Altra Experience Flow 2 - Women's Review

The Altra Experience Flow 2 is an easy choice for us. Truly, we wear these shoes everywhere. Headed to the grocery store? Yep. Going for a walk with the dogs? Absolutely. A fitness walk to relieve some stress? You betcha. We even run in them. Why? To describe them in one word, we'd say “balanced.” They feel like an extension of the foot, rather than a shoe that wears you. These don't force you onto your toes when standing, nor are they so plush that we sink into them. They are stiff in all the right places, and they are cushioned in all the right places. The heel cup kept us situated within the shoe, while the toe box allowed our toes to splay. As a result, we were very steady during our many walks.

These are an excellent choice as a daily driver, work shoe, or dedicated fitness walking shoe. For us, they are all of the above.

Comfort

We loved the first version of this shoe, and the Experience Flow 2 didn't disappoint either. Right out of the box, these shoes are ready to tackle your favorite walks. On our first walk, we cruised around the neighborhood to nearby gravel paths, and we are happy to report no fatigue. From heel strike to toe-off, the shoe keeps the stride natural. We are pleased with this feel, and even found them great for extended standing.

The fit is neutral, not overly cushioned, and they are stable. Interestingly, our feet felt close to the ground, which increased our sensation of stability. That doesn't mean they aren't cushioned though. These have 29 millimeters of stack at the heel, with a 4 millimeter drop to the toe.

Shoe Exterior Shoe Interior

If you are a tried-and-true Altra fan, you might be shocked at the fit of these shoes. While not a narrow shoe by any means, they run slightly more slim through the toe box. Still, they have a generous toe box compared to most, keeping the natural toe box shape. The fit is more accommodating to a wide range of foot shapes as compared to some of Altra's other shoes.

Support

What makes a shoe supportive isn't one particular thing; rather, it is how the components come together. For the Experience Flow 2, the shoe has a steady midsole created from EGO P35 foam, which is lightweight, slightly bouncy, and the right level of stiffness that allows your feet to freely move through the stride.

To further the support of the midsole, is the low 4 millimeter heel-to-toe drop, which means there's only a few millimeters how high your heel and toes are off the ground. As a result, the shoes are more stable, especially when standing still. In use, the shoe glides through this transition with ease. We were also particularly stable in this shoe due to the toe-shaped base. None of our toes were squished or forced inward. As a result, our stance was similar to how it is barefoot, stability included.

Traction

This shoe is marketed for roads and concrete. The outsole has targeted areas of rubber, which do well on indoor surfaces as well. To our surprise, these also handled light gravel paths. Often, wide-based shoes can somewhat float on top of gravel instead of biting down. These don't bite down like a hiking shoe, but they are softer throughout the mid and outsole, which allows them to work around small pebbles and light gravel.

Another feature that keeps them steady is the proportions. The shape of the toe box, which, as we have mentioned, allows your toes to splay, aids in one's natural balance. Because they lack a rocker and have a low drop, they are a stable choice for prolonged standing.

Weight

At 6.58 ounces per shoe (US 6.5), these are among the lightest we have tested.

Practically speaking, the weight should prevent fatigue but it depends on how much you are walking. Lightweight doesn't always equal a better shoe. However, picking up your feet time and time again over the course of a few miles can add up. In which case, lighter can be better. For the Experience Flow 2, we think it adds to the natural feel of the shoe. They aren't clunky on and they certainly don't feel heavy.

Durability

Throughout the entirety of our testing, we had no issues with durability. This is impressive, because if you recall, we wear these everywhere. The EVA midsole wears as expected, and we anticipate a normal lifespan of these shoes — around 300-500 miles.

The heel is a notable upgrade from the last version of this shoe. The heel tab resists breaking in, especially if you're the type of person to slip your foot in without untieing your shoe. The knit upper isn't as durable as the leather choices, but that is to be expected. Compared to other sneaker-style shoes, the upper remained resistant to snags and scuffs during our testing.

Should You Buy the Altra Experience Flow 2?

When friends and family ask, this is the shoe we recommend. Because it is so stable and comfortable, we find this shoe a winner for most. The exception would be if you have a particularly narrow or wide foot, but because of the shape, it still might be worth a try.

What Other Walking Shoes Should You Consider?