I had Clifton’s in womens normal fit (they didn’t do a womens wide) and despite the higher volume the width in the toe box was definitely no where near as comfortable as the Altra FWD experience is that I have just bought. The Clifton’s in fact gave me my very first blister on my big toe. They may be ok in the mid foot but there is an obvious taper in the HOKA compared to the Altras. So even tho’ FWD’s are for sure less roomy than my Torin’s they are wider than clifton. I’ve found now that my feet have splayed from wearing VIVO’s for everyday wear and TOPO/Altra for running, I simply can’t fit into any ‘normal’ running shoes. Also on the plus side my toes are less bent at the joints and so I now need less volume
Thanks for doing this, David! I was really curious to see the differences. I'm a confessed Altra enthusiast and use the Torin & Paradigm for my daily miles (P7 for the longer runs) and wanted something to use for a little more performance work. I'm debating the FWD and the Cyclone 2 at this point. Appreciate the insights!
If you already like the feel of Altra, the FWD experience could be nice for that! The Cyclone is a very different shoe. FWD more of a stiff quickly rockered shoe and a little less bounce with the Cyclone being more flexible and a tad softer with a little more bounce
@@dianachiu9316 I got the FWD. It's a good shoe but probably limited to workouts and 5k's for me due to the midsole being a little firmer than I would like for longer distances.
Well I am a little bit confused, are you talking about the clifton wide version or normal width? I have some Altra shoes and I like them because of the footshape, stability, wider base and toebox space and low/zero drop. The drop is 4mm, not much difference between both shoes, but if the hoka has a wider midfoot and a wider and more space/volume in the toebox (and I´ve heard that it is narrow) the Altra wont be very nice for my wide feet. When you say "in the firmer side", the midsole, is it comparable with the Via Olympus? Sorry for this huge comment. Thanks.
You're good! Normal width HOKA. Width is pretty similar with this and the Altra. This model is a little more narrow in forefoot than other Altras but still checks the lower end of wide. The lower volume probably makes it feel more so. Foam is very firm on step in but breaks in. It actually felt firmer that Paradigm at step in but broke in a little more for me
For me and from experience with treating people with severe achilles problems, all the Altra needs to be perfect, is a less dense/firm midsole. If it was more like the regular Hoka 9 (differs from the GoreTex 9...), the Altra would be "The Shoe", that I would recommend my athletes/patients.
Hi @iberiksoderblom! Crazy I saw this comment on this shoe as I've had an achilles problem for a couple years now. I ran in Altra's and loved it, but feel I need a small drop. You think I should grab these or a Hoka Clifton type shoe? Thanks for any help!
@@ryanhawkins2834 Hi' Initially I would point to the Hoka, because I know them. But I'm inclined to go for the Altra if your bodyweight is relatively low. The most important is to keep working with- and strenghening the calfmuscles, and give the some good massage. Also work with with a balance bord and strengthen the muscles in your feet. And be patient! Start with a 6-12 month horizon.
"Foot shaped" is a gimmick to sell other brands for people with wider feet. The zero drop is the real benefit. Look at all the best athletes,runners,lifters,crossfitters,etc... They all do jus fine with almond toe shaped athletic shoes. Even the bigger foot people. Baby foot shape is for babies,who have minimally activated leg muscles. Feet are like goldfish without confinement,they grow bigger/flatter. If milk is no longer beneficial for adults,why is a wider foot??
There’s better options for just walking. The Altra fwd would be better for a little more tempo than just walking. Clifton or bondi from Hoka would be better for walking
I really enjoyed running in the Rivera 3, so I had high hopes for a 4mm drop Altra. As it turns out, I absolutely hate the FWD, to the extent that I'm retiring it from my rotation after 25 unenjoyable miles. The Clifton 9 is SO much better/more fun to run in than the FWD!
I had Clifton’s in womens normal fit (they didn’t do a womens wide) and despite the higher volume the width in the toe box was definitely no where near as comfortable as the Altra FWD experience is that I have just bought. The Clifton’s in fact gave me my very first blister on my big toe. They may be ok in the mid foot but there is an obvious taper in the HOKA compared to the Altras.
