Mount to Coast has taken the ultra and long-distance running world by storm. The brand is only a few years old – founded back in 2024 – but its shoes have quickly gained recognition. From road runs to ultra marathons, Mount to Coast shoes are becoming a go-to among both road- and trail-focused athletes.
Because Mount to Coast is focused on distance, its shoes are designed to be more durable and more resilient than the competition, helping you tackle more mileage in comfort. And with the brand’s newest release, the M1, you can enjoy all these benefits on the steepest, most technical terrain around.
Our Marathon Sports team was big fans of Mount to Coast’s first trail shoe, the T1. But the M1 takes trail running to the next level, offering a high-performance design built for long hours on rugged terrain.
M1 Highlights and Specs: A Brief Rundown
In this guide to the Mount to Coast M1, we’re going to provide an in-depth look at all the innovative features and technologies you can expect when you hit the trail. But first, here’s a quick overview of this new technical trail runner.
- Advertised as a high-performance trail runner built for technical, demanding terrain
- Stack height: 36 mm in the heel, 32 mm in the toe
- 4 mm heel-to-toe drop
- Weighs 9.7 oz (M9)
- Midsole made from a responsive and durable TPU JETCELL foam
- Full-coverage outsole composed of Vibram Megagrip, Litesole, and Traction Lug technology
- 4 mm lugs ensure secure, confident landings
- Neutral shoe, but raised sidewalls and wide platform add some inherent stability on uneven terrain
- TUNEDFIT lacing system allows for separate adjustment around the mid and forefoot for a customized fit
- Price: $195
A Closer Look: Exploring the M1’s Top Features
The M1 boasts a huge range of innovative features to help you tackle the toughest trails out there. Keep reading for an in-depth look at these features and how they play a role in keeping you safe, secure, and comfortable on technical terrain.
Next-Gen TPU Midsole Foam
The M1 marks the debut of Mount to Coast’s new high-performance JETCELL foam. Resilient, energetic, and protective, this foam is built to last against roots, rocks, and debris, and repetitive pressure.
JETCELL foam uses automotive-grade materials put through a supercritical foaming process. As a result, this innovative foam boasts twice the strength and durability of standard PEBA racing foams.
Ultra-durable foams can often sacrifice lightness and responsiveness for longer-lasting use, but that isn’t the case with this state-of-the-art foam. Along with impressive longevity, you can expect a smooth, dynamic ride mile after mile. It also keeps the shoe incredibly light and airy, weighing in at just 9.7 oz for men’s shoes.
Vibram Outsole
Mount to Coast incorporates several of Vibram’s top technologies to deliver unmatched grip across jagged rocks, loose terrain, and other slippery or uneven surfaces.
The Vibram Megagrip design with 4 mm lugs bites into mud, dirt, and more, keeping you safe and secure through every step of your trail runs. The traction lugs add even more stability, while the Litebase tech cuts down unnecessary weight and thickness to keep you fast on your feet.
Stability Elements
Like all trail shoes, the M1 isn’t a stability shoe in the traditional sense. It doesn’t correct for overpronation or work to adjust your alignment. Instead, it uses some mild stability elements to keep you secure and stable on challenging terrain.
The foam is firm and responsive, and the moderate 36/32 mm stack height ensures you don’t feel shaky or disconnected from the ground. A wide base also increases surface area for stable landings, while raised sidewalls cradle the foot and prevent any sliding or lateral movement as you ascend or descend steep mountains.
TPEE Blend Upper
Even the upper design is built to withstand the most technical trails. TPEE-blended yarns create a structured fit that helps lock the feet in place and reduce any hot spots or unwanted movements.
The upper material on its own is durable and resilient against whatever the trails throw at it. But a rubber toe bumper adds even more durability, limiting early wear and breakdown across high-mileage runs.
Dual Lacing System and Overall Fit
One of the most unique features in Mount to Coast shoes is the TUNEDFIT Dual Lacing System. This innovative system allows you to adjust the lacing around the mid and forefoot separately for a customized fit.
The customizable lacing is ideal for anyone with a wider forefoot or endurance athletes who want to create more wiggle room as feet expand and swell over the course of a long run. The stretchy bottom laces make it easy to adjust the shoe’s fit and feel on the go.
Length-wise, the M1 fits true to size. However, around the toe box, you can enjoy a wide, high-volume fit to accommodate a range of foot shapes and widths.
M1 Trail Test Findings
The M1 is built for tough mountain terrain, so to learn as much as possible about the shoe’s performance, our review team laced them up and headed out on a variety of long distance treks and trail runs.
Mount to Coast used a supercritical foaming process on automotive-grade materials to make its new JETCELL foam, so we were excited to take this energetic midsole design for a spin. Even in just the first few steps, this foam was an immediate standout. Mount to Coast boasts it’s its highest energy-return cushioning yet, and we could feel the bounce and pop through every stride.
As a brand new model, the jury’s still out on the shoe’s overall longevity. But for run after run, the M1 maintains its comfortable, energetic ride through the very last mile. The shoe’s built for ultra marathons, and we’re not seeing any signs of early wear and degradation, so we do have high hopes for the M1’s value and durability.
