Last updated at 20/03/2026 16:24:06
Altra Vanish Carbon Womens Dark Purple US 8 Carbon Half-Plated Slim FootShape Fit
Delivery between 24–31 Mar $10
originally posted on altrarunning.com
I only wear Altra shoes and love the original fit of Altra. As an obstacle course racer I typically wear the Lone Peak for racing, Escalante for road training and Solstice for gym work but have been wanting to try the new carbon technology for longer road runs. This shoe fits great, I didn't have any heel rubbing or tongue issues other reviewers mentioned and I wore these straight out of the box for 8 mile run and then a 10 miler the following week. The shoe has great return and I feel the rocker motion in a beneficial way. I felt a little more soreness in unexpected places which my guess is from the carbon plate, but nothing that lasted longer than a few twinges during the run.I wear a 9 in most Altra except the Rivera and I sized up to 9.5 based on reviews and it ... MoreI only wear Altra shoes and love the original fit of Altra. As an obstacle course racer I typically wear the Lone Peak for racing, Escalante for road training and Solstice for gym work but have been wanting to try the new carbon technology for longer road runs. This shoe fits great, I didn't have any heel rubbing or tongue issues other reviewers mentioned and I wore these straight out of the box for 8 mile run and then a 10 miler the following week. The shoe has great return and I feel the rocker motion in a beneficial way. I felt a little more soreness in unexpected places which my guess is from the carbon plate, but nothing that lasted longer than a few twinges during the run.I wear a 9 in most Altra except the Rivera and I sized up to 9.5 based on reviews and it fits with room. Love the bright orange color. I would definitely buy these again and I'm tempted to try the Vanish Tempo after liking these so much
originally posted on altrarunning.com
The 2 stars are for the sole. There is zero structure to the top of the shoe the tongue is a hot mess, and the heal has the same weird thing that happens with the new monte blanc shoes, it slips. If altra could just fix the upper portion it might be a $199 price point, but current price point is not worth it. I have several $50-70 less expensive carbon shoes that out perform. Also, after 5 miles the sole is already starting to wear through the colored tracks...zero durability.more details below:I was really excited to get these shoes as a Spring splurge. While the carbon sole does increase my running turnover (maybe 10sec over a mile), there is zero structure to the rest of the shoe..which doesn't make any sense in relationship to the cushion and design of the ... MoreThe 2 stars are for the sole. There is zero structure to the top of the shoe the tongue is a hot mess, and the heal has the same weird thing that happens with the new monte blanc shoes, it slips. If altra could just fix the upper portion it might be a $199 price point, but current price point is not worth it. I have several $50-70 less expensive carbon shoes that out perform. Also, after 5 miles the sole is already starting to wear through the colored tracks...zero durability.more details below:I was really excited to get these shoes as a Spring splurge. While the carbon sole does increase my running turnover (maybe 10sec over a mile), there is zero structure to the rest of the shoe..which doesn't make any sense in relationship to the cushion and design of the shoe. I would say that this is stand fit and not slim...the heel cup has the similar slip issues as the Monte Bloc, and the tongue is pretty terrible (folds/slips). I would not use this shoe for anything that requires a transition; it is a pain to put on. I have similar carbon shoes from other shoe companies that were at a $50-70 price point difference that out perform these shoes and are far more comfortable to run in. I really wanted to like these and had purchased them specifically for an upcoming race. they are overpriced and have zero structure. They also have zero durability. The soles were coming off after 5 miles. This is a miss for team Altra, and I'm tired of seeing positive reviews from people that are compensated for their reviews. This shoe could be a win if it had more structure and was priced below $200.
originally posted on altrarunning.com
The sneaker is extremely hard to slide into and fold of fabric do not lay flat do it bunches to the left and right of the tongue and on the sides of the sneaker. Laces are some sort of man made fiber and they come untied too often, slippery so the bow does not stay. Once you get the sneaker on its comfortable. I forgot my first time purchase code at the time of order and they fixed that. Good customer service. I will buy another pair, should gave returned these. But again once they are on and you fix those folds of fabric it is good.
