Deep Dive: The Altra Mont Blanc Trail Running Shoe
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The Altra Mont Blanc trail runner is definitely not the most well known shoe in the Altra lineup, but it might just be your new favorite shoe!
The Altra Mont Blanc is available for both men and women, and even offered in a BOA version for a truly customizable and secure fit. For those looking for a zero drop/low drop trail runner, be sure to read on for our deep dive on my wife’s new favorite shoe!
Altra Mont Blanc($125 on Backcountry.com)
The Altra Mont Blanc
The Upper
The Altra Mont Blanc utilizes a lightweight ripstop mesh along the entire upper of the shoe. The ripstop mesh makes for an incredibly breathable, yet durable upper that can handle the most rugged trails. The toebox is reinforced for added durability, and the lacing system provides a truly locked down feel. The round laces definitely work best with a double knot as they definitely can come undone more easily when compared to flat laces.
Similar to Altra’s much beloved Lone Peak shoe, both provide the roomy toebox allowing your toes to naturally splay as you attack the trails. It is worth noting that the Lone Peak’s utilize a relatively heavily padded tongue whereas the Mont Blanc has a far more minimal tongue. While some may worry about lace bite with the thin tongue, Altra got it right with the Mont Blanc and the tongue provides plenty of protection even when you have the laces tightened down.
As with any Altra trail shoe, the Gaiter Trap feature is also found on the Mont Blanc. The Gaiter Trap allows you to connect gaiters directly to the shoe to ensure all that trail debris stays out!
Ripstop mesh keeps the Altra Mont Blanc cool and durable
The Midsole
This is really where the Altra Mont Blanc shines! For those looking for a little more protection and cushioning while on the trail, the Altra Mont Blanc utilizes Altra’s “Altra Ego Max” midsole which provides maximum cushioning without added weight. With an overall stack height of 30 mm, the Altra Mont Blanc is 5 mm higher compared to the Altra Lone Peak
The Altra Ego Max midsole of the Altra Mont Blanc (right) provides exceptional cushioning compared to the more minimal Altra Lone Peak 8 (left)
The Outsole
Altra has utilized their proprietary MaxTrac outsole for years, and that characteristic “bear claw” pattern is still found on the popular Lone Peak’s, but for the Mont Blanc they teamed up with Vibram’s to utilize their Megagrip with LiteBase outsole. This outsole provides incredible grip in all conditions (even wet wood and rocks!) that is simply superior in every way compared to the MaxTrac outsole. While both the Lone Peak and Mont Blanc have a very aggressive tread pattern, we feel that the Vibram’s MegaGrip rubber combined with the aggressive lugs on the Mont Blanc definitely result in a far more capable trail shoe for the most rugged trails!
The MaxTrac outsole of the Altra Lone Peak 8 (left) and the Vibram’s LiteBase outsole of the Altra Mont Blanc (right)
The Fit
My wife has been using the Altra Lone Peaks for years now, and has always enjoyed them. For me, I always felt the roomy toebox was a bit too roomy for me, and resulted in a bit of a sloppy fit…something I definitely do not want when navigating difficult terrain.
The Altra Mont Blanc has really found the perfect balance of providing plenty of space in the toebox yet giving plenty of support and stability through the forefoot. While the fit itself is a welcomed change for those that feel the Lone Peak offers too much room, the Altra Mont Blanc also utilized a much more refined insole which gives an incredible secure fit from heel to toe.
The Altra Mont Blanc provides a more precise fit compared to the Altra Lone Peak 8
The Weight
Overall, Altra’s shoes tend to fall toward the lighter end of the spectrum. While the Lone Peak 8 comes in at 10.7 oz, the Altra Mont Blanc comes in at 9.9 oz! Even with the increased cushioning, the Mont Blanc still shaved weight!
While less than a 1 oz difference might not sound like much, the drop in weight combined with the more precise fit of the Altra Mont Blanc results in a significantly lighter and more nimble feel on the feet!
The fast, light, and super stable Altra Mont Blanc
Our Final Take
The Altra Mont Blanc’s increased cushioning and improved fit is a win in our book! While my wife has recently tried virtually every Altra trail shoe on the market, she has truly fallen in love with the fit, feel, and performance of the Mont Blanc.
While the lack of a rockplate is definitely a negative, the ample cushioning from the Altra Ego Max midsole and Vibram’s LiteBase provides plenty of protection!
Overall, I can definitely see the Altra Mont Blanc being a go-to trail shoe for our family for years to come!
If you are like us, you are always looking to pick up some new gear before you head out on that new adventure. Be sure to check out all the current sales at Backcountry.com to score some massive savings on the top brands!
As we continue to explore our National Parks, our gear selection continues to evolve! Be sure to reach out to Park and Pebble at info@parkandpebble.com or head over to Contact page to shoot us any questions you may have on your gear choice for your next adventure!
