Experience Flow

I need help... I can't find a good running shoe. I was running on the Mach 5 for over 6 years but can't find any more pairs of them. I didn't love the 6 because they were a little too stiff. From there I went to a local running store to try and get help and tried the Hoka Clifton 9, New Balance Fuel Cells Rebels, and the Altra Flow 3. Hoka Clifton 9 - to plush really aggravates my ball of foot pain New Balance Fuel Cells Rebels - I have been loving but after only 40 miles they're irritating my arch Altra Flow 3 - good on my arch but lost feeling in my toes Again I loved the Mach 5 and I have the NB DynaSoft Nitrel v6 as my trail running shoe that also has been working super well for me. I have a high arch and pretty wide toe. My main issues are arch pain or ball of foot pain.

Some of their models have 4mm drop. Check out the Experience Flow 3, and FWD VIA 2. They both have 4mm drop, but slightly different foot shapes and different amounts of cushioning. They both use the new EGO foam (see my conversation with u/jjaksha in this thread.) Altra also has a "shoe finder" quiz on their website. And they do free shipping with free returns within 30 days.

Let me start by saying that any recommendations by anyone are because that’s what works for THEM. You need to find the thing that works for you. First of all try purchasing shoes from REI or Running Warehouse Because of Their Excellent Return Policies, so If a shoe Doesn’t Work for You You Can Send It Back. I love the Altra Experience Flow 2& 3 for my road shoe, but that’s just me. The 2 seemed to have held up well except for a little wear on the exposed foam on the sole.

I’m loving my Altra Experience Flow 3’s for my road runs and Hoka Speedgoat 7’s for the weekend trail runs. The Flows have been the absolute best road shoes I’ve bought in over a decade and the Speedgoat 7 finally seems to have gotten back on track to the shoe they once were! I always say a shoe that works for me isn’t necessarily the shoe that will work for you, but it’s rare that I’m super happy with both my road and trail shoes.

I was a LONG TIME Kinvara wearer! I always say it doesn’t matter what shoe I wear, it’s what is comfortable for you, but if you like the Kinvara feel, the Altra Experience Flow 2 or 3 have been the best shoes I’ve bought in a decade! They have the same 4 MM drop as the Kinvara, the same lightweight responsive/fun feel, but they have that slightly wider natural foot shape forefoot that makes them feel like heaven to run in! Just go try a pair on and you’ll see exactly what I’m talking about.

I tried on the Experience Flow 1. Not sure about if there is enough cushioning. Is the second version softer? Also, not sure if the large toe box is for me

I'm not sure what to tell you about trying them on in your area because I'm half way around the world from you but New Balance offers the vast majority of their lineup in wide and extra wide and actually fun colourways. Hoka seems to do this as well but I haven't really got on well with Hoka shoes. You might though! I've been pretty lucky fitting into standard width Saucony stuff. I grew tired waiting for the Endorphin Speed 5 to launch in a wide flavour last year so I tried on the standard width and it worked for me. Should I probably have a wide? Ehhhh, depends on how much my feet swell on the run but the upper is pretty accommodating and I never feel the pinch in them. My Endorpin Trainer though also isn't wide but that one does fit snug but lacing techniqes to prevent mid-foot snugness really help that shoe be comfortable. I've also tried on the Endorphin Elite 2 and Endorphin Pro 4 and they both fit me amazing despite being 'standard width'. So Saucony might be worth looking into for you? Can't hurt anyway. I've not had much success getting wide stuff with Asics as all the top shelf stuff doesn't come in wide but I've done a few Asics demo nights and while both the Megablast and Superblast v2 don't come in wide they're pretty snug on my 2e foot and not something I would want to drop full pop on because of that. And that's really a shame because I like both of them quite a lot. I do have the Novablast 5 in wide though and that one just feels incredibly wide. Like maybe wider than your standard 2e and the upper is kind of.... Baggy? Either way, it does fit kind of sloppy but I bought that shoe without being able to try on the wide. I regret it and should have sent it back. Recently did an Altra demo night and tried on both the Experience Flow v3 and Experience Wild v3. Those fit me pretty incredibly well and from talking with the rep, while they don't explicitly offer wide shoes their toeboxes are generally ample. So that might be worth a shot for you too. Anyway, [check out this page from Asics](https://www.asics.com/nz/en-nz/mk/choosing-the-right-running-shoe/lacing) on shoe lacing. Their tips for wide feet lacing really helped me. Like for example with my Endorphin Trainer that is quite tight, I do their wide foot lacing technique with heel lockdown to make it work for me. Is it ideal? No, but it does work and make a shoe I couldn't return actually useful and surprisingly comfortable. I guess what I'm getting at here is New Balance seems to offer the most wide options for 2e/4e guys, standard width Saucony stuff seems to fit *me* okay for the most part but I'd try it on first and Altra is a contender for my next pair of shoes based on a demo. Plus there's ways to lace that might make a standard width shoe a bit more comfortable if that is your only option. Lastly, just go try on some shoes. It can be a pretty fun experience if you find the right shop where the people helping you are genuinely into it.

Maybe you could try an Altra shoe. All of their shoes have anatomical toe boxes, but there are different fits within their shoe lineup. The Via line has several shoes that I find very comfortable and cushioned, but not bulky or heavy—the Flow 2 and the FWD 2. A place to start?

Maybe you could try an Altra shoe. All of their shoes have anatomical toe boxes, but there are different fits within their shoe lineup. The Via line has several shoes that I find very comfortable and cushioned, but not bulky or heavy—the Flow 2 and the FWD 2. A place to start?

Novablast 5 & Neo Zen. I like flexible & soft shoes for long runs. Been using Megablast lately, but the stiffness makes my legs have to work harder in them. Also my glute hurts in them towards the end. Just bought Altra Flow 2 & wore them for 1 run, but will likely use them to replace Megablast. They feel fantastic.

I'm at 450 miles & I've tried using them for everything but struggle to find a use for them. At first they were my speed workout shoes but I struggled getting them going at anything faster than 1/2 marathon pace. They feel clunky, & are loud (better now that it's warmed up though.). Then they started giving me major glute & upper hamstring tightness to the point I can't wear them for any speed stuff. Switched to using them for long runs, but lately I can't go longer than 50-60 min in them before the tightness settles in. I have to head back home & switch to my Altra Flow 2s to finish my run. Soon as I put the Altra's on the tightness goes away. I don't know if it's the lower drop or lower stack height or more flexible foam vs the MB massive stack & stiff foam. Occasionally I'll use them for easy runs of 45-50 min but feels like using a Ferrari to do a grocery run when I could just use my $12k Camry errr $90 Altras I do like the sponginess of the foam & I haven't made a dent in the lifespan, so I wish they'd work for me. I get 25% off Asics through healthcare discount but the only ASICs that interest me now are the Noosa Tri & maybe the new Novablast, since I really liked the NB5. Novablast 5 is the best shoe in the Blast series. I'll see myself out now, lol.