The Altra King MT 2. All photographs: iRunFar/Bryon Powell.
By demand, the Altra King MT 2 ($150) has returned to dusty grime, technical trails, and rocky routes — principally unchanged, unfettered, and unapologetic. Runners made themselves heard and Altra responded with the following technology of a fearless mountain shoe. The King MT 2 gives a novel and dynamic expertise on the planet of path and mountain operating — one that’s being pushed to the perimeters — though hopefully briefly — and one which requires just a little further athletic ability and energy. However for many who know and for many who crave it — the King MT 2 reigns supreme. It’s the actual deal relating to navigating ruggedness and the unknown — maintaining you grounded and guarded.
The King MT 2 is way more than meets the attention. At first look the shoe appears compact, tremendous minimal — in an area stuffed with extreme foam and raise — and unassuming with a novel Velcro strap atop the laces. The latter has confirmed to be a necessary a part of the general match and really feel. It boasts a claimed 19-millimeter stack, heel to forefoot, serving up a eager zero drop trip. Curiously, the lugs are six millimeters, contributing a robust aggressiveness and zeal to the package deal. On account of some minor materials upgrades, the King MT 2 weighs in at an precise 9.6 ounces 272 grams for a U.S. males’s 9, however the shoe runs tremendous mild and quick.
As each an ardent fan of VJ Trainers and Altra, I’m stoked that the King can play onerous and quick with a number of the greatest area of interest mountain sneakers, whereas retaining their pure FootShape and minimal design.
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Altra King MT 2 Higher
A lateral view of the Altra King MT 2.
The Altra King MT 2 was designed off Altra’s Normal FootShape final — which means it isn’t as vast as the favored Lone Peak or Olympus, each made for on a regular basis operating and longer hauls. Normal FootShape, versus the Authentic FootShape, lends itself extra to hurry and nimble overland operating. The toebox nonetheless permits for ample toe splay, whereas the overall quantity of the King MT 2’s higher stays notably sufficient with none pinch or crease factors. There may be house, however methods to dial within the match.
A Neoprene Velcro strap crosses the highest of the shoe that capabilities to lock down the midfoot, particularly on technical terrain and winding descents. It additionally retains the laces tucked and tied. With out the Velcro I had a tough time maintaining The King MT 2s knotted. That stated I’m a fan of the strap — it provides it a motorbike shoe/climbing shoe enchantment, with out the necessity for a BOA system. Noteworthy is the again inside heel that has a gentle and delicate Velcro non-slip materials offering a simpler heel lock. I’ve skilled this design function with VJ sneakers and applaud its addition. The King MT 2’s higher saved me locked and dialed.
The higher materials is an engineered mesh fortified with welded overlays and a versatile stitched leather-like toe bumper with drain holes. The stitched leather-like materials moreover helps the medial side of the midfoot — growing the shoe’s integrity and lateral stability. Nonetheless, aesthetically the stitching could also be considerably dated — until Altra was going for a throwback look and enchantment. This determination might have added a modicum of weight. In digression, pure gait flexibility remained pure.
Within the phrases of Altra — the King MT 2 has “dynamically reduce eye stays for flexibility and luxury” with a skinny neoprene tongue that goes largely unnoticed. The design and system appear to move and stay comfortable.
The King MT 2 lets water out and retains particles out. I used to be capable of run within the King MT 2 on varied terrains and in varied climate situations. There are gaiter attachments if wanted. Though on a sand run/hike within the Nevada desert, I used to be fortunately capable of preserve materials out of my sneakers, whereas my Topo-wearing associate dumped a pile of pink sand out of her sneakers again on the parking zone.
Altra King MT 2 Midsole
A medial view of the Altra King MT 2.
Floor linked and firmly protected is how I describe the Altra King MT 2’s midsole. Different Altra sneakers use the bottom proprietary Altra Ego foam, with a excessive diploma of fanfare. The froth gives agency consolation and herein simply sufficient cushion to push the boundaries of longer-distance runs. A runner’s decrease limbs and ft should be seasoned and robust, however as soon as they’re — it’s recreation on.
The King MT 2’s comparatively thinner layer of Altra Ego foam accentuates direct floor really feel that many minimalist runners get pleasure from whereas adventuring onerous and quick with confidence. The addition of the StoneGuard provides safety and slight stiffness on technical terrain with out sacrificing an excessive amount of flexibility and turnover pace. The King MT 2’s minimal midsole is functionally comfy and balances swiftness with gentle landings, aided by an amped up outsole. There’s something to be stated for a midsole that may shield, elicit a energy response, and ignite some nimble athleticism right into a path run.
Altra King MT 2 Outsole
The outsole of the Altra King MT 2.
The addition of the Vibram Litebase Megagrip outsole on the Altra King MT 2 was a savvy determination by Altra’s shoe designers — simply because it was within the Altra Mont Blanc Carbon and Altra Mont Blanc BOA. Because the King MT 2 is a workhorse on rugged and technical terrain with mud as well, the outsole comes with deep chevron-shaped 6-millimeter lugs. This notably makes the shoe aggressive, daring, and barely heftier. Nonetheless, the lugs are spaced out sufficient for materials shedding whereas the Litebase retains the shoe agile.
A Vibram Litebase Megagrip outsole doesn’t compromise the integrity of the underfoot really feel. As I wrote in one other Altra evaluate for iRunFar, it really is “lightness with out compromise.” The trimmed-down outsole is 50% thinner and seeks to maintain the traits of Vibram’s unique rubber grip, sturdiness, and traction whereas decreasing the only’s weight by as much as 30%. The outsole provides great enjoyable and pep to this King’s court docket.
Altra King MT 2 General Impressions
A high view of the Altra King MT 2.
The Altra King MT 2 carried out above and past my expectations. It may trip the rugged and deal with the technical. It’s again and I hope it positive aspects the traction it deserves. I secretly find it irresistible when a minimally cushioned and low-drop shoe can compete in opposition to its lifted rivals. Since I’m a minimalist and barefoot advocate, I got here to the King MT 2 with inherent energy, however earlier testing and longer races had me gravitating towards 3 to 6mm drops for my 100 miler on the finish of the path operating season. Throughout my restoration and low season, I began sporting the King MT 2s to reacclimate my ft and decrease limbs for testing the Altra Lone Peak 9.
It took a few runs to construct stamina and sturdiness, however as soon as it was there, I may push distance in each sneakers and pace within the King MT 2. The expertise simply saved getting higher. I used to be additionally capable of put on the King MT 2 throughout the spectrum of trails and situations — making it a flexible shoe, though rugged and rocky and quick (5 to 26 miles) is the place they land for me.
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