Quick Overview
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A pair of the right running shoes can make all the difference for trail and hiking, so you should not hesitate to spend top dollars on these shoes.
This Altra King MT review will look at the features of the ALTRA Men's King MT 2 Trail Running Shoes and compare it with its predecessors.
Aptly named, it is designed specifically for the trail; in fact, it takes some inspiration from climbing shoes.
Altra is a Colorado-based footwear company that’s relatively new on the scene.
Founded in 2009, it's quickly gaining momentum and rivaling big brands.
The company designs purpose-specific shoes that deliver better performance.
You can find walking, training, trail, and adventure shoes for both men and women.
ALTRA King MT Review
The ALTRA Men's King MT 2 Trail Running Shoes is the successor to the Original King MT shoes released around 2017.
Then came the Altra King MT 1.5, and finally the Altra King MT 2.
The Original became quite popular with Spartan Races, and although it’s a good shoe for running, it was not meant for long-distance running or trails.
The midsole was quite firm, and the upper one lacked durability; thus, the company upgraded the shoe to solve these shortcomings.
As a result, the Altra King MT 2 Shoes came about with significant improvements, but the design is still quite similar.
Who Is This Pair of Shoes For?
The ALTRA Men's King MT 2 Trail Running Shoes is for anyone who goes for a walk or runs through trails in the park or mountains.
Its features and construction are for serious runners who often take on difficult terrains.
It is for people running for at least an hour or two, and those who need a pair of shoes that dry out quickly.
In terms of price, it’s more on the pricier side, so it’s best for someone passionate about running on different kinds of trails.
What’s Included?
The ALTRA Men's King MT 2 Trail Running Shoes box contains the pair of shoes and instructions to follow.
There are no additional accessories like a spare pair of laces or a shoe bag.
Overview of Features
The ALTRA Men's King MT 2 Trail Running Shoes has many significant improvements and some new features compared with its predecessors, the King MT and the King MT 1.5.
Upper
The hand-tailored mesh upper is super soft, durable, and tear-resistant, and more importantly, it dries very quickly, which is essential in trail running shoes.
Some areas of the shoes are also reinforced with a plastic lamination layer that doubles as a design detail.
Outsole
The highlight of this trail shoes is the new Vibram MegaGrip Litebase outsole, which is a relatively thinner and lighter outsole than the previous King MT models.
The problem with the earlier versions was extreme rigidity, which made the shoes uncomfortable to wear for prolonged times.
The new sole and the overall shoe appears to be rigid, but that's just appearance. In reality, the outsole is quite flexible.
It contains the rock plate in the middle called the Stone Guard, but that has a minimal effect on its overall flexibility.
There are six-millimeter chevron lugs on the outsole that provide a strong grip, regardless of the terrain you're on. The lugs are also strategically placed to provide traction on lift up.
Midsole
The ALTRA Men's King MT 2 Trail Running Shoes has the same Altra Ego midsole as in the King MT 1.5, which is quite responsive but could use a bit more cushioning.
Toe Area
Moreover, the abrasion-resistant material on the toe end protects your toes from rocks and hard objects.
This one also has a wide toe box Altra is known for; just like wide feet hiking boots, there's ample room for your toes and no heating in certain areas.
Height
This one sits quite lower to the ground. Also, it's a zero drop shoe, which means the forefoot and the heel sit at the same height.
Keep in mind that it may take a while getting used to these shoes, especially if this is your first time.
The stack height of the ALTRA Men's King MT 2 Trail Running Shoes is 19mm. As for the weight, it's just 246 grams or 8.7 ounces.
Fit and Comfort
Even the overall fit of these shoes is comfortable but snug. It does not feel tighter in some spots and loose in the others.
The fit is consistent throughout, which is something Altra manages to do brilliantly.
A Velcro strap is also present on the ALTRA Men's King MT 2 Trail Running Shoes.
Some might argue that it's unnecessary, given that it's a lace-up shoe, but the strap improves the fit and keeps it snugger.
It can also come in handy when you quickly need to adjust the fit, depending on the terrain you're on.
Rather than loosening up the laces or tightening them, you just do it with a Velcro strap.
Another thing to notice is the placement of the Velcro strap. It was a bit below on earlier models, but on the King MT 2, it's almost near the top.
The padded collars add more comfort and prevent any chaffing on your ankles. You have the usual Gaiter Trap to stop debris build-up under the shoe.
The fabric lining inside is soft and breathable. You also have a removable cushioned footbed that absorbs shocks.
The footbed also has perforations for additional breathability and air circulation.
Alternatives
If you aren’t comfortable with the ALTRA Men's King MT 2 Trail Running Shoes, you can look for alternatives with somewhat similar features.
Although this shoe is ideal for running, you may not find it up to the mark if you prefer more cushioning.
Similarly, this is more on the pricier side, and not many people want to spend more than a hundred bucks on shoes.
So here are the two alternatives to consider:
1. Asics Men’s Gel-Venture 7 Trail Running Shoes
Sometimes it’s best to stick to the brands you know, and what's a better brand than Asics for a pair of trail running shoes.
The Asics Gel-Venture 7 Trail Running Shoes features an AHAR rubber sole, and it has a toe drop, which is absent in the Altra King MT 2.
This pair of shoes also provides more cushioning if that’s what you are looking for.
The signature gel cushioning system of Asics is capable of absorbing shock from an impact.
Given the features and flexibility, these shoes are a better option for running on rough terrains.
They also include reverse lugs that work fine, but Altra’s lugs’ design and position on the outer sole is better in comparison.
The upper is made of synthetic mesh material, which is breathable and moisture-wicking.
You also have the Ortholite X-40 Sockliner, which makes it even more breathable.
Asics is a trusted brand, producing running shoes for decades. Coming to the price, these are more affordable than the Altra shoes reviewed above.
The Asics trail running shoes do well on most terrains, but in terms of design, the Altra King MT 2 takes the win.
All-in-all, if you are only after performance and can compromise on aesthetics, these shoes are good to go.
2. Brooks Men’s Caldera 3 Shoes
The Brooks Caldera 3 Shoes is a hybrid of running and trail running shoes that can seamlessly transition from road to trail.
It has a higher heel, unlike the Altra King MT 2, which has a sole uniform height. As a result, it can provide more cushioning for hard terrains.
The cushioning is featherlight and does not add to the overall weight, so these shoes are pretty comfortable even on the road.
Its Ariaprene upper is similar in terms of quality. It dries out pretty quickly and is breathable.
This one is quite a looker, available in many designs, so you can also wear it as your casual sneakers.
The collars and tongue are both padded. Similarly, the lining inside the shoe is very soft.
This one also has a removable sole inside. The midsole has a lot more cushioning than in the Altra shoes.
The rubber lugs provide good traction for both uphill, downhill, and of course, on the road.
In terms of price, you may find these shoes a bit expensive, but they are cheaper than King MT 2 Shoes.
Verdict
This Altra King MT review shows that these shoes are worth the money because the company has managed to solve some of the problems with the previous models.
It’s best for most types of terrains, but you might find it less efficient on extremely rough trails. Nevertheless, you’d find the shoes excellent for short to mid-range runs.
How long they last depend on how often you use them. If you take good care of your shoes, they might give you many good years and hundreds of miles of trails.
Make up your mind and get ready for an amazing experience!