Mount to Coast P1 Review
By Matthew Klein and Bach Pham
Mount to Coast P1Price: $160 at Mount to Coast
Weight: 9.9 oz, 280 g (men's size 9 / women's size 10.5)
Stack Height: 37 mm / 27 mm
Drop: 10 mm
Shoe Purpose: Mild Stability Daily / Ultramarathon Trainer
Pros: Good Forefoot Stability, Good Impact Attenuation, Adaptable Upper
Cons: Aggressive Toe Guard, Clunky Heel, Midsole Not Responsive
RUNNING SHOE SUMMARY
The Mount to Coast P1 is a rare forefoot stability ultramarathon trainer/shoe for those who need guidance over longer distances. An extremely comfortable upper provides a slightly wider fit, although an aggressive toe guard may warrant going up a half size for ultra distances. A somewhat clunky heel is offset by an incredibly smooth forefoot, making this shoe best for those that land farther forward. The LightCell PEBA hybrid foam provides a slightly firm but consistent and shock absorbing midsole holds up over long miles. Finally, a 3D Archrail system creates medial forefoot stability for those who want a stable place to push off from. Although the marketing language needs to be updated, the Mount to Coast P1 is a refreshing and unique addition to the stability range of shoes, providing an option for those with stability needs to access ultramarathon distances.
SIMILAR SHOES: Puma ForeverRUN Nitro
PAST MODEL: New model
FIT
(To learn how a shoe should fit, check out our full podcast on fit by Matt Klein.)
Matt: The Mount to Coast P1 fits me mostly true to size in my normal Men's US size 10. The fit initially feels short thanks to the thick and aggressive toe guard and the thick heel collar padding that pushes the foot forward. As the heel collar padding compresses and the upper stretches, the toe guard is less obtrusive and the shoe feels more true to size. This takes about 20-30 miles to break in. Due to the toe guard, the toe box feels a bit tapered. This transitions into a slightly wider toe box. The knit upper has a slightly higher volume and stretches with time, creating one of the most comfortable against skin experiences I have had. Although the toe guard is a bit abrasive, the rest of the upper is incredibly comfortable I have worn this shoe up to 10 miles sockless without issue. Going sockless does provide extra length and room, but only those who are most experienced with this shoe considering doing longer distances like this. The midfoot is normal to slightly wide in width with a thinner but strongly gusseted tongue. The gusset wraps and secures the foot well, but I still had to lock down the laces to get a secure fit. Pulling the laces tighter engages the adjustable wrapping in the midfoot, which does help secure the foot. This transitions into a normal-width heel with a large amount of heel collar padding and a stiffer heel counter. The large amount of padding helped shield my heels from the counter, but those sensitive to them should still be cautious. The fit overall is slightly wider with a comfortable, somewhat stretchy upper that also provides one of the best against-skin feelings I have experienced. Those doing ultramarathon distances may want to consider a size up due to foot swelling and the toe guard.
Typical Size: Men's US Size 10
Shoes that have fit Matt well: Saucony Guide 17, ASICS Kayano 30, Hoka Gaviota 5, Saucony Endorphin Elite, Nike Ultrafly
Shoes that have fit snug: Hoka Arahi 7, Saucony Kinvara 14
Shoes that have fit large: Salomon S/Lab Phantasm 2, Altra Timp 5
Bach: The P1 fit me fairly well, albeit a touch snug in the toebox. This has improved with time as the upper relaxes, but it felt a touch short out of the box. The P1 fits really well for me with good room in the rear toebox through midfoot and heel. The heel is nice and secure with no slippage issues. There is a very rigid, strudy heel counter that did a good job of keeping my foot dialed in. The tongue is moderately padded and mostly out of the way. The overall feel is a very slightly snug, but comfortable fit. If you tend to be between sizes, it would not hurt to half size up for more space. The upper breathed well over the humid summer days in my city and I had no hotspots.
