The longer, the better: Mount to Coast offers shoes for ultra runs
The running shoe manufacturer Mount to Coast, which was only founded in 2022, was honoured with an ISPO award for its new T1 trail running shoe. The shoe won't be available for a few months, but I have already been able to test another Mount to Coast model for the road.
Newcomers have a hard time in the highly competitive running shoe industry. But Mount to Coast has specialised in a niche that is growing rapidly: ultrarunning. In other words, runs that go beyond the marathon distance, from 50 kilometres to the multi-week 3100-mile (4989 km) Self-Transcendence Race. In the USA, the number of ultra events, as the long competitions are called, increased by almost 800 per cent between 2000 and 2023, writes the online portal IRunFar.com.
The motto for ultra runners is: "Longer is better". However, most running shoes do not follow the same philosophy. The general advice is to replace them after around 400 to 600 kilometres. Just a marketing strategy? I thought so too. Until a running analysis (more on this in a later article) showed me how much my worn-out shoe was bending to one side, which can lead to joint problems in the long term.
Shoes for long distances and many kilometres of training
Mount to Coast wants to make a name for itself with shoes that not only perform over long distances, but also withstand many kilometres of training. "Today's market is flooded with shoes that prioritise trends and aesthetics over functionality - with homogeneous designs with carbon plates and thick soles - but which do not meet the actual requirements of long-distance running," says Ben Guan, Brand Specialist at Mount to Coast.
Mount to Coast is therefore not only aimed at ultra runners, but at anyone who is looking for a solid shoe that they don't have to replace every few months.
Source: Siri Schubert
I was able to test both the S1, which is offered as a training shoe, and the R1 racing shoe. The R1 is slightly lighter and has a wider toe box (11.6 millimetres). These are attributes that work well for me. That's why I'm focussing on the R1. A shoe that I have worn on a 36-kilometre run, on recovery runs, on a 10-kilometre tempo run and interval training sessions - and don't want to take off again.
Good first impression
The R1 looks solidly made and is nice and light at 215 grams (women's size 40). In its pristine white, it looks classy, but I would have liked a slightly darker, stronger colour. After a few runs in the rain and on country lanes, the flowery white gave way to a beige-brown colour. I never got it really clean again.
Source: Mount to Coast
At 35 millimetres at the heel and 27 millimetres at the forefoot, the cushioning is generous for my taste, but a thicker cushion protects the foot over long distances and ensures that it doesn't tire so quickly. After all, the shoe is made for ultra runs.
At 8 millimetres, the drop (the difference in height between the heel and forefoot) is at the upper limit for my feet and my running style. I prefer shoes with a drop of 0 to a maximum of 6 millimetres. I actually had slight discomfort in my forefoot on the longest tested run. Not bad, but uncomfortable enough that I hope future trail running shoes from Mount to Coast will have less drop.
Sophisticated lacing system and airy upper
What immediately caught my eye was the two-part lacing system. The lower part starts at the forefoot and goes up to the midfoot. Mount to Coast has fitted a quick-release system here. This allows you to optimise the fit and change it quickly if your foot swells during long runs. With the traditional laces in the upper part, you can adjust the hold below the ankle.
Source: Mount to Coast
I think the system is brilliant because I often find it difficult to find perfectly fitting shoes due to my high instep and wide forefoot. The trail running shoe that won an award at ISPO should also have this system.
The recycled polyester upper feels light and stretchy. The material is quick-drying and lets enough air through to prevent sweaty feet.
The centrepiece, the midsole
Mount to Coast relies on lightweight foam for the midsole, which provides some, but not excessive, cushioning. I like the fact that the shoe is not too bouncy. It feels stable, but neither too spongy nor too hard. I've also had the problem in the past with shoes that were too soft that they wore out quickly. And that's exactly what Mount to Coast wants to avoid.
Source: Siri Schubert
The mixture of lightness, cushioning and stability is achieved on the one hand by the nitrogen-infused foam and on the other by a special ZeroSag insert. "We developed ZeroSag in collaboration with BASF, which was inspired by the suspension systems used in racing cars," says Brand Specialist Ben. And even though I don't see myself sprinting around like a racing car, I appreciate the slightly firmer insert in the heel and forefoot.
During my runs, the mix of cushioning and stability worked very well. At no time did I have that marshmallow feeling where your foot sinks into a soft cushion. Instead, the shoe felt dynamic and responsive even on the last few kilometres of the 36-kilometre run.
Conclusion: A solid training and competition shoe for the road
The shoe showed its strength not only during slow, long jogs. It also proved its worth during faster sessions such as tempo runs or intervals. Of course, it cannot be compared to a super shoe, but I can recommend it as a solid training shoe and shoe for half and full marathons.
Source: Siri Schubert
I mainly ran in the R1 on dirt tracks and tarmac paths. Here, the grip is good even in the wet, but the sole of the R1 gets loud in the rain. If this bothers you, you can opt for the R1R, whose outsole is made from a different, quieter rubber compound.
After the kilometres in the R1, I'm excited about the ISPO award-winning trail running shoe, the T1. Because the R1 road racing shoe is clearly not made for slippery trails with stones, roots and mud.
We don't currently have the shoes from newcomer Mount to Coast in our range, but will of course report on them as soon as that changes.
Header image: Mount to Coast
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Siri Schubert
Senior Editor
Siri.Schubert@digitecgalaxus.chResearch diver, outdoor guide and SUP instructor – I love being in, on and around water. Lakes, rivers and the ocean are my playgrounds. For a change of perspective, I look at the world from above while trail running or flying drones.
