Altra Experience Wild Review: Best Trail Running & Trekking Shoes for Adventure Racing

Shoes are one of the more challenging pieces of gear to recommend due to the wide variability in foot shapes and sizes, along with those who may have other orthopedic needs. That said, we wanted to offer a brief discussion on the subject of shoes, in hopes that we leave you with some key points to consider when choosing your shoes.

As we were putting together our current race team in the Fall of 2024. The goal at that time was the 72-hour Sea to Sea Expedition Race in Florida, where we expected to travel an estimated 300 miles by foot, bike, and canoe. We knew we wanted a shoe that was durable in all possible wet and dry conditions, optimized for trails and trekking. We didn’t say hiking because anyone who knows Florida knows that the elevation there isn’t technically hiking. However, in hindsight, our favored shoe did turn out to be an excellent choice for trekking and hiking, which we’ll touch on shortly.

Now that we had some general requirements and preferences, we first looked at what we already had in the closet. Interestingly, we both had variations of Altra shoes, for no reason other than they liked our feet. Altra is a traditional no-drop shoe without extreme arch support, which in our case is preferred because we do not have high arches. Shoes with inherent high arch support can create excessive arch pressure and foot pain, which is undesirable on a typical day, let alone during a multi-day endurance event. One of our existing shoe styles was the Superior, a 23mm low-stack, 0 mm-drop trail shoe. Another was the Torin 7, a 30mm mid stack 0mm drop road shoe. Lastly, the Lone Peak 8 is a favored mid-stack trail shoe, featuring a 25mm stack height with 0mm drop.

So, how do we combine the cushion and comfort of the Torin 7, the breathability and flexibility of the Superior, and the trail traction and durability of the Lone Peak? We get the Altra Experience Wild! This shoe, as advertised by the manufacturer, is designed for neutral running, including trail running, all-day running, technical trail running, and hiking. It has a mesh upper, EVA foam midsole with mid cushion, MaxTrac outsole, and is best for standard foot shapes. Stack height is 28mm/32mm (front/rear), which you might find counterintuitive to all of the other shoes being a 0mm drop, but don’t fear. We’ll touch on drop briefly first.

DROP

If you’re reading this, it is likely you are processing all of the same questions we were, and the impact of different drop levels. Luckily for us all, the internet is full of great (and not so great) information, and we can summarize a few key points of a 4mm drop shoe versus a zero-drop shoe. Reflecting the Experience Wild (or any 4mm drop shoe) is a good starter if you’re new to adventure racing.

Balance and Transition:

A 4mm drop provides a low-drop experience but offers more support and a familiar feel, making it a good stepping stone for those transitioning from higher-drop shoes.

Reduced Lower Leg Tension:

Compared to zero-drop shoes, a 4mm drop can place less tension on the Achilles tendon and calf muscles, which might be beneficial for some individuals.

Comfort for Beginners:

It's often more comfortable for beginners than a zero-drop shoe and can feel more familiar. Both of us, coming from other zero-drop Altra styles, but having some other branded casual and athletic shoes with 4mm and 8mm drops, our transition to the 4mm drop Experience Wild was immediate.

CUSHION (or stack height)

With a 28mm/32mm stack, we quickly appreciated the comfort of the Experience Wild compared to other mid-stack shoes, as well as above the Superior’s and Lone Peak 8’s lower stack. Going directly into the trails, into and out of ditches, ravines (as much as FL can have a ravine), over boulders and rocky terrain, and most importantly, the hours upon hours of trekking with a 15lb pack on, the comfort of the EVA midsole was worth its weight in gold.

BREATHABILITY

The mesh upper of the Experience Wild seemed to be pretty well optimized for breathability. During all weather conditions, the shoes allowed our feet to breathe well, and the build-up of sweat or excessive moisture over a multi-day race has never been a concern. As many are aware, we often wear the same shoes when trekking through rain, mud, traversing waterways, swimming, and canoeing/kayaking. The point being, they get wet! Each time we encountered water of any kind, the Experience Wild drained and dried quickly, and even quicker the more we walked and pushed out any remaining water with each step. In fact, in some cases, our feet and socks would be dehydrated in nearly an hour. One critical note here is that socks ARE an essential factor. Wool or wool blend socks (moisture-wicking) are a must and aid in wicking moisture out and away from the feet, thus speeding up the drying process. NEVER race in cotton socks. You will regret it.

