You might have missed it, but earlier this week Altra announced their earning’s report, noting a 35% growth in sales in the most recent quarter. And while that’s impressive, the part that struck me was that its brand awareness remains below 10%. This means that 9 out of 10 people have never heard of Altra. Let that sink in.
If you’re a regular here, or simply a regular runner, you know all about Altra; a Utah born running shoe company focusing on a wide toe box, a zero-drop platform (although this has changed recently, more on that below), and aggressive trail shoes worn by thousands of hearty trail runners around the world. Altra is not new, but to be fair, the market they have dominated is (still) somewhat niche.
When it comes to road shoes, Altra is well versed. There are several models to choose from, all with varying degrees of cushion, and purpose. I’ve tried nearly every model of their road shoes and continue to wear them today, as they are easily one of the most comfortable pair for my feet, on the asphalt. Today’s review focuses on the all new FWD Via 2, which is one of Altra’s most max cushion shoes, and is back with a sequel.
The FWD Via 2 is back with the same ‘rocker-shape geometry’ that is Altra’s forward propulsion design. The idea is that as you toe-off on each stride, the shoe is designed to help you feel as if you are falling forward, in a way. Imagine you are constantly leaning forward while running, it’s an approach taken by other brands as well, and has received good feedback from runners across the spectrum.
For this review, I am testing the Gray/Blue colorway, in a men’s 9.5. Weight is approximately 10.6 ounces, which is an ounce heavier than its predecessor. Out of the box and onto the feet, these shoes are extremely comfortable. The tongue is a little thick for my taste, but once the laces are tied, it’s all good.
The max cushion means, in this case, that the stack height is healthy, with 33mm at the toe and 37mm at the heel, for a 4mm drop. I mentioned above that the zero drop platform has changed recently, which is true. Altra used to be exclusively zero drop but as their shoes have evolved, they have introduced a few options with low drop, such as the FWD Via.
Out on the road, the FWD Via 2 takes advantage of an updated Altra Ego P35 foam, which is both balanced from toe to heel, and comfortable over any mileage. While these might not be your go-to racing shoe, the FWD Via 2 performs well through workouts like intervals, pick-ups, segment snagging, and downhill bombing runs.
Over the course of a week, I managed to toss 58 miles on these shoes, and enjoyed nearly every mile. There is a bit of a break-in period but it is very short.
As with every Altra road shoe I have worn, the upper breathes very well, and the knit design is comfortable while also never restrictive. I find this is true with every pair of Altra road shoes, regardless of model. The wide toe box and space for my feet to splay as I run keep me coming back to this brand.
The FWD Via 2 is another winner of a road shoe for Altra, and if you’re one of those 90% that is just now learning about the brand, I recommend giving them a try the next time you’re looking for a new pair of running shoes.
