Altra Experience Flow 2 Review | Worth It In 2025?
In this article, I’m going to share my HONEST Altra Experience Flow 2 review for those who are wondering whether they are WORTH IT in 2025.
I’m going to share whether these shoes are worth your money in 2025, and who they are best suited for. I bought these shoes with my own money, and was NOT sponsored, paid, or received a free product for review. All thoughts are my own.
I’m very familiar with how they feel and perform on the road and at work. I’ll go over comfort, traction, support, weight, durability and OVERALL value. I’ll be giving a score of each category based on OBJECTIVE testing standards and an overall score with recommendations at the end.
Altra Experience Flow 2 Review In Short
The Altra Experience Flow 2 features an excellent balance of comfort with the needed stability. It does not flash a massive outsole like the brand new Hoka’s or Brooks maximalist shoes out there.
The excellent “pop” and flexibility you get out of this shoe during our testing we noticed is one of the best features of the Experience Flow 2. The natural 4mm drop is perfect for users looking for enough comfort while staying on the more natural heel to toe drop cycle.
This shoe offers an excellent toe off with a mild rocker making your stride more lightweight and efficient. The footshape fit allows your foot to create an excellent stable foundation.
At $140, it is a little bit cheaper than the competition with enough durability and quality to last a long time. It is one of our top rated walking shoes of 2025.
Altra Experience Flow 2 Pros and Cons
- Great Support
- Excellent Fit
- Great cushioning
- Very lightweight
- Not as “mushy” as other shoes
- Neutral drop
Who should buy the Altra Experience Flow 2
- All-day walkers or runners looking for comfort without going into the “marshmallowy” maximal cushioned shoes
- Runners or walkers looking for a neutral drop for a natural gait cycle
- Those seeking a supportive but flexible shoe
- Anyone who’s tired of the extra bulky new shoes like the Brooks Ghost Max 3 or Hoka Clifton 10
Who Shouldn’t Buy The Altra Experience Flow 2
- Fans of maximal plush/cushioning shoes with a massive outsole
- People with narrow feet
- Those looking for strong arch support like the On Cloud 6
- Anyone looking for more versatility for hiking like the Hoka Transport
Altra Experience Flow 2 Price
Right now, the Altra Experience Flow 2 is $140 with the best deals on Rei.com
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Altra Experience Flow 2 Comfort
When I first tried on the Altra Experience Flow 2 I was not expecting the amount of cushioning you would get in the Brooks Ghost Max 3 because this is more of a minimalist type shoe.
However, the cushioning was very supportive and plush. My feet sink slightly into the insole, it was not overly plush to the point where it had that dreaded topple over effect as many maximalist outsole shoes tend to have.
The 28 mm forefoot stack gives enough cushioning for you to do well throughout the day on longstanding efforts or long walks without foot fatigue.
I will say the shoe itself was slightly tight around my midfoot however after using these for the first 4 miles it began to break in and this area of compression began to insidiously wear away. The rich-padded tongue is nice and puffy acting as a small pillow at the top of your foot. No areas of lace bite.
The excellent footshape fit is a pillar of Altra, providing a nice wide toe box and more than enough room for your toes to splay out for a great stable base.
After testing these during a 16-hour hospital shift that included a lot of standing, I can say my legs felt more fresh and less fatigued compared to other shoes with the same testing standards.
One area that I always find annoying on Hoka walking shoes (like the Clifton 10) is the lack of cushioning around the heel. Altra does an excellent job of putting just the right amount of memory foam around the heel.
The shoe is very “poppy” and gives a nice pep in your step while walking with a lightly rockered sole. The shock absorption is more than enough for somebody who’s not looking for an extraordinary amount of cushioning with those crazy large outsoles a lot of companies have been producing.
The new Altra Ego P35 foam is the best upgrade of the Altra Experience Flow collection. It has a perfect blend of comfort without losing that responsiveness that many users seek. The foam has a nice bounce and spring to it without feeling like the rockered sole is working too hard.
Comfort Score: 9/10 (30%)
Support
One of the best features of Altra shoes has been the promise of low to neutral drops. Unfortunately a lot of the shoes out there get away from our natural foot gait and really undersell how detrimental that can be for the strengthening of your lower extremities as well as their surrounding structures.
The Experience Flow 2 We measured the heel to toe drop at 4 mm which is exactly how much Altra markets them as. This is perfect for runners or walkers seeking a natural gait without ruining your joints on the long term.
The forefoot flexion is a really unique feature of the Experience Flow 2. This is what leads to that nice “bounce” and “pop” of the shoe, which is really preferred for the walking shoe enthusiasts out there.
The outsole of the shoe is slightly wider than the upper which creates a stable base without feeling overly bulkly or “block” like.
The ankle stability is excellent, I have a tendency to overpronate my foot walking and I felt the ankle support really acted as a nice buttress preventing that over-pronation.
