Altra Vanish-R

Neutral · Road · 4.5 oz

Discontinued — we no longer see this shoe in stock.

How it ranks

The Altra Vanish-R rates in the 68th percentile overall among racing shoes. It rates highest on comfort.

Based on 3 runner reviews.

Altra Vanish-R

/ 5

Very good

Overall rating

We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.

Better Shoes Rating

Very good (82/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 68% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

The shaded band shows the rating range we think is most likely.

82/100
Overall

Overall rating

We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.

Better Shoes Rating

Very good (82/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 68% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

The shaded band shows the rating range we think is most likely.

82
Comfort

Comfort rating

We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.

Better Shoes Rating

Excellent (91/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 88% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

The shaded band shows the rating range we think is most likely.

91
Cushioning

Cushioning rating

We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.

Better Shoes Rating

Good (71/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 37% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

The shaded band shows the rating range we think is most likely.

71
Appearance

Appearance rating

We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.

Better Shoes Rating

Good (71/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 33% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

The shaded band shows the rating range we think is most likely.

71
Value

Value rating

We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.

Better Shoes Rating

Average (67/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 22% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

The shaded band shows the rating range we think is most likely.

67
Durability

Durability rating

We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.

Better Shoes Rating

Below average (55/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 3% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

The shaded band shows the rating range we think is most likely.

55

What runners say

“Thin, flexible sole lets you run naturally without inhibiting form.”
ninjarunner 4/5 Full review
“Feather-light with thin upper that fits like a glove.”
ninjarunner 4/5 Full review
“Midfoot snug and locked-in.”
ninjarunner 4/5 Full review
“EVA outsole abrades quickly.”
ninjarunner 4/5 Full review
“Super light with very little cushioning.”
5/5 Full review
“Needs more rubber on forefoot for durability.”
ninjarunner 4/5 Full review
“Zero drop racer that delivers.”
4/5 Full review
“Little wear after 150+ miles.”
5/5 Full review
“Fits well and responsive.”
4/5 Full review

Prefer this shoe over another

50% 2/4

Reader Ratings

3 reader ratings
5/5
1
4/5
2
3/5
0
2/5
0
1/5
0

Runner reviews

Write a review

Showing 1–3 of 3 written reviews

Great minimal trainer or racing flat

Anonymous runner · Jul 16, 2019

5/5

Overall

The Altra Vanish-R is a great shoe. It is super light with very little cushioning. It is designed mostly for racing and speed work. I actually use it for most of my easy runs under 10 miles. I'm using it to promote foot strength. The build is pretty great for a minimal shoe and I don't have much wear after more than 150 miles. I'm sure it could wear much quicker if used during speed work. I don't use this for any fast training. I prefer the Golden spike in the track and Torin on the road.
Comfort
5/5
Cushioning
1/5
Durability
3/5
Appearance
5/5
Value
5/5

Great zero drop racer

Anonymous runner · Jul 23, 2018

4/5

Overall

Been looking for a zero drop racer for 2 years - finally found it. Fits well and is responsive. Have worn up to half marathon.
Comfort
4/5
Cushioning
3/5
Durability
2/5
Appearance
1/5
Value
3/5

Fast. Light. Awesome.

ninjarunner · Jun 28, 2018

4/5

Overall

The Vanish-R is now my favorite road-running shoe. It is feather-light and the thin upper fits my foot like a glove. Yet, the midfoot is still snug and I feel locked-in. The thin, flexible sole lets me run naturally and does not inhibit my form in any way. My only complaint is that the EVA outsole will abrade quickly. If there was more rubber on the forefoot, this would be a much more durable shoe.
Comfort
5/5
Cushioning
5/5
Durability
2/5
Appearance
5/5
Value
4/5

Where to buy

We may earn a commission on these links. It never affects our ratings.

No offers available

Alternatives

Other shoes worth considering.

New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Pacer

FuelCell SuperComp Pacer

Racing

89/100 rating

$139.88
Altra Escalante Racer 2

Escalante Racer 2

Racing

86/100 rating

$99.88
Nike Zoom Fly 6

Zoom Fly 6

Speed / workouts

84/100 rating

$115.97

More from Altra

Altra Olympus 275

Olympus 275

Trail

72/100 rating

$139.88
Altra Torin 8

Torin 8

Daily trainer

66/100 rating

$99.88
Altra Paradigm 8

Paradigm 8

Daily trainer

59/100 rating

$119.88
Altra Escalante Racer 2

Escalante Racer 2

Racing

86/100 rating

$99.88

Compared to other shoes

See how this shoe compares to others like it.

Altra Vanish-R
HOKA Mach X 2
ASICS SUPERBLAST 2
Vanish-R
Mach X 2
SUPERBLAST 2
Current shoe
Choose a model
Lightest
Newest
Lowest price / Best overall / Best comfort
Shoe properties
Type
Racing
Racing
Daily trainer
Pronation
Neutral
Neutral
Neutral
Weight
4.5 oz M Lightest
9.4 oz M
—
Stack
—
—
—
Drop
—
—
7mm
Release
2018 Q1
2024 Q3 Newest
2024 Q2
MSRP
$100
—
$200
Best price
—
$189.99
$149.99 Lowest price
Ratings
Overall
Above average (68%)
Exceptional (98%)
Exceptional (>99%) Best overall
Comfort
Very good (88%)
Exceptional (98%)
Exceptional (99%) Best comfort
Cushioning
Below average (37%)
Exceptional (97%)
Exceptional (99%) Best cushioning
Durability
Bottom tier (3%)
Very good (84%)
Exceptional (99%) Best durability
Appearance
Below average (33%)
Very good (81%)
Exceptional (97%) Best appearance
Value
Below average (22%)
Good (71%)
Very good (87%) Best value
Specific shoe

Search for the exact model to add to this comparison.

Where the Altra Vanish-R sits

Reviewers came to it from

More from Altra

All Altra running shoes, rated