Altra mont blanc carbon 1

Learn more about the Altra mont blanc carbon 1 female running shoes, including key features, performance, reviews, model updates, and more.

Altra mont blanc carbon 1

Price

$380

Rating

High

Popularity

Less Popular

The Altra Mont Blanc Carbon 1 is a premium trail running shoe designed for high performance, sitting above the standard Mont Blanc model in Altra's lineup with enhanced cushioning and responsiveness from its carbon plate.

2 colorways

Colorway: White Red

Widths available: normal

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Summary

The Altra Mont Blanc Carbon 1 is a performance-oriented trail running shoe designed to cater to ultra-distance runners seeking speed, comfort, and efficiency. It is equipped with a carbon-fiber plate offering enhanced propulsion and energy return, making it an excellent choice for competitive athletes tackling rugged terrains. The shoe features Altra's signature FootShape toe box, providing ample space for toe splay, contributing to a natural and comfortable fit, and a Zero Drop platform which encourages a natural foot strike. As part of Altra's lineup, the Mont Blanc Carbon 1 sits at the upper end of their performance trail running category, combining cutting-edge technology with Altra's core design principles, making it distinct from the Lone Peak series known for versatility and durability, and the Superior series geared towards lighter terrain and shorter distances.

Surface

trail

Cushioning

MinLowMediumHighMax(29mm)

Breathability

LowMediumHigh(ALTRA EGO™ MAX upper)

Weight

309g

Heel-to-Toe Drop

0mm0mm14mm

Support

NeutralLightHigh

Width options

normal

Grip

LowMediumHighMax(medium density, 3.5mm lugs)

Suitability

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Pros & Cons

AI-powered

Fittir conducts a detailed analysis of the Altra mont blanc carbon 1 to provide you with a comprehensive overview of the shoes features, pros, and cons based on 13 wear-tester reviews.

Summary: The Altra Mont Blanc Carbon is a lightweight, zero-drop trail shoe that excels in comfort, traction, and versatility, making it a strong choice for trail racing and long-distance runs. However, it faces criticism for its high price and some fit issues, particularly with heel retention, which may deter those seeking optimal performance..

Most Mentioned Pros

Most Mentioned Cons

cushion
Cushion feeling: Soft

The pros that appear more than 25% of the time highlight the shoe's excellent cushioning, responsiveness, and comfort, while the cons emphasize issues with energy return and midsole firmness.

bounce (2)

midsole (2)

responsiveness (1)

rebound (1)

spring (1)

cushioning (1)

construction (1)

comfort (1)

Pros

"The carbon plate enhances performance without compromising much ground feel, providing a good blend of cushioning and responsiveness."

carbon plate

cushioning

ground feel

"The Altra Mont Blanc Carbon has a high rebound midsole that helps maintain a quick cadence."

midsole

cadence

push off

"The carbon plate provides increased spring and stride length, aiding in covering more ground."

carbon plate

stride length

propulsion

"The midsole structure provides adequate cushioning and stability during heel strikes, ensuring comfort while descending."

heel strike

descending

stability

"The midsole provides good bounce after breaking in."

midsole

EGO PRO

bounce

"The midsole cushioning is responsive, providing a good bounce while maintaining durability."

ego Pro

energy return

durability

"The shoe features a high level of cushioning that protects the feet during runs."

cushioning

protection

resilience

"The midsole provides a comfortable and soft feel while running."

cushion

midsole

softness

"The midsole features a unique Rim and Core construction for improved response."

midsole

EGO Pro

lightweight

"The cushioning underfoot is highly appreciated for its comfort and responsiveness."

Ego Max

soft

responsive

"The shoe provides excellent foot protection for rugged trails."

foot protection

trail running

rugged

Cons

"The shoe has limited energy return."

energy return

performance

cushioning

"The midsole foam is weak and affects performance."

midsole foam

performance

cushioning

"The midsole becomes excessively firm in cold conditions."

cold conditions

midsole firmness

performance

"The shoe does not have the maximum stack height that some runners may prefer."

stack height

cushioning

comfort
Breathability: More breathable

The main points to note are that the shoe is often praised for its comfort and lightweight design, but some users may find it lacks stability and padding, which could lead to discomfort during longer runs.

upper quality (1)

toe box (1)

upper (1)

textiles (1)

heel fit (1)

initialFeel (1)

stiffness (1)

padding (1)

Pros

"The shoe is equipped with a high-quality upper that offers comfort during runs."

breathable

comfortable

"The shoe features a rounded, anatomic toe cap that allows for ample room for the toes, catering well to runners' needs."

roomy

anatomic design

"The shoe's lightweight and breathable upper balances durability and comfort, suitable for long mileage."

