The following review was written by ATRA gear wrangler Sarah Barber and features the Altra Experience Wild 3+ trail running shoe and wander collaboration. Product was provided at no charge for the test and review.
It takes confidence to collaborate with another entity. Confidence in one’s own identity. Confidence that one won’t be overshadowed by the co-collaborator. Confidence that one plus one is something greater than two, because if it wasn’t, why bother collaborating? At that point, you’re just splitting the check and hoping nobody notices the appetizer was mediocre.
As a unique footwear brand best known for zero-drops and anatomically correct toe boxes, Altra is clearly confident in its identity. And why not? They make fantastic shoes for road running, trail running, and more, while smartly avoiding that left turn into apparel production. Instead, Altra’s avenue into clothing is paved with collaboration—like a brand that knows its lane and refuses to make a moisture-wicking polo about it.
Altra Partnerships
In 2025, Altra partnered with a high-end athletic boutique (Soar) in designing a race-ready capsule that paired with their carbon-plated trail racing shoe, the Mont Blanc Carbon. This winning combination carried me to an age-group victory in my first 50K, so naturally I am emotionally available for future collaborations of this nature. This year, Altra bumped fists with and wander (that’s not a typo; the company’s name is “and wander”), a Japanese label known for outdoor clothing that, “transitions seamlessly between mountain and urban environments.” Interestingly, Altra’s Experience Wild 3+ X is the shoe of choice to bear and wander’s nature-inspired colorways in a limited-edition model with a matching trail gaiter.
While it’s not immediately clear whether this is a casual situationship or a match made in heaven, so far the partnership has not gone beyond the shoe and gaiter. Another mystery exists in the economics of the coupling. A regular pair of the Altra Experience Wild 3+ X retails at $20 less than the version bearing and wander’s words of wisdom in tiny print on the side of the upper: “Sunny day, wind blown day, cloudy day, rainy day, hiking is always happy.” Profound? Maybe. The sentence has the energy of a fortune cookie that just discovered ultrarunning. Still, the hues of carbon and humus don’t particularly stand out as being worth $20 extra.
Well-suited for off-roading
All the weird marketing aside, the Experience Wild 3+ X is a solid all-purpose sneaker that’s well-suited for off-roading in any capacity. With the now ubiquitous Vibram Megagrip outsole, it’s just luggy enough for a rugged stretch of trail but not so aggressive that it feels extra on buffed out hardpack. To me, the ride is slightly less cushioned than earlier iterations of the Experience Wild, but other updates include an integrated toe-bumper and a trademarked GaiterTrap for easy accessorizing.
The 4mm heel-to-toe drop is gentle enough for someone looking to trend toward zero drop but not ready to abruptly commit. However, the part I can’t shut up about is Altra’s commitment to the spacious toe box. I once had a relationship with a neuroma named Morton, and ever since I kissed him goodbye, I’ve given my toes all the wiggle room they need. Apart from general foot health and comfort, toe-splay also contributes to balance and confidence on technical terrain. And confidence is where we began. I’m confident I’ll keep running in the Altra Experience Wild 3+ X and wander wherever the trail takes me.
Altra Experience Wild 3+ specs
MSRP: $185
Heel-to-toe drop: 4 mm
Weight: 9.3 ounces (263.7 grams)
