I laced up the Altra Experience Flow 2 for the 2025 Altra Yorkshire Marathon – a wonderful celebration of running that really does live up to its reputation. The atmosphere was electric, the crowds were endlessly encouraging and the course was fast and (mostly) flat, looping past some of York’s iconic landmarks including the breathtaking architecture of York Minster.
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At the time of the race, I was deep into a training block for the Valencia Marathon in December, chasing a 2-hour 49-minute target, so my coach Stef gave me a sensible race-day plan for Yorkshire: 15km at target marathon pace (4:00min/km), 12km at recovery pace (5:00min/km), and then an all-out final 15km, again around the 4:00min/km mark. I crossed the line in 3:00:55 – mildly gutted to miss the sub-three but pleased enough for what was, officially, just a training run.
As a guest of Altra, I’d been handed a pair of the Experience Flow 2s to test out during the event. On paper, they didn’t exactly scream “race day weapon” – no carbon plate, no hyper-bouncy superfoam, none of the headline-grabbing energy return tech that’s taken over modern marathon shoes. In truth, they seemed an odd choice for a fast road effort. But, to my surprise, I ran well in them. They felt swift and comfortable straight out of the box and they carried me smoothly through 42.2km of Yorkshire’s finest. Plus, for daily mileage (rather than big races) and everyday training, I left with the distinct impression that these trainers were 100% on point.
Here’s my take on how the Altra Experience Flow 2 performed, who these trainers are for, and what their key pros and cons are.
Price: £113
Weight: 460g
Best for: Daily training, easy and recovery runs, and long steady efforts
Pros: Comfortable, smooth and stable ride, durable for daily training
Cons: Not race-ready, limited traction off-road, roomy fit may feel loose for some
Buy the Altra Experience Flow 2: £113 at Alpinetrek.co.uk
Design and Features
Altra has built its reputation on doing things differently. Famed for disrupting the running and hiking shoe market in the 2010s, the brand’s philosophy rests on two key ideas: a zero-drop platform and a roomy, foot-shaped toe box. The former keeps heel and forefoot at the same height for a more balanced, natural stride, while the latter lets your toes splay and move freely. It’s a formula that’s won Altra a cult following among runners and hikers alike – though critics argue the fit can feel too loose or the zero-drop too unforgiving. In the Experience Flow 2, Altra has softened that stance slightly. This model features a 4mm drop, combining a touch of traditional geometry with the brand’s signature wide toe box. It’s a shoe designed for comfort, smooth transitions and versatility, leaning more towards steady daily mileage than race-day explosiveness.
Upper
The upper of the Experience Flow 2 is all about comfort and simplicity. A soft, engineered mesh wraps the foot with a breathable, flexible feel, while the padding around the collar and tongue adds a plush touch. The fit is classic Altra; roomy in the forefoot but secure through the midfoot and heel, so there’s space to move without slipping around. On longer runs, the upper stays cool and irritation-free, even straight from the box. It might lack the stripped-down, race-ready sleekness of a super shoe, but for easy training miles, recovery jogs and everyday use, it’s spot-on.
Midsole
Underfoot, the Flow 2 uses Altra’s Ego P35 midsole foam, offering a good balance of softness and responsiveness. There’s no carbon plate here, no gimmicks: just a smooth, natural-feeling ride. The gentle 4mm drop encourages efficient transitions, while the rocker geometry helps the shoe roll nicely from heel to toe.
It’s not a spring-loaded speed demon, but it feels stable, consistent and comfortable across a range of paces. For recovery runs or steady aerobic efforts, it hits a sweet spot of cushioning that’s forgiving without feeling mushy. And, to be fair, it worked pretty well on my faster miles at the marathon too – I was still able to hit three 20-minute 5kms back-to-back at the start of the race, without the trainer hindering my speed.
Outsole
The outsole is built for durability and dependable traction rather than aggressive grip. A full rubber coverage adds longevity, and the patterning provides good hold on tarmac and light paths, though it’s clearly designed for road use rather than mixed terrain. Personally I wouldn’t ever take this shoe off-road.
After the marathon, and several training runs, the outsole of my pair of Experience Flow 2s has showed minimal wear: always a positive sign for a daily trainer. The feel underfoot remains smooth and confident, without any harshness or instability.
Who Is It For?
The Experience Flow 2 feels like a natural fit for runners who value comfort, balance and natural motion over raw pace. It’s best suited as a reliable daily trainer, commuting shoe or long-run companion rather than a high-octane racer. Those who’ve been curious about Altra’s foot-shaped design but wary of full zero-drop geometry will find this a great gateway model. It’s friendly, forgiving and well-tuned for easy to moderate mileage.
Conclusion
I wouldn’t call the Experience Flow 2 a marathon shoe: it’s just not built with that carbon-plated, energy-return punch that modern race-day models deliver. But as a daily trainer, it performs very well. It’s comfortable, consistent and kind on tired legs, while still light and responsive enough to keep things moving. The 4mm drop and natural shape give it a unique feel in a crowded market. For runners seeking comfort and a touch of Altra’s distinct DNA without going full minimalist, the Flow 2 feels like a solid, likeable option.
Buy the Altra Experience Flow 2: £113 at Alpinetrek.co.uk
