Altra Mont Blanc Carbon review: A race-ready “super shoe” with zero drop

Altra’s Mont Blanc Carbon is part of the brand's latest push into carbon-plated trail shoes, bringing a combination of Altra’s signature zero-drop design and anatomic toe box with the performance benefits of a super shoe.

It’s designed to offer a fast and lightweight experience, ideal for long-distance runners seeking a ride that feels responsive but stable.

As someone who has rotated through various types of trail running shoes, from zero-drop to 8mm drop, I didn’t really know what to expect. I’ve gotten on well with Altra shoes in the past but in recent years other brands have started offering the wider fit which first drew me to them.

At first glance it certainly doesn’t look like a super shoe thanks to the streamlined sole and minimal drop. Instead, I like to think of it as the closest thing to a barefoot running shoe with a cheat plate to provide added boost and propulsion.

But how does it stand up to the growing carbon competition such as the Hoka Mafete X and The North Face Vectiv Pro 3?

Upper

I’ll be honest, the upper of the Mont Blanc Carbon didn’t get things off to a good start. While the shoe is definitely less bulky than many, especially when compared to something like the Hoka Mafete X, I found the overall fit to be a little too constrictive.

Altra’s well-known for their wider toe boxes, but with the Mont Blanc Carbon, the shape feels flatter at the top, which makes the upper wrap around the toes in a way that restricts them vertically.

While there’s plenty of room side to side, my toes felt like they had nowhere to move upwards, making the fit uncomfortable on longer runs.

On the plus side the shoe features a thin tongue and a light collar which gets a big tick, especially for summer running. But the collar’s minimal cushioning had a downside as it meant the ankle area didn’t provide the locked-in feel I’m accustomed to.

Even with marathon laces tightened, the collar buckled around the sides of my ankle, rather than securing the foot in place. The heel itself locked in nicely, but that side buckling left me wishing for more structure, particularly when running on uneven terrain.

The upper’s material is marketed as ultra lightweight and breathable, but it actually felt somewhat thick and tight, with a plastic-like coating that seemed to offer water resistance rather than ventilation.

Midsole

One of the most interesting aspects of the Mont Blanc Carbon is how the carbon plate feels - or rather, how it doesn't feel. With the technological advances in carbon-plated shoes, the sensation has shifted.

Instead of the noticeable rebound or propulsion I’ve come to expect, the Mont Blanc Carbon feels quite squidgy underfoot, with only a subtle pushback. It’s not an aggressive bounce, nor does it feel particularly energising.

This might appeal to runners who prefer a more neutral feel from a carbon shoe, or who run particularly fast - but for me, I didn’t notice a significant amount of propulsion, especially when compared to other carbon-plated models.

The zero-drop platform, a hallmark of Altra, is something that you either love or find uncomfortable. Personally, I used to enjoy lower drops, but now I’m running longer distances (50k to 100k) I find more comfort in a deeper cushioned shoe.

After just ten minutes of wearing the Mont Blanc Altra, my feet started to ache, and I didn’t feel there was enough midsole cushioning in the EGO MAX rim and EGO PRO core to offset the lack of drop.

The carbon plate did provide some rebound, but it wasn’t enough to mask the shallowness of the cushioning, leaving me with sore feet after extended runs over an hour.

That all being said I did appreciate the sleeker and lighter design of the shoe compared to Hoka’s latest carbon output the Mafete X which are 50g heavier.

Outsole

The good news is this Altra comes with a Vibram Litebase outsole designed with 4mm lugs. These are reliably grippy and stick to long grass, hard packed trails and stony paths with ease.

The bad news is they appear to lack any durability with the lugs wearing down around the heel after just 20km of running on grass. This rapid wear and tear could be a concern for anyone looking to use these shoes for long-term, consistent use or for trails that require more aggressive grip.

In short, the Mont Blanc Carbon is better suited for non-technical, summer trails rather than the kind of rugged, slippery surfaces you might encounter in winter or on more challenging routes.

Price and competition

At £220, the Altra Mont Blanc Carbon sits at the upper end of carbon-plated trail shoes closely matched by the North Face Vectiv Pro 3 at £225. It really depends on your penchant for a zero-drop show.

If that’s your bag, then this may currently be the best shoe on offer but if you are willing to opt for a deeper drop the Hoka Mafete X will save you a few quid. And if you are simply looking for a trail shoe with a wide toe box then the Inov8 Trailfly is a much more affordable option.

Final verdict

The Altra Mont Blanc Carbon is a shoe that, on paper, promises a lot with its lightweight build, carbon plate, and Altra’s signature zero-drop design. However, the overall experience is somewhat mixed.

While it’s certainly light, it doesn’t deliver a huge level of rebound considering it has a carbon plate. It wouldn’t suit those looking for cushioned comfort over super long distances but could be a great fit for someone eager for a tactile shoe to smash out fast miles.

It’s a solid shoe for certain conditions and runners keen to be close to the ground – but it may not meet the needs of every trail blazer.

About the author

Lily Canter is a journalist who specialises in trail running reviews, features and human-interest stories. She loves ultra running and in the past year has started to up her game by ditching the chit chat and racing more competitively. She placed first female at the Foxton Hound 100k Ultra and second female at Beyond the Ultimate Highlands 125k.