| ARCH SUPPORT | Support |
| TERRAIN | Road |
| PURPOSE | Running |
| WEIGHT PAIR | 7.3 oz / 206 g |
Altra Vanish Carbon Womens Dark Purple US 8 Carbon Half-Plated Slim FootShape Fit
Delivery between 24–31 Mar $10
I only wear Altra shoes and love the original fit of Altra. As an obstacle course racer I typically wear the Lone Peak for racing, Escalante for road training and Solstice for gym work but have been wanting to try the new carbon technology for longer road runs. This shoe fits great, I didn't have any heel rubbing or tongue issues other reviewers mentioned and I wore these straight out of the box for 8 mile run and then a 10 miler the following week. The shoe has great return and I feel the rocker motion in a beneficial way. I felt a little more soreness in unexpected places which my guess is from the carbon plate, but nothing that lasted longer than a few twinges during the run.I wear a 9 in most Altra except the Rivera and I sized up to 9.5 based on reviews and it ... MoreI only wear Altra shoes and love the original fit of Altra. As an obstacle course racer I typically wear the Lone Peak for racing, Escalante for road training and Solstice for gym work but have been wanting to try the new carbon technology for longer road runs. This shoe fits great, I didn't have any heel rubbing or tongue issues other reviewers mentioned and I wore these straight out of the box for 8 mile run and then a 10 miler the following week. The shoe has great return and I feel the rocker motion in a beneficial way. I felt a little more soreness in unexpected places which my guess is from the carbon plate, but nothing that lasted longer than a few twinges during the run.I wear a 9 in most Altra except the Rivera and I sized up to 9.5 based on reviews and it fits with room. Love the bright orange color. I would definitely buy these again and I'm tempted to try the Vanish Tempo after liking these so much
The 2 stars are for the sole. There is zero structure to the top of the shoe the tongue is a hot mess, and the heal has the same weird thing that happens with the new monte blanc shoes, it slips. If altra could just fix the upper portion it might be a $199 price point, but current price point is not worth it. I have several $50-70 less expensive carbon shoes that out perform. Also, after 5 miles the sole is already starting to wear through the colored tracks...zero durability.more details below:I was really excited to get these shoes as a Spring splurge. While the carbon sole does increase my running turnover (maybe 10sec over a mile), there is zero structure to the rest of the shoe..which doesn't make any sense in relationship to the cushion and design of the ... MoreThe 2 stars are for the sole. There is zero structure to the top of the shoe the tongue is a hot mess, and the heal has the same weird thing that happens with the new monte blanc shoes, it slips. If altra could just fix the upper portion it might be a $199 price point, but current price point is not worth it. I have several $50-70 less expensive carbon shoes that out perform. Also, after 5 miles the sole is already starting to wear through the colored tracks...zero durability.more details below:I was really excited to get these shoes as a Spring splurge. While the carbon sole does increase my running turnover (maybe 10sec over a mile), there is zero structure to the rest of the shoe..which doesn't make any sense in relationship to the cushion and design of the shoe. I would say that this is stand fit and not slim...the heel cup has the similar slip issues as the Monte Bloc, and the tongue is pretty terrible (folds/slips). I would not use this shoe for anything that requires a transition; it is a pain to put on. I have similar carbon shoes from other shoe companies that were at a $50-70 price point difference that out perform these shoes and are far more comfortable to run in. I really wanted to like these and had purchased them specifically for an upcoming race. they are overpriced and have zero structure. They also have zero durability. The soles were coming off after 5 miles. This is a miss for team Altra, and I'm tired of seeing positive reviews from people that are compensated for their reviews. This shoe could be a win if it had more structure and was priced below $200.
The sneaker is extremely hard to slide into and fold of fabric do not lay flat do it bunches to the left and right of the tongue and on the sides of the sneaker. Laces are some sort of man made fiber and they come untied too often, slippery so the bow does not stay. Once you get the sneaker on its comfortable. I forgot my first time purchase code at the time of order and they fixed that. Good customer service. I will buy another pair, should gave returned these. But again once they are on and you fix those folds of fabric it is good.
I run the Monterey Half Marathon in the Vanish Carbon and loved running in them. The amount of cushion felt perfect to me. I noticed a considerable difference in how much longer I could go in these shoes before my legs fatigued. The spring in these shoes helped my speed and I set two PR's on race weekend since I also run a 5k the day before. They felt great for my joints. The fit it is extremely comfortable. The upper is very soft and light.Even though these are narrower than other Altra models and I have bunions they still felt wide enough to be comfortable for all 13 miles. I even wore toe spacers comfortably. They are amazing for racing and long runs. However, I wouldn't recommend these for training, they might weaken your legs and feet.A couple of things they ... MoreI run the Monterey Half Marathon in the Vanish Carbon and loved running in them. The amount of cushion felt perfect to me. I noticed a considerable difference in how much longer I could go in these shoes before my legs fatigued. The spring in these shoes helped my speed and I set two PR's on race weekend since I also run a 5k the day before. They felt great for my joints. The fit it is extremely comfortable. The upper is very soft and light.Even though these are narrower than other Altra models and I have bunions they still felt wide enough to be comfortable for all 13 miles. I even wore toe spacers comfortably. They are amazing for racing and long runs. However, I wouldn't recommend these for training, they might weaken your legs and feet.A couple of things they could improve - the tong is very thin and flimsy and it rides down as I run bunching up at the bottom of the shoe. Most shoes have a loop in the tong where you could lace it up but not in these shoes, there is no way to secure the tong. However this did not bother me one bit while I was running. It just looks bad. Also, my heel was slipping in the shoe but again, this did not bother me. I worried me at first that it might cause friction or make it unstable but this was not the case. I think maybe the cushion around the ankle somehow makes it less secure even though they are trying to do the opposite. Nonetheless, they provide a stable ride.I'm 43 and I've been running for 15 years. All in all these provide the best running experience of any shoe I've run on. They are pricey but worth it.