breathability

durability

lightweight

"The shoe maintains comfort with soft inner textiles."

comfortable

inner textiles

soft

"The heel cup design offers a high level of comfort and secure fit."

comfortable

secure fit

padded

"The shoe is very comfortable right out of the box."

comfort

footFit

firstImpression

Cons

"The shoes may not be suitable for those used to a more rigid shoe structure, potentially leading to discomfort over long distances."

comfort

carbon plate

rigidity

"There is minimal padding in the tongue which may lead to discomfort during runs as feet swell."

padding

discomfort

tongue

"The shoe lacks a truly stable feel due to the minimal cushioning and structure when landing."

hurt

strike

minimal cushioning

"There was previously a risk of debris entering the shoe, but it can still be a concern."

debri entry

movement

heel lock

durability

The main concerns about the shoe's durability are the fragile heel padding and the quick wear of the midsole foam, which both appear frequently in the feedback.

outsole (2)

upper material (1)

protection (1)

lightweight (1)

heel_padding (1)

foam (1)

material (1)

Pros

"The Mont Blanc Carbon has proven durability in its construction, especially concerning the outsole."

Vibram

durability

"The Mont Blanc Carbon upper maintains durability while making notable changes for better performance, including a thicker fabric and a toe bumper."

durability

fabric quality

toe bumper

"The addition of the carbon plate provides excellent rock protection."

carbon plate

rock protection

trail durability

"The shoe is surprisingly lightweight, making it ideal for racing."

lightweight

durability

race-day

Cons

"The heel padding is fragile, impacting durability."

fragility

durability

heel padding

"The shoe's midsole foam wears quickly compared to expected durability standards."

wear

durability

"The upper provides less protection compared to more heavily built trail shoes."

upper

protection

durability

"There are concerns about the durability of the Vibram outsole after only a few miles."

durability

outsole

Vibram

"The exposed foam on the outsole is prone to damage."

exposed foam

damage

durability

"The shoe may lack durability due to the soft materials used in the upper."

soft

protection

durability

performance
Distance suited: Long (>20km)
Rocker: Less rocker

The most common pro is the shoe's lightweight design, which is mentioned multiple times, while the main cons highlight issues with the carbon plate's stiffness and lack of propulsion.

weight (4)

lightness (2)

propulsion (2)

ride quality (1)

performance (1)

speed (1)

response (1)

grip (1)

Pros

"It is remarkably lightweight, making it an ideal choice for fast-paced running."

lightweight

speed

"The Mont Blanc Carbon has an impressively light weight, making it a competitive choice for long-distance races."

lightweight

performance

racing

"The shoe's lightweight design makes it suitable for long-distance racing."

lightweight

long-distance

racing

"The shoe is lightweight, enhancing the running experience."

lightweight

performance

"The overall ride of the Mont Blanc Carbon is characterized as smooth and refined, offering a well-balanced experience."

smooth ride

refinement

"The lightweight design of the Mont Blanc Carbon contributes to a nimble and responsive feel, enhancing performance."

lightweight

nimble

responsive

"The shoe maintains a lightweight feel, which enhances the experience during longer runs."

lightweight

speed

long runs

"The shoe excels in performance over longer distances and during faster efforts once it fits properly."

long distance

performance

varied efforts

"The shoe rolls with ease due to its carbon plate, enhancing speed and efficiency for trail running."

carbon plate

efficiency

speed

"The carbon plate enhances performance on trails by providing extra spring."

carbon plate

spring

trail performance

"The shoe performed well on technical trails without loss of grip."

technical trails

descents

ascent

"The Carbitex plate contributes to a fast and propulsive experience when running at increased speeds."

Carbitex

performance

speed

"The carbon plate enhances propulsion and comfort while running."

carbon plate

propulsion

performance

"The updates to the shoe have improved its responsiveness compared to the previous model."

responsiveness

performance

upgrades

"The shoe has thoughtful upgrades that enhance overall performance for long distances."

performance

upgrades

Cons

"The benefits of a carbon plate for trail use are still unclear."

performance

unclear benefit

"The carbon plate is too stiff for uneven trail surfaces."

carbon plate

trail running

uneven terrain

"The shoe lacks significant propulsion and 'pop'."

propulsion

carbon plate

running feel

"The Carbitex plate does not provide much propulsion and feels similar to a rock plate."

plate

performance

propulsion

"The flexibility of the carbon plate may not provide enough rebound for some runners."

carbon plate

flexibility

rebound effect

fit
True to size: Runs small
Toebox width: Average
Heel width: Narrower
Orthotic friendly: No

The main issues with the shoe are that it may not fit well for wide-footed runners and has a loose heel fit, both of which were mentioned frequently.

