Products
Altra Experience Flow 2
Topo Phantom 4
Tested using Methodology v0.9
Updated Jan 06, 2026 07:16 PM
SEE PRICE
Altra
Tested using Methodology v0.9
Updated Dec 12, 2025 08:08 PM
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Weight
231.7 g (8.17 oz)
Heel-To-Toe Drop
4.2 mm
Plate
None
Weight
254.3 g (8.97 oz)
Heel-To-Toe Drop
6.7 mm
Plate
None
Our Verdict
Altra Experience Flow 2
Topo Phantom 4
The Topo Phantom 4 and Altra Experience Flow 2 are two similarly shaped running shoes that share an expansive toe box, designed to allow toes more room to splay. The Topo shoe is built on a taller platform, and it has significantly better cushioning, especially in the heel. The Experience Flow 2 is not as low to the ground as other Altra shoes, but it is still significantly lower than the Topo Phantom 4, and it is also much lighter. The combination of lower stack height and firmer midsole makes the Experience Flow 2 the more stable of the two shoes.
Variants
- Experience Flow 2 (Black/Black - (Men - US 9))
- Experience Flow 2 (Black/Orange - (Men - US 9))
- Experience Flow 2 (Black/White - (Men - US 9))
- Experience Flow 2 (Black/White - (Women - US 7))
- Experience Flow 2 (Blue/Yellow - (Men - US 9))
- Experience Flow 2 (Dusty Pink - (Women - US 7))
- Experience Flow 2 (Gray - (Men - US 9))
- Experience Flow 2 (Gray - (Women - US 7))
- Experience Flow 2 (Gray/Teal - (Women - US 7))
- Experience Flow 2 (Light Blue - (Women - US 7))
- Experience Flow 2 (Navy - (Men - US 9))
- Experience Flow 2 (Sand - (Women - US 7))
- Experience Flow 2 (White/Lime - (Men - US 9))
- Experience Flow 2 (White/Orange - (Women - US 7))
- Phantom 4 (Black/White - (Men - US 9))
- Phantom 4 (Black/White - (Women - US 7))
- Phantom 4 (Blue/Lime - (Men - US 9))
- Phantom 4 (Grey/Grey - (Women - US 7))
- Phantom 4 (Purple/Blue - (Women - US 7))
- Phantom 4 (Salt/Natural - (Men - US 9))
- Phantom 4 (Salt/Natural - (Women - US 7))
- Phantom 4 (Stone/Black - (Men - US 9))
Main Differences for
Marathon Racing
Marathon Racing
Threshold
Marathon Racing
5.4
5.9
Heel Stack Height
31.4 mm
37.1 mm
Forefoot Energy Return
6.1
3.7
Forefoot Stack Height
27.2 mm
30.4 mm
Heel Energy Return
3.5
1.6
Weight
7.1
6.3
Full Comparison
Design
Weight
7.1
6.3
Right Shoe Weight Photo
Compare High-Res
Compare High-Res
Left Shoe Weight Photo
Compare High-Res
Compare High-Res
Weight
231.7 g (8.17 oz)
254.3 g (8.97 oz)
Stack Heights
Stack Height Photo
Compare High-Res
Compare High-Res
Heel Stack Height
31.4 mm
37.1 mm
Forefoot Stack Height
27.2 mm
30.4 mm
Heel-To-Toe Drop
4.2 mm
6.7 mm
Advertised Heel-To-Toe Drop
4.0 mm
5.0 mm
External Shape
3D Model Full Shoe
Preview 3D
Preview 3D
Outsole Heel Width
91 mm (3.6")
88 mm (3.5")
Outsole Arch Width
78 mm (3.1")
82 mm (3.2")
Outsole Forefoot Width
114 mm (4.5")
112 mm (4.4")
Heel Width-To-Stack Ratio
2.90
2.37
Forefoot Width-To-Stack Ratio
4.19
3.68
Internal Shape
3D Model Internal
Preview 3D
Preview 3D
Internal Length
278 mm (10.9")
277 mm (10.9")
Internal Heel Width
65 mm (2.6")
67 mm (2.6")
Internal Forefoot Width
98 mm (3.9")
97 mm (3.8")
Wide Sizing Available
No
Yes
Other Features
Other Features Photo
Compare High-Res
Compare High-Res
Tongue Gusset Type
Semi-gusseted
Non-gusseted
Plate
None
None
Performance
Heel Energy Return
3.5
1.6
Heel Compression Video
Heel Energy Return
Heel Energy Return
70.1%
67.0%
Forefoot Energy Return
6.1
3.7
Forefoot Compression Video
Forefoot Energy Return
Forefoot Energy Return
73.6%
70.3%
Heel Cushioning
5.0
7.1
Heel Cushioning Picture
Compare High-Res
Compare High-Res
Heel Cushioning
Energy Absorbed At 550N
2.69 J
3.43 J
Energy Absorbed At 1100N
6.71 J
8.73 J
Energy Absorbed At 1900N
11.07 J
14.32 J
Forefoot Cushioning
6.1
7.0
Forefoot Cushioning Picture
Compare High-Res
Compare High-Res
Forefoot Cushioning
Energy Absorbed At 800N
3.94 J
4.52 J
Energy Absorbed At 1300N
6.54 J
7.58 J
Energy Absorbed At 2050N
9.42 J
10.75 J
Heel Firmness
7.7
6.2
Heel Firmness
Firmness At 550N
73.1 N/mm
54.0 N/mm
Firmness At 1100N
169.3 N/mm
130.1 N/mm
Firmness At 1900N
369.6 N/mm
282.7 N/mm
Forefoot Firmness
8.9
8.5
Forefoot Firmness
Firmness At 800N
137.3 N/mm
113.2 N/mm
Firmness At 1300N
284.9 N/mm
252.5 N/mm
Firmness At 2050N
544.2 N/mm
498.8 N/mm
Forefoot Long Run Cushioning
5.2
5.5
Forefoot Long Run Cushioning
Energy Absorbed At 10km
5.94 J
5.98 J
Energy Absorbed At 20km
5.67 J
5.87 J
Energy Absorbed At 30km
5.51 J
5.80 J
Energy Absorbed At 40km
5.39 J
5.74 J
To access
and
Become an Insider
unlimited full product reviews,
product prices
other exclusive site features
Altra Experience Flow 2
Topo Phantom 4
Comments
Altra Experience Flow 2 vs Topo Phantom 4: Main Discussion
What do you think of these products? Let us know below.
Looking for a personalized buying advice from the RTINGS.com experts? Insiders have direct access to buying advice on our insider forum.