We Tested the Mount to Coast C1: A Max Cushioned Road Shoe With Durability That Stands Apart
Here is our review of the Mount to Coast C1 shoe, the brand new “super trainer” designed to fit the daily mileage needs of road runners across a wide variety of distances and speeds.
Haven’t run in Mount to Coast shoes before? Honestly, neither had I. The company is relatively new, having released their first line of shoes in the United States in April of 2024.
They are now well known for their line of shoes geared toward long-distance running with insane cushion lifespan, offering a range of models for trail runners, road runners, and road-to-trail runners alike.
The running community has praised their innovation in making ultra-running, long-distance running, and high-volume running enjoyable and smooth.
As an Oregonian, I instantly fell in love with the company’s name. The phrase “Mount to Coast” reminds me of Oregon’s famous and well-loved 199 mile team relay: Hood to Coast.
I’ve participated in Hood to Coast several times. It’s a race that takes runners all the way from Mount Hood to the Oregon Coast in Seaside. Teams cover a range of terrain, including road, gravel, and trails.
So upon seeing the brand name Mount to Coast, I immediately assumed the overall brand line would serve a variety of specialties and running surfaces. And I was right.
- Wide Feet: This shoe does NOT currently come in an official wide version. However, it does have a comfortable midsection and roomy toe box that could potentially work well for some wider feet.
- Heavier Runners: These shoes are cushioned, shouldn’t bottom out, feel very supportive, and stable.
- Long Runs: Yes! Bring on the high mileage in these shoes!
- Front of the Pack: This shoe feels smooth and comfy, but perhaps not as readily responsive as a racing shoe.
This shoe works as a long-distance runner’s bread and butter for those high-mileage, typical training days. The C1 is great for runners who prefer their long runs be cushioned and comfortable without being squishy or wobbly. I never felt unstable while running in them.
Mount to Coast C1 Overview
The new Mount to Coast C1 shoe is a cushioned, high-stack, daily road-running trainer. It boasts a super roomy toe box, a two-tiered lacing system, a dual-layer midsole with two types of foam, and an overall lightweight and comfy fit.
My first instinct upon trying them on was that I would probably love running in them. I’m a neutral fit runner who has been logging a ton of miles lately prepping for an upcoming marathon.
Now, after testing them out over a variety of short and long distance training runs, I can happily confirm that I was right! They were comfortable, supportive, smooth, and enjoyable to run in. Want to learn more? Well, let’s dig in!
I can honestly say I’ve really loved running in them! They’ve carried me comfortably through my longer mileage days, but they also felt good on my shorter runs.
I can confirm that the ‘C’ in C1 really does stand for ‘comfort’ and ‘cushion.’
I discovered that runners in my local running clubs were also eager to hear my thoughts on this up-and-coming brand. I was asked questions about the fit, feel, and design of the shoes.
Word about Mount to Coast is spreading through the running community… and people want to know more. I told my friends that I’m now a big fan of running in the C1s! They fit me perfectly, feel supportive and comfortable to run in, and are designed well.
The Mount to Coast C1 is designed for road runners who are logging lots of miles. However, they also work extremely well as an enjoyable option for short or mid-distance runs.
I took them out for runs ranging from 3-18 miles. These “super trainers” are supportive and comfortable at the same time, helping to make those road miles fly by.
They are lightweight, but also cushioned and resilient. The Mount to Coast C1 is non-plated, contains two types of foam (details below), a dual level lacing system, a wide toe box, cozy upper materials, provides a decent energy return, and has an attractive design.
They weigh essentially the same as the Saucony Triumph or Brooks Ghost (for anyone who has trained in those shoes.) Unlike the Triumph or Ghost, however, they offer an even roomier toe box and a slightly more open mesh design in the upper material.
The C1 is being talked about as an answer for Mount to Coast road runners who want more cushioning and a smoother transition from what was offered in the R1, their previous road running release.
Mount to Coast C1 Specs
- Weight: 9.2 oz men’s, 8.5 oz women’s
- Stack Height: 42mm
- Heel Drop: 6mm
- Available in white currently
- Not currently available in wide sizes
- Available at mounttocoast.com for $180
I like the Mount to Coast logo running along the outside of the shoes. The stylized mountain outline is clean, attractive, and relevant to their brand name. The white shoes look fresh, bold, and eye-catching.
I like that the lower section of laces is a different color than the upper section of laces. For added visibility, a reflective strip runs vertically along the back of the shoe, and some smaller, reflective elements are placed by the upper section of laces.
In my opinion, these shoes look great. And they performed just as well.
Quick Take
Pros
- Supportive cushioning
- Roomy toebox
- Great looking
Cons
- Not too responsive
- Lower speed lace can be tricky at first
Mount to Coast C1 Fit
Sliding my feet into these shoes was an immediate great fit for me. The back of the shoe held my heel nicely, with plenty of space around the ankle cutouts.
The midsole hugged my foot perfectly, the arch of my foot felt happy and supported, and the tox box was luxuriously wide and comfy. I often run in shoes with a 6mm drop, so these shoes had a familiar fit for me in that sense as well.