Typical Size: Men's US Size 9.5
Shoes that have fit Bach well: Nike Pegasus 40, Saucony Guide 17, Mizuno Wave Inspire 19, Saucony Endorphin Speed 3, Nike Structure 25
Shoes that have fit snug: Hoka Arahi 7, Asics Kayano 30, Puma Electrify Nitro, Brooks Hyperion, Hoka Clifton 9 GTX
Shoes that have fit large: Hoka Gaviota 5, Reebok Floatride Energy X
Doctors of Running Checklist
Is This a Good Shoe for Walking: Yes
Is This a Good Shoe for Standing: Yes
Is the Forefoot Flexible: Moderately
How Flexible is the Shoe: Moderately
Is This a Good Heel Bevel: No
Recommended for Haglunds: No
Recommended for Sockless: Yes
Below Average - Above Average
PERFORMANCE
Matt: The Mount to Coast P1 is a daily training shoe and ultramarathon trainer. The midsole is a full length PEBA-based material called LightCell. It is different from most PEBA based foams that I have experienced because it is slightly firmer, absorbs shock really well but has only a little bounce to it. This material feels good when you have warmed up, use a quick, shorter stride at easy to long run paces. Anything faster feels awkward and this shoe immediately slows me down anytime I try anything quicker than an easy pace. Instead, it feels best locking into a slower pace and trotting along for long periods. While this midsole is not bouncy, it maintains its feel no matter how long you go. I have run up to 15 miles in a day and worn these all day walking/standing. (I'm not running super long, so I simulated ultra efforts by also walking and standing all day in them with a double run). Even after miles, it feels exactly the same as when you start. There is a 10mm drop, which also maintains and does a great job of not stressing the calf muscles on longer efforts.
Unfortunately, the heel is fairly clunky due to a posterior heel flare and a tiny bevel. This makes for a jarring rearfoot landing that causes the shoe to be clunky for the first few miles until I warm up and move my footstrike a little further. It is also why this shoe feels better going uphill than downhill. The midfoot and forefoot are far smoother with a moderately flexible forefoot transition and a relatively low amount of toe spring. There is an early forefoot rocker, which makes for an easy, smooth transition off the front of the foot. Those with toe mobility issues will not do well here but those who land farther forward and want a smooth, stable transition off the forefoot will do well.
In line with the ultramarathon-focused pace, the outsole is incredibly durable. I have almost 40 miles on my pair with almost a month of wearing them daily for other activities and there is zero wear on the outsole. The outsole is on the smoother end, so will work best for road and mild, non-aggressive trails. Those wanting a shoe that can handle a ton of mileage and provides a smooth, not bouncy but consistent midsole that transitions best off the forefoot will do best with the ride of the Mount to Coast P1.
Bach: Admittedly, this is a shoe that feels almost made for me. As the slowest runner on the team and someone who likes to run most distances easy and relaxed, the P1 fulfills most of the performance needs I look for. The shoe is a mileage eater, with a ride that feels very consistent from the first to the last mile. The midsole leans slightly firm, but noticeably cushioned and mildly responsive. I found it easy to get into gear and tick off miles in the P1, and easy to devour elevation with it's slightly peppy ride. The forefoot has actually a bit of flexibility as well for those who don't like super stiff soles. This is not a workout shoe by any means, but rather an easy day shoe for daily and long efforts. The shoe feels on the lighter end despite being just under 10 oz. The weight is well-balanced from front-to-back.
Like Matt, I did find the heel to be clunky. This was most noticeable on days I was fatigued going into the run. I typically do run more mid-to-forefoot and when I was more forward the heel was not a factor, but as I got tired or ran on very tired legs the heel is noticeable and not the most fluid. This is definitely an area that can be improved on in future iterations and what disappointed me most. Those who are consistently more forward will really enjoy the P1 for sure.
The outsole gave me no problems and I was able to tackle some off-road fine as well. It definitely is a durable outsole and one that tracks through wet weather without issue. I agree that the shoe is great for walking, and maybe one of the best this year in that regard.
