Altra’s First Low-Drop Shoe Is a Beginner-Friendly Option for New Runners
October 13, 2023
While there’s certainly extra room in the forefoot, the Altras still fit true to size—I sampled these in my normal running shoe size, a half up from what I wear in a street pair. They were a great fit right off the bat: I had enough room all around my foot so my toes didn’t hit the end and could naturally splay with each step. I didn’t feel any pinching along my little toe, which tends to be a common pain point for me with lots of shoes.
This sneaker has a couple other features that made for an extra-nice fit: a padded heel counter (which also helped keep my foot stable) and tongue, plus some nice, elastic-y laces. I had some trouble achieving a solid lockdown on my first run, so I had to really work at getting a good lace-in going, but I didn’t feel any pressure or hotspots along the top of my foot from tightening.
On the run
I took the Altras on an easy, 40-minute run around my normal hilly neighborhood route, with a quick half-mile diversion on a finely packed trail. I have to admit: Since I’m prone to lower-leg injuries, I was a little worried I’d find a lower-drop shoe uncomfortable. But to my surprise, I didn’t think about it once while I was running.
What I did notice? The shoes felt super light underfoot. I had just finished a half marathon the prior week, and my legs were still weary, so I very much appreciated the sneakers’ weight, as well as the comfy, not-too-soft cushion. The Altras acted like a natural extension of my foot, helping me feel nimble and agile as I took curves and downhills. Overall, it was a really nice, smooth ride.
The majority of my run was at an easy pace, and these felt really good for a recovery run. I threw in a few strides (short distances of quicker speed) at the end to see how they reacted to faster paces, and they rose to the task. There wasn’t a ton of energy return, but still enough so I didn’t feel like I had to fight to keep my pace. I probably wouldn’t wear these during a workout that had short, fast intervals, but I do think they could work for longer, less-intense bursts.
Bottom line
If you have wide feet, especially around the toe box, and would rather keep your shoes more traditional—read: You want some drop—the Altra FWD Experience might be a good choice for your everyday running needs. I found these sneakers to be comfy during my run, and I didn’t experience any kind of aches or pains after. (I’ve run in no-drop before, and my lower legs tend to feel it the next day, so I think low-drop was a nice compromise.)
While this wouldn’t be a sneaker I’d race in, the FWD Experience is a solid option for everyday runs, whether we’re talking about a recovery session or even one that’s a little faster. They also performed well on the finely packed trail—they had a good grip, and my ankles didn’t turn—so I think they can handle some time off the road too. Thanks to their comfy, lightweight feel, I can see myself reaching for them on days when my legs are dragging and I’m looking for some pep in my step.
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