Altra Vanish-R Shoe Review
Built to Go Fast
Likes
- Extremely lightweight
- Snug fit
- Minimal use of materials
Dislikes
- Lack of protection
- Not very durable
What's New
New to the brand, the Vanish-R is Altra's first true racing flat. Weighing in at just a hair over 4 ounces, this unisex flat is stripped down to a minimal design that will help propel runners forward. With just enough cushioning for races ranging from 5k to 10k, the Vanish-R is constructed with a responsive midsole and a flexible Propel Plate that provides more energy return while allowing for a smooth and natural stride.
The Bottom Line
The extremely light and sleek Altra Vanish-R was designed with a very specific purpose in mind: moving fast across relatively short distances. The minimalist construction is perfectly suited to picking up the pace. Altra fans who love the brand's hallmark fit and zero-drop platform can rejoice in the expansion of the line to include a true racing flat, but this shoe is just that: made for racing. Its lack of protection and durability will disappoint those who hope to use the Vanish-R as a minimalist everyday shoe.
Shoe Performance
Softness i
Ride/Energy Return i
Underfoot Protection i
Flexibility i
Upper Support i
Specifications & Fit
How It Fits
| Toe Box | Width: Medium to wide | Height: Low | |
| Midfoot Volume | Low | |
| Heel Width | Narrow | |
| Arch Height | Medium |
Shoe Specs
| Weight | 4.1 oz (size 9) | |
| Stack Height | 12 mm (Heel), 12 mm (Forefoot) | 0 mm heel-toe offset | |
| Terrain | Road | |
| Stability | Neutral | |
| Sizing | We recommend purchasing 1/2 size larger than your usual running shoe size. |
Our In-Depth Look
Shoe Softness i
While the midsole of the Vanish-R feels soft, there's so little of it that it quickly compresses while running, creating a much firmer feel.
Connor: "The Vanish-R leans on the firmer side. Its nearly barefoot design doesn’t offer much protection, so you feel very connected to the ground with each step. The midsole feels soft to the touch, but the cushioning is so minimal that you don’t get a truly soft sensation."
Derek: "Underfoot, the Vanish-R has a soft step-in feel, especially for the small amount of cushioning. However, when running at high speeds, the foam firms up quite a bit and you can really feel the ground beneath your feet."
Ride/Energy Return i
The Vanish-R's lack of cushioning is designed to be offset with a high level of energy return. While the thin midsole and propel plate do serve to create a fairly springy ride, our testers varied a bit in their reports of just how bouncy they found the shoe.
Connor: "This flat provides pretty good energy return. Efficient runners who don’t need the extra cushioning will find that the propel plate gives a snappy pop back that will make faster paces feel effortless."
Derek: "The Vanish-R isn’t the most responsive racing flat, but the lack of cushioning and the propel plate did provide some propulsion. I would say the main benefit of this shoe is its lightweight design rather than its energy return."
Underfoot Protection i
The lack of underfoot protection found on the Altra Vanish-R is characteristic of lightweight racing flats. Runners looking for a shoe to take them through longer races may be better served with another option, as the Vanish-R is more appropriate for those looking to excel at shorter distances where protection is less necessary.
Derek: "There is not a lot of underfoot protection, but I would use this shoe for a road mile or fast intervals on the track or roads."
Connor: "The Vanish-R offers very little in terms of underfoot protection, but that is definitely expected of a 4-ounce racing flat. For me, the shoe has just enough cushion to get me through 10k, but I probably wouldn’t take it much farther than that. It has the feel of an ultra-lightweight track spike without the spikes."
Underfoot Flexibility i
The Vanish-R was rated as extremely elastic by both testers. While the propel plate serves to impart a bit of pop, it only adds a slight amount of rigidity.
Connor: "The Vanish-R is very flexible. There is only a bit of rigidity due to the propel plate, but overall the shoe seems to flex with ease."
Derek: "The Vanish-R has a super flexible design, which makes for a pretty smooth transition from heel to toe. The propel plate does reduce some of the flexibility, but the added propulsion makes it well worth it."
Upper Feel i
Built with as little material as possible, the Vanish-R has a minimalist upper that hugs the foot without providing much actual structure.
Derek: "I have no complaints about the upper. I'm able to get a great lockdown in the heel and midfoot with some wiggle room in the forefoot."
Connor: "The upper material is extremely thin and adaptable for the sole purpose of keeping weight down. There’s virtually no support, but for peak performance during a 5k or 10k, you probably won’t worry about that."
Individual Thoughts
The Vanish-R offers a unique experience for the runner seeking ultra-lightweight performance on race day. The shoe delivers a snappy and quick ride and provides a feel similar to a track spike, but on the roads. Offering a snug midfoot paired with a slightly wider toe box and a zero-drop design, this racing flat is by far the fastest and most stripped down model in Altra's line up.
Softness
FirmSoftRide/Energy Return
Less SpringyMore SpringyUnderfoot Protection
LowHighFlexibility
RigidElasticUpper Support
StructuredAdaptable
The Altra Vanish-R fits my narrow foot pretty snugly, so someone with a medium to wide foot might experience some tightness, especially in the midfoot and heel. Like most Altra running shoes, the roomiest part of this shoe is the toe box. The mesh in the forefoot is also nice and stretchy, while the rest of the shoe is more secure and does a great job of locking my foot into place.
There isn't enough cushion here to make me feel comfortable doing longer tempo runs, but this shoe is great for short, fast workouts. It's not the most responsive shoe in my arsenal, but it is very lightweight and surprisingly soft for the amount of cushion.
