King MT a good shoe, but not for all
Check it out if you run off trail in mixed conditions.
Traction is not for want on a new shoe from Altra. The King MT is the brand’s toothiest trail shoe to date, including rows of 6mm lugs underfoot. Altra Footwear has a reputation for shoes that can go long distances on dirt trails. The King MT is a strange beast more at home off the trail than on it.
A wide forefoot, a flat sole, and big tread underneath make for a different kind of run. A Velcro tab across the top straps you in for the ride.
I took the $140 shoes, new this year, on a few test runs for a review.
Overall, this is a neat shoe, though it is not for everyone. Nor is it very adaptable to different running styles or different terrain types.
As described below, the King MT is a specialist shoe and one that will interest mainly advanced runners doing nontraditional things.
To start, its aggressive tread, made by Vibram, are among the largest I’ve seen on any running shoe. It gives grip, traction, and braking ability when you’re sputtering on mud, loose dirt or sand, and even snow.
Durability is another asset. The upper is a strong matrix with TPU overlays and polyester rip-stop fabric. A bumper in front and a rock plate in the midsole protect during stumbles and toe-stubs.
A mid-foot strap cinches down to add some support. It doubles as a lacekeeper; you can put the loose ends of your bows in the Velcro to keep them out of the way.
I found the strap to be a good idea, though not super noticeable while running. It may add a little support or tighten the fit, depending on the bulk of your foot.
As noted, the shoes are zero-drop. This means there is no slant from the heel to the toe. That gives a “barefoot” feel and a more natural gait, though it can feel odd to anyone used to traditional running shoes, which have a higher heel.
Altra markets the shoe for “runners whose idea of fun involves mud, wet grass and burly mountain climbs.” On flat terrain and hard-pack trail, the King MTs are usable but slow.
I would not buy these shoes to replace your regular trail-runners. The King MT is a quiver shoe — pull it out for those occasions when off-trail events, summertime mountain climbs, and rough or muddy terrain is ahead.
The company offers the King MT in men’s and women’s models. They both cost $140 and are a similar design.
Look at this model if you find yourself often on talus, scree, grass, mud, or if bushwhacking and avoiding trails are a part of your routine.
I love running in the wilds. For me, this shoe will see wide use this spring as I ramp up my running and head off trail again.