Customer Reviews Altra Vanish-R

At first I got these true to size. Return those and got a whole size bigger. Really glad I did. Been running minimus for a few years but never trained for a marathon with them in mind . Wanted something a little more comfy with a better toe box but without bulk (pebbles suck if you have baby soft feet like me). Ive put about 25 miles on them in last few training runs and they are wonderful. Great race day shoe. Would love to see a heartier sole with another 2mm overall drop for an everyday as i dont expect these to last beyond 150 miles.

Very glad Altra offers this thin sole option. I have gotten used to running with Vibram FiveFingers shoes on the tread mill and track, but I have never been able to take them on the road or off road. Even stepping on small marble sized pebbles seemed to cause soft tissue injuries that took weeks to heal. The Vanish R's sole is thick enough to provide enough protection from small rocks, while not being so thick they get in the way of the new running form I've developed using the Vibrams. My only suggestions would be you could probably even take 1 or 2 more millimeters off to make it even better.

Mine fits perfectly, but that's because I ordered a 10.5 when I'm usually a 9.5-10. I think a lot of the complaints about this shoe are because people get too small of a size. I love the Vanish. Every lightweight racing flat type shoe on the market has a narrow toe box. This one, if properly sized, has good width for toes. Initially, there was some problem with achilles tendon blisters because the heel cup is a bit aggressive, but over time that wasn't a problem. I love this shoe because it's so light and fast. I can easily maintain a high cadence. It isn't super durable, but I don't care. I'll buy 5 pairs because I'm just happy to have a light and fast shoe that allows toe splay on the market. Prior to this, my fave shoe was the discontinued New Balance Minimus MR-OO road zero. That shoe, in comparison, was a bit firmer, a bit more responsive/less cushioned, same speed, but way more durable. Overall, I like the Vanish better because it rides a bit softer while still being a fast shoe.

I bought these shoes on a little bit of an impulse and didn't read the reviews before I got them. I just knew it sounded like everything I wanted. When they arrived, surprise, surprise, they were snug, uncomfortably snug. I checked the reviews and decided that I was going to go half a size up. Before I did that, my boyfriend told me to see if they feel better after a few more runs. I was skeptical because it just felt so uncomfortable. What do ya know. They feel perfectly fine now. I absolutely love everything about these sneakers. Highly recommend!

The Vanish shoe was not for me, but I need to let everyone know that Altra provides extraordinary customer service. The trial period and free shipping are generous.

Very light. More a race than a training shoe. I ordered it a size down because I read it fits small... And it was still small!

I was super nervous to order these-- I've never owned Altras, and have always had running shoes with significant heel drops when I was running half and full marathons. CrossFit has been my primary sport for almost four years now, so I'm much more used to a flatter shoe with less arch support than when I was running. My training with these shoes will include WODs with a lot of running, and training for/ running a few 5K's this summer as a supplement to my CF training. I'm so glad I pulled the trigger on these, because they meet all the criteria I was looking for! They're fast, help with midfoot strike/ Pose Running, and I can squat in them during Murph. When I initially put them on, it felt like there was going to be a hot spot proximal to my pinkie toe, but it was totally fine and I loved them after the first 100 yards of my run. As others have said, construction does seem a little on the light side, so I guess I will just be happy if these last through the summer. But pretty bummed if they don't for how few miles I'll put on them.

Nothing comes close to this in terms of lightweight road running shoes on the market right now (At least from what I've tried) - especially if you love the zero drop/wide toebox you get from Altras! I used to do my speedwork and shorter races in super minimal shoes and was waiting for Altra to come out with something lighter that i could use and this is that shoe. While it is stiffer and fits a bit more snug than a typical "minimalist shoe" (Or even other Altra models for that matter) I feel it adds a lot of stability around the foot and will allow me to use it in longer races. It's been great for road racing so far from the 5K to the 1/2 marathon and gives me the confidence that I can wear it in my upcoming marathon (I did just buy a 2nd pair to use for that race). My only asterisk would be that they did start to get real beat up after only about 150 miles where as my typical Altras last 500+ (I did put them through the wringer with my racing and speedwork schedule this past spring/summer but i noticed some other comments about the quality as well)

So happy that Altra now has a minimal stack height shoe option available in the Vanish-R. I just ran my first half marathon in them and they were great. They breathe so well and feel comfortable. Extremely lightweight and nothing comes close to how light these are.

I use these shoes for every road run I do, normally 40-50 miles per week. They still look great after over 350 miles on them, and I've had no issues.

Super light, flexible, breathable, and has a springy sole. Seems to run a tad small for me so I will order a .5 size up next time.

