Mount to Coast H1: The Rise of a Superstar

In Inky Steve’s latest column, he turns his attention to the Mount to Coast H1.

Let’s be clear. When I first saw a Mount to Coast shoe, it was on an episode of Believe in the Run’s The Drop. I think it was the R1. My first thought was, “Who’s going to buy that?”

It looked like a horrible white brick with a black-and-white outsole and one exposed section of foam acting as the stability element. It was designed for ultra road running, which, to be fair, is a niche within a niche. I can only really think of Comrades as a major road ultra.

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I didn’t like what I saw and just assumed it was another flash-in-the-pan brand doing something different that nobody really wanted or needed.

Roll on 12 months, and I thought my eyes were playing tricks on me.

What I saw was an incredible-looking shoe that still had elements of that original R1. What is it? What’s it for? It really didn’t matter. I knew I was going to get a pair.

The murmurings were great. It was a hybrid “H,” meaning it could handle both road and trail. The images appearing on social media looked incredible and built a genuine buzz. To me, it felt similar to the excitement around the Norda 005. After a month or so of teasing, the influencers started talking about it. Was it good or bad?

Word on the street was that it felt like a trail version of one of Adidas’ most popular road shoes, with a similar foam character built around Mount to Coast’s own new midsole.

Everything was pointing in the right direction.

The standout for me on the Mount to Coast H1, though, was the silhouette and colourway. The brown and beige upper with the white midsole and yellow highlights on the dual lacing system and outsole was an absolute chef’s kiss.

Finally, the H1 was available to buy, and at a very reasonable price too.

The biggest compliment was still to come.

The running world suddenly decided there was a debate to be had.

What’s better: the Mount to Coast H1 or the Norda 005?

Now, I’m a massive Norda fan. I love their design language. Could the Mount to Coast H1 actually be a better shoe at half the price?

Simple answer: no.

But that’s missing the point.

The point is that people were comparing it to the Norda 005 in the first place.

The H1 is undoubtedly a brilliant shoe in its own right. I’ve run countless miles in mine and always enjoy putting them on. They’re just different from what was already available.

There are no flashy gimmicks, apart from the dual lacing system, which I still think is a bit pointless. But I get it. That’s a Mount to Coast thing, and they’re sticking with it.

It’s a shoe you throw on and head out the door, whether you’re running roads, trails, or grass. It doesn’t handle mud brilliantly, but that’s not what it was designed for.

The foam feels great and reminds me a little of the Adidas EVO SL, but the real win is the curb appeal.

Whenever I wear them, people ask me about them.

They have an old-school, almost heritage-inspired look, and I think that’s what people were really comparing when they mentioned the Norda 005.

These are two beautiful trail shoes that look just as good walking around town, standing at the bar in the pub, or heading to the local football match as they do out on the trails.

Mount to Coast cared about what this shoe looked like, and they absolutely nailed it.

More recently, we’ve seen Believe in the Run collaborate with Mount to Coast on their own version of the H1. Yes, they added the weird sock gaiter thing, which most of you already know I’m not a fan of, but it still has a really cool aesthetic.

Personally, I’d have liked them to push the colour scheme a little further, but I think it opens an interesting door. Rather than collaborating with another footwear or apparel brand, they partnered with a media company.

That’s a really interesting direction.

The biggest takeaway for me is this.

The Mount to Coast H1 came to win, not just on podiums but on the streets as well.

I’m already excited to see what’s next from the brand, and I’ve got the M1 firmly in my sights.

It just goes to show you shouldn’t write a brand off too early. Sometimes they surprise you.

Thanks,
Inky ✌

Podcast: Satisfy Founder, Brice Partouche