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Tested using Methodology v0.16
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Altra
Heel Stack Height
23.8 mm
Weight
245.2 g (8.65 oz)
Heel-To-Toe Drop
1.0 mm
Plate
None
Heel Stack Height
40.2 mm
Weight
235.1 g (8.29 oz)
Heel-To-Toe Drop
6.0 mm
Plate
Carbon Fiber
Our Verdict
Altra Vanish Pulse
Altra Vanish Carbon 3
The Altra Vanish Carbon 3 and Altra Vanish Pulse have similar names but fill very different roles in a running rotation. The Carbon 3 is far better suited to long-distance racing and long runs, offering substantially more cushioning, energy return, and forward roll. The Pulse mainly makes sense if you specifically want a low-stack, zero-drop shoe with a much firmer, more stable feel and more ground feedback for short runs.
Variants
- Vanish Pulse (Black/Silver/Castlerock - (Men - US 9))
- Vanish Pulse (Black/Silver/Castlerock - (Women - US 7))
- Vanish Carbon 3 (White/Black/Fiery Coral - (Women - US 7))
- Vanish Carbon 3 (White/Black/Sonic Blue - (Men - US 9))
Main Differences for
Half/Full Marathon Racing
Half/Full Marathon Racing
Threshold
Half/Full Marathon Racing
5.2
8.0
Heel Stack Height
23.8 mm
40.2 mm
Forefoot Stack Height
22.8 mm
34.2 mm
Forefoot Long Run Cushioning
4.0
8.0
Forefoot Compression Energy Return
6.3
8.5
Forefoot Bending Energy Return
6.6
8.8
Weight
6.6
7.0
Heel Firmness
9.8
6.6
Rocker Stiffness
3.9
7.7
Full Comparison
Design
Weight
6.6
7.0
Right Shoe Weight Photo
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Left Shoe Weight Photo
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Weight
245.2 g (8.65 oz)
235.1 g (8.29 oz)
Stack Heights
Stack Height Photo
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Heel Stack Height
23.8 mm
40.2 mm
Forefoot Stack Height
22.8 mm
34.2 mm
Heel-To-Toe Drop
1.0 mm
6.0 mm
Advertised Heel-To-Toe Drop
0.0 mm
4.0 mm
External Shape
3D Model Full Shoe
Preview 3D
Preview 3D
Outsole Heel Width
80 mm (3.1")
86 mm (3.4")
Outsole Arch Width
77 mm (3.0")
79 mm (3.1")
Outsole Forefoot Width
114 mm (4.5")
117 mm (4.6")
Heel Width-To-Stack Ratio
3.36
2.14
Forefoot Width-To-Stack Ratio
5.00
3.42
Internal Shape
3D Model Internal
Preview 3D
Preview 3D
Internal Length
277 mm (10.9")
276 mm (10.9")
Internal Heel Width
65 mm (2.6")
68 mm (2.7")
Internal Forefoot Width
98 mm (3.9")
95 mm (3.7")
Wide Sizing Available
No
No
Forefoot Fit: Width
6.1
8.1
Forefoot Width Photo
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Ball-Of-Foot TTS Deviation
10.4 mm (0.408")
5.1 mm (0.201")
Toe TTS Deviation
7.6 mm (0.297")
7.9 mm (0.309")
Forefoot Fit: Height
6.4
6.4
Forefoot Height Photo
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Toe TTS Deviation
-4.4 mm (-0.172")
-4.3 mm (-0.169")
Arch Fit: Width
9.5
9.9
Arch Fit Photo
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Arch Width TTS Deviation
4.0 mm (0.158")
1.7 mm (0.065")
Length Fit
10
10
Toe Clearance Photo
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Heel Rocker Geometry
5.7
8.4
Heel Rocker Photo
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Heel Spring
14 mm (0.6")
31 mm (1.2")
Heel Apex Position
19.3%
21.0%
Heel Rocker Angle
14.3°
26.9°
Forefoot Rocker Geometry
6.0
8.6
Forefoot Rocker Photo
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Toe Spring
41 mm (1.6")
67 mm (2.6")
Toe Apex Position
61.4%
56.9%
Forefoot Rocker Angle
20.4°
28.2°
Foam
Primary Foam Picture
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Secondary Foam Picture
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Primary Foam Name
FAST PCE
FAST RCE
Primary Foam Type
Unknown
PEBA
Secondary Foam Name
No Secondary Foam
No Secondary Foam
Secondary Foam Type
No Secondary Foam
No Secondary Foam
Laces
Laces Picture
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Lace Type
Flat
Sawtooth
Width
