Altra MONT BLANC Review - Thoughts after 150 MILES

[@TDMiller]

Great review! Glad I'm not the only one who likes the Mont Blanc despite the bad reviews they've been getting

[@KentMearig]

Thank, man! I actually watched a couple of your videos right before posting this to make sure I wasn't missing anything. Keep up the good work!

[@EHughes0658]

This is a really honest & well-balanced review, Kent thanks. I've been put off by the negatives tailored towards that heel lock, but a manufacturer can't make a shoe that'll fit to everybody's feet...so it'll be slack on some but fit on others. I think Altra often get bashed as folk with narrower feet try them then are surprised when they're too wide; that's not Altra's fault. The best fitting shoe, for me, has been the Timp 4 & the comfiest I've ever worn (still going strong and not split the way yours did yet). I use them in the rough terrain of the Lake District mountains here in the UK & on drier rock etc they're great... I know you generally don't review shoes but the ones you have are always honest & balanced which is refreshing. I'd personally love to see more. Cheers Kent and happy running. Stay safe 👊

[@KentMearig]

Thanks for the encouraging words, Elton. I absolutely love my MBs, and I'm glad that a few more people might discover them through the videos I've made. When it comes to the Timp 4, I'm definitely starting to wonder whether the torn uppers were more of a quality control problem than that the upper material was inherently prone to breaking apart in tough conditions. I just had a pair of Torin 6s split the upper near the sole in a way that really feels like an anomaly, but what if Altra could do a better job avoiding those anomalies. That would be pretty fantastic! Thanks again!

[@EHughes0658]

@@KentMearig Altra durability does concern me at times. I had some Timp 1.5 & they fell apart at 180km, yet they were so comfy. Was dubious to try again with newer iterations until V4; the upper has been okay so far, but there may be tell-tale signs of a split where yours did at 160km. Really want to get LP 7, based on the improved outsole...just hope the upper is good enough. What mileage did you eventually get out of your LP 6? Generally always ran in Hoka, but I love the stability of Altra. Cheers Kent 👍

[@KentMearig]

@@EHughes0658 Even though I wanted to put out content sooner, I was happy that I could confirm a solid 200 mi in my LP7s before putting out that review. My experience with (I think) 3 pairs of LP6s was that I could expect about 400+ mi where the outsole still had just enough lug depth, the midsole was maintaining just enough protection, and the upper hadn't quite formed any actual holes at the most most flexed points near the ball of the foot. I've had a really good experience with the durability of the Lone Peak line since version 5, I just don't get quite the cushion I need from them for a lot of high mileage running.

[@KentMearig]

Actually, I think I had 3 5s and only 2 6s.

[@jenwatters7124]

I purchased the MB after a backpacking trip when my left heel was so sore (due I think to a shoe with overbuilt padding around the heel collar) that I couldn't put my feet in anything else, and I desperately wanted to get out on the trails. Any minor heel slippage I corrected by modifying the lacing, and after just a run or two they have broken in beautifully and there is not heel slip problem at all. I don't attack technical downhill, so I can't speak to that, but the shoe feels light and fits my foot really well. I love the midsole under the forefoot, it feels springy! I also have had not problems with the minimal toe protection; any time I clip a toe on a root or rock it has been on the front rubberized area; no problem at all. Thanks for the shoe lace switch out tip, could make this great shoe even better!

[@KentMearig]

Thanks for adding your thoughts to the commentary here, Jen! Glad the shoes are working for you.

[@ThomasLaang]

Excellent review. Would you say they fit in lenght as the Lone Peak 6? I have the Lone Peak 5 in US 11.5, and It's a bit long, but the LP6 in US11 is just right..

[@KentMearig]

Thanks for watching! It's tough to compare the Mont Blanc to the Lone Peak in terms of fit because of the huge difference in the feel in the toes. Even on the theoretically narrower last of the Mont Blanc, I would say that they feel more roomy in the toes than the Lone Peak 6 in the same size, even though they really are the same length.

