Altra FWD Via review: Comfortably firm for long distances
Altra FWD Via: Two-minute review
I love running, but I don’t really like running fast (well, that’s my excuse, anyway). Long, easy runs have become my perfect stress reliever, so when I discovered the Altra FWD Via (a chunky shoe with a wide toe box, lightweight, and thick outsole for easy runs), I was super excited Try it.
I’ve run a lot best running shoes I’m one of TechRadar’s resident fitness guinea pigs. Soft distance shoes, sturdy all-around shoes, carbon-coated super shoes…you name it. Altra is a brand known for shoes with wide toes and heels that are the same height as the toes. This design is called “zero drop.” The soles of most running shoes (or the “outsole” of a running shoe – see our guide to the different parts of running shoes for more information) are thicker at the heel than at the toe, and this difference is known as “heel drop” or even just “toe drop” Drop” and are listed in millimeters.
So when I was asked to try out the Altra FWD Via, I was expecting such a simple shoe. However, the Via is part of the Altra FWD range, which, as the name suggests, tilts the foot forward by 4mm. The result is a shoe that looks and feels more like a traditional running shoe. Some of the Altra’s other design language was retained, such as the wide toe box rather than a tapered shoe, but the end result was a “Goldilocks” shoe.
As expected, the shoe was great for running from the get-go, handling first low-intensity 10-mile runs and shorter 5-mile lunchtime loops with aplomb. It feels light on the foot and I had no issues doing medium-speed, mid-distance running on concrete. It’s also good on light gravel, providing plenty of grip, but I wouldn’t use it on mud or grass.
It does lack speed: The Altra EGO FLO foam outsole is very firm and doesn’t offer the same spring-loaded force as faster shoes, which compress and catapult into your next stride when you go downhill. Instead, the midsole has a rocker element that better supports easy running rather than hard pavement impacts.
This will put off competitive runners, while its lack of softness underfoot and less than 4mm of drop may not be enough for many long-distance runners who need more help with their stride.
Well, this is not a shoe for every runner. However, it’s perfect for the way I like to run – easy, low-effort, long distances so I can lose myself in an audiobook or podcast. If you’re like me, you’ll love this, it’s the perfect shoe for low-intensity marathon training.
Altra FWD by: Specs
| Element | Other forwarding methods |
| weight | 269 ​​g (US size 10, UK size 9) |
| superior | Project Grid |
| Midsole | Another EGOâ„¢ FLO |
| Outsole | eraser |
| Heel and toe droop | 4mm |
Altra FWD Pass: Scorecard
| category | Comment | Fraction | Row 0 – Cell 3 |
| value | At $139 / £145 / AU$279, it’s not a cheap shoe, but long-distance runners are unlikely to feel short-changed. | 4/5 | Row 1 – Cell 3 |
| design | It’s not likely to be for everyone – it’s a very chunky 4mm rocker shoe – but once you get used to the action, it’s great. | 4/5 | Row 2 – Cell 3 |
| Performance | There is not much spring, but the steps are light, the pace is light, and it is a breeze. | 4/5 | Row 3 – Cell 3 |
| all | It’s great as a shoe for an easy Sunday morning long run, but it’s not an all-around shoe. | 4/5 | Row 4 – Cell 3 |
Altra FWD Via: Should I Buy It?
Buy it if…
Don’t buy if…
also consider
how i tested
Over the course of three weeks, I ran about 50 kilometers wearing the Altra FWD Via. I tested them on a mix of 5km, 10km and 15km runs, focusing on comfort, weight and energy return. I also ran in narrower shoes to calibrate and check how I felt during the experience.
First review: January 2025
