Mount to Coast M1 Review

Mount to Coast M1 Running Shoe Review

Mount to Coast has built up serious momentum in the endurance world over recent years, and rightly so. They initially laid their foundation on the tarmac but where they are really gaining traction now is out on the trail.

Their off-road lineup began with the T1, a fantastic all-round mountain shoe, followed by the hugely popular H1 gravel shoe, which hit the sweet spot for lighter, less technical trails and road-to-trail transitions. 

Now, the brand is pushing its limits further with the launch of the Mount to Coast M1, a model designed explicitly for long, mixed-mountain days and ultra-distance efforts.

Disclaimer: The team at Mount to Coast sent the GBUR crew a pair of the M1s to test out on UK soil but as always, our feedback remains completely unbiased.

Putting the M1 Through Its Paces

To test if the M1 could handle the rigours of UK ultra running, I laced them up for the Yellow Belly Summer 50 Miler.

The course offered a varied mix: roughly 75% non-technical trail and 25% road, with 1,370 metres (4,494 ft) of elevation gain. This blend of hardpack, tarmac connectors, undulating farm paths and grassy sections through the Lincolnshire Wolds provided the ideal environment to evaluate a high-stack, long-distance shoe.

Spoiler alert: I was not disappointed.

Mount To Coast M1 Spec

• Price: £185
• Weight: Approx. 275g (US Men's 9)
• Stack Height: 38mm heel / 34mm forefoot
• Heel-to-Toe Drop: 4mm
• Midsole: JetCell Next-Gen ATPU Supercritical Foam
• Outsole: Full-coverage Vibram Megagrip with Litebase & 4mm lugs
• Upper: TPEE engineered mesh with protective toe bumper
• Lacing: TunedFit dual-zone lacing system
• Sizing: True to size (though if you sit right at the top end of a size, consider going up half a size for foot swell over ultra distances).

M1 JetCell Midsole

The star of the show here is unquestionably the JetCell ATPU Midsole.

While traditional trail shoes often rely on firmer, dense EVA or flat PEBA foams, Mount to Coast’s supercritical aliphatic TPU foam delivers a ride with energy return that feels far closer to a modern road supershoe then a typical trail shoe.

Underfoot, it strikes a winning balance between being soft and protective enough to shield your joints from hours of impact, yet remarkably lively. You get a genuine "pop" on toe-off. Throughout the 50 miles, the shoe felt incredibly efficient, helping to reduce leg fatigue during the late stages when turnover usually bogs down.

Outsole & Grip

Mount to Coast opted for a full-coverage Vibram Megagrip rubber compound built on Vibram’s lightweight Litebase tech.

With 4mm lugs, the outsole bites confidently into most terrain. The full rubber coverage underfoot gives great peace of mind against sharp rocks pushing through.

That said, it is important to be realistic about UK conditions: this is not a fell-running or mud-ploughing shoe. If you encounter deep, sloppy winter bog, the 4mm lugs won't provide the aggressive dig of a dedicated fell shoe. But for the vast majority of dry-to-tackier UK trail conditions, it performs brilliantly.

Mount To Coast M1 Stability

With a 38mm stack height in the heel, stability is a natural point of scrutiny.

If your calendar consists mainly of off-camber, highly technical mountain terrain, you will likely prefer a lower-profile option like the Mount to Coast T1 to keep your foot closer to the trail.

However, for typical non-technical to moderate trails, the M1 handles surprisingly well. Thanks to a wide platform base and subtle raised midsole walls that cradle the foot, I experienced zero roll or instability over the 50 miles of mixed terrain.

Upper & TunedFit Lacing Improvements

The TPEE engineered mesh upper feels noticeably tougher and more structured than the H1, offering improved resistance against debris while staying exceptionally breathable. The toe box is well-protected against accidental rock strikes.

The TunedFit dual-zone lacing system remains one of Mount to Coast’s best features, allowing you to tighten the forefoot independently from the midfoot and ankle.

On the M1, they have refined it further by adding a neat little elastic lace keeper on the lower forefoot to stow away any excess lace length, a simple and thoughtful upgrade that stops loose ends from snagging on trail brambles.

Final Verdict: Are Mount to Coast M1 Good For Ultramarathons?

Is the Mount to Coast M1 worth its £185 price point?

In my opinion, yes. The engineering packed into the JetCell foam, combined with a full Vibram Megagrip Litebase outsole and a dual-lacing system, justifies every penny.

If you need a cushioned, highly energetic shoe capable of carrying you comfortably through 50K, 50 mile, or 100 mile efforts across non-technical to moderately rugged trails, the M1 should sit right at the top of your list.

Who is the Mount to Coast M1 for?

The Mount to Coast M1 is tailor-made for ultramarathoners and long-distance trail runners who prioritse high-level shock absorption, energetic toe-offs and lasting underfoot protection over multi-hour efforts.

It excels on routes that feature mixed surfaces, such as rolling woodland paths, mountain trails and hard-packed dirt tracks.

If you are racing UK ultras like the Centurion 50/100 series, the West Highland Way, or long mixed-terrain summer trail events, the M1 offers a rare combination of road-supershoe responsiveness and trail-ready durability.

Runner note: Pure mountain fell runners tackling off-track bogs or extreme technical descents may still prefer the lower, sharper ground feel of the T1. But for everything else in between, the M1 is a absolute long-distance workhorse.

Mount To Coast M1 Running Shoes

Mount To Coast M1 - £185

Meet Ash

Ash is an ultra runner from England's east coast and the creator behind GB Ultra Runner. Having tackled everything from 50k and 50 milers to demanding 100k mountain races, he pairs his drive for personal endurance with a mission to support and connect the UK ultra community.