What’s new
- New Altra EGO P35 midsole foam
- Updated fit construction
- Premium mesh upper
- Redesigned heel collar for improved comfort
ON THE RUN
MEGHAN: When you’ve run in a shoe for two straight years and it becomes your go-to trail option, the expectations for the next version are high. The original Experience Wild and the Wild 2 were staples in my rotation, so I was excited to get my hands on the Experience Wild 3.
From Island Lake to Brighton Rec, dirt roads, snowy sidewalks, and everything in between, this shoe has already proven it can handle just about anything I throw at it. The ride feels firm but still nicely cushioned, with a stable platform that inspires confidence on mixed terrain. It’s the kind of shoe I reach for when I don’t want to think too hard about what I’m running on that day.
What stands out most to me is how reliable it feels. No hot spots, no foot fatigue, and plenty of space for my toes to spread naturally. While I loved the Wild 2, I did notice that I pronated a bit more in that version. With the Wild 3, my foot feels like it sits better in the shoe, and that instability is completely gone. It’s not flashy, and that’s exactly what I want. Just comfortable, dependable miles, day after day.
SIDNEY: As a newer runner, I can’t always relate when people reminisce about a shoe from ten versions ago. I’ve only been around long enough to experience three or four iterations of most models. But the Altra Experience Wild is different. I’ve been here for its entire lifespan.
When the original v1 dropped, I just knew it was going to be something special. Fast forward three versions later, and I’m still just as excited every time a new one shows up. This is a shoe that has traveled miles with me. When the second version came out, I liked it a lot, but there was something about the OG that never left my mind. To be completely honest, I might still be hoarding four brand-new pairs in boxes in my closet right now.
I probably should’ve trusted Altra to outdo themselves again, because the third version is exactly that. The ride is more amplified and springy, yet somehow even more protective. And for a shoe without a rock plate, I’m genuinely impressed with how smooth and protective it feels on the trail. It’s a shoe I can count on for any adventure I throw at it, no matter how speedy, or how long, or how short.
THE FIT
MEGHAN: The fit is classic Altra in the best way. I went true to size in my Women’s 9.5 and had no issues at all. The toe box is that familiar roomy Altra shape that lets your toes relax and breathe, but the overall fit feels more secure than previous versions.
One of my favorite updates is the new heel collar. It adds a little more structure and lockdown without feeling stiff or uncomfortable. Even though the upper didn’t feel drastically different from the Wild 2, the way the shoe holds my foot feels more dialed in. Secure where you want it, roomy where you need it.
SIDNEY: Altra’s Standard FootShape is their slimmer option, but it still keeps that signature roomy toe box, and honestly, I think every foot needs this shape of shoe. The toe box is just right: enough space to let my toes breathe without feeling like I’m swimming in extra room. The shoe naturally tapers and hugs the midfoot in a way that feels secure and intentional.
And don’t even get me started on the redesigned heel collar. I didn’t think it was possible to improve on the Achilles pillows, but somehow… they did.
THE FEEL
MEGHAN: Underfoot, the Experience Wild 3 hits a really nice balance. The cushioning is on the firmer side, which I love for long trail runs and mixed terrain. It feels protective without ever feeling mushy or unstable.
This is definitely more of a cruiser and protective shoe rather than a speed-focused racer. The stability is excellent, and I never felt wobbly or unsure, even on uneven trails and wintery surfaces. It’s a smooth, controlled ride that makes longer efforts feel easy on the feet.
SIDNEY: Like I mentioned earlier, the Experience Wild is a shoe I’ve logged a lot of miles in, mostly in the first iteration, though the second version had plenty of fun adventures with me too. The OG Experience Wild was actually my second shoe swap at mile 25 of my first 50-miler, and it completely saved my feet. It’s also the shoe I chose to spend 100 miles in, so I know Experience Wild family pretty well to say the least.
It’s hard to find a trail shoe that truly protects your feet from roots and rocks, which is what still blows my mind about the Experience Wild. There’s no rock plate here, which keeps the shoe light, springy, and fun to run in while letting you fully enjoy the soft cushioning. And somehow, even without that plate, my feet stayed happy after hours of running over rocky ridgelines. The new EGO™ P35 midsole has a little bit of magic in it, and I don’t say that lightly.
THE NITTY GRITTY
MEGHAN: Honestly, this is the rare shoe where I don’t really have anything to complain about. I love the overall shape of the shoe, it looks better on foot, and the underfoot feel is exactly what I was hoping for after spending so much time in the Wild 2.
The biggest improvement for me is how stable it feels. My foot sits better in the shoe, I feel more centered, and the pronation issues I noticed in the previous version are gone. This is an excellent option for anyone looking for a solid trail shoe that can also handle the road.
One of my favorite ways to run is straight from town to the trails and back, and this shoe is perfect for that. You’ll definitely see me all year long grabbing my post-run coffee at Captain’s on Main wearing my Wilds.
SIDNEY: It’s impressive for a trail shoe to feel springy on pavement. Most of the time, the second I hit the road in a trail shoe, I’m reminded that the tech just isn’t quite on the same level as road shoes, at least not yet. The Experience Wild 3 manages to feel surprisingly peppy and responsive even when transitioning from trail to pavement.
I’m such a fan of this shoe because of how much you can ask of it. Long runs, faster efforts, road-to-trail routes, dirt roads, icy patches, rocky terrain, slippery roots, you name it. It takes whatever’s thrown at it and keeps moving. This shoe is built to be a true, do-it-all trail workhorse.
THE RUNDOWN
MEGHAN: The Experience Wild 3 builds really nicely on what already worked. While the upper didn’t feel dramatically different from the Wild 2, the overall fit and stability felt improved in a meaningful way. The new heel collar adds comfort and security, and the platform underfoot feels more balanced and supportive.
This is a shoe I’ll be wearing for daily trail miles, long runs, and any run that mixes pavement, dirt, and trail together. If you loved the previous versions, you’re going to be very happy with this update.
Reliable, comfortable, stable, and versatile. That’s exactly what I want in a trail shoe.
SIDNEY: The Experience Wild 3 is a trail shoe I genuinely urge everyone to try. It’s easy to love and works for just about anyone, in just about any condition. The new foam is the upgrade I didn’t even realize the Experience Wild needed, and the improved fit paired with the redesigned heel is the cherry on top.
This feels like a shoe that’s going to be a staple in Altra’s lineup for a long time. The Experience lineup has simply raised the bar for me, and the Wild in particular has become my personal favorite. It’s not that Altra didn’t have great shoes before, it’s just that the Experience Wild has completely reshaped what I now expect from an Altra trail shoe, and that’s a hard standard to beat.
Meet the Reviewers
