Our verdict
- Our top pick in best Altra running shoes
- Our top pick in best running shoes for wide feet
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
- Top 18% in Altra running shoes
- Top 24% in running shoes for wide feet
- Top 27% most popular running shoes
Comparison
The most similar running shoes compared
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Audience score | 89 Great! | 86 Good! | 87 Great! | 87 Great! | |
Price | $140 | $130 | $135 | $120 | |
Pace | Daily running | Daily running | Daily runningSpeed training | Daily runningSpeed training | |
Arch-support | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | |
Weight lab Weight brand | 8.3 oz / 235g 8.4 oz / 238g | 8.4 oz / 237g 9.5 oz / 269g | 7.7 oz / 217g 7.6 oz / 215g | 6.8 oz / 194g 6.7 oz / 190g | |
Lightweight | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
Drop lab Drop brand | 4.1 mm 4.0 mm | 1.4 mm 0.0 mm | 5.9 mm 5.0 mm | 4.4 mm 4.0 mm | |
Strike pattern | Mid/forefoot | Mid/forefoot | Mid/forefoot | Mid/forefoot | |
Size | True to size | True to size | Slightly small | True to size | |
Midsole softness | Soft | Balanced | Soft | Balanced | |
Difference in midsole softness in cold | Small | Normal | Small | Small | |
Toebox durability | Good | Good | Bad | Bad | |
Heel padding durability | Good | Good | Good | Good | |
Outsole durability | Decent | Good | Decent | Good | |
Breathability | Moderate | Moderate | Breathable | Breathable | |
Toebox width at the widest part | Medium | Wide | Medium | Medium | |
Toebox width at the big toe | Wide | Wide | Medium | Medium | |
Stiffness | Moderate | Flexible | Moderate | Flexible | |
Difference in stiffness in cold | Big | Normal | Small | Normal | |
Torsional rigidity | Moderate | Flexible | Stiff | Flexible | |
Heel counter stiffness | Moderate | Flexible | Moderate | Flexible | |
Heel lab Heel brand | 30.7 mm 32.0 mm | 23.8 mm 24.0 mm | 32.8 mm 34.5 mm | 27.9 mm 30.0 mm | |
Forefoot lab Forefoot brand | 26.6 mm 28.0 mm | 22.4 mm 24.0 mm | 26.9 mm 29.5 mm | 23.5 mm 26.0 mm | |
Widths available | Normal | Normal | Normal | Normal | |
Orthotic-friendly | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
Season | All seasons | All seasons | SummerAll seasons | SummerAll seasons | |
Removable-insole | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
Ranking | #95 Top 33% | #159 Bottom 44% | #121 Top 43% | #122 Top 43% | |
Popularity | #77 Top 27% | #79 Top 28% | #158 Bottom 45% | #147 Bottom 48% |
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.
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.
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!
Experience Flow | 30.7 mm |
Average | 33.9 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.
Experience Flow | 26.6 mm |
Average | 25.3 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.
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.
Experience Flow | 4.1 mm |
Average | 8.6 mm |
Midsole softness
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.
Experience Flow | 19.1 HA |
Average | 21.1 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.
Experience Flow | 24% |
Average | 26% |
Insole thickness
During our test runs, the standard insole performed flawlessly. We later measured it and confirmed its thickness at 4.7 mm.
Experience Flow | 4.7 mm |
Average | 4.5 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 (21 votes).
Toebox width - widest part
Of course, as it happens with any Altra, the toebox is the star of the show.
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.
Experience Flow | 101.0 mm |
Average | 98.5 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.
Experience Flow | 87.6 mm |
Average | 78.4 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.
Experience Flow | 3 |
Average | 3.3 |
Heel counter stiffness
In our evaluation, the heel counter of this shoe showcased a standard stiffness level with a 3/5 rating.
Experience Flow | 3 |
Average | 2.9 |
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.
Experience Flow | 118.4 mm |
Average | 114.0 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.
Experience Flow | 93.2 mm |
Average | 90.7 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.
Experience Flow | 20.6N |
Average | 28.2N |
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...
Experience Flow | 40% |
Average | 34% |
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!
Experience Flow | 8.29 oz (235g) |
Average | 9.38 oz (266g) |
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.
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.
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.
Experience Flow | 4 |
Average | 3.8 |
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.
Experience Flow | 5 |
Average | 2.5 |
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.
Experience Flow | 4 |
Average | 3.2 |
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.
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.
Experience Flow | 78.8 HC |
Average | 80.1 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.
Experience Flow | 1.2 mm |
Average | 1.0 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.
Experience Flow | 2.5 mm |
Average | 3.2 mm |
Misc
Reflective elements
For just £140, you get more than a great daily trainer—you also receive supercool reflective laces that enhance safety!
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.
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.
Experience Flow | 9.3 mm |
Average | 5.8 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.
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.
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.
Experience Flow | Yes |