The Manual may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

Altra’s Gritty New King MT Running Shoes Will Help You Dominate the Mountain

By Jahla Seppanen Published August 6, 2021

Altra King MT black and blue — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Gnarly shoes for gnarly men.

Altra Footwear decided to debut their newest, aggressive trail running shoe the King MT ($140) in the dead of winter. Why? Because it’s that freaking tough.

Recommended Videos

Named after the intense 13,534-foot King’s Peak (Utah’s highest), the King MT kicks were designed to speed through mud, light snow, wet grass, and uneven mountain terrain. Hence the prominent spikes on the soles (thank you, Vibram).

Available February 1 in three colorways (black/blue, black/red, black/silver) the King MT’s look like a part soccer cleat part ultramarathon shoe, rocking a lower stack height than Altra’s former model. What makes them so suited for the gnarly outdoors is a newly developed Altra Ego midsole, made from a compound that provides a bouncier cushion with more energy return. And yes, it’s softer and thinner than we’ve yet to see— the entire shoe is only 8.5 ounces.

High caliber responsiveness at a lower weight, plus long-term, mountain-over-mountain durability is why we’re grinning ear-to-ear.

Altra King MT — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Underneath that midsole are significant 6.0 mm outsole lugs—the deepest on any Altra shoe—designed for lateral breaking, medial gripping, and maximum traction in wet and slippery conditions. An extra dose of underfoot protection comes from the flexible StonedGuard rock plate. And lastly, the upper is highly supportive, with TPU overlays on a durable polyester ripstop fabric. A FootLock midfoot strap design locks the foot in place on steep descents. Oh, and there will be steep, steep descents.

Altra Footwear King MT — Image used with permission by copyright holder

If you get bored with the trail, take these puppies to the Spartan Race tracks, as the design is killer when it comes to providing traction through the obstacle course. Altra also expects the King MT to find a sweet spot with Fell runners— a popular European sport that should truthfully be called hill hell, since it consists of racing off road over upland country where the climbs are thigh numbing. Fell run contenders can’t be worrying about poor footwear, since they’re more concerned with intense mountain navigation (a skill you must have to compete), and the accessibility of their survival equipment.

So yeah, these are shoes for outdoor, he-man pursuits. We wouldn’t wear them to the gym.

Photos courtesy Altra Footwear

Topics

Footwear

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Born and raised off-the-grid in New Mexico, Jahla Seppanen is currently a sports, fitness, spirits, and culture writer in…

Outdoors

How to plan your Glacier National Park visit for 2025: Reservation deadlines and key rules

Here's what Glacier National Park's new reservation system will mean for you in 2025

Hiking Glacier National Park in Montana.

Glacier National Park is one of the most gorgeous ones in the United States, so it's not a surprise that it saw almost three million visitors in 2023. Visitors can't get enough of Going-to-the-Sun Road, Lake McDonald, and the many lakes and glaciers in the area — the best time to visit Glacier National Park is often the busiest time. Because of the congestion in recent years, the National Park Service had previously enacted a reservation system for entry to the park as part of a pilot program. The National Park Service recently revealed this will continue in 2025, including timed entry reservations for the west side of Going-to-the-Sun Road and the North Fork — here's what you need to know.
Here's how it will look like going into 2025
Going-to-the-Sun Road, Glacier National Park Tevin Trinh via Unsplash / Unsplash
West Entrance: Going-to-the-Sun Road

Reservations required: 7 a.m. – 3 p.m., June 13 – September 28.
Applies to travel beyond Apgar Village.
Entry without a reservation: Before 7 a.m. or after 3 p.m.
Exceptions: Visitors with lodging, camping, or certain commercial reservations (originating beyond Apgar checkpoint) will be allowed entry.

Outdoors

How to plan a day hike: Essential tips for beginners

Day hikes aren't hard to plan; just follow these steps

Man wearing yellow jacket and backpack hiking or rucking in forest or woods with tall trees

Day hikes are one of America's most treasured pastimes, and with some of the most amazing sights for hiking on the globe, it's easy to see why. Nothing beats the fresh air and the invigorating exercise, and the best part is that you can go on these adventures pretty spontaneously. While day hikes require minimal planning, there are still a few things you should bring together before you go.

In this guide on how to plan for a day hike, you'll find essential tips for mapping out your route, packing the right gear, staying nourished, and ensuring your safety on the trail. Follow these steps, and you'll be ready for a successful day hike.
Get the route right

Outdoors

Insulating your tent for winter camping isn’t as hard as you think

Insulating your tent for winter camping isn't as hard as you think

Woman with a headlamp camping in a winter tent surrounded by snow.

When temperatures drop, and the wind starts howling, heat loss while winter camping can quickly turn a cozy night into a frosty one. The secret to keeping your tent warm isn't about getting the most high-tech gear. Actually, it lies in understanding how heat escapes. From the cold ground beneath you to the sneaky drafts around your tent, each type of heat loss plays a role in how well your tent holds onto warmth. In this article, we'll explore the various ways that heat can sneak away from your tent, as well as how to insulate a tent for winter camping.
Types of heat loss while winter camping and how to avoid them

There are several ways your body and tent lose heat: conduction, convection, radiation, and evaporation. Here's how to avoid all four:
Ways to avoid heat loss due to conduction
Conduction occurs when heat is transferred from your body to colder surfaces, like the ground. To prevent heat loss through conduction, focus on insulating surfaces that come into direct contact with your body.