I wanted to try the Altra Experience Flow 3. For years, Altra followed the same style for every shoe: zero drop, wide toe box, and if that worked for you…great…but for many runners, it did not.
The Flow 3 still has the general shape and lower drop, but it does not push it as far. It feels like a shoe that more people could pick up and just run in. I’m happy Altra is choosing to go this route, to be honest. I think it gets their shoes in the hands of more people.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Altra Experience Flow 3 a good daily trainer?
Yes, it’s great for daily training. It’s not the flashiest trainer, and that’s ok. It does what it needs to do.
Is the Altra Experience Flow 3 zero drop?
No, it sits at 4 mm. That is still lower than most daily trainers, but it is not the same jump as going straight into zero drop. It makes the shoe easier to use if you have never run in Altra before. You still need to be smart about it if your other shoes are much higher, but it is not as abrupt of a change.
How does the Altra Experience Flow 3 fit?
The toe box has more room than most shoes, but the rest of the fit feels normal. That is probably the easiest way to describe it. Your toes are not squeezed together, but the shoe does not feel oversized. The heel and midfoot seem more secure than some older Altras, which makes a difference once you start running longer.
Is the Altra Experience Flow 3 good for long runs?
The cushioning is enough to handle the distance, and the platform does not seem to break down as the miles add up. I would use it for steady efforts where the goal is just time on your feet. If you are trying to push the pace late in a run, there are better options.
Can you use the Altra Experience Flow 3 for workouts?
You can, but it is not really built for that. The ride does not give you much in terms of turnover or response. It feels better when you settle into an easy run effort and stay there. For anything faster, most people will want something lighter or more responsive alongside it.
Now, let’s get into an honest Altra Experience Flow 3 shoe review.
Quick Facts
- Weight: 9 oz men’s, 7.5 oz women’s
- Stack Height: 32 mm heel, 28 mm forefoot
- Drop: 4 mm
- Price: $145
- Category: Road daily trainer
Altra Experience Flow 3 Upper
The upper looks more put together than some older Altra road shoes. It uses engineered mesh, more structure around the heel, and from what I’ve seen, it actually holds the foot in place. I really haven’t had any issues with it. It felt good the minute I put the shoe on, and I was able to take it for an easy run with no issues.
The midfoot fit is pretty normal. It locks down without feeling tight. The toe box still has that extra space, and there is room without it feeling oversized. Earlier models of Altra had very wide toe boxes, but that hasn’t been the case with the Altra Experience Flow 3.
The best running shoe uppers disappear off your feet, and for the most part, I’ve had good luck with the Altra Experience Flow 3. It does run on the warmer side, so I am concerned in the summer months it may feel hot.
I typically wear a women’s size 10–11 wide, and the size 11 fits the best. It was immediately comfortable.
Altra Experience Flow 3 Ride
The midsole is where the magic happens, and there isn’t a ton of craziness with the Altra Experience Flow 3. Like I said, it’s a very reliable daily trainer. The Flow 3 uses Altra EGO P35 midsole foam, which is a brand-new foam from Altra. To me, I don’t notice a huge difference from the previous version. It feels softer, but other than that, it feels mostly the same, and I welcome that.
If you’ve never used Altra before, the lower drop may scare you, so it’s important to slowly work into the shoe. If you’re used to running in 12 mm drop shoes, just take some time to work into the Flow 3 since it’s a 4 mm drop (take even longer to work into their 0 drop models).
Outsole
Altra has a good handle on trail running, and when a brand has that, I usually assume their road shoes are going to be good. So far, Altra has never let me down. I did notice Altra added a bit more rubber on the outsole of the Altra Experience Flow 3, and I appreciate that. So far, I’ve used it in inclement weather days as well as light trails with no issues.
As far as durability, I’ve put just over 70 miles on the Altra Experience Flow 3 with no signs of them slowing down. I’ve had pretty good luck with Altra, and I expect the Altra Experience Flow 3 to last at least 400 miles.
Where does the Altra Experience Flow 3 fit into my rotation?
Easy runs, daily mileage, long runs that are not meant to turn into workouts. It is also a pretty good treadmill option. If someone wanted one shoe that could handle most of their running, this could probably do it.
Altra Experience Flow 3 Conclusion
I’ve been a big fan of the Experience Flow 3. It has plenty of cushion, and it’s able to handle most types of easy runs pretty well. So far, the only downside to me is the possibility it may not handle warmer weather as well.
Who Should Buy the Altra Experience Flow 3
- Runners who want lower drop without going all the way to zero
- Runners who want more space in the forefoot without losing structure
- Runners focused on daily mileage rather than pace
Who Should Not Buy the Altra Experience Flow 3
- Runners looking for a shoe for workouts or racing
- Runners who prefer a narrow, snug fit
My Current Shoe Rotation:
Easy/Daily Runs: Reebok Floatzig Tread, Salomon Aero Glide 3, Mizuno Neo Zen, Topo Magnifly 5, Antepes Muscle Runners, adidas Adizero Evo SL, Newton Gravity 12, On Cloudboom Max
Long Runs: Topo Specter 2, adidas Prime Strung X3,
Trail Running/Hiking: 361 Futura, Speedland SL: PDX, Hoka Tecton X 3
Races/Speedwork: ASICS Metaspeed Ray, Adidas adizero adios pro 4, 361 Degrees Furious Future 2.0, ASICS Metaspeed Edge Tokyo, Puma Fast-R Elite 3, Nike Vaporfly 4
Curious about how I do gear reviews? You can read about that here.
You Can See All Current Shoe Reviews Here.
Looking to learn more about running shoes? In my ebook, I talk about why you need a good running shoe, a shoe’s anatomy, neutral vs. stable, and even myths of running shoes.
Questions for you:
Have you tried the Altra Experience Flow 3?
What is your favorite running shoe?