The Altra FWD Experience marks the brand's second major move ... The first was in April last year (2022) with the launch of its first carbon-plated shoe, the Altra Vanish Carbon ... This time, Altra is introducing its first-ever drop shoe, the Altra FWD Experience, with a 4mm drop. The brand considers this a low drop that still allows for a natural running gait and foot strike, helps prevent overstriding, and reduces strain on the Achilles tendon ... So, in this review, we'll see how it feels in action: is it a "soulmate" shoe, a "friend," or just an acquaintance? 

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Let's look at the specs first

Weight: Men's 9US 240g / Women's 8US 201g

Stack Height: Men's 32mm heel / 28mm forefoot, Women's 30mm heel / 26mm forefoot

Drop: 4mm

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Personally, I'm quite pleased with the brand's willingness to evolve. I've been with Altra since before the running boom—or rather, I helped create the Altra boom. I've also seen other shoe brands release super shoes and take a share of Altra's market, causing many Altra fanboys to switch brands. Now that Altra is starting to move and adapt its running shoes to current trends—whether carbon shoes, drop shoes, or rocker-shaped shoes with an upturned forefoot—I'm really happy about it. ^^

 Let's break it down point by point from top to bottom.

Upper: Engineered mesh 

The mesh is moderately thick and soft. There are only a few ventilation holes, visible as thin lines. The solid white areas have no ventilation, so I wondered if my feet would get stuffy in hot weather or during long runs ... However, I've only had the chance to try it for short runs, and my feet didn't get stuffy. The fabric is comfortable against the foot. 

The forefoot is wide and doesn't pinch. The midfoot felt a bit tight on the sides when I first put them on, but after running five or ten kilometers, the fabric stretched and became a perfect fit.

The heel counter has a protruding design that I don't particularly like, as it can cause heel slippage while running. This model has the same issue, so I had to tie the laces through the last eyelet to keep the heel more secure, but there's still a little bit of movement, which is acceptable.

 

Midsole: EVA foam specially formulated for this model

I really like the midsole. It's soft but not mushy—a combination of softness and firmness that makes running comfortable and enjoyable. It responds well to each step and foot lift. When speeding up, the shoe doesn't feel sluggish, and you can maintain your pace. That's the feeling.

Another enjoyable feature I really like—and one that makes me smile the most about Altra—is the rocker shape, with its upturned forefoot. Altra calls it the Active Stance Rocker ... The toe-off is much smoother than with previous Altra models. The fluidity that Altra shoes never had before is now here. Running in Altra shoes doesn't make my calves sore, and it makes running enjoyable and easy ... The Active Stance Rocker has helped Altra shoes break free from their traditional mold by a wide margin.

Outsole: I don't know what material it is

But I think it's probably the same material Altra uses in its other models. The rubber is placed only in the areas with the most road contact and along the foot bones to provide flexibility when running on uneven surfaces. As for durability, only mileage can prove that.

The grip is quite good. I've run on both wet and dry roads, and there was no slipping when turning or pushing off. I could place my foot with a good deal of confidence.

Stability: Foot strike stability

This is another important factor in running. The wide base and low drop make it quite stable when standing or striking the ground while running. I could land with my full foot, making every step even more confident.

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Areas for improvement: Honestly, now that I've written this far, nothing immediately comes to mind that needs changing, as I haven't encountered any drawbacks yet ... Perhaps partly because I haven't run in this pair very much yet ... But if I had to write something, it would be this:

• I'd like the upper fabric to be more breathable. I think my feet might get hot during long runs.
• I'd prefer the old heel counter without the protrusion. It's easy to put on, but I'd rather have it lock my heel in place properly. Heel security is more important when running than when putting them on.

Conclusion:

The Altra FWD Experience is a supportive running shoe that is comfortable and enjoyable to run in. It's not a shoe for pushing your pace down to the lowest levels, but it is an excellent shoe for maintaining a healthy pace. I barely had to break in this pair. I ran in them for three days straight ... The Altra FWD Experience is a "soulmate" shoe—we've been on the same page since day one and can talk every day.

The Altra FWD Experience is available for purchase at Runnercart: Launched October 8, 2023 

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