used to Zero Drop footwear to ease into them through gradually increasing work.  This is very true.  However, also please understand that you will also be adjusting to that toe box each time as well, if you go back to a regular toe box, until you transition fully.  The Nike Metcon 3 has a larger toe box, as does the NOBULL trainer, so that adjustment might be less than coming from a Reebok Nano 7 or Speed TR 2.0 as they are significantly more narrow.

Durability
I am hard on shoes.  Really, really hard.  Besides coaching, training, lifting and competing; I also teach Physical Education full time.  Runners are my office.  As a result, I'm pretty demanding when it comes to durability.
The HIITs look almost new.  This is after a pretty incredible amount of work and transitioning them through everything that I could throw at them.  The fabric that Altra has developed for the HIIT is very abrasion resistant and the grip doesn't quit.
The rope guard, which it hasn't been marketed as, is lower profile than the Metcon's but more robust than the Nano 7.0.
For those doing hand stand push ups against a wall, these won't catch and won't wear out.  No squeaks.

Functionality
This is where these shoes really shone for me.  The very first thing I did when I put them on was head down to my rack and lift...heavy.  The Power Platform and FootShape toe box gave me a much better feel for the weight and I easily rep'ed through deadlift, cleans and squats with full support.  The next test came when I grabbed my speed rope.  This is usually where lifting shoes, for fitness, fall apart.  They are usually too stiff and cause a ton of load through your soles and into the calf.  The HIIT's were flexible and responsive without too much give.
I brought these out to INJANATION for a team windup and put them through a Ninja course, Military Obstacles, Warped Wall, Prowler pushes, climbing walls and ladder climbs.  They took it all.  Finally, they went through life.  They did very well and I look forward to additional colorways coming out.

I am a little partial to the red and black but that's to be expected, I am a Canadian delegate to IDEA after all.

Reviews for the Torin IQ and final reviews to follow for both the Torin IQ and HIIT.  App review for the ALTRA IQ App as well with screen shots.

Thanks!