Customer Reviews Altra Vanish XC

I am not a marathoner or trail runner. I typically get in 3 mile jaunts on a treadmill 4-5 times a week as a supplement to my other training. These shoes are ultra light, breathable, and have a wide toe box - makes me feel like I'm flying! LOVE!!!

I've been recovering from a tibial plateau fracture for 2 years now, and I have to be very careful about what I put on my feet. Too much cushion throws my balance off just enough that it affects my knee, which in turn causes me to favor that side which causes an avalanche of injuries. This shoe has been wonderful. After wearing them for a week or so I ordered 2 more pairs. They feel great on my feet and allow a natural gait where my feet land properly and don't wobble on mushy cushioning. I've been wearing Altras for many years, and these are the best. They also have great grip in the mud so I don't slip. Great shoes!

I run more than 100 miles a week, which amounts 16 -18 miles in 2 runs. I have been running the Rock & Roll VR for about 2 months and usually do the 5k, 10k, and 1/2 marathon. However they sometimes have the 1 mile and marathon. I have used the Solstice and Kayenta interchangebly, although I believe the Solstice is the faster shoe (I'm old and slow). I saw the Vanish a few months ago and purchased a pair, which I wore for about a 10 mile run. I had a callous on outside of my foot, which became quite irritated, but I did like the shoe.I didn't wear the vanish for a while thinking it may be too narrow. the callous continued to bother me with other shoes, so my next visit, I told my podiatrist about the callous. so he kind of "cored" and shaved it down, which relieved the pain, so I tried the Vanish a few days later and fell in love. One negative review I read said the Vanish's thin insole was like walking barefoot. They are 100% correct, and that is the beauty of the Vanish! It is like running barefoot with some protection, which is exactly what I'm seeking. I love Altra shoes and especially Solstice and Kayenta, but Vanish is the best shoe I have ever worn.

I feel super light on my feet when I wear these. I'm buying more to keep on hand.

I love how light and flexible they are. The toe box is fairly wide too, which really works best for me.

I have had these for a few months now and absolutely love them. The wide toe box is perfect. Lightweight, airy, comfortable. I used to have some knee and ankle pain. Gone, very much thanks to the natural gait that these shoes (and my Vibram Five fingers!) have helped restore.

I've been looking for a good trail racing shoe for years! I bought a pair in black and have ran in them twice... I just bought 3 more pair, one in each color :) I plan to put a lot of miles on these! They're lightweight and very comfortable. The sole is thin and flexible where as a lot of running shoes are thick, stiff and clunky. Water drains very well and mud doesn't stick.

OMG! I'm in running heaven after wearing these for a 3-mile trail run right out of the box. I'm a former Track & Field and triathlete. I love feeling the ground beneath me. I've been in the New Balance Minimus shoes for years. These days I just want a little bit of cushion, but not too much. The Vanish XC is the best of both worlds. Keep in mind if you are not used to running in minimalist shoes, following the instructions in the box. You need to develop strong feet. I will buy at least two more pairs, due to how much I run per week. I will wear out the soles over time. By the way, Altra will not make these shoes for 2021. Buy them while you can!

Altra, with the Vanish XC you have hit a MAJOR home run! I am an Ironman athlete and love minimalist shoes for both training and racing in. Having tried quite a few models from other companies the past few weeks it has been difficult to find the perfect running/racing shoe for me... until... enter the Altra Vanish XC and I am looking no further! Straight out of the box and without socks they were an absolute dream match! I am certain the cars passing by thought I had taken some type of mood elevator by the huge smile on my face caused by the almost disbelief as to the COMFORT, flawless fit, and "holy smokes" these are light and fast feel of what I had on my feet thoughts going on in my head! Did I mention the very cool colors yet? The bright flashy yellow, red, blue, and ... did I mention the very cool colors yet? Cannot wait to show them off in Kona next! Thank you Altra for the sublime Vanish XC, as long as you make 'em they will be my fave faves! xoxo.

I have been wearing Altras since they came out with their very first shoe. I switched to the One and wore every version up through 2.5 (how many years is that???). When the platform of the One was changed, I had a lot of problems finding an Altra shoe that worked for me (everything had too much assist or too much padding or...whatever). I tried the Vanish XC as a last-ditch effort before going back to true barefoot running. I was pleasantly surprised with the fit, the weight, and the padding of the shoe. I use it for both road and trail runs and it's excellent (longest so far has been 20 miles). I've worn them with and without socks. The only real complaint I have is that the upper mesh has a liner that almost negates the mesh (it's a lot less breathable than it could be) - but they are equal in that respect to the old Ones that I was wearing. All-in-all, this turned out to be an excellent replacement for the One, for me.

Altra should market the Vanish XC to the racewalking community. They are perfect for speed training and competing. They are flexible, have just enough cushioning so as not to have a barefoot feel, and have a ski slope-shaped heel for digging the heel in when landing after the rear pushoff to help keep the knee straight. Racewalking is a technical sport, and the nearly full-sole tread helps support the heel-to-toe rolling motion necessary for proper form as well as speed. I recommend the Vanish for track workouts and races, running sprints on the grass, and shorter road races (5k to 10 miles).

I bought this shoe because i read the only review there was, and the person stated that "i could almost feel like I am walking on the road.." Well, after dozens of years of wearing pointy toes and high heels my feet needed some real comfort and stability, and no pain, so I was entranced by the idea that I might find a shoe that would actually feel like that person had said and I decided to try a pair.Well they really do feel like I have solid footing without all the weight, my toes have room,OH How Lovely, and a great grip so there is no fear of falling or slipping no matter what kind of exercise one is doing, while at the same time I can wear them with almost anything. If i were a runner I would want a little more cushioning inside the shoe, but for my use this is truly a dream shoe come true, and totally fits the description" almost like walking on the road" and I really appreciate Altra for including a type of shoe that even the average person would find truly comfortable , safe and stylish at the same time. Thanks Altra !

Altra should include the width sizing for their shoes, especially since they're online. While this fit me perfectly lengthwise, it was pretty narrow. Granted, I do have wider feet.

I love the color of these shoes! I love that they are so breathable! I suffer from extremely hot feet. But they aren't for me. I should have read all of the details, instead of just being taken by the color of them and the sale price. I threw the box away before even trying them on as I'm really not one to return things.

I love this shoe. It is light, airy, comfortable. I wish it was made with better quality. After 8 months, the tread is worn and the sides are coming apart. I run consistently, but not high mileage, and other shoes I have owned have lasted much, much longer for the price. Sad to have to purchase new ones already and will be switching to some Merrells which seem to have longer use/better quality. :(

I have wide feet. My toes feel right in the Varnish. However, after walking with them for 15 minutes, my feet felt tired and sore. The cushioning is insufficient to sustain the impact, and I can almost feel like I am walking barefoot on the road. The design looks great. I bought the black/gold which looks nice enough to wear to work on casual Fridays. I tried wearing them without socks but my feet felt clammy after a while (I tried it indoor, not outside, which may feel different) even though the shoes have a mesh design. Regardless, these shoes are very light, and may be great for traveling because they pack light.

While feeling on the small and narrow side, I'd more accurately say that they just don't have enough room for my foot in the vertical sense. They weirdly compress my foot. I am returning them. I've worn Altra's exclusively for six years and find the current offerings not up to previous standards of comfort and fit.