STABILITY
(Learn more about stability in our full guide)
Matt: The Mount to Coast P1 is a mild stability shoe with the majority of stability/guidance focused in the forefoot. This comes from the 3D Archrail plastic stiffening piece in the midsole that runs from the lateral midfoot into the medial forefoot. This provides lateral guidance at the forefoot especially, which combined with the extra medial sole flare creates a stable place to push off from. Those who struggle with forefoot pronation will do well especially if posts feel too aggressive. The Archrail extends all the way to the medial side of the forefoot and elevates slightly at the medial edge. This is not an aggressive feeling thing and I do not feel it pushing into my foot. However, during running it adds some rigidity to the medial side that feels comfortable to push off from. I have felt my arch engage, which felt weird at first so make sure to take time to let your medial arch muscles get used to being worked more. The midfoot is somewhat neutral but is offset by a guided rearfoot. The rearfoot features a wider base with medial and lateral sole flare, a moderate sided medial sidewall and an insole which is supposed like an orthotic. The clunkiness of the heel somewhat offsets this but the sole flare and sidewall do provide a noticeable medial feeling of stability/guidance. I do not feel much from the insole, which upon pulling out of the shoe I found to be completely flexibility with little structure. Those with orthotics that have rearfoot stability methods and a flexible forefoot will have no trouble placing those in this this. The whole shoe feels stable, especially in the forefoot and heel, without providing a post like feeling. So those sensitive to obtrusive methods of stability, particularly at the forefoot, will do well in this shoe.
Bach: The P1 in general may not read stability shoe on first glance. The forefoot is a generous width with good sole flaring and is by far the most stable part of the shoe. The Archrail sits on the mid-to-front side of the shoe and contributes to some minor guidance. While the heel is secure, if I really closing my eyes and removing what I know of the shoe I would say that the shoe does not read as a stability shoe but more of a stable neutral one thanks to its well-balanced forefoot and otherwise lack of noticeable stability elements.
The clunky heel offsets the rear stability somewhat. There is decent sole flaring in the heel and enough rigidity from the outsole and firmer sole that doesn't make it soft, but it doesn't really hit a high level of rearfoot stability either. It's just kind of fine as far as rearfoots are concerned. That's not to say the P1 is not a stable shoe that does a lot right, but those who are seeking true full-length stability at like a ASICS Kayano or New Balance 860 level may not find it here. That said, the P1 may accommodate a larger swath of runners who just want a really stable forefoot shoe and are really forward in their footstrike. Additionally, I had no issues in the shoe with my flat feet over testing miles.
Thoughts as a DPT: The Unnecessary Fear of Pronation
By Matthew Klein
Given that I need some level of stability or guidance in most of my shoes, talking about pronation and the current evidence on this topic is a passion of mine. Pronation is a tri-planar combined motion (dorsiflexion, abduction, eversion) at the foot the occurs as a natural part of shock absorption during the stance phase (foot in contact with the ground) of walking and running. It is an important motion that requires good eccentric muscle control and appropriate joint mobility to utilize effectively. We have discussed this endlessly, so it should not be surprising that despite liking how Mount to Coast designed the forefoot stability in the P1, I was incredibly disappointed with how poorly they marketed and talked about pronation.
Therefore, it is completely inaccurate to state that pronation is the source of running injuries. Running injuries are multi-factorial and rarely attributed to one thing (usually a combination of overtraining, stress, inadequate sleep/nutrition, poor adaption, etc). Stability shoes and measures will NOT prevent all running injuries. Current evidence suggests that those with pronated feet with a history of pronation-related injuries may benefit from a stability shoe most (Malisoux et al., 2016; Willems et al., 2021). Pronation is a complex motion that can occur at the rearfoot, midfoot, forefoot and often is a combination of one or more of those areas. The Mount to Coast P1 is an excellent option for those needing help with controlling pronation (or abduction, per Mount to Coast) at the front of the foot. This is a rare design that is not common on the market. Only the Puma ForeverRun Nitro provides a mild wedged forefoot and the New Balance 860 provides a mild to moderately wedged front. For those who do not do well with wedges or posts, the 3D Archrail provides excellent guidance and is now an option for those who need this. So while I really like the design of this shoe, the marketing language is wrong, disappointing and needs to be changed to stop scaring people and stay up to date with the current evidence.
