Our verdict

Altra is widening its appeal by introducing 4-mm drop options alongside its classic zero-drop lineup—and we believe they've struck gold with the Experience Flow. Despite its uninspiring EVA midsole, we discovered that it excels as a daily trainer, offering an impressive balance of stability, durability, and comfort—all while maintaining a surprisingly low weight for its stack height.

Pros

  • Broad appeal for various runners
  • Exceptionally light
  • Comfortable, durable upper
  • Spacious foot-shaped toebox
  • Ideal as a travel shoe
  • Superior stability
  • Highly breathable
  • Fairly priced

Cons

  • Lacks energy return
  • Not for fast paces at all
  • Non-gusseted tongue

Audience verdict

88
Great!

Who should buy

We believe the Altra Experience Flow is an excellent choice for:

  • Runners previously hesitant about Altra's zero-drop design, now welcoming the new low-drop option that makes it accessible to more runners.
  • Altra enthusiasts who've experienced calf or Achilles discomfort, as they will find the slightly higher drop beneficial while still enjoying the roomy foot-shaped toebox.
  • Those with wide feet, as this low-drop, spacious daily workhorse also doubles as an excellent choice for travel or everyday wear.

Altra Experience Flow

Who should NOT buy

The Altra Experience Flow marks a significant step forward for the brand, opening doors to new enthusiasts who were previously deterred by the zero-drop design.

However, it's not without its flaws—the EVA midsole's lack of energy return is noticeable, particularly when compared to peers like the ASICS Novablast 4 or the Hoka Mach 6. For those comfortable with a higher drop and narrower toebox, both alternatives offer a more dynamic experience.

Altra Experience Flow parts

Additionally, we found that purists who favour zero-drop and minimal cushioning might not find the Experience Flow appealing. We suggest they consider the Altra Escalante 4, which stays true to Altra's classic design and better suits their preferences.

Cushioning

Heel stack

Altra reports the stack height of the Experience Flow as 32/28 mm for men and 30/26 mm for women. We measured 30.7 mm at the official World Athletics measurement point in the heel, closely aligning with Altra's specifications.

This design offers a well-balanced ride for a daily trainer—not quite maximalist, yet it provides ample cushioning that is ideal for both short and medium distance runs. However, we must note that the shoe appears taller than it actually is due to the midsole sidewalls in the heel area—it's not as high as it seems!

Altra Experience Flow Heel stack
Test results
Experience Flow 30.7 mm
Average 34.0 mm
Compared to 369 running shoes
Number of shoes
22.5 mm
Heel stack
46.3 mm

Forefoot stack

Next, we used our digital calipers to measure the forefoot thickness at 26.6 mm—providing ample cushion for both forefoot and midfoot strikers.

Altra Experience Flow Forefoot stack
Test results
Experience Flow 26.6 mm
Average 25.4 mm
Compared to 369 running shoes
Number of shoes
13.7 mm
Forefoot stack
37.1 mm

Drop

Let's address the elephant in the room. Die-hard Altra enthusiasts might feel let down by the company’s pivot from its strict zero-drop philosophy—yet, for others, this was the awaited moment to finally give Altra a try. Now, they've rebranded themselves as a "Zero-to-Low drop" company—not strictly "Zero-drop" anymore.

Altra Experience Flow 28 32 R F
Notice the 28/32? That's the stack height for the forefoot and heel. It seems to us that Altra has no shame with crafting 4-mm drop shoes after all!

The Experience Flow introduces a 4.1-mm drop, which is high enough to entice runners accustomed to mainstream brands without sacrificing the unique qualities that define Altra, like the foot-shaped toebox.

As long as Altra continues to produce zero-drop shoes—a commitment they have reassured in multiple interviews—we believe this expansion into the low-drop realm can only broaden the choices available to all runners, a development we view as a win-win situation.

Altra Experience Flow Drop
Test results
Experience Flow 4.1 mm
Average 8.6 mm
Compared to 369 running shoes
Number of shoes
0.0 mm
Drop
16.1 mm

Midsole softness

Note: a low durometer measurement equals a soft material, whereas a high measurement means it's firm.

