Altra Mont Blanc Speed Review: Go Ahead, Feed Our Ego

Introduction to the Altra Mont Blanc Speed

TAYLOR: Early on in my reviewing career, maybe quite literally hundreds of shoes ago, there were much fewer trail options. There were less than a handful of those that commanded the arena. We were on the steep end of the exponential hook for trail running growth when many companies started to alter foams, geometries, and other tech to tackle the specific demands of trails. Trail running tech was finally at a place to start sharpening the end of the spear.

Every now and then, a shoe would come along and spice things up. One of those, for me (as long as you leave out the heel counter construction), was the original Altra Mont Blanc. It was the zero drop, wide-toebox company’s first true trail racer, and Altra nailed a lot of things, especially the underfoot feel. To this day, that iteration of Ego Max foam is one of my favorites for the trail.

Since then, the Vanish Carbon 1 and 2 have been released on the road side, and so has the Mont Blanc Carbon for the trails. Now, we have the third generation to welcome to the party: the Mont Blanc Speed.

Essentially, this fingerling of the Mont Blanc vein seeks to bring a more moderated yet still peppy performance. It is basically the Mont Blanc Carbon sans plate. Using a more structured upper material and the addition of a dual foam midsole has been a pretty successful formula in a few different trail models like the Salomon S/Lab Ultra Glide, Hoka Mafate Speed 4, and Saucony Xodus Ultra 2.

Of course, the Alta Mont Blanc Speed comes in a zero drop package (29 mm stack) and is built on the “Standard” last, like the Mont Blanc Carbon, Timp 5, and Experience Wild.

ALLISON: Yes, in my other reviews, I mention being a seasoned shoe reviewer, but I haven’t had much experience with Altra shoes. To be honest, the zero-drop design has always intimidated me since I’m used to a more comfortable 5 millimeters. That said, I approached this review with caution (don’t worry, no calves or feet were harmed in the process), as anyone should when transitioning to a different heel-to-toe drop.

I was also curious to see where the Mont Blanc Speed would fall within Altra’s range — would it lean toward a more minimalist feel or follow the trend of thicker, more cushioned models the brand has been adopting? The combination of zero drop and ample cushioning is still an odd concept for me to wrap my head around, but maybe that’s just me.

MICHAEL: Since I’m coming off writing a novel for the La Sportiva Prodigio Pro review, and since my fellow reviewers have had such a great job teeing this one up, I must admit I’m coming up a bit short for the ol’ intro.

But hey, I’ve still got thoughts to share. Because you know what provides no lack of inspiration (or pollination)? Springtime in north Alabama. The redbuds have been incredible this year, and have provided the perfect backdrop for which to test out the latest lightweight, uptempo trail racer from Altra: the Mont Blanc Speed. So, let’s pop a Zyrtec and hit the trails, shall we?

What we like about the Altra Mont Blanc Speed

TAYLOR: As expected, a roomy fit is integral to the Altra experience. The Mont Blanc Speed also has a wider fit throughout. Think of the Standard last it is built on as the brand’s medium width. I’ll have more to say on this point later, but for me, the forefoot and midfoot had a comfortable amount of room for daily and long runs. Even though I expected a more fitted experience, I can’t argue with the comfortable fit.

The more structured and durable engineered mesh upper allowed for consistent fit throughout the foot. I’ve previously had such voluminous uppers caving in on my foot and sacrificing fit. Even though the extra room typically means a lack of security, the Mont Blanc Speed’s structure, roominess, and flat profile allowed for a surprising amount of control. My foot was able to rotate within the shoe in a functional way that never left me feeling insecure.

The main character of the Mont Blanc Speed is certainly the midsole, which is comprised of Altra’s softer yet structured Ego Max foam (also found in the Olympus, Mont Blanc, Mont Blanc Boa, Timp 5, etc.) and its energetic Ego Pro foam (found in Mont Blanc Carbon, Vanish Carbon, and Vanish Tempo). It’s quite a luscious combination of noticeable cushion and mild reactiveness that makes for easy cruisin’.

At 29mm (which is a very mid-stack height for today’s standards)and a lightweight TPU Stoneguard sandwiched between, moderate protection was noticeable. I also appreciated the adequate ground feel of this stacked-up package. It has a very Altra feel in that sense of feeling “natural” without actually sacrificing too much underfoot in the Mont Blanc Speed.

