Altra Vanish Carbon 3
If you want a high-performance racing shoe that's naturally stable and big on confident comfort, the Altra Vanish Carbon 3 is made to help you push your limits.
Best Use
Surface
Stability
Road Shoes Types
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Daily TrainersDaily Trainers
As the broad base of the running shoe pyramid, daily trainers are the definition of a go-to running shoe. They prioritize dependable comfort, support, durability, and routine versatility. They're a staple in every runner's closet. If you're newer to running shoes, you can confidently start your journey here.
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Performance TrainersPerformance Trainers
Performance trainers (or "super trainers") blend elements of daily trainers and super shoes, often giving you the benefits of advanced foams and plates while being adapted for daily training. They make fast runs faster and long runs easier. Their high versatility also makes them great choices as accessible racing shoes.
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Race Super ShoesRace Super Shoes
The pinnacle of the pyramid, super shoes are the fastest running shoes you can buy. They're designed to race your absolute best and are the apex of running-shoe technology and innovation. Often built with carbon-fiber plates and cutting-edge superfoams for the highest energy return, they're made for ultimate racing speed.
Surface
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Roads & PavementRoads & Pavement
Road running shoes feature smooth outsoles that are designed for running on paved surfaces such as roads, sidewalks, and bike paths.
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Smooth Trails & FireroadsSmooth Trails & Fireroads
Designed to handle most trail runs, these shoes prioritize comfort and a smooth ride. These shoes are great for anything from smooth singletrack, park trails, and fireroads making them ideal for those who run from their doorstep on streets before hitting the trail.
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Rocky & Technical TrailsRocky & Technical Trails
These shoes are best used for hard, rugged trails such as shale, granite or sandstone where grip on smooth surfaces and underfoot protection are important.
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Soft & Muddy TrailsSoft & Muddy Trails
Designed for use in muddy, soggy conditions, these shoes feature very aggressive outsoles that dig deep into soft ground for exceptional traction.
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Snowy & Icy TrailsSnowy & Icy Trails
These shoes feature technical outsoles designed to grip snowy and icy trails making them ideal for winter trail running.
Stability Level
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Neutral Running Shoes
Neutral shoes support the foot through a normal range of arch collapse and generally do not have built-in technology to correct movement.
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Stability Running Shoes
Stability shoes are a great option for those who overpronate or need added support. These shoes help to limit the inward rolling motion of the ankle while running or walking and assist in guiding the foot straight through the gait cycle.
At A Glance:
- Tested to yield 2.6% better running economy than version 2
- Full PEBA superfoam + carbon-plated speed
- New 4 mm drop and enhanced toe rocker for easier propulsion
Product Highlights:
The Vanish Carbon 3 aims to be Altra's finest road racing shoe ever. Built to handle marathon distances and deliver PRs, its new 4 mm drop combines with the improved toe rocker to give you pace-changing momentum that still feels natural.
Highlighting the revamped midsole, you'll feel the energetic comfort from two layers of supercritical PEBA cushioning—Altra's most responsive foam yet. These layers sandwich a patent-pending carbon plate with a split-toe design, creating the rigid propulsion you expect while still allowing your big toe to engage more powerfully.
Transferring your pace to the ground, the all-new rubber compound provides sticky full-length coverage for high-trust cornering at speed. Up top, its see-through mesh upper creates a well-ventilated Racing FootShape Fit with a secure midfoot, significantly improved heel lockdown, and just enough space for your natural toe alignment.
Now, get your turnover going quicker and hug the tangents tighter—the Altra Vanish Carbon 3 offers its best racing performance yet, with serious underfoot comfort and a planted experience that feels welcoming to all.
Model Number: AL0A85SW79R
Specs & FitLearn More
Shoe Specs
- Weight: 8.2 oz | 232 g
- Heel Stack: 42 mm
- Forefoot Stack: 38 mm
- Heel-Toe Offset: 4 mm
Stack Height
Stack Height
Stack height refers to how much shoe is between your foot and the ground. For this category, we reference the amount of material below the forefoot, as the heel height will be equal to or greater than the forefoot height.
Learn more about stack heights and how we measure them.-
Minimal
14-18 mm. The shoe has a thin midsole that allows for a natural running experience. Classic racing flats and minimalist shoes are common here. These shoes offer a feeling of being directly connected to the road or trail.
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Low
19-23 mm. The shoe has a slightly cushioned feel and might feature additional midsole technologies. Performance training shoes and some trail shoes are common here. These offer some protection during foot strike but prioritize a lightweight, grounded experience.
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Medium
24-28 mm. These shoes have a stack height that falls near the middle of the spectrum. The shoes in this category are versatile and great for almost all types of runs and distances.