The upper mesh is made from a lightweight, breathable material. My feet didn’t feel smothered or suffocated. The bottom of the shoe has a nice, grippy texture.
The C1 features a dual lacing system. The top of the shoe uses a traditional lacing strategy, while the lower part of the shoe uses a ‘quick’ or ‘speed’ lace design.
This is the first time I’ve run in a shoe using this setup. It took me a minute to discover just how snug I wanted the laces in each section to be, but I was able to find the right fit for my feet and I came to really appreciate the customizable options.
The lower lacing area allows runners to expand the laces quickly in that zone when/if your feet swell during a long run. It also allows separate tension to be used in different areas of your foot at one time.
If this shoe has one noticeable flaw, it would be the tricky nature of tightening the lower laces. They are indeed “quick” to loosen (you simply squeeze and slide), but cinching them back up again was an awkward, two-handed job for me.
I had to press and hold down a small spot on the clasp with one fingernail while squeezing and sliding another part with my other hand. I thought the procedure was a bit clunky. (You’ll have to experiment on your own to find a method that works best for you. The laces don’t come with instructions.)
The traditional, upper laces didn’t feel like they would stay tied during a run without double knotting them. But, hey, don’t most of us do that anyway? The good news: once I had the laces set to where I wanted them, I ran comfortably.
The slightly padded tongue of the shoe was never a distraction or discomfort to me during my runs. The tongue was comfy, soft, didn’t slide around, and easy to forget it was even there.
The sides of the tongue are attached to the inner midsole of the shoes by stretchy mesh.
Mount to Coast C1 Feel
I love how these shoes feel: lightweight, cushioned, smooth, and supportive. They really check all the boxes.
Speaking of boxes… the roomy toe box felt like a dream while running! I really can’t say enough. I always prefer a wide toe box, and these shoes have quickly moved to the top of my list for comfort in that area.
The front of my foot and my toes never felt sore or irritated. Even after an 18-miler in the C1s, I finished without any discomfort in the balls of my feet or my toes.
To my delight, no aches appeared once I took the shoes off either. The C1 forefoot also holds its structure well and doesn’t collapse as you run, which results in a smooth, natural transition from heel to toe.
My toes felt just as comfortable as the rest of my foot the entire time. I never felt them being pushed forward or pressed into the ground any harder than the rest of my foot.
The heel collar and ankle cutouts are padded nicely, which feels wonderful when running. No chafing, no pain, and really no ‘noticing them’ at all during my runs.
Let’s talk about the two types of foam used in this shoe. Hang in there, because we are going to get a bit technical for a second.
The C1 gets the benefit of both a thick layer of Circle Cell foam and a thin layer of EVA foam. The upper layer of Circle Cell foam technology is sandwiched with a bottom layer of rubberized EVA.
Circle Cell foam offers a responsive and cushioned ride, but doesn’t have a squishy or unstable sensation at all. This foam was designed for high mileage and reportedly lasts for twice as long as typical PEBA midsoles.
Aiming for a lower environmental footprint, Circle Cell foam is created from renewable, bio-based feedstock. Its spherical cell structure helps the foam keep its shape and inflation over long distances.
Circle Cell holds its shape better than standard EVA foam and is bouncier than EVA due to this cell structure. The cells compress evenly, giving a smooth, consistent feel throughout your entire step.
The bottom layer of rubberized EVA foam is placed at a 7 degree offset from the top layer of Circle Cell foam, which helps reduce braking forces when your foot hits the pavement and stabilizes your foot.
Mount to Coast claims this helps with a quicker transition to the forefoot without abduction or collapse. I can confirm that this shoe felt absolutely fantastic moving from heel or midfoot to toes!
It’s honestly the smoothest and most comfortable back-to-front transition I’ve experienced in any high-stack running shoe I’ve trained in so far. The EVA provides great stability and support for this high-stacked shoe. And the grippy sole adds to the stable ride.
I logged several base runs, tempo runs, and even a threshold run wearing these shoes. I found them most suited to days where my priority was distance over speed.
Can you tell I liked how the C1 feels? Yup, it’s pretty clear.
Similar Shoes to the Mount to Coast C1
Looking for another cushioned super trainer? Here’s our comparisons from other lines:
- Puma Deviate Nitro 4 – We consider this a great value super trainer, similar big cushion and yet tools to not make big stack feel slow.
- Asics Megablast – Another non-plated super trainer, that’s considered a great mid-pack race day shoe. It’s a little firmer, but very light and fast.
- New Balance Fresh Foam 1080v15 – is plush yet still responsive, with a very comfortable upper and an accommodating fit. This is not a super trainer, just a max cushioned road shoe that a lot of runners love.
My initial impressions of the C1 shoes were that they felt lightweight, looked sharp, and fit beautifully. Now that I’ve tallied a lot of miles wearing them, I continue to hold these opinions.
Our Verdict
The Mount to Coast C1 shoes are built for comfortable, high-mileage runs. And they deliver on that promise! Runners will enjoy the cushioning, support, and customizable lacing system. This is their max cushioned shoe that doesn’t compromise on longevity. Haven’t heard of Mount to Coast yet? They’re definitely worth a try!
What to Read Next?
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- Best Max Cushioned Running Shoes Right Now
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