Altra Running FWD VIA 2 Initial Review

Midsole

At a spec 37mm heel / 33mm stack top we’re at a average for 2025 stack with many trainers now having heels effectively past 40mm. The platform width can also be reasonably however no excessively broad at 90 mm heel /  80 mm midfoot  / 110 mm forefoot. 

The shoe could seem taller but however the foot sits down within the midsole aspect partitions on the rear. The sidewalls are the identical gentle foam because the midsole and provides the By way of a contact of unobtrusive mild stability.

The “35” within the naming of the EGO P35 midsole stands for the Shore A firmness measurement and 35 is, comparatively talking, a gentle foam. The “P” stands for a Polyolefin Eastomer (POE) compound fashioned by compression molding and that’s apparently not supercritically foamed. 

Altra claims P35 is 19% softer and 15% extra responsive than the  v1 foam, a PEBA mix supercritical foam. Apparently, P35 is outwardly not a supercritical foam but delivers within the Alta By way of 2 and Expertise Movement 2 lots of the supercritical foams traits of journey power (an “elastic” supple return right here reasonably than an enormous bounce or spring) and softness. Whereas 9.65 oz / 274g US9 is  a really respectable weight,  one may think a supercritical would make it  lighter but additionally costlier than the $165 right here, noting greater stack competing supercritical foam trainers such because the Nike Vomero Premium and ASICS Megablast are $200+.

Outsole

I’m struck by the copious rubber right here. 

Deep and in all the correct locations, the outsole factors to glorious potential sturdiness and likewise, attributable to its depth on the heel,  retains the By way of steady and an trustworthy 4mm drop given the gentle foam. 

Utilizing one other Altra “basic” expertise, the outsole’s entrance sample matches the bones of the toes which permits for a clean steady circulation whereas unseen within the midsole we’ve “Inside Flex” a collection of prime minimize grooves (comparable in look to tennis strings) to provide the By way of some flex.

Experience and Preliminary Conclusions

My first run within the By way of was a 6 miler on pavement right here in Park Metropolis that was decently hilly (315 toes) and naturally at altitude. There’s something particular concerning the full splay of the toes on push off in an Altra and right here it’s full on, but I used to be by no means swimming round within the broad toe field.

The journey was clean and flowy if a bit stiff initially at slower paces (11:00+  miles). Because the shoe broke in a bit, and my tempo picked up (on the finish down under 10 minute miles my ordinary slower day by day coaching paces),  I might actually really feel the “elastic” return of the midsole. I say elastic return in distinction to “bouncy” (TPU based mostly foams) or “springy” and extra taut (PEBA based mostly foams). 

The general clean consolation and room within the higher, broad but safe toe field, and clear coaching power of the midsole had me smiling if not flying that quick.

To date, I’m seeing the By way of as a superb day by day coach for, in fact, those that worth and want a broad toe field however could have been apprehensive about transferring from the next drop shoe to a zero drop one. Even with a narrower decrease quantity foot as I’ve,  you must get a superb true to measurement match if for certain a extra consolation than excessive efficiency one, identical for the journey. All ought to expertise a effectively cushioned energetic journey with sufficient inherent stability and an elastic enjoyable rebounding really feel.  All of those attributes additionally ought to make the By way of 2 a superb strolling and standing all day in your toes possibility

Full multi tester evaluate with comparisons coming quickly.

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Sam is the Editor and Founding father of Highway Path Run. He’s in his 60’s with 2025 Sam’s 54th 12 months of working roads and trails. He has a a long time outdated 2:28 marathon PR. Today he runs halves within the simply sub 1:43 vary if he will get very, very fortunate. Sam trains 30-40 miles per week principally at average paces on the roads and trails of New Hampshire and Utah be it on the run, mountain climbing or on nordic skis. He’s 5’9” tall and weighs about 160 lbs, if he’s not having fun with too many nice New England IPA’s.

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