Malisoux, L., Chambon, N., Delattre, N., Gueguen, N., Urhausen, A., & Theisen, D. (2016). Injury risk in runners using standard or motion control shoes: a randomised controlled trial with participant and assessor blinding. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 50(8), 481-487.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Matt: The Mount to Coast P1 has been a shoe I have loved for walking and like in theory for running. The upper is extremely comfortable and the front of the shoe transitions really well. The rearfoot is extremely clunky and has been borderline uncomfortable for me as a heel striker. Given that the majority of distance runners land at the rear part of the shoe, especially as the distance run increases, I cannot emphasize enough that the posterior flared heel needs to be removed and a better bevel needs to be put in its place. We have talked about the negative impacts of a posterior flare and this does put additional pressure on my anterior shin muscles/tissues. For this shoe to truly be a marathon shoe with a 37 mm stack height, an appropriate, anatomic bevel needs to be added for efficiency with gait over longer distances. This feedback is exactly the same for the S1 and R1. I hope Mount to Coast listens as this could really improve the transition and wearability of this shoe. My last little suggestion is to increase the bounce of the midsole. While the foam absorbs shock well, I have found it not to be bouncy and difficult to do anything faster in this shoe. The PEBA-based material is clearly tuned for longer-distance running, but if "bounce" is going to be advertised, I expect the midsole to have a little more rebound than it does.
Bach: Matt's recommendation to improve the rearfoot is by far the most important thing the P1 can do for future iterations. I think the other change would be to just add a tiny bit of length in the forefoot as it fits just a touch short, but otherwise the P1 does get a lot of aspects right in its first outing and at a good price point for what is inside.
WHO IS THIS SHOE FOR?
Matt: The Mount to Coast P1 is for those who want a long-distance shoe with medial forefoot stability and a guided heel. Those who land a little farther forward, want a higher drop and a shock-absorbing, consistent but not bouncy midsole will do best with the ride of the P1. Those who want a slightly wider fit with an incredibly comfortable upper and are not bothered by an aggressive toe guard will do best with the upper of the P1. The durability is fantastic and despite the clunky heel, does set this shoe up to be the mild stability ultramarathon shoe. Some tweaks are still needed to optimize this for a larger group of people, but $160 for a Peba-based, highly durable training shoe with rare forefoot stability is a solid deal. I do want to caution those at Mount to Coast about the language used in the marketing around pronation. It is NOT the cause of all running injuries and I encourage you to look at the evidence I presented about regarding that. There is nothing wrong with the design of the forefoot stability. In fact, this is now a new tool I can suggest for those that need this in a time where forefoot stability rare. How it is being presented may need to change.
Bach: There were some runs I had in this shoe where I just had a very comfortable, very pleasant time logging miles. Mount to Coast has come out with some very strong efforts out the gate with some very easily correctable changes for future iterations. The P1 is an unexpected choice for a second shoe, but a welcome one in many regards. The midsole is maybe not the PEBA that a lot of runners may expect, but it is a good foam with a solid ride for those who want a firmer, stable midsole that's still still kind of fun. There aren't many shoes like this in the market for someone who wants that combination. The P1 is a mileage eater for those who want to find something comfortable for longer efforts and daily miles that's highly stable in the forefoot, a little firmer, and fairly durable.
GRADES
Matt
Fit: B+/A- (Extremely comfortable upper that initially feels short due to the aggressive toe guard. May want to go half a size up for ultramarathon distances)
Performance: B- (Slightly firm but shock-absorbing midsole that feels best over longer distance consistent efforts. Struggles with anything faster than easy run pace)
Stability: A- [Mild Stability] (Medial forefoot stability from 3D Archrail. Mild heel guidance from medial sidewall and sole flare.)
Value: A- (Unique forefoot stability shoe with amazing durability)
Personal: B (The upper fit and forefoot stability are fantastic but are brought down by the clunky heel and aggressive toe guard. This is a shoe I will continue to use for longer walking and standing but not running unless I need some forefoot stability)
Overall Design: B
Bach
Fit: B+ (Fairly good fit. Finding right sizing may be tricky)
Performance: B (A very pleasant mid-to-forefoot ride which is what I usually am doing, but a clunky heel. Best for daily mile logging and long efforts)
Stability: B+ (Really good forefoot, but heel design offsets heel stability)
Value: A- (At $160, it's a good value for what is inside)
Personal: B/B+ (It just depends how I'm feeling, but some days this was a shoe I really, really enjoyed and on days I didn't feel so hot neither did the shoe)
Overall Design: B
SHOP | SUPPORT DORMount to Coast P1Price: $160 at Mount to Coast
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FURTHER READING
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