Altra - Mont Blanc BOA

Hi there, I have used a multitude of running, hiking and trail shoes for long distance hiking at this point and finally settled on the Altra Mont Blanc BOAs. They have a slightly more narrow heel than the Lone Peaks and have a better rocker which helps a wee bit with energy conservation if you tend to walk a bit quicker. There's a bit less rubber down there which can suck but I got mine resoled which seemed to do the trick. The BOA might trigger the skeptics into saying that it's unreliable and such but with the near 500 miles that I've put into mine I would disagree. The ability to fine tune the fit and feel on the go has been a godsend for those long, hot and sweaty hikes where your feet expand and you just feel sucky. I found that the ability to open them up so easily helped a ton when compared to my laced shoes and also getting the fit across the feet on the money every single time without having to faff with laces is great. For super remote treks I would not recommend however as having the BOA buckle break will suck. I don't personally think it will and I have not had mine pop off at all in the time I've had them (done pretty much all of the long distance hikes in Scotland and repeated a couple without any issues at all). My only gripe is that the Vibram Lite base that they use kinda sucks and peels away pretty easily so I got them sent off to the Key Cobbler in Kendal and got a much more burly replacement. I will say that it took 2 lengths of the West Highland Way, the GGW and the Kintail way for this to happen though and that's some pretty good mileage for trail runners in Scotland All the best to you!

altra mont blanc BOA has been my favorite shoe. maybe thinking about getting the timps boa when they run out, not a huge fan of the colorways though. still debating snagging some speedlands. need that BOA

First was the glue connecting the harder vibram sole to the softer rubber middle. Then the harder rubber was way too thin (on purpose?) and was smooth by the end of my 330km hike. A pity, because I loved them, was the Altra Mont Blanc BOA

I've only worn Altras for about a dozen years, including multiple road (Escalante Racer, Rivera) and trail styles (King MT2, Superior, Lone Peak, Mont Blanc BOA). I weigh 170 lbs and always get 500-600 miles on a pair before I feel the cushion is shot. That's the industry standard and I've never had a single concern with tread or upper durability. Looks to me like you may be dragging your feet a bit on highly abrasive terrain.

I only run mountains and I wear altar mt blanc boas. I also where the regular my blancs. I’ll keep buying them used and third party to the work supple runs dry.

I’ve personally found that a wide toe box is a greater advantage for me over everything else on trail. I’ve worn Altra, Hoka, Norda, and Speedland over the last 10 years of ultra racing and training. Wide toe box + BOA system is my holy grail and I’m currently in Speedland’s after coming over from the Altra Mont Blanc BOA. I tightened up my stride in zero drop over time and has been good for trail cadence and nimbleness whether I’m in a zero drop or drop shoe.

I have the all green Speedland and wish I had bought 3 pairs…before that, I did multiple 50 milers and 50ks in the Altra Mont Blanc BOA (now discontinued as they have moved the BOA system to the Altra Timp). BOA is a game changer for me and imagine that many more shoe companies will adopt as its superior to laces.

Shoes are so personal in the sense that every body is shaped differently…wide, narrow, high arch, low arch, etc. makes the whole topic very subjective. Your local running shop is the best resource to try out different pairs. A few tips: - your feet will swell over those distances and 1/2 size larger helps. - make sure you have space in the toe box for width as there is nothing more uncomfortable that too narrow a shoe to run in - learn the “heel lock” lace technique to prevent your foot from sliding forward on steep descents Lastly, you’ll get a ton of advice on shoes recommendations but take the time to figure out what works for you. What works for me is a wide toe box, boa system instead of laces, good tread, quality foam, and a slight drop. (Altra Mont Blanc BOA and Speedland GS:PDX are my all-time favorite…but I know people who couldn’t stand them…because it’s all subjective) Congrats on the upcoming race!

Do you have time to get In sufficient training miles in a new pair before your race? I really like the Mont Blanc boa. I’ve run an entire 100 in them and also the last 40 miles in them after switching out of a pair of speedlands. I don’t think I could do a 100 in the LPs. The MB is the sweet spot for me with a bit more stack and a firmer foam. They’re light and drain well too. The only downside I’d see to them in technical terrain would be the lack of toe protection. Wasn’t an issue for me on tech trails but I could see it being an issue for some.

I love my Altra Olympus 275 and the Altra Mont Blancs. The Olympus’s are heavier but great. The Mont Blanc are awesome.

I’ve run on peregrines quite a lot. I like them for short and speedier trail runs. That said I find myself setting up runs to be able to be in my xodus ultra 3s. I also run in Altra Mont Blancs, but if I could I’d always be in my xodus ultra 3s. They’re the shoes I’m lacing up for Leadville in a couple weeks.

I did the JMT last year in a pair of Altra Mont Blancs and I still run in them every day. I think they're the best pair of running shoes I've ever worn. The EGO Max foam they're using in the midsole is unbelievable. Incredibly comfortable with an extremely lively response.