The Altra Mont Blanc Carbon. All pictures: iRunFar/Molly Schmelzle

The Altra Mont Blanc Carbon ($260) is a race-ready path shoe. Full cease. I’ve by no means written or stated that about any of Altra’s path trainers, regardless of my appreciation and respect for the model. Altra’s path line-up has at all times been extra of a coaching basis — a shoe to flex the foot muscular tissues and to get pleasure from zero-drop working with some daring responsiveness and very good underfoot adventures. The model additionally made a latest enterprise into low-drop footwear, together with the Altra Expertise Wild.

I’ve at all times been a fan of the Altra Lone Peak for its flexibility, versatility, and alluring Altra EGO midsole, but it surely doesn’t have that savoir faire for pace and race efficiency. For the primary time ever, I’m excited to face on a dust beginning line with a pair of Altras. I had hopes of doing that with the Altra Mont Blanc BOA, however as many readers have definitely learn or skilled, the heel match wasn’t “dialed” in for that model or for its predecessor.

With the Carbon, the Altra Mont Blanc has really arrived, and it appears to be like and rides recent and quick, and it’s rattling handsome. As anticipated, it has zero drop with a stack peak measured at 29 millimeters, each heel and toe. In case you are able to race and prepare arduous, the Altra Mont Blanc Carbon serves up nice and swift experiences. It’s at present out there for $260 — is it price it?

The rave evaluate isn’t simply in regards to the carbon — a full-length Carbitex Monoflex carbon plate — however the entire composition. The carbon plate is one thing, but it surely isn’t every little thing herein. The important thing to the general working expertise is the lightness of the shoe — with a claimed weight of 10.9 ounces (309 grams) for a U.S. males’s 10.5, an upgraded midsole, and a relatively safer match heel to toe. Though there may be nonetheless nuanced room for enchancment. It’s no secret that I want low drop, low stack, and inflexible to mid-ranged cushioned trainers, however the slip-on consolation and cushion of the Mont Blanc Carbon is beautiful.

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Altra Mont Blanc Carbon Higher

A lateral view of the Altra Mont Blanc Carbon.

Carrying an important wanting shoe is one factor however having that shoe performs properly is one other. You get to eat your cake too with the Altra Mont Blanc Carbon. Additionally, different runners might be in awe as you cruise by — it has occurred. In comparison with the Mont Blanc BOA — the colour scheme and materials design are related — the brand new Carbon model rides a narrower final with a extra commonplace becoming toebox. That is definitely related for the outsole and journey, however appears pertinent to the construction and match of the higher as properly. Take into accout the shoe was constructed to be a racer and speedy throughout technical terrain.

Total, the higher hugs the foot comfortably with a safe midfoot lockdown. The toebox is narrower, however nonetheless retains room for pure toe splay. The smooth breathable materials nonetheless permits for toe motion in all instructions. The newest iteration features a greater pillow heel collar; nonetheless, the heel could possibly be improved additional with the addition of shark-skin-like materials that creates friction with socks to scale back slippage and to facilitate heel safety. I’ve examined a number of winter and dust path trainers that combine this design characteristic well. It might assist the Carbon’s heel match immensely. Despite the fact that it wasn’t a serious concern on my runs, it was noticeable.

The forefoot ripstop materials is pliable and fortified with a TPU toe bumper — typically, a welcomed addition. The medial and lateral sides are supported with inlays that also enable for breathability. There’s a stitched and welded overlay separating the forefoot from the rearfoot, delineating not solely a design characteristic however the addition of integrity, construction, and safety to the mid and rear foot. The again half has a stiffer translucent ripstop mesh materials, additionally offering stability.

The tongue is semi-gusseted and stays in place. I applaud the flat lace cords and the way they loop by means of stiff reflective materials — easy, however elegant. Extra reflective materials is positioned on the toe bumper and on the gaiter attachment — one thing I by no means use, however it’s there for individuals who want it. The laces are typically too lengthy, and the heel pull tab appears pointless coming from somebody who likes a stable heel tab.

Altra Mont Blanc Carbon Midsole

A medial view of the Altra Mont Blanc Carbon.

Midsole mastery. Midsole magic. A midsole motion. Nonetheless it’s spun, the purpose is that the underfoot really feel, efficiency, and know-how is a serious trigger for celebration with the Altra Mont Blanc Carbon. The shoe’s designers engineered their proprietary Ego Max and Ego Professional, respectively, as a foam rim and highly effective foam core built-in with a full-length Carbitex Monoflex carbon plate, to excel on the dust, to really feel good underfoot, and to encourage quick working. There’s a motivating je na sais quoi really feel when the ft contact down on the Altra Ego midsole, one thing I expertise with Altra’s highway footwear as properly.

It sends a vibe from the ft to the mind that it’s time to transfer — in the meantime the carbon plate is there to flex and propel subtly. Certainly, the carbon plate retains the shoe mild and quick, but it surely additionally felt like a rock plate in sure circumstances, particularly on tremendous technical terrain or when shifting at slower paces. The plate is simpler at race tempo or when charging arduous on singletrack trails.

If a runner is thinking about experimenting with carbon-plated path trainers, they usually can safely run in zero-drop footwear, the Mont Blanc Carbons are a protected and low-risk possibility. The consolation and cushion are within the foam, whereas a minimal rocker platform and plate maintain the expertise to a nimble and refined flex-forward enjoyable.

Altra Mont Blanc Carbon Outsole

The outsole of the Altra Mont Blanc Carbon.

The Altra Mont Blanc Carbon boasts a Vibram Megagrip Litebase outsole, though with extra rubber protection than its predecessor, the Altra Mont Blanc BOA. The bottom is smaller, with much less general floor contact factors, however presents extra rubber to path. The midsole flex runs up the middle with some lateral flex factors and into the forefoot.

The lugs are shallow, quite a few, and chevron-shaped for faster turnover. It isn’t overly aggressive however can nonetheless carry out. Vibram Megagrip has been examined and cheered throughout many manufacturers and path trainers. It’s a dependable and superior outsole materials, and extremely beneficial throughout the spectrum of path runners. To keep up the featherweight really feel and race high quality of the shoe, the Lightbase addition retains weight low with out sacrificing grip and sturdiness.

Altra Mont Blanc Carbon Total Impressions

A prime view of the Altra Mont Blanc Carbon.

Now that the final testing is over, I’ll put aside the Altra Mont Blanc Carbon for particular runs and sure path races — 50k and beneath. This shoe performs and rides its finest when shifting at or near race speeds. I felt the carbon plate propel me ahead with confidence on singletrack path — up and down — and whereas working up dust roads. I might really feel the slight flex and push underfoot, though subtly. Working downhill on open dust roads appeared to throw off my gait, which is one thing I have to tremendous tune shifting ahead. The Mont Blanc Carbon is extra at house on dust singletrack, whereas working on pavement appeared to be mechanically inefficient and sub-optimal.

I said it above and I’ll state once more it right here — the Altra Mont Blanc Carbon presents greater than the carbon plate. It’s a full shoe. It’s a race shoe, not an off-trail jeep just like the Mont Blanc BOA, however a shoe constructed for path pace on average terrain and in average climate circumstances. The midsole comforts, protects, absorbs, and rebounds in unison with the Vibram Megagrip outsole that retains confidence excessive. At slower speeds and on extra technical and various terrain, the carbon plate looks like a versatile rock plate — eager safety when wanted.

The Mont Blanc Carbon’s design and underfoot building are spectacular and necessary to the totality of the expertise. There’s a lot to weigh in terms of investing in path trainers today. Street runners generally have their carbon-plated footwear put aside for race day. Must you too, for the paths?

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