Experience Flow 2

Yes, it comes up true to size for most runners, so order your usual UK number. The difference you will notice is the FootShape toe box, which is roomier than a typical trainer and lets your toes splay. That extra width does not mean extra length, so do not size down. If you are between sizes or wear thick socks, size up. Narrow feet may need the laces a touch tighter to lock down the midfoot.

No, and that is the point of the Experience line. Instead of Altra's traditional zero drop it uses a low 4mm drop, which sits between a true natural shoe and a conventional trainer. It gives you the roomy foot-shaped fit Altra is known for while easing the strain on your calves and Achilles that some runners feel with zero drop. It makes this one of the friendliest ways into the brand if you are new to lower-drop shoes.

It can be, with a caveat. The light weight, roomy fit and forgiving 4mm drop make it comfortable and approachable for new runners building a routine. If you are switching from a standard high-drop shoe, ease into it gradually so your calves adapt to the lower drop. Beginners who overpronate or need structured support should choose a stability shoe instead, because this is a neutral trainer with no correction built in.

They share Altra's foot-shaped fit but aim at different runs. The Torin 8 is a softer, more cushioned zero-drop daily trainer built for comfort and higher mileage. The Experience Flow 2 is lighter, lower-slung with its 4mm drop, and livelier when you pick up the pace. Choose the Torin for plush everyday miles and the Experience Flow for a quicker, more versatile shoe that still handles easy days.

Yes, it is well suited to a half marathon. At 238g it is light enough to hold race pace and the balanced cushioning stays comfortable across 13.1 miles for most runners. It has no carbon plate, so you provide the propulsion rather than the shoe, but for a lot of runners that honest, connected feel is exactly what they want for a half. For a full marathon you would likely want more stack underfoot.

Durability is in line with a lightweight daily trainer, so expect a normal training-shoe lifespan of several hundred miles rather than the extended mileage of a heavier, more heavily rubbered shoe. The outsole covers the main wear zones and the upper holds up well without fraying. As with any lighter trainer, rotating it with a second pair for your longest or hardest sessions will help it last longer.