Altra opted for a standard compression-moulded EVA foam that delivers subpar energy return and a ride that’s neither plush nor firm, just average. And boring.

This is tolerable for a £140 shoe, yet it feels like a disappointment given the shoe's overall potential. Altra possesses superior foams like Ego Pro that could enhance this model significantly. Unfortunately, it seems they might be holding back to avoid cannibalising sales from their higher-end models.

Altra Experience Flow Midsole softness
Test results
Experience Flow 19.1 HA
Average 21.2 HA
We use an average of four tests. The photo shows one of those tests.
Compared to 296 running shoes
Number of shoes
8.5 HA
Midsole softness (soft to firm)
38.9 HA

Midsole softness in cold (%)

Crafted from EVA, we anticipated only average results in our freezer test. This time, it performed more or less as expected—the midsole hardened by 23.5% after chilling for 20 minutes next to our ice-creams.

Altra Experience Flow Difference in midsole softness in cold
Test results
Experience Flow 24%
Average 26%
Compared to 296 running shoes
Number of shoes
0%
Midsole softness in cold
63%

Insole thickness

During our test runs, the standard insole performed flawlessly. We later measured it and confirmed its thickness at 4.7 mm.

Altra Experience Flow Insole thickness
Test results
Experience Flow 4.7 mm
Average 4.5 mm
Compared to 365 running shoes
Number of shoes
1.5 mm
Insole thickness
7.3 mm

Rocker

The Experience Flow features only a slight curvature at the heel and toe, subtly aiding the toe-off phase during runs. We believe that any more pronounced rocker would be excessive, especially given Altra's philosophy of promoting a natural running experience.

Size and fit

Size

Altra Experience Flow is true to size (26 votes).

Owners of this shoe, how does this shoe fit?

1 size small ½ size small True to size ½ size large 1 size large
Compared to 315 running shoes
Number of shoes
½ size small
Slightly small
True to size
Slightly large
½ size large

Toebox width - widest part

Of course, as it happens with any Altra, the toebox is the star of the show.

Altra Experience Flow pov

The Experience Flow features Altra's Standard Footshape, which sits in the middle of the Original and Slim options. In other words—it's a roomy fit (101.0 mm) when compared to any shoe, but just average inside this brand.

Altra Experience Flow Toebox width at the widest part
Test results
Experience Flow 101.0 mm
Average 98.5 mm
Compared to 370 running shoes
Number of shoes
91.6 mm
Toebox width - widest part
104.9 mm

Toebox width - big toe

However, the real deal is revealed in our 87.6-mm second measurement—it shows that the toebox maintains a broad shape, accommodating even those with wide, square feet without constriction. It's perfect for running at easy or moderate paces, though it may not be ideal for fast speeds as the foot can shift slightly inside the shoe, where a tighter fit could be preferable.

Finally, despite a slightly lower vertical volume compared to other Altra models, we were happy during our runs, never encountering any issues.

Altra Experience Flow Toebox width at the big toe
Test results
Experience Flow 87.6 mm
Average 78.4 mm
Compared to 243 running shoes
Number of shoes
67.6 mm
Toebox width - big toe
89.2 mm

Heel feel

During our evaluations, the Experience Flow excelled in delivering a smooth, natural run, devoid of any underfoot stiffness. Lab results reinforced our thoughts, showing that minimal effort (20.6N) was needed to flex the shoe to 90 degrees.

Stability

Lateral stability test

One of the standout qualities of the Experience Flow is its ability to offer remarkable support despite not being a traditional stability shoe. It boasts a low-drop geometry, broad landing platform, balanced foam and robust sidewalls—all contributing to a really stable ride.

Even those needing mild support needs will find much to appreciate in the Experience Flow design!

Torsional rigidity

While Altra shoes are often thought of as barefoot-like and flexible, not all fit this mould. In fact, Altra offers a range of models from highly flexible to stiffer options. The Experience Flow represents a balanced choice with a 3/5 flexibility score in our testing, positioning it solidly as a typical daily trainer.

