Altra  FWD VIA Road-Running Shoes - Women's

A little over a year ago I found the perfect dreamy shoe in the Altra Via Olympus. And then, it happened....what always happens....I find the perfect shoe and it gets discontinued or changed in some way. I'm old...60 and I have bunions and arthritic knees. Please bring back the Via Olympus! I purchased the FWD VIA Road-Running Shoes and took them on a short run. On mile 3 I began to feel pressure where I always get blisters in my right foot, where the big bunion is. On mile 4 the pressure showed up on my left foot with the not so pronounced bunion. The shoe is stiff and just not as comfortable as the Olympus was. I'm just writing to voice my opinion and hopefully you will have others that really want the Olympus back. So here I go, in search of the perfect shoe...again.

I've owned 6 pair of Altra running shoes over several years, so I'm usually a fan. It's always a suprise what you're going to get because every year its new materials, new construction, one year even different sizing. I can usuallly roll with all that because the shoes are so comfortable. This year though the suprise was new pain. Yes, these are very well cushioned as others have mentioned. But the upper part of the shoe is now made of what feels like cheaper, stiffer materials that rub all around the ankle and are just painful. I gave them lots of opportunities to break in in lots of conditions but after a couple weeks they're still painful to wear. I am regretfully going to return them. There's not a lot of good choices in the no-drop sector, but Altra's lack of consistent construction and quality control gets harder to accept each year.

I need a lot of forefoot padding in my running shoes because I have Morton's neuroma and I felt like the shoes were great for that and overall comfortable, but they were too tight across my foot below my toes. They definitely have a wide toe box, but that width doesn't extend down past the actual toes themselves. They were too tight in the area that spans from the bone on the inside of my foot just below my big toe to the bone on the outside of my foot below my little toe. I had another pair of Altra's and this wasn't an issue so it must just be this shoe design, which is disappointing from Alta. Wish they had worked out. If you don't need a wide width shoe then these would probably be fine for you.

I purchased these to help get me through my work days as I am always on my feet. I have plantar fasciitis in one foot and hoped the extra cushioning would help to keep me moving. I am an avid wearer of Altra and these have the great wider toebox. They are very soft underfoot and, with my superfeet, they do help some with my foot pain. I can now work about 4-5 hours before my foot is screaming at me. I usually wear a 7 in Altra and the 7 in this shoe fits perfectly. I like the longer shoestrings and the secure feel of this shoe as well. Hopefully they hold up.

I bought these a little over a month ago and have been alternating between these my old runners, thinking I just needed to break them in for the discomfort to go away, like with a lot shoes. Turns out, it hasn’t gone away for me after about 40 miles on these. I don’t know if it’s because of the “rocker” on them or what, but the fit is far different than any of my other Altra shoes (hikers, runners, trail runners) that I have. These caused shin splints and my second toe hits the top. These were purchased in my typical Altra size, but they’re no for me.

I love the wider toe box and the small amount of drop from heel to toe. The amount of cushion is just right - not too much but just enough to be comfy. Sorry they are being discontinued

This is second pair of sneakers I’m getting from the same location 6 months. They are so comfortable. Ana the stuff is vary helpful!

Sadly these had to be returned. Much too narrow/small. Odd for this brand…the toe box not the same as other Altra’s I’ve had.

Well made and true to size. Unfortunately they hurt my back and I can’t wear them. Will return them.

The shoe had a strange fit. It made my foot turn in when I tried it on, right out of the box. I inserted ortho soles and it did the same thing. I bought it because the reviews indicated it had more room in the toe box and I found that to be a positive. I wear a 6 in most shoes, but size up to a 7 in Saucony. I ordered this shoe in a 6.5. It was a little short in length. Had to return.