I started running during COVID and progressed through 5k, 10k, 10 miles, and half marathons on 8-10mm drop racing shoes and trainers, but also with injury after injury. In April of 2023, my new physical therapists recommended a switch to a zero drop shoe. I tried Topos, then Altras, and finally the Vanish Carbon. The Fall racing season, I PR'd in the 5k and half marathon, and ran my first marathon. All injury free! Thank you to Altra and the Vanish Carbon! I'm on my 3rd pair and have easily gotten 500km each pair with zero problems (with my feet or the shoes). The dye does come off on my socks so I switched from white to dark. Not a problem. For me, this shoe is perfect. I'll run London in April, Berlin in September.
Putting aside the fact that I had to go up half a size in these from my other running shoes, they've become my favorite shoe for races and long runs. They don't give me blisters nearly as quickly as the torin 6s, they don't squish my toes like the torin 7s. I wore these for a recent marathon and my feet didn't feel completely destroyed afterward the way they have in past long races. HOWEVER, I agree with some of the other reviews about how fast the tread wears down. A few weeks after my marathon I wore these same shoes for a 10k fun run, where I nearly hit the pavement 3 or 4 times because it had rained the night before and my heel tread had worn down so much that I was slipping right and left. The shoes had only had about 120 miles on them when I finished the ... MorePutting aside the fact that I had to go up half a size in these from my other running shoes, they've become my favorite shoe for races and long runs. They don't give me blisters nearly as quickly as the torin 6s, they don't squish my toes like the torin 7s. I wore these for a recent marathon and my feet didn't feel completely destroyed afterward the way they have in past long races. HOWEVER, I agree with some of the other reviews about how fast the tread wears down. A few weeks after my marathon I wore these same shoes for a 10k fun run, where I nearly hit the pavement 3 or 4 times because it had rained the night before and my heel tread had worn down so much that I was slipping right and left. The shoes had only had about 120 miles on them when I finished the marathon, which given the price I'd paid was a bit disappointing. Also, I'd worn those same shoes to run in the rain before so when the tread was intact they were okay, but by the time I did the 10k they'd worn down to the white part underneath.
A recent purchase of a longed for pair of shoes. I’ve wanted a pair of carbon racing shoes for a very long time, I always run in altras, torins usually, and so was thrilled when the vanish carbons came out. Very reasonably priced at Start Fitness too. Delivery was great, came when they said and was kept up to date with emails. I’ve worn the shoes for a couple of runs now, got a race in October so will break them in inbetween. So far so good, very light and super cool on my feet. The foot shape is their narrowest last, still plenty of room in the toe box, good grip on the heel. The only gripe is that on the inside some of the blac comes off onto my socks. To be expected I suppose, feet get hot and sweaty! Just wear darker socks if you’re bothered. A total ... MoreA recent purchase of a longed for pair of shoes. I’ve wanted a pair of carbon racing shoes for a very long time, I always run in altras, torins usually, and so was thrilled when the vanish carbons came out. Very reasonably priced at Start Fitness too. Delivery was great, came when they said and was kept up to date with emails. I’ve worn the shoes for a couple of runs now, got a race in October so will break them in inbetween. So far so good, very light and super cool on my feet. The foot shape is their narrowest last, still plenty of room in the toe box, good grip on the heel. The only gripe is that on the inside some of the blac comes off onto my socks. To be expected I suppose, feet get hot and sweaty! Just wear darker socks if you’re bothered. A total recommendation from me if you’re looking for fast, zero drop race day shoes! 🙌🏻
I liked the shoe a lot at first, but after a month or two, I began noticing problems. There is an odd cushion only around the inside of the heel, and I began noticing it would pull my socks down under my foot. I began to have to pull up my socks Frequently. At first, I threw the socks away, thinking the elastic had given way. Then I realized it was the heel cushion doing that.Even though I never put them in the dryer, they began shrinking, and my toes started hitting the end. They still had plenty of wear left on them, but I had to throw them out.On the bright side,I did like all the holes which provided air conditioning on my feet for the summer.
