I was excited to try the Altra Experience Flow 3 X PLEASURES. This is limited edition version of Altra’s neutral daily trainer with a 4 mm drop, rocker geometry, Altra EGO P35 midsole, and Standard FootShape fit.
The main difference is the collaboration design, not the platform underneath. Altra lists this version at $160, while the regular Experience Flow 3 is commonly listed at $145. Running shoes don’t always “look good,” so it’s fun when brands take on collaborations to make them more fun. As always function over looks.
Quick Facts
- Weight: 9 oz / 255 g
- Drop: 4 mm
- Stack Height: 32 mm heel / 28 mm forefoot
- Price: $160 through Altra, $165 through PLEASURES
- Best for: Road running, walking, daily miles
The Altra Experience Flow 3 X PLEASURES is one of those shoes that looks more limited-edition fashion release than normal daily trainer, but underneath the metallic silver-blue upper is still the Experience Flow 3. That means it is a lower-drop, neutral road shoe made for daily miles, walking, and runners who want Altra’s toe room without going fully zero-drop.
Let’s get into an honest Altra Experience Flow 3 X PLEASURES shoe review.
Before trying the Altra Experience Flow 3 X PLEASURES, I had a few questions:
Is the Altra Experience Flow 3 X PLEASURES different from the regular Experience Flow 3?
Not in the main running platform. The specs are still the Experience Flow 3: 4 mm drop, Altra EGO P35 midsole, rubber outsole, neutral support, and Standard FootShape fit.
Is the Altra Experience Flow 3 X PLEASURES good for daily running?
Yes, this is where it fits best. The Experience Flow 3 is built as a daily trainer for road miles and walking, not as a workout shoe or race shoe. It’s a great option if you’ve wanted to try Altra but don’t wait a 0 mm drop shoe.
Does the Altra Experience Flow 3 X PLEASURES fit wide?
It has Altra’s Standard FootShape fit, which gives more toe room than many traditional running shoes while still keeping the midfoot more secure.
Note: Altra specifically says FootShape does not mean the shoe is simply wide.
Altra Experience Flow 3 X PLEASURES Upper and Fit
You can tell this is special from the looks…although what is it I’m saying? Never judge a shoe by the looks? The upper is engineered mesh, and Altra says this version of the Flow 3 has an updated upper for better breathability and a redesigned heel collar for comfort. The PLEASURES version uses the metallic Satellite/Lichen/Xray colorway. It’s a pretty shoe in a world where most running shoes are not “cute”.
Fit-wise, this is Altra’s Standard FootShape, so it gives the toes room without feeling as roomy through the midfoot as the Original FootShape models. For runners coming from Nike, Saucony, Hoka, or ASICS, the toe box will feel more generous but note: the shoe is not wide. There is always misinformation that Altra has the widest shoes but any brand that offers wide versions are wider. For longtime Altra runners who prefer the older, wider Altra fit, Standard FootShape may feel more trimmed down than expected.
Typically I wear between a women’s size 10-11 wide and the Experience Flow 3 X PLEASURES size 11 fits the best. I haven’t had any issues with fit.
Altra Experience Flow 3 X PLEASURES Ride
The midsole is Altra EGO P35, which Altra describes as a lightweight foam designed for an efficient and comfortable underfoot feel. The ride is not super soft in the modern max-cushion way, but it is softer than many older Altra road shoes.
Altra built its name on zero-drop shoes, but the Experience line with 4 mm drop is more approachable for runners who want toe room without jumping straight into zero drop. The rocker geometry helps the shoe roll forward, so it does not feel as flat as some traditional Altra models.
For easy runs, walking, travel days, and casual daily mileage, that setup works well. For faster running, there are better options. It is more of a smooth daily trainer than a shoe that makes you want to press.
Outsole
The outsole is rubber, and the Experience Flow 3 is made for roads, sidewalks, treadmill runs, and walking. I’ve used mine on light desert trails with no issues but I would not take the Altra Experience Flow 3 X PLEASURES out for dedicated trail runs. The rubber coverage should be fine for normal daily mileage, but this is not the shoe I would grab for technical dirt, loose desert sand, or rocky trails.
As far as durability, I’ve never had issues with Altra running shoes lasting and I expect the Experience Flow 3 X PLEASURES to last about 400 miles.
Where the Altra Experience Flow 3 X PLEASURES Fits in a Rotation
This fits as an easy day shoe, walking shoe, travel shoe, or lower-drop daily trainer. While you can use it for other options, the best option is as a (good looking) daily trainer.
Altra Experience Flow 3 X PLEASURES Conclusion
The Altra Women’s Experience Flow 3 X PLEASURES is a daily trainer with a fashion collaboration attached to it. The ride is smooth, lower-drop, and comfortable for easy miles. The toe box gives more room than most standard road shoes, and the 4 mm drop makes it more approachable than Altra’s zero-drop models. The PLEASURES colorway gives it a very different look, but the shoe underneath is still a neutral daily trainer.
Who should buy the Altra Experience Flow 3 X PLEASURES?
- Runners who want an Altra daily trainer with a more limited-edition look
- Runners who like toe room but do not want zero drop
- Anyone using it for easy runs, walking, travel, or casual daily mileage
Who should not buy the Altra Experience Flow 3 X PLEASURES?
- Runners who want the best value, since the regular Experience Flow 3 costs less
- Runners looking for a fast workout shoe or race shoe
- Anyone who needs a traditional stability shoe
- Runners who want a highly cushioned, bouncy, max-stack trainer
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: Altra Experience Wild 3, 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
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Questions for you:
What is your favorite running shoe?
Have you tried the Experience Flow 3 X PLEASURES?