5.0 mm (0.2")
5.0 mm (0.2")
Thickness
1.6 mm (0.1")
1.7 mm (0.1")
Stretch
10.0%
1.7%
Breathability
9.0
7.5
Breathability Video
Upper Breathability
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Upper Microscope Photo
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Time-To-Dry
7.8
9.0
Time-To-Dry Timelapse
Time-To-Dry Graph
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Time To 30% Dry
6.2 hrs
4.0 hrs
Time To 70% Dry
16.3 hrs
10.8 hrs
Time To Dry
23.5 hrs
17.1 hrs
Water Absorption
8.8
9.7
Dry Weight Photo
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Wet Weight Photo
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Water Absorbed
32.9%
21.2%
Other Features
Other Features Photo
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Tongue Gusset Type
Non-gusseted
Non-gusseted
Plate
None
Carbon Fiber
Performance
Heel Compression Energy Return
5.4
8.3
Heel Compression Video
Heel Energy Return
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Heel Energy Return
72.4%
82.6%
Forefoot Compression Energy Return
6.3
8.5
Forefoot Compression Video
Forefoot Energy Return
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Forefoot Energy Return
74.0%
83.9%
Heel Cushioning
3.2
8.2
Heel Cushioning Picture
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Heel Cushioning
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Energy Absorbed At 550N
1.96 J
4.01 J
Energy Absorbed At 1100N
5.10 J
9.87 J
Energy Absorbed At 1900N
8.56 J
16.20 J
Forefoot Cushioning
4.8
8.4
Forefoot Cushioning Picture
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Forefoot Cushioning
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Energy Absorbed At 800N
3.01 J
5.35 J
Energy Absorbed At 1300N
5.13 J
9.15 J
Energy Absorbed At 2050N
7.77 J
13.54 J
Heel Firmness
9.8
6.6
Heel Firmness Graph
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Firmness At 550N
71.3 N/mm
36.3 N/mm
Firmness At 1100N
94.2 N/mm
48.7 N/mm
Firmness At 1900N
135.0 N/mm
70.4 N/mm
Forefoot Firmness
9.9
6.0
Forefoot Firmness Graph
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Firmness At 800N
86.8 N/mm
49.0 N/mm
Firmness At 1300N
115.0 N/mm
64.9 N/mm
Firmness At 2050N
159 N/mm
90 N/mm
Forefoot Long Run Cushioning
4.0
8.0
Forefoot Long Run Cushioning
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Energy Absorbed At 10km
4.62 J
8.70 J
Energy Absorbed At 20km
4.43 J
8.56 J
Energy Absorbed At 30km
4.30 J
8.47 J
Energy Absorbed At 40km
4.20 J
8.39 J
Rocker Stiffness
3.9
7.7
Forefoot Rocker Stiffness Video
Forefoot Rocker Stiffness Graph
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Force To Flatten The Rocker
29 N
108 N
Forefoot Bending Energy Return
6.6
8.8
Forefoot Bending Video
Forefoot Bending Energy Return
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Forefoot Bending Energy Return
62.8%
79.3%
Forefoot Bending Stiffness
6.6
8.9
Forefoot Bending Resistance Picture
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Forefoot Bending Resistance
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Forefoot Bending Stiffness
9.1 N/mm
33.1 N/mm
Forefoot Bending Force
274 N
368 N
Heel Compression Depth
3.4
6.7
Heel Compression Graph
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Heel Compression At 550N
7.7 mm
15.1 mm
Heel Compression At 1100N
11.7 mm
22.6 mm
Heel Compression At 1900N
14.1 mm
27.0 mm
Forefoot Compression Depth
3.9
6.9
Forefoot Compression Graph
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Forefoot Compression At 800N
9.2 mm
16.3 mm
Forefoot Compression At 1300N
11.3 mm
20.0 mm
Forefoot Compression At 2050N
12.9 mm
22.7 mm
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Altra Vanish Pulse
Altra Vanish Carbon 3
Comments
Altra Vanish Pulse vs Altra Vanish Carbon 3: Main Discussion
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