Mount to Coast MTC-S1 Multi Tester Review

Article by John Tribbia and Derek Li

Mount to Coast MTC-S1 ($160)

Introduction

John: Recent off the launchpad in 2024, Mount To Coast (MTC) is a model new title within the footwear trade, particularly concentrating on the street ultramarathon scene. Their debut providing, the MTC-S1, sparked my curiosity for a number of causes.

First, the shoe boasts a singular mix of applied sciences, together with TunedCell, their proprietary supercritical foam promising each responsiveness and sturdiness, and 3D Archrail, a dynamic assist system designed to supply stability with out sacrificing pure motion. These revolutionary options, unseen in different choices, make the MTC-S1 an thrilling prospect for testing.

Secondly, as a reasonably high-mileage runner who spends time on the roads (and trails 🙂), I am continuously searching for sneakers that excel in consolation and stability over lengthy distances. The MTC-S1, particularly designed for ultramarathon coaching and racing, aligns completely with my street wants, making it a major candidate for me to dabble in a street assessment.

Whereas MTC’s new footwear holds promise, there are some uncertainties that accompany any new product launch. Let’s see what this shoe can do!

Execs:

Modern applied sciences promising responsiveness, stability, and sturdiness (John/Derek)

Designed particularly for long-distance street operating

Stylish design: white  colorway (John/Derek)

Cons:

New model with restricted observe document, though the designer has a few years efficiency run shoe expertise (John)

Latest emergence of a squeaking sound from the midsole throughout testing (John)

Comparatively agency underfoot really feel, unsure the way it will really feel over extremely distances (Derek)

Higher is on thicker facet, will not be appropriate for warm extremely races (Derek)

Please discover the testers full run bios on the finish of the article after Comparisons.

Stats

Official Weight: males’s 9 oz  / 255g (US9)  /  girls’s 7.5 oz / 213g (US7)

  Samples: males’s 9.2 oz / 260 g US8.5, 9.03oz / 256g US9.5

Stack Top: males’s 33.5mm heel / 23.5 mm forefoot ( 10 mm drop spec)

Measured stack 36/28 (official stack seemingly omits sockliner) 

Platform Width: 81mm heel / 70mm midfoot / 117 mm forefoot

$160 Accessible April 18, 2024

First Impressions, Match and Higher

John: The Mount to Coast S1 (MTC-S1) strikes a candy spot between light-weight and substantial proper out of the field. Whereas not overly flashy, the clear and trendy design exudes a way of purpose-built effectivity. The higher makes use of a breathable mesh that feels mushy and versatile, providing a steadiness between breathability, consolation, and sturdiness in comparison with each racing flats and maximalist trainers.

Slipping on the shoe, the preliminary consolation impression is constructive. The lacing lockdown is safe with an angled wraparound function by the arch. Moreover, the well-padded heel collar, tongue, and gusseted tongue development contribute to a safe and locked-in really feel, hinting on the potential for long-distance consolation.The 3D Archrail expertise and the “just-when-you-need-it assist” tagline recommend a possible mix of steering and pure operating really feel, catering to runners searching for each. 

Total, the MTC-S1’s preliminary match and higher impression is constructive, showcasing snug, safe, and well-constructed components. 

Derek: This shoe has such a clear and basic look that one is likely to be forgiven for pondering it’s meant for the athleisure market. Preliminary step-in really feel is snug sufficient, and also you get the total really feel of the properly padded heel and tongue. Even the laces are on the thicker facet. The match is true to measurement for me.

A number of thought has gone into the higher, and you may inform that the primary aim is assist right here, not stunning for a shoe designed for extremely operating. 

Let’s begin with the toe guard. They’ve gone with an exterior toe guard right here, when nearly each model has migrated to inner laminates. 

Underneath regular operating circumstances, this won’t matter a lot both means, however there’s one huge plus for an exterior laminate like this, and that’s an additional little bit of waterproofing for the toes, with out considerably impacting the breathability of the higher. 

The majority of the higher is manufactured from a twin layer of comparatively dense artificial mesh, and for me, in 85-90 F (29- 32C)  humid circumstances right here in Singapore, the shoe does begin to really feel a bit heat after the primary 60 minutes. When it comes to structural components, the tongue is gusseted on either side with extensive mesh bands, and the bands serve so as to add a bit of midfoot assist. 

There’s an extra wedge formed thicker band on the medial facet that additionally serves as an extra unbiased lace eyelet at its apex. 

You possibly can see it illustrated extra clearly within the picture above with the lace eliminated. It’s fairly a intelligent means of including medial assist, dynamically, that may be straight tuned by lace stress. 

Towards the heel, you might have a really inflexible heel counter that gives loads of heel assist which ought to turn out to be useful on uneven terrain. 

Lastly, you’ll be able to’t go incorrect with reflective security components for an extremely shoe. 