Vanish ran one size small for me meaning I wear a 9 and I had to get a 10 but it is amazing almost like wearing nothing. When I got the 9 in the mail and tried it on. I you immediately it was not the right shoe so I called them immediately and they sent the size 10 shoe out before I had sent the size 9 shoe back. I was so impressed with that. The size 10 shoes fit like a glove. I've never worn shoes with no socks but this is very comfortable. Its aerated and perform so well just like going Barefoot almost.

as a minimalist-running-shoe guy, i've been waiting for a low-stack-height Altra option for a long time. i'm not disappointed. with both insoles (fancy contoured and simple flat) removed, stack height drops to the range i like, the shoes fit nicely, and they are ridiculously light. i already wore them for Bloomsday 12K last month and plan to wear them for my next marathon. five stars! -- with an asterisk, depending on durability. (i hope to get at least 250 miles out of 'em.)

Super great speedwork, 5k and 10k shoe. I am not strong enough to rock this for a 1/2 or Marathon as I prefer a more cushioned shoe but when I want to fly these are amazing. I fully plan on PRing my 5k and 10k in this shoe!

Fast and simple! Altra's true racing flat proves their commitment to road running! Although I have yet to race in the Vanish, I've had several successful track workouts in them, and they have me craving more speedwork. The coveted Escalantes are my main trainers, but they can be cumbersome on the track, especially when it's time to kick or my legs feel weary. The Vanish, however, keeps me fast, confident, and comfortable with a high turnover and a natural feel. No other flat can boast the same toe-space and lightness! If you race shorter distancesor want something for speedworkthis is the shoe for you!

A true racer made for speed. Incredibly lightweight and still snug fit for fast pace. The carbon midsole is quite stiff so do not expect this one to be such a comfy everyday shoe as the Escalante. Sizing is unisex, so try them on before ordering online.

Great shoe, amazingly well cushioned considering the light weight. I'm pretty sure I'm going to use these for my next marathon. Altra, please clarify the insole situation on this shoe. From another retailer's website re: this shoe: "Important Shoe Note: Two insoles are included inside each shoe, please choose ONE to dial in your perfect fit. Flat insole: Traditional stripped down insole that you'd expect to find in a racing flat. Contoured insole: M" If I hadn't happen to notice that I would have thought I needed to send my pair back for a bigger size. The white insole is very subtlety stuck beneath the black one in the shoe, and really just looks like it's part of the shoe not to be removed.

Just got these and are they ever fast! But more importantly, they also fit my feet. I've had a few racing flats before but they were so curve lasted and narrow that my feet were on fire by the end of the race. These are comfy enough to be training shoes with the caveat that durability is an unknown. I probably will save them for races, go super fast, and train in one of my other Altras. You guys did it again, kudos!

Love these shoes!! Super light, responsive and fast. Almost like wearing slippers, they truly vanish on a run. Ultra cushion, high stack shoes have their place and time, but so do low stack, light cushion shoes. These are perfect for my normal 3 to 7 mile runs. Also perfect for everyday running around town shoes, light, zero drop, and comfortable!! Altra - Please make these in a trail version, same upper with a more aggressive tread!

Great minimalist shoe. Liked everything about it once I had the right size. They wore down a little quicker than I hoped but that's ok. Make more of these in size 10-12!!!

I ordered online, so I didn't get to try them on before I bought them. I have a wide box, which is why I choose Altra. However, these shoes are very tight in the middle of the foot. After a few runs in them, I keep getting blisters in the middle of my foot from how snug they squeeze, and then rub. My toes are a bit too close to the end of the shoe. Maybe, if I ordered up half a size, I wouldn't be complaining at all. On the positives, they are really light, and are very minimalistic (which is what I wanted). I haven't tested their durability yet, since I have only ran in them a few times. If my feet get use to the narrow bridge of the shoe, and I quit getting blisters, maybe I'll come back and bump my rating up to a 5 star. If not, I might have to retire these early. They are tight for me to double up on socks.

Tried these out after running in Merrell vapor gloves. Had a very hard time ordering and had to return twice to find the right size. Finally settled on a full size up from the merrells, but if I bought again I'd go another half up (at least). Length is ok at +1 size, but still much narrower than I'm accustomed to. I switched from the merrells looking for something more durable, as I'd wear holes straight through the merrells after about 350-400 miles. Thinking the twice as thick soles would last longer I tried the Altras. After about 150 miles I noticed they weren't going to be as durable as I had hoped. At 220 miles I've got a hole worn straight through the soles and inserts, so dissapointing durability to say the least. Other than fit and durability they were comfortable, light, and fast, so not all negative. I'd definitely run in them again, but for such low durability and relative high cost it's probably not the most efficient use of my running budget.

This shoe is great for 10k racing. I have run up to 13 miles in this shoe but I would not consider it for a marathon or half marathon race. After a while the top area of the toe box started to rip; probably about 120 miles into the shoe. I thought it was slightly small. I typically run in a 9 with other Altra shoes but if I ordered this shoe again, I would go with a 9.5. Overall not a bad racer for shorter runs, little small, wears faster than the Escalante racer for sure.