Altra Experience Flow 2 vs FWD VIA 2

Which Running Shoe Is Better?

Products

Altra Experience Flow 2
Altra FWD VIA 2

Tested using Methodology v0.10

Updated Mar 18, 2026 04:05 PM

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Amazon.com

Tested using Methodology v0.10

Updated Mar 19, 2026 02:14 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Altra Experience Flow 2 Picture

Track

Altra FWD VIA 2 Picture

Track

Our Verdict

Altra Experience Flow 2

Altra FWD VIA 2

The Altra FWD VIA 2 and Altra Experience Flow 2 are two low-drop Altra models that step away from the brand's usual zero-drop formula, but they do so with different priorities. The FWD VIA 2 is the more cushioned and higher-stacked option, built to create a bigger protective buffer underfoot for easy miles and longer runs where comfort matters most. The Experience Flow 2 feels more grounded and a bit more lively, with a lighter build that makes it easier to turn over and better suited to runners who want a more natural, less bulky daily trainer.

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Variants

  • Experience Flow 2 (Black/Black - (Men - US 9))
  • Experience Flow 2 (Black/Orange - (Men - US 9))
  • FWD VIA 2 (Black/Black - (Men - US 9))
  • FWD VIA 2 (Black/White - (Men - US 9))

Main Differences for
Marathon Racing

Threshold 

0.10

Marathon Racing 
 

5.4
5.3

Forefoot Energy Return 
 

6.1
2.3

Forefoot Stack Height 
 

27.2 mm
31.0 mm

Heel Stack Height 
 

31.4 mm
35.2 mm

Weight  

7.1
5.5

Heel Energy Return 
 

3.5
1.4

Full Comparison

Design

Weight  

7.1
5.5

Right Shoe Weight Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
Altra Experience Flow 2 Right Shoe Weight Photo
Compare High-Res
Altra FWD VIA 2 Right Shoe Weight Photo

Left Shoe Weight Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
Altra Experience Flow 2 Left Shoe Weight Photo
Compare High-Res
Altra FWD VIA 2 Left Shoe Weight Photo

Weight 
 

231.7 g (8.17 oz)
272.9 g (9.63 oz)

Stack Heights 
 

Stack Height Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
Altra Experience Flow 2 Stack Height Photo
Compare High-Res
Altra FWD VIA 2 Stack Height Photo

Heel Stack Height 
 

31.4 mm
35.2 mm

Forefoot Stack Height 
 

27.2 mm
31.0 mm

Heel-To-Toe Drop 
 

4.2 mm
4.2 mm

Advertised Heel-To-Toe Drop 
 

4.0 mm
4.0 mm

External Shape 
 

3D Model Full Shoe  

Preview 3D
Altra Experience Flow 2 3D Model Full Shoe
Preview 3D
Altra FWD VIA 2 3D Model Full Shoe

Outsole Heel Width 
 

91 mm (3.6")
96 mm (3.8")

Outsole Arch Width 
 

78 mm (3.1")
85 mm (3.3")

Outsole Forefoot Width 
 

114 mm (4.5")
113 mm (4.4")

Heel Width-To-Stack Ratio 
 

2.90
2.73

Forefoot Width-To-Stack Ratio 
 

4.19
3.65

Internal Shape 
 

3D Model Internal  

Preview 3D
Altra Experience Flow 2 3D Model Internal
Preview 3D
Altra FWD VIA 2 3D Model Internal

Internal Length 
 

278 mm (10.9")
275 mm (10.8")

Internal Heel Width 
 

65 mm (2.6")
64 mm (2.5")

Internal Forefoot Width 
 

98 mm (3.9")
100 mm (3.9")

Wide Sizing Available 
 

No
No

Forefoot Fit: Width 
 

7.5
8.2

Forefoot Width Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
Altra Experience Flow 2 Forefoot Width Photo
Compare High-Res
Altra FWD VIA 2 Forefoot Width Photo

Ball-Of-Foot TTS Deviation 
 

4.7 mm (0.184")
5.8 mm (0.228")

Toe TTS Deviation 
 

12.5 mm (0.491")
5.8 mm (0.227")

Forefoot Fit: Height 
 

10
8.0

Forefoot Height Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
Altra Experience Flow 2 Forefoot Height Photo
Compare High-Res
Altra FWD VIA 2 Forefoot Height Photo

