After putting over 700km into my last shoe, it was time to move on. I returned to Footkaki, which had fitted me with my previous shoe, and they recommended the Altra FWD VIA because of its fit and stability. I had asked why they did not recommend an updated version of my previous shoe and they said that their tests showed that stability had taken a hit. Took their word for it and paired it with the Footbionics footbed (also fitted for me). Here is how it has gone so far.
Good
- Stable. Well, as expected, it fit my foot well and offered great ankle stability. I have a slight but long running ITB issue and this ensured I could go the distance without pain.
- Lightweight. Coming from previous shoes like the Asics Kayano and the Hoka Gaviota, the FWD VIA was noticeably lighter. It makes a difference on longer runs.
- Toebox. Incredibly spacious. I have not had a wider toebox than this. I have semi-wide feet and this was more than sufficient. Frankly, I think most shoes (including cycling variants) should cater for wider toeboxes. No harm in giving toes more wiggle room.
Not so good
- Stiff. I am not too experienced with energy return shoes but this pair started off rather stiff with little returns. It loosened up after a few runs and offered better returns but this is still not the shoe if you want that springy feeling.
Overall, another good experience getting a well-fitting shoe from Footkaki (not sponsored), and looking forward to putting a few hundred kilometers into this pair.