Right here we have now silver reflective bands across the heel counter, and likewise on the toe guard. As a completion, there’s additionally a heel pull tab that ought to assist with getting the shoe on and off in a pinch, one thing that may be helpful for sure forms of extremely races the place one would possibly cycle by totally different sneakers at totally different phases. 

All in all, the satan is within the particulars and right here we have now a shoe that has numerous nicely thought out components centered on extremely operating. I used to be capable of dial within the match very simply with this shoe, and it ought to match a variety of ft fairly simply. 

Midsole & Platform

John: The MTC-S1 boasts a singular midsole development, mixing a number of intriguing applied sciences. TunedCell, Mount To Coast’s proprietary supercritical foam, guarantees each responsiveness and long-lasting sturdiness, ZeroSag, a BASF polyurethane elastomer insert tailored from high-speed rail padding, goals to ship enduring cushioning and factor resistance, whereas the 3D Archrail, a dynamic assist system plus rear heel clip wings on either side provide a steadiness between stopping overpronation and permitting pure foot motion.

Having logged over 125 miles within the MTC-S1, the texture strikes a commendable steadiness between responsiveness and cushioning, providing sufficient give for lengthy runs with out feeling overly mushy. 

The TunedCell expertise seems to ship on its claims, offering an honest power return that propels you ahead. Whereas it is too early to definitively assess long-term sturdiness, 125 miles have not revealed any noticeable put on and tear. The platform stays steady and supportive, even on drained legs, due to the ZeroSag insert and the general design.

Nonetheless, it is noteworthy that I’ve just lately encountered a faint squeaking sound emanating from the midsole, significantly through the preliminary flex of every stride. 

However, the MTC-S1’s midsole gives a promising mixture of assist, cushioning, and responsiveness. 

Mount To Coast’s distinctive applied sciences appear to be delivering up to now, making the shoe well-suited for tackling longer distances. Nonetheless, the current emergence of a squeaking sound necessitates additional remark to find out its trigger and potential impression on the shoe’s efficiency. My curiosity leads me to marvel if the 3D Arch Rail may need grow to be unattached by ungluing internally, probably inflicting the squeaking noise.

Derek: The midsole feels comparatively agency on this shoe however the vibration dampening is nice sufficient that it doesn’t really feel harsh. 

I’ve solely managed to take it so far as 20km within the shoe however that’s primarily on account of a warmth wave we’re presently going through and I’ve struggled with lengthy runs prior to now few weeks. 

The delicate compression and rebound is extra perceptible at slower 8:00/mile paces, with the shoe changing into decidedly extra responsive at quicker paces. The underfoot really feel is just like different sneakers within the 36mm heel stack vary (Saucony Trip 16 is 35mm and NB Insurgent v4 is 33mm). 

The firmer really feel comes with the advantage of being fairly steady and predictable, two components which are in all probability extra vital than dynamism over the extremely operating distance. 

Outsole

John: The MTC-S1’s outsole adheres to a standard street operating shoe design, using a sturdy rubber compound with diversified density ranges. This design prioritizes sturdiness for long-distance coaching, reasonably than distinctive flexibility. The “GOFLOW” rubber part contributes to the shoe’s total supportive and easy journey. I discover the rubber supplies first rate traction on numerous street surfaces, gripping each dry and mildly moist pavement. 

Moreover, the versatile forefoot part enhances the pure rolling movement of the foot through the push-off part. Whereas I’ve solely logged 125 miles to date, the outsole design and firmer rubber compound point out the MTC-S1 ought to provide good sturdiness for greater mileage.

Derek: The outsole has good traction for me, although it’s too early to speak about sturdiness. I do discover that the black GOFLOW part does appear so as to add torsional stiffness within the indirect aircraft and that appears to smoothen out midfoot pronation, however I ought to level out that I land midfoot in fairly a supinated stance and the GOFLOW part is precisely the place my foot tends to pronate. There are individuals who land and pronate extra predominantly by the heel or forefoot, and the GOFLOW may need unintended results on their mechanics. 

Trip, Conclusions and Suggestions

John: The MTC-S1 delivers a easy and steady journey. The midsole’s mix of cushioning and responsiveness supplies a cushty platform for lengthy stretches, whereas the 3D Archrail expertise subtly guides the foot with out feeling overly restrictive. The firmer outsole gives good traction on numerous street surfaces, inspiring confidence throughout longer miles.

Nonetheless, the current emergence of a slight squeaking noise from the midsole warrants additional remark. Whereas it hasn’t noticeably affected efficiency to date, it is considerably irritating, particularly once I’m not distracted by different issues.

The Mount to Coast S1 emerges as a compelling possibility for ultramarathon fanatics and devoted distance runners searching for a steady, supportive, and cozy long-distance street companion. The distinctive midsole applied sciences and outsole design provide promising efficiency, and the general construct high quality feels substantial. 

