Club Benefits
You might not yet have heard of Mount to Coast, but it’s a brand I think avid runners are going to learn about in the next few years, because the quality of its first few shoe releases has been impressive.
My introduction to the brand was through the Mount to Coast R1, a lightweight daily trainer for road runs, and I’ve been testing the Mount to Coast C1 for a couple of weeks ahead of its launch, running 30 miles in it so far.
Article continues belowI’ve enjoyed my runs in the C1 and did find it a versatile shoe, but it didn’t blow me away and the high price still means it’s a tricky sell compared to some of the best running shoes I’ve tested from more established brands.
My likes and dislikes after running 30 miles in the Mount to Coast C1 are below, but first, here’s the key information you need to know.
Mount to Coast C1: Cheat sheet
- Price: $180
- Designed for: Road running
- Colors: White/red, white/purple, black
- Drop: 6mm
- Stack height: 42mm heel, 36mm forefoot
- Upper: Mesh with TunedFit dual-lacing system
- Midsole: Top layer of CircleCell foam, bottom layer rubberized EVA
- Outsole: Rubberized EVA
Like #1: The ride is comfortable and smooth
The high stack of foam and rockered midsole design make the Mount to Coast C1 a great option for cruising through long and easy runs.
It cushions the impact of running well but isn’t just about protection, with the rocker moving you swiftly onto your forefoot so you keep rolling along.
I find it felt natural to run at easy, steady paces in the shoe, and that it was great to use during high-mileage weeks with the smooth, cushioned ride.
Like #2: The CircleCell foam is energetic at faster paces
I’m not 100% sure what the CircleCell foam in the C1’s midsole is made of, but whatever the material is, it delivers a high level of energy return, especially during tempo runs.
It’s not as soft and springy as some foams, but it’s still comfortable, and I found it responsive during my faster runs in the shoe, and it maintained a consistent level of bounce over longer efforts.
Like #3: It’s stable for a high-stack shoe
One drawback with many super-trainers is a lack of stability, because high stacks of soft foam don’t lend themselves to a stable ride, but the Mount to Coast C1 bucks that trend.
Thanks to the firmer bottom layer of foam in the midsole, the shoe’s wide base and sidewalls of foam that cradle the back of your foot, the C1 feels stable and supportive on the run, so if you’ve struggled with wobbly shoes in the past, it could be a good alternative.
Like #4: The wide fit and dual-lacing system is accommodating
The dual-lacing system used by Mount to Coast is unique and allows you to adjust the fit around the lower midfoot and toebox using a quick-lock toggle with more traditional laces used at the top of the shoe.
It’s especially useful for ultramarathons when you might want to loosen the fit around your forefoot as your feet swell, but even if you have no intention of running that far, it makes it easy to get a secure and comfortable fit in general.
The wide toebox on the shoe is also accommodating and gives more room than you tend to get with super-trainers, I find, so the C1 will be of interest to those with wide feet.
Dislike #1: It’s not as light and fast as other super-trainers
The Mount to Coast C1 is light for a high-stack shoe at 9.3oz for a US men’s size 9.5, but other similar shoes are lighter, including the Asics Superblast 3 and Asics Megablast.
It also doesn’t feel quite as snappy and quick as those shoes or some other super-trainers, and I didn’t love the C1 for harder workouts.
The C1 is at its best for easy or steady daily training and is great for that, but if you’re splashing out on a super-trainer, I want it to perform brilliantly at fast speeds as well, because cheaper options like the Hoka Mach 7 and Saucony Endorphin Azura can handle easy and steady runs just as well.
Dislike #2: The foam is not as springy as some
I do like the CircleCell foam in the midsole of the Mount to Coast C1, but it’s not the softest or bounciest material, and it’s dulled further by the thick layer of EVA foam beneath.
The ride of the shoe is good, but once again, it feels more like a great daily trainer than a true super-trainer for me. The Superblast 3 is softer and bouncier, the Megablast is more energetic, and the cheaper Kiprun Kipstorm Tempo has a faster turnover and a livelier feel off the toes.
While I did enjoy every run in the Mount to Coast C1, I wouldn’t spend $180 on it ahead of these other options, and more affordable shoes like the Azura would also be a better buy in my view.
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