The following review was written by ATRA gear wrangler Sarah Barber, and features the Mount to Coast M1 trail running shoes. Product was provided for the test and review at no cost.
Mount to Coast is back with a new weapon in their alpha-numeric arsenal. No longer considered a rookie in the industry, the company has earned its street cred—and trail cred—with a slew of world-class sneakers and athletes who wear them. Witness Kilian Korth, this year’s winner of the Cocodona 250, and Megan Eckert, who owns the women’s world record for the six-day run (pending ratification).
Me? I’m no pro, but I’ve been fangirling all over Mount to Coast for the past year. Never a running shoe monogamist, I’m not ashamed to admit that I own and run in four different pairs. My first love was the H1, a gravel-ready ride that’s light and responsive but flexible enough that too many consecutive days of wear seems to irritate my forefoot. I flirted with the R1 for several runs, and though we had some chemistry, I relegated it to indoor sessions at the gym because it felt a little flat for my taste. The C1, however, has become my go-to road warrior for paved routes of any distance—the longer the better. But the M1? The M1 is my new flame.
M1 makes its debut
Mount to Coast teased the M1’s drop for weeks, hinting that Canyon Woodward’s top-ten finish at Western States was powered by an early version of a mystery shoe that would soon make its public debut. With the understanding that it’s built for long distances over tough terrain, I knew that—beg, borrow, or steal—I had to get my hands on a pair as soon as possible. With a fall 50K looming on the horizon, a trail-friendly variant of the C1 would make my day. The M1 turned out to be just that and more.
Dual lacing system
True to its Mount-to-Coast DNA, the M1 bears the company’s signature TUNEDFIT Dual Lacing System that allows a separately customizable fit for the midfoot and the forefoot. I’ve got a narrow arch, but I love a good toe-splay, and the sliding lace holder lets me adjust the snugness on the fly. I don’t know about you, but by mid-run in summer heat, my quads aren’t the only things that get swole.
Midsole, outsole, and upper
Like puppies in a litter with the same pedigree, each model in Mount to Coast’s product line has its own personality. Distinct from the LightCELL midsole foam of the T1 (flagship trail shoe) and the CircleCELL midsole foam of the H1 (a versatile bestseller), the M1 boasts next generation JETCELL midsole foam. It’s engineered from ATPU which delivers just as much energy return and twice the material strength of PEBA. The more resilient compound maintains its cushion and responsiveness as you channel your inner Energizer Bunny and keep going and going and going…
And as I went BOING, BOING, BOING up a rugged stretch of granite in the mountains of central Idaho, I found myself appreciating the wide footprint of the Vibram outsole. It’s hard enough to stay upright at speed under the best circumstances, but when fatigue sets in, added stability is a huge advantage. Add that to the 4 mm lugs, and the M1’s tractor tread soles dig into the earth with conviction that inspires confidence enough to send it, no matter the conditions.
Mount to Coast says they’re the footwear brand, “for runners who transcend distance,” and the M1 makes a pretty persuasive case. The underfoot setup feels ready to keep the party going long after my legs have started negotiating terms of surrender. My only lingering question is whether the uppers can hang as tough as the midsole and outsole.
After less than six months of use—and with each pair logging just one to two runs per week in my very busy shoe-social calendar—both my H1 and C1 have developed wear spots near the big toe that are threatening to perforate. But I’m optimistic about the M1 and its reinforced toe bumper. I’ve got a lot of miles on deck, plenty of dirt to chase, and if this shoe keeps showing up like it has so far, the M1 may be less of a fling and more of a long-distance relationship.
M1 specs
Heel-to-toe drop: 4 mm
Stack height: 38 mm to 34 mm
Weight: 9.7 oz
MSRP: $195
Editor’s Note: Read Sarah Barber‘s review of Mount to Coast R1 and H1 trail running shoes here.
