Altra FWD Via: Two minute review
I love to run, but I don’t particularly like running fast (well, that’s my excuse anyway). Long, easy runs have become my perfect de-stressor, so when I found the Altra FWD Via, a chunky shoe with a wide toebox, light weight and thick, firm outsole for easy runs, I was very excited to try it.
I’ve run in a lot of the best running shoes in my capacity as one of TechRadar’s resident fitness guinea pigs. Squishy long-distance shoes, firm all-rounders, carbon-plated super-shoes… you name it. Altra is a brand that’s famous for wide toeboxes, and shoes with heels that are the same height as the toes. This design is known as ‘zero drop’. Most running shoes have a sole (or ‘outsole’ in the case of running shoes – see our guide to different parts of a running shoe explained for more) that’s thicker at the heel than at the toe, the difference being known as ‘heel-toe drop’ or even just ‘drop’, and listed in millimeters.
So when I was asked to try the Altra FWD Via, I was expecting this sort of minimalist shoe. However, the Via is part of Altra’s FWD range, which as the name implies, tilts the foot forward with a 4mm drop. The result is a shoe that looks and feels a lot more like your traditional running shoe. Some of Altra’s other design language has been retained, such as the wide foot-shaped toebox instead of the shoe tapering to a narrow point, but the end result is a sort of ‘Goldilocks’ shoe.
(Image credit: Future)
Sure enough, it was a lovely shoe to run in from the outset, handling its first low-intensity 10-mile run and shorter five-mile lunchtime circuits with aplomb. It feels very light to wear on the feet, and handles mid-pace, mid-distance running on concrete with no problems whatsoever. It’s fine on light gravel trails too, providing adequate grip, but I wouldn’t use it on mud and grass.
It does have a lack of snappy speed: the Altra EGO FLO foam outsole is very firm, and doesn’t provide much of the spring-loading you get with faster shoes that compress when you step down and catapult you into your next stride. Instead, there’s a rocker element in the midsole that better supports easy running rather than hard pavement-pounding.
This will put competitive runners off, while its lack of squishiness underfoot and its scant 4mm drop might not be enough for many long-distance runners who require more assistance in their stride.
It’s not a shoe for every runner, then. However, it is a shoe that fits very well with how I like to run – easy, low-effort and long distances, so I can get lost in an audiobook or podcast. If you’re like me, you’ll love it, and it’s the perfect shoe for low-intensity marathon training.
Altra FWD Via: Specifications
(Image credit: Future)
Altra FWD Via: Scorecard
Altra FWD Via: Should I buy?
Buy it if…
You’re an easy runner
The Altra FWD Via isn’t built for spring-loaded speed.
You’re a long-distance runner
If you love putting in the miles on a weekend, this is a great shoe to try.
You like a low drop
If you’re not keen on high-heeled running shoes and want to try a more natural way to run, a low-drop is a great place to start.
Don’t buy if if…
You’re after a super-shoe
If you’re looking for something to give you the edge in a competitive race, this isn’t it.
You don’t run long-distance
If you don’t usually go over the five-mile mark, there are better and cheaper shoes out there.
You’re looking for a cheap shoe
There are far more expensive shoes out there, but you can also pick up a perfectly serviceable pair of long-distance shoes for under $99 / £99 / AU$149 if you’re strapped for cash.
Also consider
Saucony Ride 17
The latest iteration of Saucony’s popular all-rounders.
ASICS Gel-Nimbus 25
A squishy long distance shoe which can now be picked up very cheap.
How I tested
I wore the Altra FWD Via for around 50 kilometers of running over a three-week period. I tested them during a mixture of 5km, 10km and 15km runs, paying attention to the comfort, weight and energy return. I also ran in a narrower shoe to calibrate and check how I felt during the experience.
First reviewed: January 2025
It’s not a snappy shoe, but the Altra FWD Via is an easy-effort shoe which can tackle long distances. Read More Latest from TechRadar US in Reviews