Published on June 7, 2022
SCORE: 8/10
Weight: 10.3 oz (US 10.5)
Heel Drop: Near zero drop of 2mm (30mm heel / 30 mm)
Sizing: Not true-to-size (Go for at least a size down)
Shoe type: Trail racer shoe (Neutral)
Running Surface: Trail and road
Pace: Tempo (moderate-high paces)
Pros
- A combination of energy return, softness, and stability
- Roomy toe box and secure midfoot hold
- High traction for trail running
- Lightweight
- Highly comfortable and breathable upper
- Breathable upper
- Stylish
Cons
- Loose midfoot hold when heel lock when going for your actual shoe size (Can be corrected by going at least a size down).
- No toe bumper
- Thin laces
Introduction
The Altra Mont Blanc is one of the highly anticipated trail running shoes of 2022. The Mont Blanc has plenty of cushioning, bounciness and traction for bountiful excitement during trail and road running. Therefore, Mont Blanc is an embodiment of bountifulness.
Altra fans have longed for trail racers for a long time, and Altra did not disappoint. Altra has a trail racer inspired by Ultra Trail de Mont Blanc for the first time. Therefore, the Altra Mont Blanc is a unique trail shoe. It fits in the category of a flat trail shoe, a first of its kind in Altra's lineup. You will likely notice a balanced zero-drop cushioning and the traditional Altra Footshape fit.
Take Away: The Mont Blanc is both cushioned and nimble and comprises every component of an exceptional trail running shoe. The designers considered trail adventures when constructing this shoe.
Altra Mont Blanc Instant Impression
Concerning looks, the Mont Blanc is easily the most beautiful running shoe from Altra. The coral pink, gold accent, back, and red colorways are highly appealing to the eye yet simple. I was wowed by its gigantic look hidden in the beautiful design and colorways.
The Mont Blanc has an enormous look akin to Altra Olympus 4. It comes with a massive stack height, cushioning, and tremendous traction underfoot. The Altra Olympus 4 is known for its versatility. It takes anything thrown at it, including racking long miles on the road and trail and acting as a hiking shoe.
Altra wanted to have the Altra Olympus 4 within the Altra Mont Blanc. Like the Olympus 4, the Altra Mont Blanc has a 30 mm stack height and Vibram LiteBase rubber on the outsole but is way lighter than the Olympus 4.0.
Unlike the Altra Provision 6, the Mont Blanc has been beefed up in terms of cushioning and stack height. It oozes protection just by looking at it. The zero-drop midsole is surprisingly springy and combines well with the rim outsole rubber.
Because of the fitting issue, I went a half size downsize down (US M 10.5).
Despite the secure fit, I did get a convincing lockdown around the heel the way I would feel in the Olympus 4 or Provision 6. The fitting around the midfoot was not a top-notch snug because of the stretchy inner lining.
However, when I took it out for a run, I did not experience my foot wobbling inside the shoe. 10.2 ounces felt lightweight under the foot. The initial 3-mile ride was quite solid, and after that, the midsole gave in the ride became softer.
I experienced springiness in my foot strikes, and the protection underfoot gave me enough confidence to keep running. The EGO Max midsole kept pushing me forward, especially in a straight flat stretch. I had some trouble meandering corners, but I forgot about that when I took the trail on a road surface. The rise was not snappy, but there were enough paces to do a 5k in less than 30 minutes.
My initial run with the Altra Mont Blanc was impressive. I had a test of its fitting, weight, and ride, and I was not disappointed. With nothing major to write off the Altra Mont Blanc, I decided to make it a regular running shoe for trail and road running, particularly in those high pace training sessions.
Altra Mont Blanc Upper Design and Fitting
The Altra Mont Blanc comes with a standard fit and rounded toe box like in the Altra Paradigm and Torin 5. Its toe box is not as wide as that of the Lone Peak 6 trail shoes. I researched the fitting, and the conclusion is that the Mont Blanc comes with an original standard fit. You will not find a broader size in the market, but the toe box is roomy and stretchy enough to accommodate a wide-footed runner.
The upper comprises a super-thin, single layer, stretchy and transparent mesh held together by an internal midfoot structure.
From the instep areas across the ankle, the upper section of the mesh is visibly transparent. It demonstrates Altra's willingness to keep this trail running shoe exceptionally lightweight and speedy.
The design of the upper is carefully done. It is thicker where there is a need for extra support, like the toe box area, and thinner where it matters, just below the heel collar and slightly around the ankle area. The thin round laces quite worked for me. Besides, the gusseted tongue is padded around in places the laces cross to prevent them from exerting pressure on the foot. The gusseted tongue ensured that no debris entered the shoe, and it offered me a bit of sock-like fitting.