[@greggquixley8651]

Nice review. I've just bought a pair on sale. I've been in Olympus 4s for 2 years and am hoping for a lighter, faster Altra with good cushioning.

[@KentMearig]

Best of luck with the new shoes. If you swap out the laces and can get past the heel fit complaints, a lighter faster Altra with great cushioning is exactly what you get! Where did you find the sale?

[@toph8068]

Great review! Curious if you can tell me what Patagonia jacket that is.... rad!!! Thanks.

[@KentMearig]

Thanks! That's the Micro Puff Hoody. Light and super warm, but you've got to find it on sale because it's also super pricey.

[@toph8068]

I love the colorway! Thanks for the info. Cheers@@KentMearig

[@JimRunsStuff]

Picked up a pair of these on clearance yesterday. I didn't feel the issue with the heel a lot of people have talked about. I much prefer their Standard shape over the Original that the Lone Peak's use.

[@KentMearig]

Thanks for adding your perspective to the thoughts in these comments. It's a good reminder that it's hard for any of us to know what we'll think of a pair of shoes until we have them on our feet.

[@DaveIrish66]

I'm with you on the MT. My feet love running in these. I did insert a small heel pad to secure the slippage issue and it works great. Not ideal but well worth the ride I get from the shoe.

[@KentMearig]

Glad to hear that they're working out for you, Dave! I'm lucky all I had to do was swap laces in mine.

[@markthomasson5077]

(Sorry can’t do a fresh comment). Agree with this review. But for me definitely not a shoe for technical terrain. That high stack is a liability. For long distance when you can go slow on the downs, superb. I do now use it without the footbed, definitely a more secure fit. Best suited to smooth / light trails, and great on roads.

[@movemorenowjames]

Hey ! Nice one… huge fan of the MB !

[@KentMearig]

Thanks, James. I've seen a lot of reviews that make me feel really blessed that mine have held up so well so far and nervous about buying a second pair, but I think I'm going to have to put out a short update video soon when I happily hit 400 miles. Your early reviews helped to keep the MBs on my radar!

[@Foxy_Fabrications]

Any thoughts on the boa vs laces?

[@KentMearig]

The bottom line is that I have no interest in paying a higher premium for shoes that are basically the same except that they weigh more. In my third pair of Mont Blancs, I've even got 230 miles on the original laces without feeling compelled to swap them out for flat ones.

[@z0uLess]

What really is the argument to go for these over timp 5 though?

[@KentMearig]

Until somebody I really trust tells me that the Timp upper is getting hundreds of miles without ripping, I won't trust any Timps to have durability. Also, the flexibility isn't for everyone, but the toe box in the Mont Blanc is way more comfortable, and there's a little more cushion in the midsole of the Mont Blancs at essentially the same weight. Truthfully though, it's that I know I love what I'm getting in the Mont Blanc, and I don't trust Altra to match it in the Timp 5. I'll be happy if I ever find out I'm wrong.

[@z0uLess]

@@KentMearig I say making more models and "upgrading" them is a business strategy to make people buy more stuff just to try it

[@KentMearig]

@@z0uLess Accurate!

[@bilaltahir9978]

How did you lace these to ensure that there is no heel slippage?

[@KentMearig]

I guess I a way, I don't. When I'm not misstepping on technical terrain, my feet just don't slide that much, especially on anything uphill. I use every eyelet, all the way to the top, but I don't do the runner's knot. I'm used to running in wet conditions on slippery and technical terrain, so I'm just used to my feet moving at least a little in any shoe involved. I couldn't speak for how anyone else would feel about it.

[@MonkeyAndChicken]

This is why "first impression reviews" aren't always good. These shoes don't FEEL secure in some spots, but they actually ARE. But you'd only know it if you really spent time in them and considered the results instead of reacting to your first impression. But hey... I just bought two more pairs on clearance for $99 each, so... my wallet thanks you for jumping to conclusions, guys!

[@KentMearig]

So true! I really wish Altra wasn't killing this shoe in favor of a shoe I will never buy...unless it also comes down in price to $99 someday.