As for the Vibram Megagrip Litehase outsole, which I can only describe creatively so many times, I’m finding myself very satisfied with the performance, yet again. Even though the lugs are fairly short, they dug into a lot of surfaces and transitioned well between them. Of course, thick mud sections and slush made their presence known when traversing. This particular rubber is quite tacky and is one of the industry leaders in durability as well. Confidence was easily found in this outsole.

Actually, this whole package is quite durable. Many have had serious issues with Altra’s build quality. This package should provide a longer-lasting experience, and I’m pretty hopeful about that.

ALLISON: For a trail shoe, I was pleasantly surprised by how light the Mont Blanc Speed felt. Often, trail shoes can feel bulky or weigh me down, but this one allowed me to pick up speed effortlessly, even on more technical terrain. The combination of agility and stability gave me confidence on rocky and uneven paths, making my runs feel both smooth and controlled.

One of my biggest concerns with lightweight trail shoes is the potential loss of cushioning, but that wasn’t an issue here. The balance between cushioning and responsiveness is spot on—I never felt like I was sacrificing comfort for speed. Many lightweight models lack the necessary support for longer runs, but this shoe held up exceptionally well, providing comfort even on extended outings.

The grip was another standout feature. It offered reliable traction on dirt, mud, and rocky surfaces, keeping me secure on a variety of trails. For those familiar with the Altra line, this shoe feels like a grippier version of the Torin, which makes it an excellent choice for runners who love the fit and feel of Altra but need something with more traction for the trails. Overall, a fantastic option for speed, comfort, and grip!

MICHAEL: Like its predecessor, the Mont Blanc carbon, the Mont Blanc Speed has all the makings of a light, fast, and, dare I say, fun shoe for quick runs and races. Like my fellow reviewers, I enjoyed the lightweight, airy upper for keeping things light and staying cool as the weather gets warmer, as well as the high-performing and versatile Vibram Litebase outsole.

For me, however, the star of the shoe was the combination of the Ego Pro midsole with the updated TPU StoneGuard rock plate. Since I found the carbon plate in the Mont Blanc Carbon to essentially be a fancy rock plate of its own, it was refreshing to see Altra bring back the good ol’ TPU rock plate and really let it shine here. I enjoyed the simplicity of this midsole combination on technical and smooth trails alike and found that the extra pop from the Ego Pro foam really took this shoe to another level of fun. Like the Mont Blanc Carbon, the Speed is low to the ground, so zipping around corners and trees with a smile on your face just comes naturally in this shoe.

Ultimately, I think I prefer this midsole to the one in the Carbon. In the Speed, I anticipate the line between cushioning and protection to be perfect for zero-drop believers who are looking for a sub-ultra uptempo or race-day shoe.

What we don’t like about the Altra Mont Blanc Speed

TAYLOR: Clack, clack… that’s my soapbox dropping on the floor. Excuse me while I… ahem!

Attention all brands: Naming conventions should, in fact, be a representation of what to expect when wearing a particular shoe. It’s honestly a little distasteful when it can’t live up to its name. For example, The Nike Zegama 2 is a shoe I would never wear at the Zegama race. The original Altra Mont Blanc wouldn’t be on my consideration for running around the Mont Blanc Massif.

The Altra Mont Blanc Speed is not a shoe I would think of a shoe that exudes “speed.” Don’t get me wrong, this shoe feels very good underfoot, but it doesn’t make me feel like ripping a workout or has the responsiveness to pick up the pace. It’s simply a good shoe to stack mile after mile on… I guess it did feel on the lighter end? Fit, underfoot feel, and durability really gave it more of a pepped-up Lone Peak vibe rather than a “speedy” counterpart to the Mont Blanc Carbon.

Anywho, let’s talk about them there laces. They’re long. It’s a classic Altra dilemma. Even after slinging these through the upper eyelets, double knotting, and stuffing them through the lacing chain, they were still flapping around

And that heel collar. It was very structured for a nice overall fit. Some will find it to be bothersome, though. It’s a stout construction that curves slightly toward the Achilles. If you typically have an issue with feeling heel counters, just know this one could be a little nippy.