The heel is super thin with a soft lining for comfort, but there is a lack of structure, especially for technical terrain. Altra did away with the heel counter, but the mesh around this area is not as stretchy as the one in the midfoot and toe box. My problem is that the lack of heel counter makes the fabric in this area give way, affecting lockdown.
While Altra strived to make this shoe lightweight, it created some little problems with fitting, especially in the midfoot area. Notably, Altra made the mistake of using a stretchy material beneath the elastic outer mesh, creating a lockdown issue in this critical area.
For instance, even after tightening the shoelaces, the inner lining meant for cradling the midfoot stretched too, and I lost grip in that area. Due to this unfortunate problem, it is advisable to go for at least a half size down to achieve the exact fitting or a semblance of accommodating fitting. Note that a half size down may still not fit, but it is the least a buyer should aim to solve the fitting problem.
Altra should have used a firmer under or overlays to provide enough support essential for a secure fitting.
The fitting is generally okay with at least half-size-down fitting and does cause issues when the terrain is straight and flat. There is a nuance looseness when going true to size, but going half size down will guarantee a secure fit.
Altra Mont Blanc Midsole Design and Performance
The beefed-up Ego foam midsole remains the greatest selling point for this shoe because it offers plenty of bounce and comfort during prolonged running. Altra has been using the EGO Max midsole in its running shoes, including the Altra Torin 5. The EGO Max midsole has a good reputation as bouncy and semi-responsive. It almost replicates the softness of Nike's React foam.
Still, the cushioning is not marshmallow because the hard Vibram LiteBase rubber in the outsole provides a considerable ground feel and incredible running momentum. Therefore, the Altra Mont Blanc gives you a little bit of squishiness and bounciness that propels you forward, making it exciting running around the trails.
The excellent energy return of the EGO Max midsole is what makes the Altra Mont Blanc a fast trail running shoe. Unlike the Olympus 4.0, the Mont Blanc guarantees an exciting running experience due to the compressive nature of the midsole.
The EGO Max midsole is soft and fast, and I felt like picking up the pace to get the exciting feel of bounciness.
The Vibram LiteBase outsole rubber is strategically spread across areas that need extra protection and sufficient grip. Altra was smart enough not to splash the outsole rubber and the lugs to keep this shoe as light as possible and retain the responsiveness of the midsole. The designers put in a 4.8mm Vibram LiteBase rubber, which is much more minimalistic than in other designs.
Altra Mont Blanc Overall Performance
It is a perfect shoe to run in if you don't live in the muddy, snowy, and sloppy areas. The traction is enough to sustain stability even when running downhill. Unfortunately, the Mont Blanc as a trail shoe lacks a rock plate but is surprisingly firm enough to resist the rugged terrain.
I also noticed that running on a straight stretch is more comfortable than around corners. So, I will use it for road and light train training because I prefer such terrains.
Overall, the Mont Blanc is an energetic running shoe with a race-ready vibe. It somehow compels you to run faster, yet it is not carbon plated. I found it more fun running in Altra Mont Blanc on flat tactical terrains than on the trail. Mont Blanc is just for a racing day.
Altra Mont Blanc Final Thoughts
The Mont Blanc is for a runner looking for speed and does not need a lot of protection underneath. I find it suitable for light technical running (less adverse trail and favorable weather conditions). It is unimaginable running in the snow with the Mont Blanc because of the super-thin upper mesh with the considerable lockdown.
Also, the Altra Mont Blanc is a shoe that works well with anyone who loves the Altra Olympus 4. Or someone who prefers a nimble trail shoe for high paces and has no intention of running or climbing rocky and hilly technical terrains.
The pricing is considerably high and matches the uniqueness it comes with. The Olympus is a couple of bucks cheaper but will not guarantee you speed because of its considerable bulkiness.
It is easy to overlook the pricing because of the exceptional built quality. The upper exudes innovativeness on top of a quality mesh material. There is nothing wrong with the EGO Max midsole and the carefully crafted Vibram LiteBase outsole.
Besides, while the upper may have fitting and supporting issues, going half-size down is likely to solve the problem. The good thing is that the comfortable EGO Max midsole counters minor problems with the upper.
Overall, the Altra Mont Blanc is a promising trail running shoe that is yet to attain its optimum potential. It comes with a spark of testy ingredients, and all it needs is a little more structure and support in the upper to turn to complete it.
The Mont Blanc still outscores the most popular trail running shoe because of its comfort, lightweight, and responsiveness. My hope is that Altra will not abandon this model because, at 90 miles, I still don't have any intention of retiring my pair of Mont Blanc. I just want more of that peppy ride. This shoe lies between what is good and what is really good. It comes in a variety of beutiful colors. You can get your pair on Amazon.com.
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Reviewed by Dick Harrison
Harrison is an Australian who lives in Sidney. He trains for fitness and does it like a pro. Harrison has the experience of running in various running shoes and understands the technology behind each shoe model he has worn.
