Mount to Coast S1
If your Instagram algorithm is anything like mine, you’ve seen ads for Mount to Coast showing up for a while. So what is the hype all about and how does this brand and particularly this model stack up in the real world?
The Breakdown
Men: 9.35 oz
Women: 9.35 oz
(Most likely a typo on their site, but these are the weights listed at mounttocoast.com)
Drop: 10 mm
MSRP: $150
The Outsole
The S1 has a solid amount of rubber coverage, which has proven quite durable. The grip has been satisfactory on most surfaces through a variety of weather conditions. Mount to Coast has a big focus on ultra running and I would like to see a bit more of a door to trail outsole, providing more opportunities for terrain variety. The rubber is perfect for grip on concrete and asphalt, but with their focus on providing shoes for big mileage, I would really like to see an option for a shoe with this rubber, but maybe lugs of 1-2 mm.
The Midsole
The midsole is built from Mount to Coast light cell foam. This is a PEBA based supercritical foam which ads to the durability factor and gives a sense of more cushion than the midsole thickness seems to provide by the numbers. This shoe does not have the plushness that a lot of the market is competing for these days, but that slightly firmer midsole will also provide a bit more longevity for the feel of the shoe in my experience as it’s less prone to crushing over time and losing that squish feel. There is a TPU heel cage at the back of the midsole which according to the site is built to provide a little added stability in the heel, though without being a fully medial posted stability shoe. On the whole this isn’t something I really noticed so there is potential benefit without any potential detriment that I can see.
The Upper
The upper is a jacquard mesh from recycled materials. I find it to breathable and comfortable, though a little on the shallow side. The heel collar and tongue have ample cushion which reinforces the idea that this shoe is built to take on a lot of miles and keep coming back. Mount to Coast puts a lot of emphasis on creating green products, so don’t expect a lot of dyes and color options in their products. They have recently introduced some new shades, but everything seems to stay in the monochromatic lineup.
Run and Walk
I’ve been on the fence about this shoe. Training in Houston where almost everything is concrete, I generally prefer shoes with a little more cushion than the S1 provides; however, I do really enjoy this shoe when I’m running on crushed gravel paths.
As I said in the outsole description, I would love to see a door to trail version of this shoe, because I think that would be so rad and fit the cushion profile of the shoe much better.
When training in this shoe I generally stuck to easier runs and walks, it didn’t quite feel poppy enough for workout days. If you prefer something a little less plush than is trending, I think this shoe might be right up your alley.
In general I would recommend it for anyone who is looking to get a couple runs in a week, that will top out around an hour or less if you’re running through neighborhoods. If you’re running on softer surfaces and putting in higher mileage, I think this has a lot of potential, I’d just prefer to see something a little more grippier on the rubber for that type of running.
This is built to be a workhorse and provide a long wearing, durable shoe for your rotation. Right now cushion is King, but it’s possible M2C is expecting the pendulum to swing back a bit. If you’re looking for a shoe that can take a consistent beating and come back for more, this may be the shoe for you. If I spent more time on crushed granite than on concrete, I would be spending even more miles on this shoe than I have already.
I really enjoy walking in this shoe. It’s an easy grab when I’m taking Spirit out, it provides ample grip on the pavement if she sees a squirrel or cat. The S1 gives me a good sense of ground contact so I’m not rolling over on the midsole if she gets over excited.
The Gym
I think this is a solid option in the gym. It provides a stable base to work from and you can move freely from your cardio work to the weight floor. I’ve used it in multiple workouts combining boxing and strength training while preparing for Hyrox Houston, and I felt secure and stable moving through each portion of the workout.
Daily Living
The only downside for daily life is that there aren’t many color options, but since everything is on that monochromatic spectrum, there isn’t an offensive choice either for daily life or work. Since I don’t have to function in a traditional business office, I tend to go more pinks and yellows, but if you’re in a more business casual situation, I think these could work quite nicely.