Altra is changing things up with the new Experience collection, which features a 4 mm drop and rocker-shaped geometry. This is a new direction for a brand that started with zero-drop shoe designs. The Altra Experience Wild is the trail version in this category.
by Dave Martinez
Before starting into the Altra Experience Wild Review, let me provide some background into the brand. Altra was started by two runners who altered shoes in the back of a running store in Utah to help runners overcome running injuries. Two main characteristics that separated Altra from other footwear brands were their commitment to foot-shaped designs featuring a wider toebox and a zero-drop shoe. The zero-drop specs steered some runners away, thinking it meant minimal, as this was just after the height of the barefoot running movement. Later, they transitioned their marketing message from zero-drop to “Balanced Cushioning.” Now Altra is introducing a few new models with 4 mm drop and a rocker-shaped geometry. While Altra has a lot of fans of the “Balanced Cushioning” design, this new line has the potential to expand their reach and make runners consider Altra a brand they otherwise may not have in the past.
Fit
As previously stated and well known to anyone familiar with Altra, their shoes have a wide toe box, and the Experience Wild is no exception. The toe box is roomy but not too much. It’s the right amount to allow the toes to splay/spread out, providing comfort, especially if you go long. It tapers nicely in the middle of the foot, providing a secure fit. As we move toward the heel, it retains that secure fit, and I feel no slipping. I have tried other Altra shoes with a slight heel slippage, requiring additional eyeholes for the runner’s loop. Overall, it had a nice, secure fit—no complaints in this department.
Feel
As I slid my foot into the shoe, I felt the softness of its upper material. The tongue is padded, and it is traditional. The heel collar is padded, and some additional padding is strategically placed to help secure the heel. The material feels premium and soft to the touch. The cushioning feels soft, but it’s not mushy or spongy. The Altra Experience Wild uses flat laces that work well to keep the laces tight and in place. The eyelets are reinforced with some stitched fabric and TPU throughout that area, which should be durable in extreme conditions. The toe cap is reinforced with TPU overlays that blend into the material and are almost unnoticeable, at least in my color.
Ride
Running in the Altra Experience Wild feels familiar. It reminds me of or feels like other rocker-shaped geometry midsole shoes, which I tend to favor. Shoes like the Hoka Clifton and Saucony Endorphin series use the same design and are the ones I prefer to run in. The transition feels smooth. I land on the midfoot, and the transition to the toes is quick and, as I said, familiar. The midsole cushion absorbs the impact and disperses it. From what I can tell, there is no rock guard or plate. The midsole cushion seems enough to protect the foot from any harsh contact. The Altra Experience Wild feels light and quick when you need that quick turnover on technical sections. Compared to other shoes in this category, it’s also very nimble. I compared it to the Hoka Speedgoat and this model is a bit more flexible which gives it that quick and nimble feeling as it adapts to the varying terrain.
Conclusion
The Altra Experience Wild resembles the Brooks Cascadia, Hoka Challenger, and Nike Wildhorse. It also has the nimble feel of a Saucony Peregrine, and I would even put it up against the Hoka Speedgoat. It’s a fun shoe to run trails in, and its MaxTrac outsole seems to provide plenty of traction. I’ve used the Hoka Speedgoat for 50ks, and if I were to do a 50k in the future, I’d seriously consider the Altra Experience Wild. Some nice touches that are built into the Wild are the loop and hook features for the Altra GaitorTrap to keep rocks and debris out of the shoe. The heel pull tab is nicely designed as it sits at an angle but when you slide your foot into the shoe and tilt it slightly, it moves into the perfect angle to pull up with your finger. I think the attention to these details shows the amount of work that went into the design of this shoe.
About 8-10 years ago, Pearl Izumi, a bike apparel brand, entered the running footwear space. They offered several models for both road and trail. The Experience Wild reminds me of the Pearl Izumi N2 Trail. It was a lower-drop shoe with a wide toe box and a favorite in the trail community (they also made some great running apparel). They had several versions with the “N” standing for Neutral and the “2” representing the mid-range stack height (N1 was lower to the ground, and N3 was the higher/max stack height). The cushioning was more responsive in Pearl Izumi but the overall fit and feel are similar to the Experience Wild. For anyone running in a Hoka trail shoe or a lower-drop shoe, the Altra Experience Wild should be considered your next trail shoe.
Of course, we recommend visiting your local Big Peach Running Co. location (or your local running store if you’re not in the area) to try them on yourself. Everyone’s feet differ, and this review is based solely on my experience. I hope it helps give you more options when considering your next trail shoe. If you’d rather shop online, visit our online store.
