Footwear Focus—A Podiatrist Reviews Altra’s Experience Flow 2 Sneakers
One of the things that drew me to podiatry in the first place was my love of being active. As an avid runner, I value my foot health and wellness and understand how important investing in it is to keep moving forward, crushing my goals, and savoring the joy of getting out and about in this beautiful, dynamic city we call home.
Running shoes are a vital part of staying active and healthy. Nowadays, there are many great brands out there, with something for every activity and a fit for every foot.
I’m a big fan of running shoes and have tried out my fair share. I’ve also reviewed other running shoe styles in my monthly Footwear Focus blog series, most recently offering my expert opinion on the Brooks Glycerin Max.
This month, I wanted to share some thoughts about the shoes I’ve been pounding the pavement in lately—the Altra Experience Flow 2s.
If that name is already very familiar to you or rings a bell—it’s because this brand has been all over the lips of runners for the past few years.
But why? Do their offerings rise to the level of the buzz? And what’s so notable about this new offering in their line-up?
Let’s explore all this and more in my latest Footwear Focus!
Altra Running brand overview
As always, let’s kick things off by taking an overview of the brand, its ethos, approach, and offerings.
Altra bills itself as a lifestyle footwear brand. Recently, they’ve also expanded into running and hiking apparel—so you can don head-to-toe Altra attire if you so desire.
Altra was founded in 2011 by ICON Health & Fitness, a global heavy hitter in the fitness equipment and gear manufacturing space. In 2018, the brand was acquired by the US-based VF Corporation. This company is home to many lauded active lifestyle brands, including The North Face, Timberland, Wrangler, and Vans.
When it comes to their signature running shoes, Altra focuses on designing shoes that allow wearers to experience natural movement and comfort.
Their signature FootShape™ toe box and zero-to-low drop platform allow toes to splay freely and encourage a more intuitive stride. This supports biomechanics and stability.
A wide range of Alta’s footwear styles also feature their responsive Altra EGO™ midsole, grippy outsoles (like their MaxTrac™ and Vibram® Megagrip), and technical options such as StoneGuard™ for protection and GaiterTrap™ for trail debris control.
If you’re getting a sense from all the patented and trademarked inclusions that Altra is ultra-focused on innovation when it comes to their designs, you’d be right on the money.
I do appreciate a forward-thinking brand that’s on a mission to leverage modern science and technology to offer its customers an elevated experience with their footwear. But I also prefer to feature brands that do more than design great footwear.
Altra hits my marks for this, too.
Their ethos goes beyond performance. They incorporate recycled materials (like using 100% recycled ripstop mesh in their Lone Peak 9 style) to reduce environmental impact.
They’ve also partnered with the non-profit organization Still I Run to promote mental health via running scholarships and gear support.
It’s clear there’s a lot that makes Altra stand out and step up. They’re a forward-focused brand, centered on supporting authentic, healthy movement and comfort, while also leaning into a mission of sustainability and community wellness.
Now that you know more about the brand, let’s explore what folks have to say about Altras.
What customers and podiatrists say about Altra
Fans often praise Altra for its natural and comfortable fit. Many online commenters share their appreciation for how the brand makes shoes designed to fit the shape of people’s feet. Others note their roomy toe boxes and zero-drop platform.
Critics call out that they seem to be trending toward higher cushioned, narrower styles, and some voice concerns that their price points are increasing. One commenter shared their view that the soles seem to wear out faster than they’d like.
Podiatrists seem to concur with customers and generally have a positive take on the brand. Many recommend them to their patients due to their support of natural gait and foot positioning and stability.
Many Altra styles have even earned the American Podiatric Medical Association’s (APMA) seal of approval for promoting foot health and wellness.
Still, some podiatrists remain wary of unreservedly recommending their zero-drop favored design to all their patients. Instead, many podiatrists advise a gradual approach to adopting this style, as it may take getting used to and could put some at risk for injury and falls as a result of a rushed transition process to this footwear style.
If you’re considering Altras for yourself or someone you love, it may be wise to first connect with your trusted podiatrist for advice and guidance about safely transitioning into a zero-drop shoe.
I’m always happy to help you find the best shoe style for your foot and ankle health and wellness needs and activity goals.
While Altra has built its name on zero-drop designs, not all of its styles carry this feature.
I’m familiar with the brand and have worn their styles before, but I decided to try out their new Experience Flow 2 design, which features a slight drop, rather than a zero-drop.
Ready to learn my thoughts about this shoe, as both a podiatrist and runner? Let’s dive in!
Dr. Young’s review of Altra’s Experience Flow 2 sneakers
According to Altra, their redesigned Experience Flow 2s deliver enhanced comfort, flexibility, and responsiveness to wearers. With a redesigned upper portion to provide a more sculpted heel fit for stability and a roomy toe box, these are meant to be lightweight, secure, and accommodating.
But do they live up to their marketing?
I’ve run in Altras in the past, and I’ve always appreciated their shape (especially their wider toe box). I know them for their traditional zero-drop styles, so I was intrigued to try out their first pair with a slight drop (of 4mm).
For me, the zero-drop made my calves sore, so I found I used them sparingly. The Brooks running shoes I favor generally have a drop of between 8 and 10mm, for reference. Though the Experience Flow 2’s drop is still far less than this, I was interested to learn if they would feel easier on my legs.
Verdict: I definitely felt them a bit in my Achilles, but they’re a much better middle ground for my anatomy and needs than other Altra options I’ve tried.
At this time, I’ve both run and walked in my Experience Flow 2s. I can safely say that I do find them comfortable. They’re certainly not the most cushioned option in my running shoe stable, but they’re also not super flat.
In fact, when it comes to Altras, these are pretty high cushion, compared to their typically minimalist offerings. If you compare these to other Altra’s they seem cushy. But, if you contrast them with a style like the Brooks Glycerin Max, they’re not.
Weighing in at 7oz, these do offer a relatively lightweight option, which some runners definitely prefer. The Brooks Glycerin Max are between 9.5 and 10.5 oz, for further comparison.
Now that I’ve walked you through my specific thoughts on the style, it’s time for the moment of truth—do Altra’s Experience Flow 2s get my seal of approval and rise to the celebrated ranks of podiatrist-recommended footwear?
Drumroll, please…
Overall, I would highly recommend these for someone seeking a more minimalist shoe or a wider toe box and hasn’t tried this type of shoe before. I also think this would make a good transition shoe.
For folks who aren’t clear on the lingo, a transitional shoe is designed to help the wearer gradually adapt from heavier, more cushioned shoes to more minimalist, barefoot styles.
If you need personalized guidance on how to make a successful, healthy transition to a more minimal shoe style, I’m happy to assist you! I always enjoy helping my valued patients discover the best shoe styles to support their health, wellness, and mobility goals.
Book with me easily online and check out my cache of Footwear Focus blogs to discover my expert reviews of other buzzy footwear brands.
City Step Podiatry is here for you! Reach out today to schedule your visit and treat your feet to the care they deserve.
