Altra Mont Blanc Shoe Review
Published: April 6, 2022
All-New Mont Blanc is Altra's Premier Trail Racer
The Mont Blanc is equipped to be a top contender for ultra-marathon supremacy
Likes
- Plush underfoot feel with bouncy return
- Comfortable, lightweight upper
- Excellent outsole grip
Dislikes
- Heel design caused slippage
What's New
The Mont Blanc is the Altra's first take on a trail-specific racing shoe. This ultramarathon shoe is light, fast, and protective, making it a worthy adversary for the infamous mountain it's named after. Like its Altra relatives, the Mont Blanc has a 0-mm heel-to-toe drop and sports Altra's signature toe box configuration. With an energetic EgoMAX midsole, race-ready upper, and grippy Vibram outsole, the Mont Blanc is undoubtedly Altra's go-to ultra-marathon shoe for those looking for speed and comfort over long-distance races.
The Bottom Line
For ultra-marathon races, a shoe must be comfortable, protective, and as resilient as the runner wearing it. The new Altra Mont Blanc undoubtedly checks all these boxes and delivers so much more as well. The main highlight of the Mont Blanc is the EgoMax foam midsole, which is fantastically well-balanced, offering a soft, protective feel that also rebounds energetically off the ground. With 32 mm of foam underfoot, the Mont Blanc is incredibly protective, and ultra-marathon racers will have no difficulty combatting trail hazards and arduous distances in these racers. The shoe's lightweight and breathable upper is the perfect complement to the midsole, providing a comfortably secure on-foot experience that runners can trust to carry them through to the finish line.
That being said, our testers noted issues with the Mont Blanc's heel collar and struggled with some heel slippage before fixing it by using a simple runner's loop lacing technique. Finally, the Mont Blanc also offers a high-performing outsole, and even with 32 mm of soft foam underfoot, the shoe is surprisingly nimble with the help of the super-grippy Vibram Lite configuration. Overall, the Mont Blanc meets all the criteria for a top-of-the-line ultra-marathon racing shoe, and our testers strongly recommend it for runners looking for their next trail racing companion.
Shoe Performance
Shoe Softnessi
FirmSoftRide/Energy Returni
Less SpringyMore SpringyUnderfoot Protectioni
LowHighFlexibilityi
RigidElasticUpper Supporti
StructuredAdaptableSpecifications & Fit
How It Fits
| Toe Box | Width: Wide | Height: Wide |
| Midfoot Volume | Medium |
| Heel Width | Medium to wide |
| Arch Height | Medium to low |
Shoe Specs
| Weight | Men's: 9.6 oz (size 9) | Women's: 8.4 oz (size 8) |
| Stack Height | 32 mm (Heel), 32 mm (Forefoot) |
| Terrain | Trail |
| Stability | Neutral |
| Sizing | True to size |
Our In-Depth Look
Shoe Softnessi
Liz: "I loved the plush ride of the Mont Blanc. It provided a nice sinking-in softness that never felt too mushy. This shoe will keep your feet and legs feeling comfortable over those long trail runs."
Kaleb: "The Altra EgoMAX foam felt very plush, and I was impressed with how soft the Mont Blanc felt underfoot. I was comfortable regardless of how far I ran, and given the foam's energetic responsiveness, I never felt like the soft foam was holding me back."
Matt: "The Mont Blanc is designed with Altra's premium, high-rebound EgoMax foam, which provided a refreshingly soft underfoot experience that was also responsive. I wore the Mont Blanc for a race in the Appalachian Mountains, and the shoe felt incredibly soft while tackling steep descents. The Mont Blanc's combination of softness and responsiveness was perfect for racing. The Mont Blanc's underfoot feel is not that sinking-in softness you may experience in some other shoes, rather it provides a peppy plushness that is ideal for faster trail runs and races."