heel (3)

width (2)

length (2)

versatility (1)

heel retention (1)

toe box (1)

features (1)

toebox (1)

Pros

"The shoe features a mainstream last that accommodates a variety of foot shapes, offering improved fit for many runners."

fit

mainstream last

accommodation

"Improvements in heel retention make the shoe feel more secure compared to previous models."

heel retention

fit

"The roomy toe box design allows the feet to spread out comfortably during runs."

roomy

fit

comfort

"The shoe features an anatomic toe box."

anatomic

fit

toe box

"The shoe includes features, such as a gusseted tongue and additional lace holes, that enhance fit and comfort while keeping debris out."

gusseted tongue

additional lace hole

comfort

"The shoe provides a comfortable fit with a standard toebox design that accommodates foot swelling during long runs."

comfort

swelling

fit

"The redesigned heel cup provides a reliable lock down fit."

heel cup

lock down

fit improvement

"The fit remains excellent with no hot spots or rubbing during runs."

fit

no hot spots

running comfort

"The upper provides a comfortable fit with good midfoot lockdown and ample toe space."

midfoot

toe box

comfort

"The shoe is designed with a snug midfoot lock for improved fit."

snug fit

midfoot

lock

"The shoe fits true to size, providing a consistent fit for runners."

fit

consistency

comfort

"The toe box design is roomy and fits well for runners with larger feet."

fit

spacious

"There is good heel fit and lockdown, enhancing the overall comfort while running."

fit

secure

heel

"The new flat laces help to keep the shoe securely fit and prevent coming undone."

fit

secure

laces

Cons

"The shoe's overall shape may not meet expectations for wide-foot runners."

toebox width

fit

narrow

"The shoe may not fit wide-footed runners well due to its narrower design."

fit

narrow

wide-foot

"The shoe fits slightly long, which may be a concern for some runners."

size

long fit

"Those running shorter distances may find sizing adjustment necessary."

sizing

adjustment

"The heel fit is loose, leading to slippage during runs."

heel slippage

fit security

"The heel cup comes up too short, leading to a poor fit around the heel."

heel

fit

lockdown

"The fit in the heel still leaves room for improvement."

lockdown

fit

"The toe box fit feels surprisingly small, making the shoe run a quarter size small."

toe box

fit

size

"The shoe has a somewhat narrow fit, which may not suit all runners."

fit

narrow

"Laces are extremely long and may come untied during runs."

laces

lockdown

untied

"The heel collar is wide, which might not provide a snug fit for all runners."

heel

wide

fit

"The shoe is not typically recommended for first use without prior experience."

recommendation

caution

stability
Stability level: Average

The most common points are that the shoe's zero-drop design enhances natural movement and stability, while it also has issues with flexibility and support, which may not suit all runners.

flexibility (3)

drop (2)

natural motion (1)

responsiveness (1)

support (1)

stoneProtection (1)

heel_striking (1)

heel_counter (1)

Pros

"The Altra Mont Blanc Carbon features a zero-drop midsole, enhancing the natural gait of the runner."

zero-drop

natural gait

"It has a zero drop design, which is unique in the trail super shoe market."

zero drop

stability

"The flexible carbon plate allows the shoe to adapt to uneven ground, which is essential for trail running."

carbon plate

trail

adaptability

"The shoe's design allows for some side-to-side flexibility, enhancing stability on varied terrain."

flexibility

stability

terrain adaptation

"The Altra Mont Blanc Carbon is very flexible, allowing for natural foot movements."

natural movement

flexibility

carbon plate

"The shoe's Zero Drop design encourages a more natural midfoot landing, improving comfort and stability."

Zero Drop

midfoot landing

comfort

"It features a stable design that allows for responsive movement on tight turns."

stability

flexibility

responsive

"The shoe utilizes an effective carbon fiber plate that enhances stability."

carbon fiber

stability

trail running

"There is effective stone protection, reducing the risk of injury during rough runs."

stability

comfort

protection

Cons

"The shoe is not ideal for heel strikers due to its design."

heel strikers

design flaw

stability

"The heel counter is very flexible, reducing support."

flexibility

support

stability

"The shoe lacks torsional stiffness which may affect stability."

torsional

support

"The shoes lack the traditional stiffness found in typical carbon-plated shoes, which could affect some runners’ performance expectations."

carbon plate

stability

performance

"While the shoes feature a breathable upper, the lack of plastic in the heel cup might allow too much movement, potentially affecting stability."

heel cup

stability

movement

"The shoe lacks a modern rocker which impacts its ease of use for speedy runs."

rocker

performance

"The carbon plate may not provide enough support for some runners."

carbon plate

support

flexibility

"Some runners may experience issues with ankle rolling when running on rough terrain."

ankle roll

narrow base

terrain

"The shoe may feel overly pliable for runners looking for more rigidity."

pliability

rigid

flexibility

grip

The main points to note are that the shoe's excellent grip and traction are highlighted frequently, while concerns about its performance in wet and muddy conditions are also mentioned multiple times.

traction (2)

versatility (1)

muddy surfaces (1)

wet surfaces (1)

mud (1)

Pros

"The shoe incorporates a superior Vibram Megagrip outsole, providing excellent grip and traction on various terrains."