I've been excited to try a carbon race shoe, but the price tag has held me back. I'm a loyal Altra fan and decided to save up and get them for a big race I was training for because everyone said they swear by carbon sneakers. They did not disappoint! I trained twice in them before the race; PR'd in my race and couldn't wait to wear them for my next event! They are comfy and springy just like everyone said! I knew that they did not have the mileage like a regular running shoe, but for the price I was hoping for at least 150-200 miles....There weren't even 100 miles on them!!! I bought them in November for my half marathon and only wore them twice before the for 2 speed works outs which was a total of about 6 miles each, then my half marathon. Which I PR'd big! Put ... MoreI've been excited to try a carbon race shoe, but the price tag has held me back. I'm a loyal Altra fan and decided to save up and get them for a big race I was training for because everyone said they swear by carbon sneakers. They did not disappoint! I trained twice in them before the race; PR'd in my race and couldn't wait to wear them for my next event! They are comfy and springy just like everyone said! I knew that they did not have the mileage like a regular running shoe, but for the price I was hoping for at least 150-200 miles....There weren't even 100 miles on them!!! I bought them in November for my half marathon and only wore them twice before the for 2 speed works outs which was a total of about 6 miles each, then my half marathon. Which I PR'd big! Put them away until my next race. Again I did 2 speed workouts between 5-6 miles each before my 10 mile race and PR'd again!! After that race I was shocked to see how extremely worn they were on the sides of the soles, I mean as if I wore them for months running! I showed my running store where I bought them, they too were shocked at the wear, but they were past the 60 day warranty so they told me to contact Altra.I have friends who have carbon race shoes by other name brands and couldn't believe how worn mine were. The upper shoe looks like new. Some were getting 200 miles out of the other brands.For that price point I was extremely disappointed with the quality of the soles for not having even 100 miles on them and were purchased specifically for races. I normally run in torins to train in and to race in. The Torins I bought this summer, don't even have that kind of wear on them.Anyway, for comfort and speed these would have been my favorite race shoe of all time, seriously, I ran with no aches or pains and felt fabulous after my 2 races, but unless you have money to blow on a few training runs and a race or two I would not recommend these at all. :-(
I was really excited to get these shoes as a Spring splurge (that's a leap for price). While the carbon sole does increase my running turnover (maybe 10sec over a mile..and the gracious two stars I provided), there is zero structure to the rest of the shoe..which doesn't make any sense in relationship to the cushion and design of the shoe. I would say that this is stand fit and not slim...the heel cup has the similar slip issues as the Monte Blanc, and the tongue is pretty terrible (folds/slips). I would not use this shoe for anything that requires a transition; it is a pain to put on. I have similar carbon shoes from other shoe companies that were at a $50-70 price point difference that out perform these shoes and are far more comfortable to run in. I really wanted ... MoreI was really excited to get these shoes as a Spring splurge (that's a leap for price). While the carbon sole does increase my running turnover (maybe 10sec over a mile..and the gracious two stars I provided), there is zero structure to the rest of the shoe..which doesn't make any sense in relationship to the cushion and design of the shoe. I would say that this is stand fit and not slim...the heel cup has the similar slip issues as the Monte Blanc, and the tongue is pretty terrible (folds/slips). I would not use this shoe for anything that requires a transition; it is a pain to put on. I have similar carbon shoes from other shoe companies that were at a $50-70 price point difference that out perform these shoes and are far more comfortable to run in. I really wanted to like these and had purchased them specifically for an upcoming race. they are overpriced and have zero structure. They also have zero durability. The soles were coming off after 5 miles. This is a miss for team Altra, and I'm tired of seeing positive reviews from people that are compensated. This shoe could be a win if it had more structure and was priced below $200.