Do not fall into the trap of waterproof or “rainy day” shoes. Most of these do not drain well, if at all.

The last thing you need is wet shoes full of water with nowhere for it to go. A standard breathable upper is sufficient, and it’s better to have a wet sock from a splash that will quickly dry than a sealed sack of water on your foot. The only solution to attempt to dry is to take it off, dump it out, and sit idle while it airs out.

FLEXIBILITY

For the mid stack height, the Experience Wild still maintained adequate flexibility when and where needed. When traversing any obstacles where having the feet conform to the obstacle or terrain was critical, we did not encounter any slipping or feeling of not being in complete contact underfoot.

DURABILITY

As of the time this was being written, we have hundreds of training and racing miles in the Experience Wild shoes (we both have two rotating pairs). We have raced from the sandy beaches of FL, the rocky trails of central AL, to the mountains of WY. Dry, wet, mud, swamps, hills, mountain climbing, you name it...we’ve put these shoes through it. There is noticeable sole wear to be expected for the level of abuse we have put these through, but honestly, we expected more. Surprisingly, out of four pairs, we have not experienced any sole separation, mesh upper rips or tears, or internal deterioration of the shoes.

TRACTION

As referenced a couple of times, we are exposed to all possible conditions and terrain. We have always felt solid underfoot with no concerns of having adequate traction when it counted the most. Crossing slick algae-laden river rocks, climbing up and down hills, trekking the sugar sands of FL, and scaling up nearly vertical rock faces, the Experience Wild never failed. In fact, two recent events proved the trekking and hiking capabilities of the Experience Wild. The first was a last-minute trail race (we're not trail runners/racers) that was entered more so for a conditioning goal in preparation for an upcoming event in Wyoming. Through the hills, valleys, streams, rock face climbs, and root/rock filled single-track trails, the shoes stood up to full 18 miles of abuse and performed great. Secondly, in a recent 36 hour Adventure Race in Wyoming, the results were the same. Climbing rock faces in Curt Gowdy State Park and traversing the expanse of the various mountains further West towards Laramie, WY, we were never disappointed.

LACES

While we haven’t previously mentioned laces, you will see some discussions around speed laces. These can be good for quick transitions or in cases where having a solid heel lock is not critical, but this is another piece of gear that everyone receives differently. If you don’t slip in the shoe (i.e., your feet slide within the shoe), this may work for you. If you are experiencing blistering, one factor may be that your feet are not properly ‘locked in’ or are becoming loose because the speed laces are not maintaining their hold. Like everything, you can spend all of the late nights you want reading up on speed laces and make your own determination.

BIKING

The only point to make here is that we do not bike in our trekking, hiking, running, or walking shoes. We wear shoes specifically designed for biking (not clip-ins) with a firm sole and midsole to mitigate foot injuries and fatigue. If you plan to wear the same shoes for all venues, more specifically biking, you may consider a shoe with a firmer midsole if you expect a significant amount of biking over rough terrain. The hours and hours of pedaling and rigorous impact of rocky and aggressive single-track trails can take their toll. However, if this is what you desire and how you train, you should be reasonably well-prepared for race day. Just be sure to train exactly how you will race.

AR Insider put together a video on basic shoe strategy.

In summary, while this review highlights the Altra Experience Wild as a strong contender, the intent isn’t to suggest there’s only one perfect adventure racing shoe. The best choice comes down to knowing your own feet, your running style, and the shoes you already trust. Everyone’s biomechanics are unique, and different trail running shoes or trekking shoes may serve you better. By considering key factors such as shoe drop, cushioning, breathability, flexibility, durability, and traction, you can select the proper footwear for endurance events. Whether you land on the Altra Experience Wild or another brand, these guidelines will help you find the best trail running shoes for adventure racing and long-distance trekking.