Review: Altra Intuition 1.5

If you're already a passenger on the zero-drop bandwagon, the Altra Intuition 1.5 is a running shoe worth looking at, especially if you're tired of sacrificing the comfort of a well-cushioned shoe for the performance of a barefoot-inspired design. And certainly take note if you're a lady, since they're designed specially for women's feet.

The Intuition 1.5 combines a familiar zero-drop construction with the comfort of a fully-cushioned sole, making every stride easier on your body. I found I could run longer and with less pain while wearing them. Also, they offer pleasant relief from the "thwack, thwack, thwack" sound I've come to associate with zero-drop shoes.

If you’re not familiar with zero-drop soles, or so-called "barefoot-inspired" shoe technology, here's a quick overview. The term refers to the height difference between the toe and the heel of the shoe – in normal shoes, it's around 10 or 15 mm, but in barefoot-inspired shoes, it's zero, or very close to it. Also, the toe box in these shoes is wider than what's found in regular running shoes. Although that causes the shoe to look as though it were designed for Daffy Duck, the wide toe box allows your toes to spread naturally like they do when you walk barefoot, instead of being constricted or forced inward. All of this is meant to move you towards striking the ground with a comfortably widened forefoot, instead of your heel, when you run. Proponents of this approach will tell you it's more anatomically efficient, and therefore less damaging for your body.

Of course, when you lose that height, you also lose some cushion. That's what Altra is trying to add back to the equation with these shoes. The Intuition 1.5 is also gender-specific and designed with a female edge – they have a narrower heel and midfoot, longer arch and toe positioning, and a higher instep than men's shoes or unisex shoes.

I noticed this immediately. Since I have a narrow heel that slips out of some brands no matter how they're laced (Adidas, I'm looking at you), I was a bit skeptical when I took the Intuition 1.5 out of the box and saw its wider toe-box shape. My worry was laid to rest as soon as I laced the shoe up – the heel is comfortably snug, as is the midsole. It's a testament to Altra's commitment to gender-specific design, something you don’t see often in a shoe world where a most women's shoes are simply smaller, pinker versions of the company's other designs.

It is by far the most comfortable zero-drop shoe I've worn to date. The Intuition hugged my foot perfectly, and my test pair felt like a dream to run in when compared to all of the other zero-drops I've tested. It's a super-light design, weighing only 7.7 ounces, and it comes with 5 mm and 3 mm insoles for added cushioning or strengthening if you need it.

When I ran in them, however, I could still feel the familiar and unwelcome pulling in my Achilles and calves, which is synonymous with zero drop shoes for me. So while they're at the top of my list for zero-drop shoes, they're not perfect, and they won't solve all the issues you may happen to have with low-cushion, barefoot-inspired designs.

Altra, I know you're the company that originated the term "zero drop," and that you're so dedicated to the movement you made it part of your URL (altrazerodrop.com). But please call me if you ever decide to move away from the whole barefoot thing and make a shoe with a more substantial heel-to-toe ratio. It would be sublime.

WIRED Innovative design engineered for women's feet. Wider toe box allows more natural foot movement. Extra cushioning keeps all your strides comfortable, plus it comes with inserts if you need more.

TIRED Won't solve any nagging issues your feet have with zero-drop technology. Styling is garish – toe box and flat sole are ugly and clown-like, wrapping an intelligent design in an unattractive package. I wouldn't even wear these shoes to the store in Berkeley, the epicenter of bad style.