The folds and molds are still there for flexibility in the forefoot, so no worries about the transition and toe-off suffering if you actually use the shoe for running.The inner lining gets the same smooth spandex-like materials as the tongue area and hotspots are nonexistent. If you are a normal width and went half down on the original, I would recommend the same with the AlphaBounce Instinct. Sounds the same, but it couldn’t feel further from the truth.
The wholesale Storage Shelves AlphaBounce Instinct is very similar; the toebox is about a half-size long, but I didn’t downsize for two reasons: first, the midfoot fit is a little narrower with the one-piece upper and midfoot support cage; second, the lacing system stops way before the toebox, so even a half-size down felt long. These helped with any heel slip that might have been present — however, I lost one during a workout when it came unglued. It' leaps and bounds better than the original, which wasn’t bad at all. The sole on the AlphaBounce Instinct has been widened and sits outside the foot and upper, leading to a super-stable base with outriggers like a basketball shoe. It isn’t a basketball herringbone, but angles and cuts across the foot from heel to toe that are then covered in Mars-surface texture.One thing the original missed, and we covered it above, was lateral stability.
One slight change is the almost-decoupled outsole. Magic. The initial impact is absorbed with no issues, no feedback coming back up your joints, and also no real feel of energy return.The original AlphaBounce was incredibly smooth and impact-absorbing. While most running shoes don’t need to worry about those issues, the alphaBounce crossed over into a workout shoes for all activities, which meant stability was a problem.” adidas seemed to realize how much this shoe was worn for everything but running, and I have seen more than one pair of the original on basketball courts, used as a cross-trainer in the weight room, and on treadmills.The original Alpha was hella long — some people went down a full size because of the length in the toebox. What you might not have seen is that they are independent of the upper (I figured this out while writing this review and I’ve had the shoe for almost a month). It' a welcome concept, but I was ready to send my pair back because I thought they came unglued.If you are looking for an all-around shoe for multiple activities, with cushioning good enough for running or basketball, a court-friendly traction pattern, and support and containment for almost any level of lateral movements, look no further — the AlphaBounce Instinct will cover anything you throw at it.
Again, as a true runner, it isn’t completely necessary, but with the crossover appeal stability is needed. The adidas AlphaBounce Instinct is that difference — it combines the best of the original and the follow-up AlphaBounce Beyond.