Ride/Energy Returni
Liz: "I was pleasantly surprised by the energy return offered by the Mont Blanc. The foam has a soft and comfortable feel, but it also bounces back after being compressed to help spring you forward into the next stride. It makes it fun and easy to pick up the pace, especially for something so highly cushioned and soft."
Kaleb: "I was very satisfied with the bouncy feel of the Mont Blanc's midsole, and I felt like I had more than enough energy return for my long trail runs. I could also run at a variety of paces, which I appreciated when I wanted to pick up the pace on less technical stretches of trail."
Matt: "I really think Altra did a nice job blending responsiveness and protection with the Mont Blanc. The foam feels bouncy and has the resilience to last over the hills and through the woods. For a trail shoe with a higher stack height, the Mont Blanc is fairly lightweight and has a thin upper that feels race-ready. Overall, the responsive midsole and lightweight construction make the Mont Blanc a trail shoe that has great energy return."
Underfoot Protectioni
Liz: "There is plenty of underfoot protection in the Mont Blanc. I never had to worry about stepping on sharp rocks or roots, and the comfortable cushioning kept my knees feeling great even at the end of long trail runs."
Kaleb: "Stacked high with EgoMAX foam, the Mont Blanc offers excellent protection. The foam is soft and does an impeccable job of subduing the harshness of foot strikes. I could easily see the Mont Blanc accommodating ultra-marathon distances. Furthermore, the race-inspired upper, though very thin, did well protecting my feet from trail debris, which could be heightened further with the help of the gaiter trap Velcro strap for those who want even more protection."
Matt: "The Mont Blanc offers some nice underfoot protection. With 30 mm of stack height, the Mont Blanc stands only slightly lower than the beefy and super-protective Altra Olympus. The trail race in which I wore the Mont Blanc was almost 20 miles long, and the first half consisted of some seriously long, steep descents. I couldn't imagine racing in a shoe that didn't have this type of high-end foam or anything less than 30 mm of stack."
Flexibilityi
Liz: "With the large stack of this shoe, there isn't very much flexibility, but I felt like that was a good thing. For me, many Altra shoes have a bit too much flexibility, which typically leaves my arches and ankles tired at the end of technical trail runs. The Mont Blanc had enough torsional rigidity to provide great support over technical terrain. Meanwhile, the rockered design gives the shoe the perfect amount of smoothness to help me easily roll forward through my stride."
Kaleb: "There wasn't much flexibility in the Mont Blanc. I think the more rigid design was a good thing in combination with the soft EgoMAX foam, making the shoe more versatile in terms of pace ranges. Regardless of the shoe's flex, the Mont Blanc offered smooth heel-to-toe transitions that made trail runs really enjoyable."
Matt: "With this much stack and a Vibram outsole, the Mont Blanc does not offer much flexibility."
Upper Supporti
Liz: "I really enjoyed the Mont Blanc's upper. The stretchy forefoot material provided a nice wrap around my foot that I found to be both accommodating and secure. I can easily say that the Mont Blanc's upper is my favourite from Altra yet! My only complaint was that it was loose in the heel, and there wasn't much support or padding to the heel collar. I never had any issues with hot spots or blisters, but I did have to use a lace lock technique to keep my heel from slipping."
Kaleb: "The race-inspired upper of the Mont Blanc was very lightweight with an exceptionally secure hold through the midfoot and forefoot. I did experience some heel slippage during my first run, but I was able to correct this issue by slightly retooling the lacing system. The Mont Blanc's fit was seemingly uncharacteristic of an Altra, as I usually expect to have copious amounts of space, especially in the forefoot. Though I still would not describe the Mont Blanc as narrow, I was certainly feeling the race-readiness of this upper. Also, I typically fluctuate between size 7.5 and 8 depending on brand and model, and though 7.5 has worked for me while wearing other Altra shoes, I would've preferred a size 8 in the Mont Blanc."
Matt: "This upper was tough for me to evaluate. Altra typically provides a unique, roomy fit, but the Mont Blanc's upper was noticeably less adaptable. As a race-day shoe, there is a fast feel to the Mont Blanc's race-ready upper, but with the slightly wider fit and unadaptable upper, I had some issues finding the right lockdown fit."