The JETCELL made a great first impression, and as we traversed steep ascents and descents, loose dirt and gravel, rocky trails, and everything in between, the Vibram outsole really shined. The trio of Vibram technologies – Megagrip rubber, Litebase, and Traction Lugs – gave us all the confidence we needed with each step. No matter where your trail adventures take you, you won’t have to worry about any slipping or sliding in the M1.
Stability was another strong point of the shoe, especially on difficult terrain. The wide base ensured stable landings, while the raised sidewalls cradled the feet, keeping everything secure and locked in place.
The TUNEDFIT lacing also played a role in the M1’s snug, secure fit. The toe box is wide and spacious, while the dual lacing allowed for a customized fit around both the top of the foot and forefoot. The adjustable speed laces really came in handy on long summer trail runs, letting us easily create more breathing room inside the shoe.
There are a lot of benefits to this signature lacing system, but we could also see some challenges for runners with narrow or low-volume feet. The laces took some playing around with to reduce pressure and find the right fit, and the combination of the wider design and structured upper could cause some fit issues while cinching down the laces.
At $195, the M1 is at a higher price point than a lot of daily trail running and hiking shoes. But with a durable construction meant to carry you over hundreds and hundreds of miles, the M1 is a great choice for endurance athletes looking for speed, responsiveness, and stability in their next trail shoe.
The M1 is advertised as a technical ultra running shoe, and after a variety of trail runs, we would agree that the shoe really excels over long distances on varied trail surfaces. Every aspect of the shoe is incredibly stable and durable, so you can feel sure that the cushioning, upper, and outsole can handle whatever mileage you throw at it.
M1 Pros and Cons
Mount to Coast continues to impress us with its road and trail running shoe models, and the M1 is no exception. Between the bouncy new foam, lightweight design, and premium outsole construction, the M1 is a top-of-the-line trail runner for dedicated endurance athletes.
With that, the M1 isn’t a shoe that’s going to work for everyone. It falls in a niche technical trail category, and the shoes have a few distinct features that may be hit-or-miss for some athletes. Here are a few pros and cons to keep in mind:
Pros
- New JETCELL foam has superior responsiveness, stability, and energy return. It helps you fly through trail races while keeping you comfortable and protected from rocks and debris
- Vibram Megagrip outsole with Litebase tech and Traction Lugs keeps the shoe lightweight while optimizing traction across nearly any trail surface
- TUNEDFIT dual lacing system is geared towards extreme distances and conditions, allowing you to easily adjust the fit and lacing
- Incredibly durable construction – JETCELL is twice as strong as standard PEBA foam, and the TPEE upper is reinforced with rubber to reduce wear and tear
- Combination of a wide base, raised sidewalls, and responsive foam maximizes stability with each step
Cons
- Firm upper and dual lacing system could create lockdown issues for some foot shapes and sizes
- $195 price point makes these less budget-friendly and accessible than traditional trail running shoes
How Does the M1 Stack Up? Comparable Shoes to Consider
As a high-performance trail shoe, the M1 isn’t going to be for everyone. Those looking for a casual trail walking shoe or all-terrain shoe may want to look elsewhere. The M1 is a fantastic running shoe, but will likely appeal more to endurance athletes looking for a dependable, durable trail racer.
With the rise of ultra marathons, this high-performance trail running shoe category is becoming increasingly saturated. Several options are worth comparing to the Mount to Coast M1, including the La Sportiva Prodigio Max.
Like the M1, the Prodigio Max is a max cushioned trail shoe with supercritical foam and mild stability elements. It’s slightly heavier than the M1 – 10.4 oz for men’s shoes – and offers a more traditional padded upper and lacing system for all-around comfort and security.
The M1 is one of the most durable, stable shoes around. If you’re looking for this maximum resilience for endurance training, you may also want to consider the Norda 001A. At $295, the 001A is the pricier option. However, with a Vibram Megagrip outsole, TPEE Arnitel midsole, and ultralightweight construction, it’s another reliable trail racer built for maximum strength and durability.
All of these shoes excel on technical terrain, and while they’re versatile across different trail surfaces, they’re not as adaptable on packed dirt, light gravel, or pavement. If you’re looking for a shoe that can do it all, check out the Mount to Coast H1. The H1, the brand’s hybrid shoe, has a similar feel and last to the M1, but with a flexible outsole designed for more all-terrain runs.
The Finish Line: M1 Final Thoughts and Recommendations
Mount to Coast was founded with long distance, ultra running in mind, so it’s no surprise that the brand’s premium models continue to excel in this area. The M1 blends incredible durability with responsive, cushioned landings to deliver a shoe that can help you tackle the toughest, most rugged ultra marathon courses out there.
We found a lot of innovative features to love about the M1. From the springy foam underfoot to the supportive TPEE upper and the unique signature lacing system, the shoe has everything you need to focus on the trail ahead of you distraction-free.
Mount to Coast is for “runners who transcend distance”, and the right pair of shoes is the perfect tool to help you go the extra mile. Whether you stick to roads, trails, or a mix of both, our Marathon Sports team is here for you. Swing by your nearest location to find the perfect running shoes and take the first step towards chasing your next distance goal or fitness goal.
