Thestylized street American manufacturer launched FWDs in recent weeks, a model that enshrines for Altra a revolution of sorts, or at least a leap that was in the air but still came unexpectedly: the introduction of the drop. In the case of FWD, the value that is recorded is 4. Millimeters, of course, as measured in these cases even if we are talking about an American brand. However, to describe the Altra FWDs by limiting themselves to this feature would not do them justice.
For those used to running with Altra, this transition sounds strange, but once you put the shoes on your feet, the feeling is the usual one you get with all of the American company’s models, with one important difference: right from the start you tend to send your body forward. This feeling, in addition to the differential (which is only 4 mm, so almost zero) is given by another important technical device: the rocker-type bottom.
Shoes that dictate the pace
No, there is no bluetooth speaker broadcasting Rolling Stones music, but the unique midsole structure dictates the rhythm of the run, with a shape a reminiscent of the bottom of a boat that cradles the back-meso-foot movement harmoniously, allowing anyone to run while resting in the manner most appropriate to their characteristics. The almost automatic movement of the foot goes to make the most of the entire sole and allows for better acceleration, with the landing going to return to the foot some of the energy expended for the forward leap, pushing (FWD actually stands for forward-pushing) the athlete to take the next step. In this part of the shoe lies the second major innovation introduced by Altra, which is the use of a new midsole foam, of the CMEVA type, which provides excellent durability but without an excessive increase in weight compared to classic compounds.
The new outsole and drop 4 are complemented by two Altra classics that are hallmarks of the American brand: the wide toebox, which allows the toes to move inside the shoe and rest in the best possible way at all times, and the tread structure that mimics the bone structure of the foot, following the ideal line of the metatarsus and phalanges, providing support to each toe in a dedicated manner. The tread rubber, as happens in all Altra road models, also has grooves designed to allow water to be expelled laterally, ensuring perfect grip on the ground in all conditions, from dry to wet. Especially in the latter case, FWD was a nice surprise. Compounded by the rocker conformation, running in the rain always returns a feeling of stability and leaves total confidence even in turns, with the tread keeping contact on the ground without any wavering.
Suitable for
There are just a few tricks to pay attention to when using FWD. The first concerns the particular conformation of the Achilles heel spoon, which is stiffer and higher than in previous Altra models and thus rests on a wider surface, so it is preferable to wear socks that are high enough to avoid chafing-especially in the first period of use and adaptation. The other aspect to keep well in mind is the lacing, which should be tightened firmly on the tongue, which otherwise tends to shift as the stride accelerates.
Having said these two things, one cannot but recognize that the introduction of the drop in an Altra shoe was also done to make the American brand more appealing to that part of the public that still did not trust it enough to attempt an approach with the American brand’s drop 0 shoes. With FWDs every runner, both those who habitually run with low drops and those who run with drops 8 or even 10, will be comfortable and have a great feeling from the first stride, whether they use them for leisurely pace runs or for those who want to do fast-paced workouts with sudden changes of direction.
You can purchase the new FWDs on Altra’s website at this
link
or in the best sporting goods stores, priced at 150€.