3 min readAltra built its first zero-drop shoe back in 2009 using a toaster oven and hacksaw. Ever since, the brand’s creed has encouraged natural foot alignment with a wide toebox, and specifically, that same zero-millimeter offset. Now, Altra has released its first non-zero-drop model. Though the AltraFWD Experience is spec’d at just 4mm—that’s little more than the width of two stacked nickels—it marks a significant shift for the company.
Key Specs
Price: $140
Weight: 8.3 oz (M), 6.7 oz (W)
Drop: 6.8 mm (M), 5.4 mm (W)
Available: October 3, 2023
Altra has evolved much over the years, especially after VF Corporation acquired the brand in 2018, spurring the switch from “zero drop” to “balanced cushioning” terminology. The former sounded like it was too closely associated with minimalism. That same year, Kara Goucher signed on as a sponsored athlete. Alysia Montaño (who was pregnant during her signing in 2019) and Alexi Pappas followed in her footsteps.
In 2022, Altra brought zero drop to the racing scene with the Vanish Carbon. Launching a non-zero-drop shoe is just another step in Altra’s evolution.
Altra zealots may frown upon the AltraFWD Experience, even thinking the brand is selling out. But really, it’s a response to over a decade of requests, from runners wary of a zero-drop shoe but still wanting to experience Altra’s toebox, fit, and ride. This shoe makes the brand more approachable.
In fact, our lab data suggests the drop may even be higher than 4mm. (Due to production tolerances during the manufacturing process, it is difficult for brands to control these measurements down to the millimeter.) We cut open our test pairs in our RW Shoe Lab and measured all the material that comes between your foot and the ground—including the outsole rubber and sockliner. Our numbers were 6.8mm for a men’s size 9 and 5.4mm for a women’s size 7.
“This is something that I’ve heard for almost 12 years since launching the brand: ‘Oh, I think it’s a really cool concept. I just can’t do zero drop.’ We’ve heard that forever,” said Brian Beckstead, who co-founded Altra with Golden Harper. “We’ve taken our time, we’ve done our research. I feel like we’ve really nailed it.”
Like the Via Olympus, Altra’s tallest shoe with a 33mm stack height, the AltraFWD Experience has a slight rocker shape, which rolls you forward during toe-off. Its heel stack height is nearly identical at 32mm, but the midsole delivers surprisingly high rebound for being made of compression-molded EVA foam. It’s one reason I’ve been drawn to the shoe for my marathon training—it helps make 7:30 pace feel easy on my six- to eight-mile runs.
The other reason is the 360-degree comfort of the soft mesh upper. While the fit around the heel is a little loose initially, I’ve been able to fix it by tying a runner’s knot.
Altra senior product line manager Alex Lind and his team began working on the project in 2019. Perfecting the drop, stack height, and rocker shape were key in developing the shoe.
“We’ve really homed in on efficiency with a bit more toe spring and more of that natural roll underfoot,” Lind said.
Existing Altra shoes like the Paradigm and Torin will not undergo the 4mm treatment. “You’re never going to see a Torin 4mm,” Beckstead said. “We’re very dedicated to keeping the AltraFWD Experience as its own silo.”
The AltraFWD Experience will be available for purchase on October 3, 2023 from altrarunning.com and popular online retailers.
Amanda Furrer, Editor, Running Reviews, studied journalism at NYU and writing at Emerson College. She has reviewed gear and covered other topics in the running space for almost 10 years. Since 2013, she has consecutively run the Boston Marathon. She also has a master’s degree in gastronomy from Boston University and was formerly a professional baker for two years before hanging up her apron.
