Customer Reviews Altra Vanish-R

TL:DR 5 stars for great race-day performance, -0.5 for poor Altra customer service and sending two insoles with no docs, -0.75 for durability, -0.75 for difficulty sizing and getting the lacing right. These shoes can be a little difficult to deal with, but when you get them right they're solid racing flats. First off, they come with two sets of insoles and no instructions. It took Altra a few weeks to finally respond to my email asking for a description of what the insoles are supposed to do. They said the thin white is more of the traditional racing flat insole, where as the black has additional arch support. They did not mention that the black soles are thicker, though, and change the fit of the shoe. If you think you'll want the thin white soles, go true-to-size. If you think you'll want the arch support, you'll want to go a half-size up to fit the thicker black soles and have enough room for your toes. Note though that the black soles also seem to have more cushion to them, so they really change up the feel and performance beyond just arch support. With the lack of a padded tongue and the mid-foot gripping system that the laces loop into, getting these shoes tied comfortably can be a real pain. I have to tie them a few times whenever I lace up to get the tension just right so that the shoe isn't loose or constricting the top of my foot. They also don't seem to be holding up to distance quite as well as my other Altra shoes, I don't think they'll last much past 200-250 miles. Once you get them right, though, they fly. I PR'd at 5k in these, barely noticed I had shoes on since they're so light and responsive. If you hit that sweet-spot in the lacing you get great toe-off flex and energy return. These are about perfect for interval day or races up to 10k (maybe a half if you're really moving). Excellent grip in the mid-shoe without sacrificing the toe box. These are not for casual runs or taking your time. These are for going fast. And they do go fast.

Very light, so probably good for summer, but I'd like to see if it makes it through the summer or tears before that. The back is TOO high. My skin isn't particularly tough on the back of my ankles, so don't know why made this high. Wearing Solstice and that backing isn't as high.

I bought this shoe a half size up because in most of the comments they were saying that this shoe runs small. Honestly the sides and heel of the shoe is pretty narrow so my feet feel fine there; but the toe box is just way too long. I am going to return this shoe now, I was looking forward to walking & running in these.

Light weight and comfortable..but the construction of the nylon upper is very thin and where it attaches to sole is questionable in terms of durability. I am guessing might get 20-30 miles in these before I would blow out the sides are wear a hole through the top. I am returning.

I wear size 11 for running shoe; I'm actually a size 10 or 10.5 regular shoe. I've worn size 11 Altras for running for years. I ordered a size 11. They fit closer to my foot than a 10, and that's JUST trying it on. Will be returning these.

I ordered the Vanish R because I wanted something more minimalist than the Escalante (which I've been running in for a while). Unfortunately, the Vanish R was really narrow and runs very small. As a matter of fact, I ordered two sizes just to be on the safe side. Neither of them fit right or felt comfortable (I have feet that are on the wider side). I just received the women's Solstice and am much, much happier with them. They're still more minimalist than the Escalante and offers a bit more support around the heel. The Solstice was exactly what I was looking for.

Third pair of Altra's in size 12.5. First pair that did not also say EU 47 on them but instead said EU 45.5. My toes were pushing through the end. Exchanging for 13's - hope they fit becuase I really need these shoes!

I really wanted these to work out since they are similar to the lightweight Solstice pair I own. First order was my fault because I forgot to size down 1.5 sizes like suggested. I returned them and ordered the down size only to have them be too small. I just gave up after that since I didn't feel like trying 2 more sizes to find the right one. I'm happy with all my other Altra shoe purchases though!

I have ordered this shoe twice, in 4 different sizes , and each time I have had to return them . My daughter also ordered a pair and same thing: she had to return them. The sizes make no sense . The order slip shows the sizes I ordered , the boxes show different sizes from what I ordered. . it happened 3 times ( 2 orders from me with two sizes each time and one for my daughter) and each time i ended with shoes way too big. I am giving up buying and returning the shoes. Someone at Altra should really review this problem..

Poorly made, size too small, too flat for your feet and no support at all. The only good things was that they were light but besides that everything else was just bad. Such a disappointment.

I have had 3 versions of Superior and 2 of the Escalante that I love! These were the right feel! I even bought 2 pairs but the major issue was there was NO flexibility which is essential in a barefoot shoe. You can feel the rubber pads dig through the cushion other than those two these would be the perfect shoes! The rubber wears really quickly but worth the weight being SO light! These would be the perfect shot if they were flexible and the pads on the bottom were expanded.