Men's Altra Mont Blanc Running Shoes
Women's Altra Mont Blanc Running Shoes
Individual Thoughts
LizOverall Score: 9/10
The Mont Blanc is my favourite Altra shoe yet! It has Altra's amazing EgoMAX cushioning, which is protective and comfortable, as well as bouncy and very responsive, especially given the shoe's 32-mm stack height. I usually don't enjoy highly cushioned trail shoes because I am in constant fear of twisting an ankle on the rocky, uneven trails where I live. That said, I never had an issue while wearing the Mont Blanc. The shoe feels surprisingly nimble given its level of cushioning, and the rockered geometry also contributed to the smooth ride, which made running feel easy.
Lastly, the upper was incredibly comfortable. It was stretchy and soft, securely holding my foot in place without any slippage. My only issue with the Mont Blanc was its loose-fitting heel, which is sadly a problem I frequently encounter with Altra shoes. I used a lace lock to keep my heel from slipping out of the shoe, but this was a small issue considering how awesome the rest of the shoe is. If you are looking for a well-cushioned trail shoe that feels nimble and fun to run in, then Altra's Mont Blanc is a great choice.
Shoe Softness
FirmSoftRide/Energy Return
Less SpringyMore SpringyUnderfoot Protection
LowHighFlexibility
RigidElasticUpper Support
StructuredAdaptable
KalebOverall Score: 9.5/10
As soon as I laced up the Mont Blanc, I knew I was in for an exciting ride. The Altra EgoMAX midsole felt incredible underfoot and offered a nice, soft give that retained an energetic bounce that helped carry me through my longer testing runs. What was just as impressive was how nimble the Mont Blanc felt, even with its high stack and soft foam. I had no trouble running at a variety of paces over all different types of terrain. Furthermore, the Mont Blanc offered an exquisite level of protection, which helps distinguish it from its competition. I never experienced any discomfort while these trail pros were on foot.
Moving on, the Mont Blanc's upper was surprisingly lightweight, and though thin, it offered solid protection from trail debris. It fit well, with a unique combination of secure lockdown and spaciousness. I did have some issues with heel slippage, which I was able to fix after re-lacing the shoe.
All said and done, I thought the Mont Blanc was a fantastic trail shoe, and it's my favourite Altra I have tested so far. It was comfortable and really enjoyable to run in. I highly recommend it for anyone running or training for ultra-marathon races. Also, if you are a runner who fluctuates between different sizes based on brand or model, like myself, I'd recommend grabbing your larger size here.
Shoe Softness
FirmSoftRide/Energy Return
Less SpringyMore SpringyUnderfoot Protection
LowHighFlexibility
RigidElasticUpper Support
StructuredAdaptable
MattOverall Score: 9/10
There's a reason I chose to race in the Mont Blanc. Actually, there are a few! This shoe is very energetic, highly protective, and surprisingly lightweight. The midsole feels lively and is perfect when I need to pick up the pace. It also felt highly protective while I continuously bombed down steep descents for over 2 hours.
The Vibram Lite outsole is very grippy and does not add any unnecessary weight to the shoe. I experienced rainy conditions at the beginning of my race, but when I was hitting switchbacks going down the mountain, I never questioned the Mont Blanc's traction.
The only problem I experienced with the Mont Blanc was the shoe's upper design. I found it hard to achieve the right lockdown given the shoe's unique feel and unadaptable design. The race-ready design was also less roomy than the typical Altra, and runners familiar with the brand may find the Mont Blanc to be a bit narrow.
Overall, Altra has done a fantastic job creating a fast trail shoe here. I would happily race in the Mont Blanc again, given how energetic and resilient the EgoMAX foam was underfoot. I could also really depend on the shoe's traction and was impressed with how lightweight it was for a trail shoe.
