Altra Experience Form review

We found the Altra Experience Form to be a solid choice for:

• Runners needing mild-to-moderate stability who want a straightforward, low-drop daily trainer.
• Fans of Altra's spacious fit and generous toe splay looking for a supportive, all-day comfortable shoe.
• Runners curious about this brand or those transitioning to zero-drop shoes, as this new line makes Altra more approachable than ever with its accessible 4-mm drop.

While the Experience Form has many positives, it falls short in some areas too. We found that the EVA foam lacks energy return during all of our runs, delivering a dull and uninspired ride, particularly over longer distances.

If that worries you, we recommend exploring options like the ASICS Gel Kayano 31 or ASICS GT 2000 13, which offer a bouncier FF Blast+ midsole for a more engaging experience. And if you prefer a zero-drop option, try the Altra Paradigm 7, featuring Ego Max foam for enhanced energy return.

Additionally, we believe heel strikers may find this stability shoe lacking due to its low-drop design and moderate heel stack height. We think that for heel strikers, the Hoka Arahi 7 or Saucony Guide 17 may be better choices, as they still provide a moderate drop but with enhanced heel cushioning.

This upper might not seem very breathable at first—no visible ventilation holes give that impression, and we felt the same initially. However, our lab tests quickly revealed a surprising twist. 

Using our smoke machine, we found the airflow to be above average. Then, with our LED flashlight, we uncovered some strategically placed areas throughout the toebox that subtly enhance ventilation. This smart setup earned the Experience Form a solid 4-out-of-5 breathability rating from us.

We also noted with our flashlight that Altra directed ventilation toward the sides of the shoe, a feature that shines during all-day wear.

Putting the upper under the microscope confirmed the absence of traditional ventilation holes. Instead, the mesh subtly opens at points, allowing air to escape and contributing to its high breathability score.

The upper is made from a non-stretchy mesh with ample cushioning around the heel. We found that Altra included two lateral foam pads near the ankle, enhancing both lockdown and comfort. This setup effectively absorbs lateral forces, but its unconventional feel may not suit everyone—we definitely noticed felt some pressure in the area during our runs.

As we found earlier, the engineered mesh includes ventilated areas to boost breathability, which initially raised some durability concerns in our lab. So, we turned to the Dremel test to see how it would hold up.

The results left us pleased. Scoring a solid 3/5, the durability isn’t exceptional, but it comfortably meets expectations.

We mentioned earlier that Altra has packed substantial, pillow-soft padding into the collar, especially around the Achilles tendon and ankle—a feature clearly visible in our photos.

Unfortunately, we discovered that this plush, cloud-like comfort comes with drawbacks. We found that the durability took a noticeable hit, as our Dremel test revealed. The padding scored a disappointing 2/5, showing wear that suggests limited resilience in the long term.

We had mixed results in our initial tests, though overall, we’re fairly pleased. And of course, we’re optimistic that these positive outcomes will continue with the outsole—a crucial component in any stability-focused shoe.

Altra adjusted the usual pattern in their neutral trainers to address various wear areas commonly seen in runners with stability issues, particularly around the midfoot and heel. And we must also say that the rubber coverage is awesome, making it highly unlikely that the ground touches the midsole.

We used our Shore C durometer to measure the rubber hardness on the Experience Form outsole. We found it at 78.8 HC, which aligns with an average reading among Altra models, ensuring promising durability. However, we’re eager to explore its wear resistance further in our Dremel test.

The final test for the outsole and our last go with the Dremel today is here.

Afterwards we used our tire tread gauge and measured a 1.2 mm dent in the rubber—an average result in our view. While this isn’t overly concerning, we believe that next-gen updates should aim for more durability.

With a robust 3.0 mm of rubber thickness, we believe this outsole is well-prepared to handle the demands of every runner, even those with notable pronation issues.

From the first time we tested the Experience Form on our feet, we knew it was not going to deliver a lightweight running feel like the Experience Flow. Yet that came as no surprise to us.

We've come to understand that stability shoes generally add at least 1 oz over their neutral counterparts, often due to extra outsole reinforcements and stability-focused features. This holds true here—the Form weighs in at 9.2 oz or 261g, a bit heftier than the Flow’s 8.3 oz or 235g.

We found a modest heel height at 29.9 mm—a measurement that might feel even low in today’s high-stack trend. However, we believe it’s essential to remember we’re working with an Altra shoe.

As always, Altra encourages midfoot and forefoot striking in its designs, making the heel height less of a focus. With that in mind, we’re curious to see what lies ahead in the forefoot stack!

In our tests, we measured 25.9 mm in the forefoot using digital calipers—definitely leaning toward an average height for a daily trainer.

We found that the Form provided ample cushioning in the forefoot during our test runs, never bottoming out. However, it’s worth noting that the midsole doesn’t fully compress due to its dense formulation—a point we’ll delve into in detail later.

This being an Altra shoe, you might expect the usual zero heel-to-toe drop, right? Nope. For better or worse—depending on how much of an Altra hooligan you are—this model is part of the new Experience line, featuring a low-drop design of 4 mm. And you’d better get used to it, as this doesn’t seem like fluff or a random experiment from the American brand—the Experience line looks here to stay.

Altra stayed true to their word—we found the same 4-mm offset in our lab measurements. And what does this mean? A 4-mm drop is more approachable and less frightening for runners accustomed to the usual 6-to-12-mm range, creating an easy gateway into Altra’s natural-running realm or a much-needed middle step for those transitioning to zero-drop shoes.

