Men’s Mount to Coast T1 Trail Running Shoe Review

The Bottom Line

The Mount to Coast T1 is one of our new favorite running shoes and tops our guide to the best trail running shoes. It’s one of those pairs of shoes that make running incredibly fun. While there were many things that impressed us about this trail running shoe, the traction really stood out. Its ability to handle steep terrain, most of the technology has given us confidence even if it is underfoot.

But that’s not all we liked about the T1. Its construction is incredibly durable. The midsole’s responsiveness and movement are pleasing. It is incredibly light, adding to the shoe’s mobility and running ability. And the 4-millimeter heel-to-toe drop will work for most runners.

Of course, no running shoe is perfect. The dual lacing system takes some getting used to and needs some adjustment to completely cover your feet. And that durable upper construction makes the T1 less breathable than other running shoes we’ve tested.

That said, if you’re looking for a running shoe that will work for daily training and running, ride long miles, or just keep running on rough terrain with open terrain, the Mount to Coast T1 is for you.

Comfort

The Mount to Coast T1 didn’t require breaking in (we went with them on a 10-miler out of the box). Their overall comfort is slightly above average compared to other trail running shoes in our best running shoes guide. It is not that they are not free; It’s just not a prominent feature for them.

The feel underfoot is soft and cushy, in a good way, thanks to Mount to Coast’s LightCELL midsole foam. The upper, although not breathable, is comfortable and fits our feet well. The overall fit of the shoe is tight. The T1s are true to size and have a slightly wider toe box.

What makes these running shoes even more comfortable is the lacing system. We found that tightening the dual-lacing system to fully protect our feet can create pressure points at the top of the foot. This is definitely not a dealbreaker for us. But, if you’re going for the best, most comfortable shoe you can find, the T1 isn’t it.

That said, Mount to Coast designed this trail shoe for ultrarunners. That is, it remains comfortable, responsive, and supportive over long distances. We’ve taken this shoe on many runs of two hours and more without any problems with foot pain or fatigue.

Pulling

Now we talk! This is where the Mount to Coast T1 excels. Looking at the bottom of the T1, it doesn’t look like it will hold up any better than any other trail runner. But it does, thanks to Vibram’s Megagrip rubber outsole, combined with its Litebase technology and Traction Lugs. The brand claims their lugs offer 25% more grip than other patterns, and we agree.

We took these shoes on roads, trails, and technical trails with loose surfaces in the Southern California coastal area and experienced nearly zero slippage. While most people might focus on the ups and downs when testing traction, we were most impressed with the T1’s ability to keep us secure — and upright — while blasting down slippery descents.

Mount to Coast calls the T1 a racing shoe, and with impressive traction, we can see why. It not only helps increase efficiency on the climb, but also promotes confidence and safety on the descent. It gives you the ability to apply the brakes quickly and recover safely if you miss your line and end up on a slippery section of the trail than intended. Simply put: If you’re running in a technical or value traction environment, T1s should be at the top of your list.

Weight

This is another area where the Mount to Coast T1 excels. At only 9 ounces (255 grams) per shoe in men’s size 9 (US), and 1 pound, 2 ounces per pair, they are the second lightest on our list of the best running shoes. And we could hear it. Light made the shoe faster and faster.

Combined with impressive traction, the lightness of these shoes make them great everyday training shoes as well as ones to throw on the races.

Strength

Although we have yet to put hundreds of miles into the Mount to Coast T1 running shoes, we are big believers in the company’s durability. First, we put hundreds of miles on Mount to Coast H1s with durability issues. And Mount to Coast prioritizes durability and making shoes that will last for ultrarunners.

Mount to Coast uses a woven fabric upper that is reinforced with DuPont Kevlar aramid fibers. (What a lifetime if we have Kevlar in our trail running shoes.) The brand says Kevlar aramid fibers are five times stronger than steel. The upper shows absolutely zero tearing from outsoles or blowouts. And the rubber outsoles show almost no wear and tear after about 100 miles in these shoes.

In every category we test for running shoes, durability, traction, and weight are where the Mount to Coast T1s excel and stand out from the competition.

Breathing

This is the category where Mount to Coast T1s received the lowest rating. The brand says the upper is quick-drying and breathable, and while our feet didn’t overheat in these shoes, we wouldn’t call them exceptionally breathable. But that’s also kind of to be expected with a solid, solid surface structure.

If you run in warm climates or breathability is your top goal for trail running shoes, we recommend you check out the other options on our list of the best trail running shoes.

Reaction

We found the Mount to Coast T1 very responsive. Mount to Coast uses its own midsole foam called LightCELL. The brand claims it is 50% lighter than EVA foam, which is common in shoe midsoles, and offers 45% energy return. We don’t know how they measure that, but in our experience with the shoe, it’s more responsive and faster than most of its competitors. The design of the moving shoes helps to react.

The T1s have a high stack height of 36 millimeters in the heel and 32 millimeters in the front, giving them 4 millimeters of drop. That stack tops all but two other shoes on our list of the best running shoes (the Hoka Rocket X Trail and the Nike ACG Pegasus Trail). While the stack height is on the high end of running shoes, we found the T1s to remain stable and dynamic.

Should You Buy a Mount to Coast t1?

For anyone who runs many miles on the trails, we say yes. If you are new to trail running or a casual runner, they pass. But if you plan to run an ultra, spend several days a week running and walking on trails, or are looking for an everyday running trainer that doubles as a race shoe, the Mount to Coast T1s are a great option.

The TUNEDFIT Dual Lacing system takes some getting used to. And while they may not be the most comfortable or breathable options on our list, the T1s excel in every other important tracking category.

What Other Hiking Shoes Should You Consider?

The Mount to Coast T1 sits near the top of our guide to the best running shoes for men. But there are other similar winners that are also worth considering:

Kjerag 02 General Review: The new Kjerags are the only shoes on our list of the best shoes that are lighter than the T1s. While not as exciting as the T1, they are a great option for anyone looking for a trainer with racing chops.

La Sportiva Bushido III: Like the T1s, these also excel in rough terrain. If you’re looking for a durable, high-performance, and affordable alternative to T1s, the Bushidos are worth a look.

Salomon Speedcross 6: Also designed for technical terrain and open terrain, Speedcrosses are excellent shoes for anyone looking to get in some tough mountain miles. They are more affordable than the Bushidos, and they excelled in our towing category, finishing second to the T1s.