The Altra Vanish Carbon is a highly cushioned and efficient road racing shoe that has a unique carbon fiber plate, a roomy toe box design, and a 0mm drop.
The carbon-plated marathon racing market now has a bouncy, 0mm drop option called the Altra Vanish Carbon. The Vanish Carbon packs Altra’s most energetic foam, an efficient rocker geometry, and a unique carbon fiber plate all into a race day package that features a roomy fit through the toebox in comparison to other carbon plated racing shoes.
What You'll Love
- Naturally propulsive carbon plate technology
- Soft and ultra responsive foam
- A roomy Altra toe box (Slim Category)
- 0mm heel to toe drop racing option
The Vanish Carbon gives runners a propulsive and well-cushioned road racing option that offers modern performance while staying true to the brand's natural-feeling fit and zero-drop design. This unique racing shoe features an all new foam called EGOPRO which is Altra’s lightest and most energy-efficient compound available, and embedded in the comfortably bouncy foam is a segmented carbon fiber plate with a fork-like design. The 3-finger carbon plate gives runners a more natural ride that works with the foot while also providing an efficient and snappy toe-off.
The overall geometry of the Vanish Carbon is highly efficient through the use of the Active Stance Rocker, and it's built to create an ultra smooth ride at a variety of paces. The toe-box shape is designed to be slightly wider than traditional shoes and falls into Altra’s thinnest, but still naturally roomy, SLIM category. The outsole of the Vanish Carbon displays a healthy amount of rubber for optimal traction and the lightweight upper secures the foot while also being breathable and race-ready.
Model Number: AL0A547M120
Best useBest Use Learn More
SurfaceSurface Learn More
CushioningCushioning Learn More
StabilityStability Learn More
Specs & Fit
Shoe Specs (Men's Size 9)
| Weight | 7.6 oz |
| Heel Stack | 33 mm |
| Forefoot Stack | 33 mm |
| Heel-Toe Offset: | 0 mm |
Technologies
MIDSOLE
- Altra EgoPRO midsole is Altra's lightest weight and most responsive supercritical TPE-based compound that is designed to be resilient and hyper-responsive.
- Natural Ride System (NRS) design includes a more natural, foot-shaped last, zero millimeter heel-to-toe drop, and metatarsal-specific shapes in the outsole to assist in proper foot mechanics and allow for more natural foot movement.
- Segmented Carbon Fiber Plate embedded in the forefoot and midfoot of the midsole. This plate has a 3-pronged design for adaptability and is asymmetrically flexible meaning that runners will feel natural and smooth flexibility when landing, but then a stiff snappiness on toe-off.
UPPER
- Race-Inspired Upper is lightweight, thin, and built to provide a trustworthy lock-down on race day.
- Slim Foot Design follows a more narrow design that provides a race-ready fit but keeps the brand’s signature foot shape through the toe box.
OUTSOLE
- Strategic Rubber provides nice durability and traction while keeping weight at a minimum.
Previous Feedback
Comments: The fit and lockdown are comfortable (I've always experienced some degree of slippage in super shoes given their construction and rigidity). However, I'm afraid Altra and other smaller brands will continue to struggle with super shoe status; I didn't find the cushioning to feel special at all--quite firm and lacking any discernible bounce. Additionally, Altra's zero drop and toe spring (rocker) yields an extremely abrupt and awkward toe-off.
From: Anonymous. April 18th 2022
Comments: Nothing special here, I'm afraid. Feels like a more-costly Hoka Carbon X, IMO. Fit feels nice and I suspect the midsole will bed in after a few miles, but for the price there are more competitive, softer, and lighter tempo shoes out there.
From: Anonymous. April 18th 2022
Comments: Respectfully disagree with the two mediocre reviews. Finally have a supershoe that fits my feet! Cushioning falls in between the firmness of the Hyperion and the softness of the RC. Not dissimilar to the Carbon X or the Endorphin cushioning but with a toebox that actually fits someone who doesn't have feet like a stork. The rocker sits far enough back that transition feels smooth but is pronounced. Cost is a little high, but I'll pay the extra $40 to get a shoe that actually fits. One qualm is that durability seems to be on the lower end of the spectrum, but we were warned about that going in. Overall I'm very happy with the Vanish C. Now awaiting the Vanish T which I'm hoping will provide a suitable training partner.
From: Edward. Panama City Beach April 29th 2022
Comments: I have logged 62 miles on the Vanish C (on asphalt & cement). There is quite a bit of wear on the lateral (outer) edge of the outsole, forefoot and heel. More wear than the Altra Torin (that I run in) with same amount of miles. The last three years I have been having issues with 2nd & 3rd toes lighting up on fire at about 15-18 miles. No clue why, but that burning toe issue has been diminished greatly when I run with the Vanish C. However, I can live with the outsole wear for the cushioned ride, great toe-off, and my well-behaved toes.
From: RjS. KS May 27th 2022
Comments: Love these shoes. I use them for races only so I've only run in them 2 times but they make a huge difference
From: Chris. Kingston, PA, USA May 27th 2022