For us, as long as Altra continues offering zero-drop shoes, we see no harm in them exploring low-drop designs, it seems like a win-win situation for everyone!

After wrapping up the drop analysis, we continued our examination and measured a 4.5 mm insole in the Experience Form. This thickness is fairly standard, offering a feel similar to most other daily trainers.

Moving to the midsole, here’s where we see room for improvement even at the $145 price point of this model. We believe that this Altra’s compression-molded EVA foam feels a touch outdated. It performs decently—and is certainly a leap from foams of a decade ago—but many competitors at this price point now offer livelier foams.

In terms of feel, we measured a 20.1 HA softness on our durometer, though the substantial rubber outsole gives it a slightly firmer feel. While this isn’t necessarily a drawback, as the shoe is designed for those with mild pronation, don’t expect a plush or springy ride—it simply isn’t here.

One of the major drawbacks with CMEVA foams is their poor performance in cold conditions. True to this limitation, we found it became 44.8% firmer after a 20-minute stint in our freezer—a bad outcome no matter how you look at it.

The Experience Form keeps things natural, with only a slight curvature in the forefoot—staying true to Altra’s approach to daily trainers. It embraces a back-to-basics ride, steering clear of the highly rockered, maximalist designs hitting the market lately.

We discovered that this shoe essentially mirrors the Flow's design, but adding supportive elements to create a mild-stability running experience—and it achieves this balance impressively.

The inner GuideRail sidewall (in dark gray) is more pronounced than its lateral counterpart, clearly intended to center the ride and provide enhanced medial stability throughout each stride.

Despite being designed as a stability running shoe, the Experience Form impresses with its torsional flexibility, scoring a 3/5 in our manual test. Typically, stability shoes rate around 4 or 5, making the Experience Form a more comfortable choice for all-day wear.

The heel counter takes a classic daily trainer approach, incorporating a rigid cardboard insert in the calcaneus area. This addition stiffens the heel to prevent collapse, yet maintains a balanced support—avoiding any excessive rigidity, as we previously mentioned. 

In our view, this design adds a meaningful boost in comfort, enhancing stability without compromising flexibility. That’s also why most brands incorporate this approach for their versatile daily trainers.

The Experience Form provides a slightly wider forefoot landing base than most neutral running shoes, measuring 118.3 mm. This works well for forefoot and midfoot strikers, as the wider midsole helps stabilize the feet upon impact.

The heel measures 93.1 mm, leaning slightly toward a wider design yet feeling similar to most daily trainers. However, as we’ve emphasized in this lab review, runners will best enjoy this shoe’s benefits by landing in the midfoot or forefoot if possible.

In our view, any running shoe aiming for all-day comfort must be highly flexible, especially in its longitudinal structure—and the Experience Form delivers on this point thanks to the multiple flex grooves and its outsole design.

We discovered that just 21.5N of force bends the shoe to a 90-degree angle. This balance of moderate torsional support with superb, easy-flex design makes it an ideal choice for everyday wear, fitness sessions, or simply walking the dogs.

More positive news on flexibility—it only became 14% stiffer in cold temperatures, slightly offsetting the poor outcome from the previous cold-weather test.

The Experience Form uses Altra's Standard Footshape fit, which sits right between the wider Original Footshape and the narrower Slim Footshape. In our experience, this gave the shoe an average width, feeling less roomy than most Altra models, especially in the midfoot.

We also found the toebox height a bit on the low side, which may not pose issues for most runners, though the upper mesh lacks stretch. For runners needing extra vertical volume, this slightly snug fit could feel limiting over longer distances.

In our view, the real magic of the Experience Form, as with all Altra shoes, shows up in our second measurement—the width at the big toe area. Here, the anatomical foot-shaped toebox shines, delivering an impressive 86.4 mm of toe room that allows generous space for natural splay.

Think of it this way—the Experience Form feels mostly like a classic daily trainer up to the ball of the foot, where it doesn't taper as most shoes, offering awesome comfort levels for all-day wear.

While we understand the balance of budget constraints in a $145 daily trainer, adding a gusseted tongue would have been nice. Maybe next time.

The tongue is generously padded with a plush layer of foam that folds into a double layer, measuring a thick 11.0 mm. It may add a touch of weight, but with the roomy toebox and the non-gusseted design, we think Altra had no other choice.

Altra also added a tongue loop to keep it centered—another key move here, given the tongue isn’t attached to the sides as we said before.

We identified that Altra has reworked the heel design on its latest models, lowering—perhaps a bit too much—the sides of the heel collar while keeping the rear higher to support the Achilles tendon. This change makes slipping into the shoe easier, though a pull tab would have been a welcome addition too!

We experienced no issues removing the insole from the Experience Form, though replacing it isn’t as simple as with other models. In our experience, the foot-shaped design limits the fit of replacement footbeds.

Additionally, we found that the insole is crafted by Ortholite, with its brand engraved on the back along with size details: US 9-10.5 for men and US 10.5-12 for women. Yes, multiple sizes share the same insole—a practice common across nearly all brands.

In our view, the MSRP of the Experience Form is fair—even slightly below many competitors. However, it lacks any standout premium features, and the EVA-based foam feels underwhelming, so a higher price point would have been hard to justify.

We believe reflective elements are essential for any daily trainer—especially for those who run after dusk, prioritizing safety in low light. And, unfortunately, the Experience Form has none.