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High
29-34 mm. The shoe has a thick midsole and ample cushioning. These shoes are highly protective and absorb more of the impact you experience.
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Maximal
35 mm plus. The shoe has an extremely thick midsole and extra cushioning. The focus is on maximum protection underfoot, often with a plush experience for hardly any ground feel. Some pinnacle racing and performance shoes can also be found here.
How It FitsLearn More
Heel Width
Midfoot Fit
Toe Box Fit
Performance MetricsPerformance Metrics Learn More
Heel Impact Absorption
Ball of Foot Impact Absorption
Energy Return
Cushioning
Forefoot Rocker
Rocker Start Point
Performance Metrics
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We partner with Heeluxe to provide objective measurements for Heel and Ball of Foot Impact Absorption, Energy Return, Cushioning, Forefoot Rocker, and Rocker Start Point.
Learn more about the Heeluxe testing process here.
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Heel Impact Absorption
The shoe's ability to absorb impact under your heel, reducing shock to your foot and ankle. A higher score means greater absorption. Range of 0-100, lab measured on an impact testing device.
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Ball of Foot Impact Absorption
The shoe's ability to absorb impact under your forefoot, reducing shock to your foot and ankle. A higher score means greater absorption. Range of 0-100, lab measured on an impact testing device.
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Energy Return
Lab device measured percentage (0-100) of energy returned, to rebound after hitting the cushioning underfoot. Generally, higher numbers can make it feel easier to run faster, but this is just one of many factors in overall shoe performance.
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Cushioning
How plush or steady the midsole feels underfoot, with Softest meaning your foot squishes into the foam the most. Lab measured on an impact testing device.
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Forefoot Rocker
How flat or curved the shoe's rocker profile is under your forefoot. Generally, aggressive rockers are often seen in faster racing shoes. They can promote easy, quick-rolling toe-offs, but can also feel less steady and predictable.
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Rocker Start Point
Where the rocker curve starts under your forefoot. Early means before the ball of your foot (toward your arch) and Late is after the ball of your foot (toward your toes).
How We Measure Our Shoe Specs
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We measure every shoe in-house to provide accurate and consistent details.
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Weight
Weight is measured per single shoe, including laces. Men's and unisex styles are based on a men's size 9, and women's styles are based on a women's size 8.
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Heel Stack
The heel stack refers to how high your heel sits above the ground when wearing shoes. Based on Men's size 9 as the standard.
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Forefoot Stack
Forefoot stack refers to how high the ball of the foot sits above the ground when wearing shoes. Based on Men's size 9 as the standard.
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Heel-toe Offset
Heel-toe offset (drop) is the difference in height between the heel stack and the forefoot stack. We use the number given to us by the brand.
How We Measure Shoe Fit
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All measurements are based on Medium width. Note: fit is relative to the "average" running shoe.
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We partner with SmartLast, a program by Heeluxe, to use advanced shoe-measuring technology, to provide objective measurements for toe box, midfoot, and heel widths as well as overall length.
Learn more about the SmartLast measuring process here.
Stack Height
-
MinimalMinimal
14-18 mm. The shoe has a thin midsole that allows for a natural running experience. Classic racing flats and minimalist shoes are common here. These shoes offer a feeling of being directly connected to the road or trail.
-
LowLow
19-23 mm. The shoe has a slightly cushioned feel and might feature additional midsole technologies. Performance training shoes and some trail shoes are common here. These offer some protection during foot strike but prioritize a lightweight, grounded experience.
-
MediumMedium
24-28 mm. These shoes have a stack height that falls near the middle of the spectrum. The shoes in this category are versatile and great for almost all types of runs and distances.
-
HighHigh
29-34 mm. The shoe has a thick midsole and ample cushioning. These shoes are highly protective and absorb more of the impact you experience.
-
MaximalMaximal
35 mm plus. The shoe has an extremely thick midsole and extra cushioning. The focus is on maximum protection underfoot, often with a plush experience for hardly any ground feel. Some pinnacle racing and performance shoes can also be found here.
Technologies
MIDSOLE
- FAST RCE superfoam, pronounced "fast race," forms two full layers of supercritical PEBA, Altra's most responsive foam yet.
- Full-length carbon plate is patent-pending and features a split-toe design, allowing quick propulsion and powerful toe-off.
- Enhanced rocker shape assists quick and easy turnover.
OUTSOLE
- Revised rubber compound gives generous, full-length coverage that's lightweight and grippy for variable road conditions.
UPPER
- Engineered mesh creates ventilated comfort, combining with a plush insole and a thin, strategically padded tongue.
- Independent bottom eyelet creates more freedom for your metatarsal heads.
- Racing FootShape Fit is Altra's slimmest, with midfoot security, improved heel lockdown, and a sleeker toe box that still allows natural alignment.