I recently ran my first marathon, and as it got closer the more I second guessed that decision. Due to this though, I started to take the preparation more seriously; what I ate, how I trained, and considering what would set me up for the best chances for success.
Aka, what shoes could handle the slow, long torture of a marathon, while protecting my body? I knew that Altra’s would be a solid option since I’ve ran many distances in four different models of their shoes. However, 4 years ago I heard of Nike’s extreme, carbon-plate designed shoes, and since then other brands have released their versions like Hoka’s “X” modeled shoes.
So, when I saw that Altra had a pair like those, the Vanish Carbon 2s, I decided to give them a whirl. How did it go?
My experience can be summed up in four points:
- Unbelievable comfort
- Need for speed
- Alien-like materials
- But one giant Achilles heel
Unbelievable Comfort
The very act of purchasing a $260 pair of shoes instantly creates a lot of expectations. Expectations that were immediately met when I picked up the box for the first time. It didn’t feel like there were two shoes in the box… maybe one, but certainly not two.
Then you open the box and they’re this shockingly vibrant white and pink, and smell like they were made in an experimental, undisclosed lab. Putting them on and taking my first steps left me puzzled by how mushy, yet refined they felt under each foot.
I’ve never worn more comfortable shoes.
I have plenty more shoes to try and experience throughout my life, but I also have 10+ pairs right now that I arguably don’t need. And yes, in case you’re wondering, I do have more shoes than my wife. (And probably always will.)
Need for Speed
Going on the first runs with the Carbon 2s, they never seemed satisfied with my pace. I understand this is due to the carbon plate that’s built into the sole. I’ve even read similar experiences from others with shoes that also have a carbon plate. And it’s true, they have this spring-like effect on each step you take.
But I didn’t expect that to be consistent across multiple runs, mile-after-mile, and in different types of training sessions. Whether I was sprinting or casually walking, the shoes always kept going and felt like they wanted to go faster.
Even when I got past the halfway mark during the full marathon, those shoes were telling/tempting me to go faster.
Alien-like Materials
I don’t know what Altra used to create the outside of the Vanish Carbon 2s, but my goodness it is so thin and light. I couldn’t even tell if they had an outside material holding the soles to my feet.
Every time I put them on, something felt off because I could feel the pull of the laces, but my feet couldn’t sense what was pressing against them. They feel out of this world.
This alien-like wizardry continued with the soles. The top layer is like a firm mattress; supportive yet solid. The bottom layer of the sole is plush, while still feeling grounded as your foot flexes during each step. Running in these initially left me worried by how easy it seemed like I could roll an ankle. Simultaneously though, they feel solid and sturdy in every step you take.
But One Giant Achilles Heel
These shoes genuinely amazed me every time I put them on. But spoiler alert; I don’t have them anymore. (I sent them back.)
On my last run with them, which was my first full marathon, I identified not only the one weakness they have, but I also second guessed all my life choices that led up to me running a marathon.
The Vanish Carbon 2s’ one Achilles heel, is that they destroyed mine!
I ran in these shoes prior to the race, but clearly that wasn’t enough. It was at mile 6 when the backs of these shoes started to rub against my heels like no other. I was wearing the same socks that I ran in before the race in an attempt to avoid this, but for some reason it never happened before.
After a couple miles of what eventually felt like my skin being scraped off my Achilles tendons, I hit the 10-mile marker and the painful thrashing by the cuff of these shoes disappeared.
Not looking down, I joking thought that the pain stopped because they made me bleed and my heels were lubricated by it. Honestly though, I assumed the backs of my heels were just so sweaty by this point in the run that the rubbing stopped.
Well… after the race I was telling my family “never again” will I run a full marathon, and I looked at my heels. The once vibrant white was now a fade of dark red to light red. And my heels, each were missing a chunk of skin’ about the size of 1 cm x 2.5 cm.
The one thing I’m hoping for on the next generation of Vanish Carbons, is the removal of that high back cuff! Take that off, and you’ve got an incredible pair of running shoes.
The Recap
I’m probably done running full marathons, but if I ever decided to do another in the future (such as the insane Disney Dopey Challenge), then I’d check out what Altra’s newest version of the Vanish Carbons are like.
For now though, unless you always run in socks that go past the bottoms of your ankles, I wouldn’t recommend them. Perhaps if you prefer Altra shoes to all other brands, then you could go for the original ones that are still for sale; their current discounted price is much more reasonable and approachable too.
If you do want to try a pair of the 2nd generation though, rest easy if they don’t go so well for you either. Even my blood-stained pair were covered by Altra’s exceptional 30-day trial run guarantee.