ALLISON: I’ve always been hesitant to run in Altra shoes due to their reputation for notoriously wide, “clown-like” toeboxes and somewhat sloppy uppers, and unfortunately, this shoe was no exception. While I appreciate the concept of allowing toes to splay naturally, the fit felt excessively roomy, even in my correct size. Rather than feeling secure and locked in, my foot had too much movement within the shoe, which made technical trails and sharp turns feel unstable at times.

The upper didn’t do much to improve the situation either. It felt loose and lacked the snug, foot-hugging fit I prefer in a performance running shoe. I kept adjusting the laces, hoping for a more dialed-in feel, but nothing seemed to help. On longer runs, this lack of a secure fit became even more noticeable, making the experience frustrating rather than enjoyable.

Beyond the fit issues, the color scheme was another letdown. While aesthetics aren’t the most important factor, it’s always nice when a shoe looks as good as it performs, and these just didn’t deliver in that department. Overall, if you prefer a more structured, locked-in fit, these may not be the best choice.

MICHAEL: Okay, first things first, I just don’t find the look of the shoe convincing. I understand that the gray fade into lime green may just be an unfortunate case of the bad colorway, but it’s not a premium look, in my opinion. This brings me to my next point.

Of course, not every shoe has to be visually stunning, but this one does carry the Mont Blanc moniker after all and, perhaps most crucially, is priced at $185. In today’s world, if the shoe doesn’t have the looks to justify the price tag, it’s gotta have mad performance to match. For reference, I’m still gushing over the La Sportiva Prodigio Pro we just reviewed, which was probably my favorite shoe of all time and MSRP’d for just ten dollars more at $195. The Mont Blanc Speed is still a simple and fun shoe, but I do think it would be much more approachable for a larger crowd in the $140 to $160 range.

My concerns with the price tag were not at all helped by the fit of the shoe, which, for me, turned out to be surprisingly loose and imprecise. This relaxed fit is, of course, to be expected of Altra models towards the toe box, but even the midfoot and heel counter of the Mont Blanc Speed felt quite baggy. Additionally, it took me several runs to get the lassos, er, I mean laces, synched down tightly enough to keep my foot from going all over the place. Typically, Altra’s fit through the midfoot works great for me in shoes like the Timp, Lone Peak, and even the Mont Blanc Carbon, so this was a bit of a curve ball.

Final thoughts on the Altra Mont Blanc Speed

TAYLOR: Besides a few minor annoyances and me being at odds with its identity, the Altra Mont Blanc Speed was a very pleasing shoe. To me, this would feel a whole lot more like an Altra Lone Peak Plus… but whatever. I’ll let it go… but probably should harp on it one more time.

The Mont Blanc Speed boasted a more relaxed fit, a soft and somewhat responsive midsole, and a nice balance of protection-to-ground-feel ratio. It was a really solid option for anything from daily miles to weekend long runs. Some will also really enjoy this as a race day option. For me, the ideal would be a moderately technical course that’s a shorter ultra distance. I do know that many Altra-folk would gladly take this out for days on end, too.

At any rate, Altra has a really nice addition to its lineup with the Mont Blanc Speed.

ALLISON: If you’re a fan of Altra and are already accustomed to the brand’s signature wide toebox and foot-shaped design, then you’ll likely appreciate the zippiness and lightweight feel of the Mont Blanc Speed. It delivers a responsive ride, allowing for quick transitions and speedier efforts on the trail while still maintaining the natural feel that Altra is known for. The shoe provides a good balance of agility and cushioning, making it a solid choice for those who enjoy long-distance trail running without feeling weighed down.

MICHAEL: Despite my concerns mentioned, I’m going to echo Taylor’s sentiment here and suggest that Altra still has a really nice addition to its quiver in the Mont Blanc Speed. Its balanced yet nimble feel makes for a fun shoe to pick up the pace in, or even race in if called upon to do so. Would I pay such a pretty penny for it? Well, the jury is still out on that, but I can confirm that for the Altra faithful, the Mont Blanc Speed’s updated, plateless design will be a welcome refresh for their rotation.

You can pick up the Altra Mont Blanc Speed for $185 from Running Warehouse (featuring free shipping and 90-day returns) by using the buttons below.