So even tho’ FWD’s are for sure less roomy than my Torin’s they are wider than clifton. I’ve found now that my feet have splayed from wearing VIVO’s for everyday wear and TOPO/Altra for running, I simply can’t fit into any ‘normal’ running shoes. Also on the plus side my toes are less bent at the joints and so I now need less volume
Thanks David! Next dog fight is 1080v9 vs C9
Thanks for your thoughts about the differences in ride between two shoes that appear very similar at first.
Of course!
Thanks for doing this, David! I was really curious to see the differences. I'm a confessed Altra enthusiast and use the Torin & Paradigm for my daily miles (P7 for the longer runs) and wanted something to use for a little more performance work. I'm debating the FWD and the Cyclone 2 at this point. Appreciate the insights!
If you already like the feel of Altra, the FWD experience could be nice for that! The Cyclone is a very different shoe. FWD more of a stiff quickly rockered shoe and a little less bounce with the Cyclone being more flexible and a tad softer with a little more bounce
I also run in Torins and Paradigms and was looking at the Cyclone 2 and FWD!! What did you end up going with?
@@dianachiu9316 I got the FWD. It's a good shoe but probably limited to workouts and 5k's for me due to the midsole being a little firmer than I would like for longer distances.
I have both, Altra wins. That is all. 😊
He nailed it.
Thank you!
would you run a slow casual half marathon in them
Well I am a little bit confused, are you talking about the clifton wide version or normal width? I have some Altra shoes and I like them because of the footshape, stability, wider base and toebox space and low/zero drop. The drop is 4mm, not much difference between both shoes, but if the hoka has a wider midfoot and a wider and more space/volume in the toebox (and I´ve heard that it is narrow) the Altra wont be very nice for my wide feet. When you say "in the firmer side", the midsole, is it comparable with the Via Olympus? Sorry for this huge comment. Thanks.
You're good! Normal width HOKA. Width is pretty similar with this and the Altra. This model is a little more narrow in forefoot than other Altras but still checks the lower end of wide. The lower volume probably makes it feel more so. Foam is very firm on step in but breaks in. It actually felt firmer that Paradigm at step in but broke in a little more for me
Clifton 9 comes in a Wide-version, that actually fits wide.
Recommended!
Clifton 8 and 9 aren't narrow.
@@filoIII sorry, but I beg to differ.
Thats why I always buy the Wide version.
@@iberiksoderblom Well, it's not the SHOES that are narrow for the AVERAGE person, but that you have a wide foot.
For me and from experience with treating people with severe achilles problems, all the Altra needs to be perfect, is a less dense/firm midsole.
If it was more like the regular Hoka 9 (differs from the GoreTex 9...), the Altra would be "The Shoe", that I would recommend my athletes/patients.
Hi @iberiksoderblom! Crazy I saw this comment on this shoe as I've had an achilles problem for a couple years now. I ran in Altra's and loved it, but feel I need a small drop. You think I should grab these or a Hoka Clifton type shoe? Thanks for any help!
@@ryanhawkins2834 Hi'
Initially I would point to the Hoka, because I know them.
But I'm inclined to go for the Altra if your bodyweight is relatively low.
The most important is to keep working with- and strenghening the calfmuscles, and give the some good massage.
Also work with with a balance bord and strengthen the muscles in your feet.
And be patient!
Start with a 6-12 month horizon.
Hoka are not shaped like human feet, thats not good.
Right! For me, the comparison makes little sense, because hokas simply don't fit my (Roman type) feet.
"Foot shaped" is a gimmick to sell other brands for people with wider feet. The zero drop is the real benefit. Look at all the best athletes,runners,lifters,crossfitters,etc... They all do jus fine with almond toe shaped athletic shoes. Even the bigger foot people. Baby foot shape is for babies,who have minimally activated leg muscles. Feet are like goldfish without confinement,they grow bigger/flatter. If milk is no longer beneficial for adults,why is a wider foot??
I walk about 15 miles every workout. Are the Altra Fwd Experience the right shoes for me?
There’s better options for just walking. The Altra fwd would be better for a little more tempo than just walking. Clifton or bondi from Hoka would be better for walking
Hi Yoshi
Hi Nate
Is your Clifton 9 stack measured?
per Running Warehouse
@@djsalassmc strange. I saw else where 38-33
I really enjoyed running in the Rivera 3, so I had high hopes for a 4mm drop Altra. As it turns out, I absolutely hate the FWD, to the extent that I'm retiring it from my rotation after 25 unenjoyable miles. The Clifton 9 is SO much better/more fun to run in than the FWD!