Altra Vanish-XC

Neutral · Road

Discontinued — we no longer see this shoe in stock.

How it ranks

The Altra Vanish-XC rates in the 89th percentile overall among racing shoes. It rates highest on comfort.

Based on 3 runner reviews.

Altra Vanish-XC

/ 5

Excellent

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

Excellent (92/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 89% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

92/100
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

Excellent (92/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 89% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

92
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

Exceptional (97/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 94% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

97
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

Very good (82/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 69% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

82
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 (75/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 48% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

75
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

Good (71/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 34% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

71
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 (70/100)

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.

70

What runners say

“Feels like they are more cushioned than they appear, but the cushioning is snappy”
5/5 Full review
“Minimalist design that strengthens your feet but enough cushioning for daily easy runs”
5/5 Full review
“They were very quick to fall apart under trail conditions”
5/5 Full review
“Has a spacious toe-box but does not seem sloppy”
5/5 Full review
“Unique open mesh that is soft against the feet but also quite tough”
5/5 Full review
“Feels good under foot and is responsive like a racing shoe should be”
5/5 Full review
“The perfect, extremely light weight and comfortable shoe for pretty much any distance”
5/5 Full review
“Would be better if they had spikes”
5/5 Full review
“These shoes make you want to run fast”
5/5 Full review
“Grippy rubber waffle pattern that has held up great”
5/5 Full review

Prefer this shoe over another

100% 2/2

Reader Ratings

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

Runner reviews

Write a review

Showing 1–3 of 3 written reviews

Great for XC or soft surfaces

Anonymous runner · Apr 21, 2020

5/5

Overall

I put about 300 miles on my Altra Vanish and they are my go to shoe for training (soft surfaces only. grass or dirt roads). Minimalist design that strengthens your feet and keep the muscles/tendons firing but enough cushioning for my daily easy runs. Also good for xc races, but would be better if they had spikes.
Comfort
5/5
Cushioning
4/5
Durability
5/5
Appearance
5/5
Value
5/5

Favorite shoe right now.

Anonymous runner · Jan 4, 2020

5/5

Overall

Really loving these shoes. Quite comfortable - it feels like they are more cushioned than they appear, but the cushioning is "snappy" - these shoes make you want to run fast. Wasn't sure if the rating above was for the amount of cushioning, or the quality. To me, the quality is just right - feels good under foot, and is responsive like a racing shoe should be. Obviously, it is not a high cushion shoe. Durability seems good, I'm guessing that I have 50-70 miles on mine, and don't notice anything major. The upper is a unique open mesh that is soft against the feet, but also seems quite tough - I have no worries of this material tearing. The upper makes these the most ventilated shoe that I've run in. Water drains nicely too, which makes me think these would be a nice alternative to spikes for the steeple. The sole has a grippy rubber waffle pattern that has held up great so far - but I've only had mine on the grass and trails. Has a spacious toe-box, but unlike some other Altras I've run in, these do not seem sloppy - they fit my foot securely around the mid foot. I have the yellow, and I like how they look - they don't have the altra "clown show" appearance. I think they're a good value - seems like they will have a longer life than most racing type shoes. I have raced one XC race in these, but otherwise, these have become my go-to's for runs on the grass (where I prefer to run).
Comfort
5/5
Cushioning
3/5
Durability
4/5
Appearance
5/5
Value
5/5

Best all around running shoe I have ever used for racing

Anonymous runner · Dec 30, 2019

5/5

Overall

I am a minimalist who seeks to wear the most minimalist shoe I can get away with for any given race. In the past this has meant going totally barefoot in some 5K races, and using Vibram 5 fingers sprints for up to a half marathon, and using Altra Escalantes or something similar for longer trail runs. But with the Vanish XCs I have found the perfect, extremely light weight and comfortable shoe for pretty much any distance! I know this because I used them for a 12 hour race in sleet and muddy conditions and was able to finish 50 miles (was shooting for 62 miles but that's a different story) without ever changing shoes! I had shoes with more cushion at my drop site but never even gave it a thought! These shoes provided sufficient grip (barely) but without getting caked full of mud. I like the flexibility of Merrill trail gloves or the vibrams for shorter races, but when I have used either for other ultra-marathons (especially in rocky conditions) my feet would feel pulverized after about 25 miles. No such issue with these Altras! And again, they are light enough to be competitive at any distance! Also, they arrived in the mail just two days before the 12 hour race and so I only used them for perhaps a 5 mile run before that event and yet, not a single blister! Truly an amazing shoe. I used Vanish Rs before these came out and loved them too, but they were very quick to fall apart under trail conditions as they simply were not made for trails! The XCs are holding up better but I don't expect them to last real long so I will soon by another pair. Perhaps two more pairs...
Comfort
5/5
Cushioning
2/5
Durability
4/5
Appearance
4/5
Value
5/5

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Compared to other shoes

See how this shoe compares to others like it.

Altra Vanish-XC
HOKA Mach X 2
ASICS SUPERBLAST 2
Vanish-XC
Mach X 2
SUPERBLAST 2
Current shoe
Choose a model
Reference shoe
Newest
Lowest price / Best overall / Best comfort
Shoe properties
Type
Racing
Racing
Daily trainer
Pronation
Neutral
Neutral
Neutral
Weight
—
9.4 oz M
—
Stack
—
—
—
Drop
—
—
7mm
Release
2019 Q2
2024 Q3 Newest
2024 Q2
MSRP
$80
—
$200
Best price
—
$189.99
$149.99 Lowest price
Ratings
Overall
Very good (89%)
Exceptional (98%)
Exceptional (>99%) Best overall
Comfort
Excellent (94%)
Exceptional (98%)
Exceptional (99%) Best comfort
Cushioning
Below average (33%)
Exceptional (97%)
Exceptional (99%) Best cushioning
Durability
Below average (34%)
Very good (84%)
Exceptional (99%) Best durability
Appearance
Average (48%)
Very good (81%)
Exceptional (97%) Best appearance
Value
Above average (69%)
Good (71%)
Very good (87%) Best value
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