Vibram

traction

"The shoe features a reliable Vibram outsole that provides solid traction in 99% of conditions, enhancing performance on various terrains."

Vibram

traction

varied terrain

"The Vibram Litebase outsole offers versatility and traction on a range of surfaces."

Vibram

outsole

traction

"The Vibram MegaGrip Lite Base outsole offers great traction on various surfaces including wet and dry."

outsole

grip

traction

"The VIBRAM Litebase Megagrip ensures excellent grip in varying conditions."

Vibram

Megagrip

grip

"The Vibram Megagrip outsole provides excellent traction on various terrains, performing well even in muddy conditions."

Vibram

muddy trails

high traction

"The outsole offers excellent traction on various terrains."

traction

Vibram

outsole

"The outsole provides excellent grip on various surfaces, enhancing trail performance."

outsole

vibram

wet surfaces

"The shoe provides excellent grip, especially important for technical terrain."

grip

traction

technicalTerrain

"The outsole material is designed for excellent grip on hard-packed trails, providing versatility across various conditions."

outsole

Vibram

hard-packed trails

Cons

"The traction may not perform well in challenging conditions."

traction

challenging conditions

"The traction is average and may not suffice for very aggressive terrains."

average

versatility

"Not enough grip for wet and muddy conditions."

Grip

lugs

wet conditions

"The shoe might not provide optimal performance on wet surfaces, based on limited testing."

grippy

wet surfaces

testing

"The shoe does not provide adequate grip in muddy conditions."

mud

slipping

grip

other

The main points to note are that the shoe's design is frequently praised for its visual appeal and safety features, while it is often criticized for being expensive compared to other options on the market.

price (4)

design (1)

safety (1)

weight (1)

drainage (1)

appearance (1)

reflectiveDesign (1)

controversy (1)

Pros

"The shoe has a distinctive and attractive design that appeals visually."

aesthetic

visual appeal

"Reflective elements added to the shoe enhance safety, making them suitable for low-light conditions."

reflective elements

safety

"The shoe's weight is balanced, feeling lighter than it is."

weight

feel

lightweight

"The upper design drains well, adding a functional advantage for wet conditions."

upper

drainage

wet conditions

"The shoe's design is visually appealing, attracting attention with its aesthetic."

visuals

design

"The shoe's design includes reflective material which is useful during low light conditions."

safety

design

Cons

"The price point is considered high for this shoe."

high price

value

"The shoe is expensive compared to other trail shoes."

cost

expensive

"The shoe is considered expensive compared to its competitors."

cost

value

"The shoe is quite expensive compared to others in the market."

expensive

cost

"Zero-drop shoes are still a controversial choice among runners."

zero-drop

controversial

"Concerns about potential long-term effects of reliance on cushioned shoes."

cushioning

long-term effects

injury risk

"The unique midsole construction leads to squeaking sounds during use."

midsole

construction

noise

"The laces are excessively long, creating a mess without a proper lace garage."

laces

design

"The shoe emits a strong glue smell which can be unpleasant."

smell

quality

"The color options may be visually confusing and hard to match with outfits."

aesthetics

design

"The shoe's low differential may not appeal to everyone."

differential

universal appeal

"There is a lack of sensitivity in the shoe's design."

sensitivity

underfoot feel

"The pull tab on the shoe is considered ineffective and hard to use."

pull tab

design

useless

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Model Updates

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Reviews

Read reviews about the Altra mont blanc carbon 1 from across the internet, including reviews from other runners on Fittir, wear testers from google & youtube, and more.

Reviews on Fittir (-)

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Wear-tester reviews (13)

4.4/5

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Altra mont blanc carbon 1

Altra mont blanc carbon 1

Surface

Cushioning

Category

Breathability

Weight

Heel-to-Toe Drop

Support

Width options

Grip

Suitability

Based on your running style and needs

Want to know if the Altra mont blanc carbon 1 is right for you?

Pros & Cons

Most Mentioned Pros

Most Mentioned Cons

cushion

Pros

Cons

comfort

Pros

Cons

durability

Pros

Cons

performance

Pros

Cons

fit

Pros

Cons

stability

Pros

Cons

grip

Pros

Cons

other

Pros

Cons

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Older Models

Newer Models

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4.4/5

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