The Altra FWD Via is Altra's second or third attempt (depending on how you count) on making a max cushion shoe. This time around, they've revised the geometry (more of a rocker), raised the drop to 5mm and introduced a new foam. The finished product is a solid shoe that feels like a sturdy and reliable workhorse. The ride is comfortable, and the foam falls into the Goldilocks gangzone—not too soft, not too firm. At slower paces, the protection and slight bounce remind us of the Asics Novablast 4, yet it's also great at handling pace pickups. The main issue here is the price. It's $160, but it's not better than $160 shoes like the Hoka Skyflow, Asics Gel-Nimbus or Adidas Supernova Prima. If you're a fan of Altra, you won't be disappointed here. But for most buyers who don't need the wide toebox that comes with an Altra, you'll be better served by one of the competitors. For a versatile, not-too-soft everyday shoe with a moderate drop, we recommend the Hoka Skyflow. For a comfortable ride at $160, check out the Asics Gel-Nimbus 26.

Category

Daily trainer

Release Date

October 2024

Plated?

No

Foam

EGO FLO

Foam Compound

Supercritical EVA & TPU Blend

Ride

Cushioned, Smooth, Flexible

Heel Stack (mm)

37.0

Forefoot Stack (mm)

33.0

Drop (mm)

4

Weight (mens size 9)

9.1

Support

Neutral

Fit

True to size