John’s Rating: 8.85 / 10

Trip: 9 (steady, easy, snappy, and nice at lengthy runs)

Match: 9 (almost no break in interval for me and my barely slender width foot matches completely)

Worth: 8 (undoubtedly sturdy, however getting this squeaking within the midsole makes me query what number of extra miles I can get out of it)

Fashion: 9 (Love the white)

Smiles 😊😊😊😊

Derek: The S1 is a average stack shoe with a low stack really feel to it. The shoe transitions fairly naturally for me, regardless of having various delicate stability components. There is no such thing as a rocker impact on this shoe, one thing that’s maybe fairly exhausting to come back by as of late. The very first run I did within the shoe, I bear in mind pondering how comparable it was to the Saucony Trip 13, which was an excellent non rockered every day coach.  I feel it’s extra of a every day coach/easy-steady run shoe, maybe only a bit too constructed up for quick operating. The outsole has good rubber traction, however I feel it’s best tailor-made for roads or non-technical filth paths. 

The shoe has fairly a low arch construction, and will match most ft fairly nicely. 

As talked about above, I did discover the higher to be a bit on the hotter facet, so take this into consideration if you’re planning on doing a kind of scorching extremely races. 

My essential concern is the value level. I’m simply unsure if $160 is likely to be $20 above the candy spot for one of these shoe. A lesser concern is the colour scheme. Whereas white is a really good easy shade for a shoe, and it would nicely be their iconic look shifting ahead, I simply don’t see an all white shoe doing nicely for extremely runs which may face a mess of climate circumstances. 

Derek’s Rating: 8.73 / 10

Trip (50%): 8.5 Match (30%): 9.5 Worth (15%): 8 Fashion (5%):  8.5

Smiles Rating 😊😊😊

Comparisons

Index to all RTR opinions: HERE 

New Steadiness Gas Cell Insurgent 4  (RTR Overview)

33/27 stack together with sockliner

Derek: I put on US9.5 in each sneakers. The Insurgent has a thinner and extra breathable higher. It achieves stability by a extra scalloped midfoot part. I’d say each sneakers are fairly comparable by way of stability. The Insurgent has a slightly softer and bouncier journey, however has much less snappiness by the toe field. I feel the lighter weight of the Insurgent is a giant think about making it a extra versatile every day coach, and paired with the lower cost level at $140, makes it a extra engaging possibility for many runners. 

Puma Velocity Nitro 2  (RTR Overview)

Derek: I put on US9.5 in each sneakers. Each sneakers transition fairly equally for me, although the Velocity Nitro is barely softer and extra versatile by the toe field. The Velocity Nitro has a barely extra dynamic journey for me, although the S1 appears to have higher vibration dampening, and a smoother transition (which I attribute to the GOFLOW outsole)0. The primary factor for me is the Velocity breathes higher for the nice and cozy circumstances I run in, so I get pleasure from operating in it extra. 

Saucony Trip 16 (RTR Overview)

Derek: I put on US9.5 in each sneakers. The Trip is barely softer and bouncier and likewise has a rockered journey whereas the S1 doesn’t. Nonetheless, I discover that over the course of an extended run, the S1 has higher vibration dampening. One other plus level for the S1 is outsole efficiency. The S1 has a grippier outsole, and that is particularly obvious on moist roads the place the Trip outsole tends to be a bit slippery. Total, the S1 is a greater shoe for me, as a every day coach. 

Our assessment of the MTC-R1 extremely racing shoe coming quickly.

The MTC-S1 shall be obtainable April-Could 2024 from Mount to Coast

Tester Profiles

John Tribbia (5′ 6″, 130lbs) is a former sponsored mountain/path runner who has run with La Sportiva, Brooks/Fleet Ft, Pearl Izumi, and Salomon. Despite the fact that he competes much less steadily as of late, you’ll be able to nonetheless discover John having fun with the every day grind of operating on any floor, although his favourite terrain is 30-40% grade climbs. He has gained races reminiscent of America’s Uphill, Imogene Go Run, and the US Skyrunner Vertical Kilometer Sequence; and he is held a number of FKTs on a number of iconic mountains in Boulder, Colorado and Salt Lake Metropolis, Utah. When you comply with him on Strava, you may discover he runs at various paces between 5 minutes/mile to 12 minutes/mile earlier than the break of daybreak nearly day-after-day.

Derek is in his 40’s and trains 70-80 miles per week at 7 to eight minute tempo in largely tropical circumstances in Singapore. He has a 2:39 marathon PR from the 2022 Zurich Marathon.

Samples have been offered at no cost for assessment functions. RoadTrail Run has affiliate partnerships and will earn fee on merchandise bought by way of purchasing hyperlinks on this article. These partnerships don’t affect our editorial content material. The opinions herein are fully the authors’.

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