| ARCH SUPPORT | Support |
| TERRAIN | Road |
| PURPOSE | Running |
| WEIGHT PAIR | 7.3 oz / 206 g |
Chase your new personal record in the Altra Vanish Carbon. The carbon plate in the Vanish gives your foot the propulsion it needs to reach maximum speed so you can run faster than ever before. Itrsquos shaped with a three-prong fork to let your feet to splay naturally and improves flexibility in the forefoot without sacrificing the pop that a carbon plate adds to your stride. The EGO PRO midsole material is Altrarsquos lightest and most responsive foam. This makes the shoe soft and cushioned, while still giving you an amazing energy return that powers you to the finish line faster. The Vanish Carbon also has an active stance rocker that rolls you through your stride quicker. This shoe stays true to Altrarsquos signature features and philosophy. It has balance cushioning with a zero heel-to-toe drop that allows for optimal alignment, cultivates better form and encourages a low-impact landing. To give your big toe the ability to remain in a straight position for maximum power and stability, a FootShapedtrade toe box accentuates the natural shape of your foot and lets your toes splay. The upper consists of a highly breathable, lightweight engineered mesh. So yoursquore ready for race day, it still has Altrarsquos wide toe box, but fits a bit slimmer for a locked-in feel throughout the midfoot compared to other Altras. The Altra Vanish Carbon will have you speeding by your competition.
Chase your new personal record in the Altra Vanish Carbon. The carbon plate in the Vanish gives your foot the propulsion it needs to reach maximum speed so you can run faster than ever before. Itrsquos shaped with a three-prong fork to let your feet to splay naturally and improves flexibility in the forefoot without sacrificing the pop that a carbon plate adds to your stride. The EGO PRO midsole material is Altrarsquos lightest and most responsive foam. This makes the shoe soft and cushioned, while still giving you an amazing energy return that powers you to the finish line faster. The Vanish Carbon also has an active stance rocker that rolls you through your stride quicker. This shoe stays true to Altrarsquos signature features and philosophy. It has balance cushioning with a zero heel-to-toe drop that allows for optimal alignment, cultivates better form and encourages a low-impact landing. To give your big toe the ability to remain in a straight position for maximum power and stability, a FootShapedtrade toe box accentuates the natural shape of your foot and lets your toes splay. The upper consists of a highly breathable, lightweight engineered mesh. So yoursquore ready for race day, it still has Altrarsquos wide toe box, but fits a bit slimmer for a locked-in feel throughout the midfoot compared to other Altras. The Altra Vanish Carbon will have you speeding by your competition.
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The lowest price for Altra Vanish Carbon Womens right now is $126.23 at Onsport.
The all-time low was $126.23 on 7 Feb 2026. That's the lowest price we've ever tracked — a great time to buy.
Altra Vanish Carbon Womens
Chase your new personal record in the Altra Vanish Carbon. The carbon plate in the Vanish gives your foot the propulsion it needs to reach maximum speed so you can run faster than ever before. Itrsquos shaped with a three-prong fork to let your feet to splay naturally and improves flexibility in the forefoot without sacrificing the pop that a carbon plate adds to your stride. The EGO PRO midsole material is Altrarsquos lightest and most responsive foam. This makes the shoe soft and cushioned, while still giving you an amazing energy return that powers you to the finish line faster. The Vanish Carbon also has an active stance rocker that rolls you through your stride quicker. This shoe stays true to Altrarsquos signature features and philosophy. It has balance cushioning with a zero heel-to-toe drop that allows for optimal alignment, cultivates better form and encourages a low-impact landing. To give your big toe the ability to remain in a straight position for maximum power and stability, a FootShapedtrade toe box accentuates the natural shape of your foot and lets your toes splay. The upper consists of a highly breathable, lightweight engineered mesh. So yoursquore ready for race day, it still has Altrarsquos wide toe box, but fits a bit slimmer for a locked-in feel throughout the midfoot compared to other Altras. The Altra Vanish Carbon will have you speeding by your competition.
Chase your new personal record in the Altra Vanish Carbon. The carbon plate in the Vanish gives your foot the propulsion it needs to reach maximum speed so you can run faster than ever before. Itrsquos shaped with a three-prong fork to let your feet to splay naturally and improves flexibility in the forefoot without sacrificing the pop that a carbon plate adds to your stride. The EGO PRO midsole material is Altrarsquos lightest and most responsive foam. This makes the shoe soft and cushioned, while still giving you an amazing energy return that powers you to the finish line faster. The Vanish Carbon also has an active stance rocker that rolls you through your stride quicker. This shoe stays true to Altrarsquos signature features and philosophy. It has balance cushioning with a zero heel-to-toe drop that allows for optimal alignment, cultivates better form and encourages a low-impact landing. To give your big toe the ability to remain in a straight position for maximum power and stability, a FootShapedtrade toe box accentuates the natural shape of your foot and lets your toes splay. The upper consists of a highly breathable, lightweight engineered mesh. So yoursquore ready for race day, it still has Altrarsquos wide toe box, but fits a bit slimmer for a locked-in feel throughout the midfoot compared to other Altras. The Altra Vanish Carbon will have you speeding by your competition.
Prices last updated 20 Mar 2026.