Test results
Experience Flow 3
Average 3.3
Compared to 347 running shoes
Number of shoes
1
Torsional rigidity
5

Heel counter stiffness

In our evaluation, the heel counter of this shoe showcased a standard stiffness level with a 3/5 rating.

Test results
Experience Flow 3
Average 2.9
Compared to 331 running shoes
Number of shoes
1
Heel counter stiffness
5

Midsole width - forefoot

While the Experience Flow accommodates heel strikers with its moderate drop, it truly excels for forefoot and midfoot strikers—not just for this reason, but also due to its expansive landing platform, providing exceptional stability with a width of 118.4 mm in this area.

Altra Experience Flow Midsole width in the forefoot
Test results
Experience Flow 118.4 mm
Average 114.1 mm
Compared to 370 running shoes
Number of shoes
103.3 mm
Midsole width - forefoot
126.9 mm

Midsole width - heel

The heel is slightly wider than usual, measuring 93.2 mm, subtly encouraging heel strikers to give this Altra a try.

Altra Experience Flow Midsole width in the heel
Test results
Experience Flow 93.2 mm
Average 90.7 mm
Compared to 370 running shoes
Number of shoes
73.0 mm
Midsole width - heel
106.6 mm

Flexibility / Stiffness

During our evaluations, the Experience Flow excelled in delivering a smooth, natural run, devoid of any underfoot stiffness. Lab results reinforced our thoughts, showing that minimal effort (20.6N) was needed to flex the shoe to 90 degrees.

Test results
Experience Flow 20.6N
Average 28.2N
We use an average of four tests. The video shows one of those tests.
Compared to 352 running shoes
Number of shoes
2.2N
Flexibility <> Stiffness
72.1N

Stiffness in cold (%)

As expected, the EVA midsole didn't fare well in cold conditions, showing a disappointing 40.3% increase in stiffness. We can't stop thinking that this shoe would be nearly perfect with a better foam...

Test results
Experience Flow 40%
Average 33%
Compared to 352 running shoes
Number of shoes
0%
Stiffness in cold
105%

Weight

The upper of the Experience Flow definitely impressed us, and the shoe's weight is equally amazing.

At just 8.3 oz or 235g, this stands out as one of the lightest daily trainers on the market—and it's no easy feat given its wide design. For context, the Nike Pegasus 41 weighs 9.9 oz or 281g!

Altra Experience Flow Weight
Test results
Experience Flow 8.29 oz (235g)
Average 9.38 oz (266g)
Compared to 370 running shoes
Number of shoes
5.61 oz (159g)
Weight
12.59 oz (357g)

Breathability

At first glance, the bi-colour engineered mesh upper of the Experience Flow might not seem very breathable—there are zero visible ventilation holes and what seems to be a thick fabric. However, a different story unfolded in our lab.

It's quite uncommon to discover smoke coming out from the sides.

We used the smoke-pumping machine and also a powerful light during our tests, and discovered ultra-thin areas strategically placed throughout the upper. This clever design contributed to the impressive 4-out-of-5 breathability rating we gave to the Experience Flow.

As we said just before, one particularly cool detail we uncovered was Altra’s strategic placement of ventilation. Contrary to typical designs of running shoes, Altra emphasised ventilation along the sides rather than in the toebox, which is reinforced likely to enhance durability.

Altra Experience Flow microscope

Upon further examination with a microscope, we confirmed that there are indeed no traditional ventilation holes; it's just an average mesh that subtly opens up every now and then to improve air flow.

Altra Experience Flow micro v2

We discovered that the upper of the shoe combines two distinct sections: the rear is exceptionally pillowy and comfortable, equipped with two lateral foam pads—a rare feature—while the midfoot and toebox sacrifice padding to boost ventilation.

Test results
Experience Flow 4
Average 3.8
Compared to 298 running shoes
Number of shoes
1
Breathability
5

Durability

Toebox durability

In our previous test, we speculated that the design aimed to boost durability in the toebox—and our tests with the Dremel confirmed just that.

Altra truly excelled this time, scoring a perfect 5/5 in durability—a rare achievement for a road running shoe.

