The long awaited Altra Running zero drop racing flat is finally here – the Altra Vanish-R. The Vanish-R is a super lightweight and ultra flexible minimalist running shoe thus providing a great fit for both your training and racing on the road or on the track.
The lightweight, super thin, and ultra breathable knit upper will keep you cool and dry for all your runs. It is also very comfortable as I always run sockless – no hot spots or blisters. There is also a midfoot Propel Plate providing maximum energy transfer for maximum propulsion – think loaded springs and released for blastoff.
Altra Vanish-R Specifications
Cushioning: Light
Stack Height: 14 mm
Weight: 5.2 oz (US Men’s Size 10.5)
Platform: Fully Cushioned Zero Drop™ platform and FootShape™ toe box
Last: XC
Midsole: Durable, exposed, springy EVA with Propel Plate
Outsole: Laminated rubber pods
Insole: 6 mm Contour Footbed
Upper: Engineered mesh forefoot, glove-like fit, midfoot A-Strap support system
With the Altra Vanish-R, I feel like a gazelle doing speed work on the track as the racing flat is snug, lightweight, flexible, and natural – like barefoot. Even with an all out sprint on the last 200 meters of my speed work (400 meters repeats), traction is perfect and I was able to maintain my sprint form on the trusty Vanish-R.
A word about sizing…
The Altra Vanish-R is a racing flat so it is should be snug on your bare feet with the aid of the midfoot strap system. I have wide feet and don’t wear socks and my pair (US Men’s 10.5) fit just right. My female wear tester has narrow feet and also does not wear socks – her pair (US Women’s 9.5) also fit just right. If you wear socks, I recommend sizing up by a half size only.
The Altra Vanish-R is probably the first model with unisex sizing so you can have your choice of all five colors. And also Men’s sizes from 4.0 to 15.0 and Women’s sizes 5.5 to 16.5 – there is something for everyone!
This is the perfect shoe for your next 5K or 10K road race if you want a new personal best. Maybe they’ll introduce a soft spike version for cross country next – I can only hope.
Compared to my favorite Altra road shoe, Altra Escalante, the Vanish-R is about half the weight, much lower profile and a lot less cushioning. I would train and race in both models but would prefer the Vanish-R for racing and Escalante for training. I love the uppers in both models: Escalante is warmer for cold weather and Vanish-R is best for warm weather. Both Escalante and Vanish-R are two of my favorite Altra road shoes (the Altra Superior and King MT are my favorites Altra trail shoes). Placed side-by-side, you can see the difference (same shoe size) between a racing flat versus a training shoe: no bulk, lightweight, highly breathable, minimal cushioning, sock-like uppers.
Grab your pair of Altra Vanish-R in your favorite racing colors and feel the speed in your next race or training run or speed work! Available now on Altra Running online and at your running specialty store.