Toe TTS Deviation 
 

5.1 mm (0.200")
-2.5 mm (-0.098")

Arch Fit: Width 
 

5.3
6.9

Arch Fit Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
Altra Experience Flow 2 Arch Fit Photo
Compare High-Res
Altra FWD VIA 2 Arch Fit Photo

Arch Width TTS Deviation 
 

-6.7 mm (-0.262")
-4.8 mm (-0.189")

Length Fit 
 

10
10

Toe Clearance Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
Altra Experience Flow 2 Toe Clearance Photo
Compare High-Res
Altra FWD VIA 2 Toe Clearance Photo

Other Features  

Other Features Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
Altra Experience Flow 2 Other Features Photo
Compare High-Res
Altra FWD VIA 2 Other Features Photo

Tongue Gusset Type 
 

Semi-gusseted
Semi-gusseted

Plate 
 

None
None
Performance

Heel Energy Return 
 

3.5
1.4

Heel Compression Video  

Heel Energy Return  

 Preview Graph
Altra Experience Flow 2 Heel Energy Return
 Preview Graph
Altra FWD VIA 2 Heel Energy Return

Heel Energy Return 
 

70.1%
66.2%

Forefoot Energy Return 
 

6.1
2.3

Forefoot Compression Video  

Forefoot Energy Return  

 Preview Graph
Altra Experience Flow 2 Forefoot Energy Return
 Preview Graph
Altra FWD VIA 2 Forefoot Energy Return

Forefoot Energy Return 
 

73.6%
68.3%

Heel Cushioning 
 

5.0
7.0

Heel Cushioning Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
Altra Experience Flow 2 Heel Cushioning Picture
Compare High-Res
Altra FWD VIA 2 Heel Cushioning Picture

Heel Cushioning  

 Preview Graph
Altra Experience Flow 2 Heel Cushioning
 Preview Graph
Altra FWD VIA 2 Heel Cushioning

Energy Absorbed At 550N 
 

2.69 J
3.43 J

Energy Absorbed At 1100N 
 

6.71 J
8.66 J

Energy Absorbed At 1900N 
 

11.07 J
14.16 J

Forefoot Cushioning 
 

6.1
7.1

Forefoot Cushioning Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
Altra Experience Flow 2 Forefoot Cushioning Picture
Compare High-Res
Altra FWD VIA 2 Forefoot Cushioning Picture

Forefoot Cushioning  

 Preview Graph
Altra Experience Flow 2 Forefoot Cushioning
 Preview Graph
Altra FWD VIA 2 Forefoot Cushioning

Energy Absorbed At 800N 
 

3.94 J
4.46 J

Energy Absorbed At 1300N 
 

6.54 J
7.54 J

Energy Absorbed At 2050N 
 

9.42 J
10.96 J

Heel Firmness 
 

7.7
6.3

Heel Firmness  

 Preview Graph
Altra Experience Flow 2 Heel Firmness
 Preview Graph
Altra FWD VIA 2 Heel Firmness

Firmness At 550N 
 

73.1 N/mm
54.5 N/mm

Firmness At 1100N 
 

169.3 N/mm
132.6 N/mm

Firmness At 1900N 
 

369.6 N/mm
279.6 N/mm

Forefoot Firmness 
 

8.9
8.4

Forefoot Firmness  

 Preview Graph
Altra Experience Flow 2 Forefoot Firmness
 Preview Graph
Altra FWD VIA 2 Forefoot Firmness

Firmness At 800N 
 

137.3 N/mm
115.4 N/mm

Firmness At 1300N 
 

284.9 N/mm
241.8 N/mm

Firmness At 2050N 
 

544.2 N/mm
446.6 N/mm

Forefoot Long Run Cushioning 
 

5.2
6.3

Forefoot Long Run Cushioning  

 Preview Graph
Altra Experience Flow 2 Forefoot Long Run Cushioning
 Preview Graph
Altra FWD VIA 2 Forefoot Long Run Cushioning

Energy Absorbed At 10km 
 

5.94 J
6.86 J

Energy Absorbed At 20km 
 

5.67 J
6.63 J

Energy Absorbed At 30km 
 

5.51 J
6.59 J

Energy Absorbed At 40km 
 

5.39 J
6.79 J

Altra Experience Flow 2

Altra FWD VIA 2

Comments

  1. Comparison

Altra Experience Flow 2 vs Altra FWD VIA 2: Main Discussion

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