Altra Experience Flow Toebox durability
Test results
Experience Flow 5
Average 2.5
Compared to 232 running shoes
Number of shoes
1
Toebox durability
5

Heel padding durability

With high expectations for durability, we were eager to test the heel padding of the Experience Flow.

Following our second Dremel test, we discovered a positive outcome—awarding it a 4 out of 5. Although it didn't achieve the highest rating, it significantly surpasses many other shoes, demonstrating robust durability.

Altra Experience Flow Heel padding durability
Test results
Experience Flow 4
Average 3.2
Compared to 228 running shoes
Number of shoes
1
Heel padding durability
5

Outsole hardness

After being thoroughly impressed with the upper, we shifted our focus to the outsole. Here we discovered the signature Altra design that many runners appreciate, featuring lots of rubber covering the forefoot, midfoot and most parts of the heel. 

Altra Experience Flow outsole
The outsole mimics the anatomy of the foot with flex points that align with the foot's structure, enhancing a natural running feel while still offering a cushioned ride.

Regarding the rubber composition, it tested at an average hardness of 78.8 HC. We are eager to conduct further testing to delve deeper into its durability.

Altra Experience Flow Outsole hardness
Test results
Experience Flow 78.8 HC
Average 80.1 HC
We use an average of four tests. The photo shows one of those tests.
Compared to 350 running shoes
Number of shoes
60.3 HC
Outsole hardness
93.0 HC

Outsole durability

We cranked up the Dremel again—this time at a robust 10K RPM and for a prolonged period.

The result was not so good, as we found a 1.2 mm dent. It's not alarming enough to cause serious concern, but it does highlight the need for refinement in the next iteration. On the plus side, we discovered the grip to be quite good on both roads and smooth dirt tracks.

Altra Experience Flow Outsole durability
Test results
Experience Flow 1.2 mm
Average 1.0 mm
Compared to 210 running shoes
Number of shoes
0.0 mm
Outsole wear
2.0 mm

Outsole thickness

We also assessed the outsole's thickness—measuring it at 2.5 mm, we found it strikes a nice balance between weight and durability, especially considering the previous result.

Altra Experience Flow Outsole thickness
Test results
Experience Flow 2.5 mm
Average 3.2 mm
Compared to 369 running shoes
Number of shoes
1.0 mm
Outsole thickness
6.0 mm

Misc

Reflective elements

For just £140, you get more than a great daily trainer—you also receive supercool reflective laces that enhance safety!

Test results
Experience Flow Yes

Tongue padding

This is not just another daily trainer with a pillowy tongue, but one of the select few boasting a massive 9.3 mm cushion while maintaining a weight under 9 ounces. That's incredible.

Altra Experience Flow laces

The lacing system impressed us too, devoid of unnecessary frills but perfectly effective. It features plain laces of adequate length, punched eyelets, and the welcome option of an extra eyelet if needed. That's all we ask for, and most brands just keep reinventing the wheel here with weird lacing systems.

Altra Experience Flow Tongue padding
Test results
Experience Flow 9.3 mm
Average 5.8 mm
Compared to 367 running shoes
Number of shoes
0.5 mm
Tongue padding
14.2 mm

Tongue: gusset type

One noticeable shortcoming of the Experience Flow is its absence of a gusseted tongue—a slightly disappointing miss even for a £140 daily trainer. Although budget constraints are understandable, the inclusion of a gusseted tongue would have been a smart feature in this shoe, particularly since Altras are known for their spacious uppers.

Altra Experience Flow Tongue: gusset type
Test results
Experience Flow None

Heel tab

Altra has revamped its design with the Experience saga, introducing a new heel area that evokes mixed feelings for us. The extended heel is stylish and convenient, yet we feel the collar is too low around the ankle, which might be a concern for some runners.

Altra Experience Flow Heel tab
Test results
Experience Flow Extended heel collar

Removable insole

Removing the insole was a breeze for us since it isn't glued down—however, since this is an Altra shoe with its distinctive broad toebox, swapping in an insole from another brand or a custom footbed might not fit perfectly due to its design.

Altra Experience Flow Removable insole
Test results
Experience Flow Yes