Now, Altra has rebranded the Via and changed, well, everything. It’s now called the FWD Via, changing it from a zero-drop model to a 4mm drop shoe. It joins the ranks of the FWD Form, Flow and Wild as Altras first shoes featuring a small heel-to-toe drop. What separates this from the other FWD models, is the new midsole, which they call EGO Flo. This is a much lighter and more responsive midsole than we’ve seen on other Altra models. In fact, this Via weighs about 15% less than its predecessor while not sacrificing cushion or width.
This week, I got to log some miles this week in the FWD Via and I was impressed. I have not always had the best luck with Altra on the road. I’ve found that I tend to do better in shoes in that 4-8mm drop range and outside of the trail, most of my miles logged are right in that sweet spot. I also am in the camp that not all Altras work for my foot shape. While they are all foot-shaped, not all are the same. When I first popped on the new FWD Via, I thought this shoe would also be too narrow where my BFF (Big Fat Foot). However, once on the road, the shoe seemed to stretch out a pinch more, providing me the extra width I needed. The addition of the new midsole and small drop really did make this shoe FLO more than I was expecting. I can sometimes feel too “slappy” in Altra shoes but the design and geometry of the FWD Via worked as advertised. It was much lighter underfoot and I was quiet and efficient. I actually added miles to my run because it felt much easier and more enjoyable than I expected. I also did something I rarely do, I wore my new running shoes around the shop. They made my foot happy and I even liked the style of them. One of the knocks on the old Via’s was that they really made your foot feel massive. With the shape and drop this shoe does not stand out as a big bulky model, despite its 39mm of cushion.
One of the few things that may hold this shoe back from being a true “Bondi Killer,” is people’s perception of it. We have found that the new FWD models from Altra have had a much better success rate when we get them on people’s feet. We’ve found that all three of the new 4mm drop shoes have sold much better in-store than online. People who either don’t have a big file on the brand, or are more adventurous, have been quite happy with the new Altra products. The old-school Altra fans seem to be a little late to the party when it comes trying out the new direction of the brand. If you’re a fan of a roomy shoe, with an efficient roll and a lower drop, I would give em a try.