The heel counter stiffness and torsional stability are a step-up from other shoes in this category. While the upper and outsole are not excessively rigid, they do prevent unnatural gaits.
Overall, the support of the Altra Experience Flow 2 is one of the best out there. While it does not have internal support systems that make the shoe very stiff, the overall structure really provides excellent support without being overly stiff or rigid.
Support Score: 9/10
Traction
The rubber outsole design is upgraded from the previous flagship model of the Altra Experience Flow. Less grooves throughout the outsole as well as firmer rubber towards the medial and lateral sides of the shoe.
We tested the outsole on asphalt, slate, concrete, gravel, dirt paths, and of course indoor floors. The traction held excellently, and most importantly did not slip on wet pavement or asphalt during our wet traction testing.
The rubber outsole comes up over the front of the shoe into the toe box which really adds that competitive advantage for grip when you are at maximum flexion of the shoe supposed to be on uphill terrains.
Compared to the flatter and less robust outsole of the Clifton 9, the Experience Flow 2 rules.
Traction Score: 8.5/10 (15%)
Weight
We weighed the Altra Experience Flow 2 at 9 ounces, which is in the top 5 of our lightest shoes available.
The lightweight and breathable design of the upper really shaves off that extra weight a lot of other shoes tend to carry. With the added rocker, the shoe “feels” like one of the lightest models out on the market currently.
Altra was also very smart with their weight distribution. The largest amount of rubber is only used in the highest compression areas such as the heel and toe while saving weight in the mid foot.
Overall, the Altra Experience Flow 2 was great to wear for very long periods of time without food fatigue or that “blocky” feeling a lot over over-cushioned shoes tend to carry. While this may sound odd, I felt like the shoe was a “part of me” while walking.
As a frame of reference the, Brooks Ghost Max 2 weighed in at 15 oz which is 66% heavier than the Altra Experience Flow 2!
Weight Score: 9/10 (15%)
How Does The Altra Experience Flow 2 Fit?
I purchased a men’s 10.5 and they fit very well. The length of Altra models tend to be a little longer than the industry average. Just like when I tested the Altra Lone Peak 9+ , I felt the shoe was a little longer, you could consider moving down a ½ size if needed.
However, even at a size 10.5 I didn’t feel like I had any heel slipping or loss of support because of the longer fit. I didn’t have to use any specialized lacing techniques.
The Experience Flow 2 accommodates a lot of different foot shapes and sizes, without loss of performance.
Altra Experience Flow 2 Fit Score: 8/10 (15%)
Is the Altra Experience Flow 2 worth it?
If you’re tired of those over cushioned maximal fluff shoes then the Experience Flow 2 is perfect for you.
The moderate stack height, super lightweight profile, and outstanding support itself, is still underselling this shoe.
As an all-day walking shoe, or running shoe the Altra Experience Flow 2 is worth it.
Currently, it’s one of our top 5 rated walking shoes of 2025.
Value: 9.5/10 (10%)
Scoring Breakdown
Comfort (30%): 9/10
Support (20%) : 9/10
Traction (15%): 8.5/10
Weight (15%) : 9/10
Fit (15%) : 8/10
Value (5%) : 9.5 / 10
Total Weighted Score:
2.70 + 1.80 + 1.275 + 1.35 + 1.20 + 0.475 = 8.80 / 10
Our Rating
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use the Altra Experience Flow for walking?
Absolutely, the Altra Experience Flow is an excellent walking shoe. It provides enough cushion and support for long or short distance walking.
Are zero drop shoes good for walking?
Yes, zero drop shoes are good for walking. They promote the natural foot gait cycle as well as help strengthen your lower extremities. If you’re not used to zero drop shoes break them in slowly as they can lead if your body is not used to them.
Do Altra Experience Flow run small?
No, these shoes are actually run a little bit larger. We recommend sticking with your normal size or possibly sizing down a half size for the Experience Flow 2.
Does the Altra Experience Flow have arch support?
No, they do not have typical arch support. However, the support of the Experience Flow is more than enough for users with a naturally high or low arch.
How We Tested and Our Methodology
I personally tested the Altra Experience Flow 2 since their release in 2025. I personally have tested them for over 60 miles with continued testing in 2025.
No, I did not get them early or for free like other reviewers out there. I do accept free or early products so I can keep my scoring OBJECTIVE.
Mountaineer Journey is a 100% independent publisher with years of testing and reviewing outdoor equipment.
With over 15 years of real-world experience testing footwear for comfort, durability, and support, I approach every review from both a performance and practical standpoint. Each shoe is tested on a variety of indoor and outdoor surfaces.
We currently pay for the products we test ourselves; no company or manufacturer pays us to sway our opinions or decisions.
Our Founder Tyler has over 15+ years of experience in the outdoors, including Hiking, Trekking, Mountaineering, Survival Skills, and much more. Tyler also serves as a Mountain Guide.
