Products
Tested using Methodology v0.16
Updated Oct 28, 2026 01:32 PM
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Altra
Tested using Methodology v0.16
Updated Oct 28, 2026 12:49 PM
SEE PRICE
Altra
Heel Stack Height
40.2 mm
Weight
235.1 g (8.29 oz)
Heel-To-Toe Drop
6.0 mm
Plate
Carbon Fiber
Heel Stack Height
33.7 mm
Weight
237.7 g (8.38 oz)
Heel-To-Toe Drop
5.0 mm
Plate
Plastic
Our Verdict
Altra Vanish Carbon 3
Altra Vanish Tempo 2
The Altra Vanish Carbon 3 is a more marathon-ready shoe than the Altra Vanish Tempo 2. The aggressive rocker of the Vanish Carbon 3, combined with its stiffer carbon plate, give it an edge on race day, especially for longer races, where its better cushioning keeps your legs better protected . The Vanish Tempo 2 has a more relaxed geometry and a plastic plate that feels more suited to regular training runs, although it's still a capable short-distance racer.
Variants
- Vanish Carbon 3 (White/Black/Fiery Coral - (Women - US 7))
- Vanish Carbon 3 (White/Black/Sonic Blue - (Men - US 9))
- Vanish Tempo 2 (White/Silver - (Men - US 9))
- Vanish Tempo 2 (White/Silver - (Women - US 7))
Main Differences for
Half/Full Marathon Racing
Half/Full Marathon Racing
Threshold
Half/Full Marathon Racing
8.0
6.8
Heel Stack Height
40.2 mm
33.7 mm
Forefoot Long Run Cushioning
8.0
5.4
Forefoot Stack Height
34.2 mm
28.7 mm
Full Comparison
Design
Weight
7.0
6.9
Right Shoe Weight Photo
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Left Shoe Weight Photo
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Weight
235.1 g (8.29 oz)
237.7 g (8.38 oz)
Stack Heights
Stack Height Photo
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Heel Stack Height
40.2 mm
33.7 mm
Forefoot Stack Height
34.2 mm
28.7 mm
Heel-To-Toe Drop
6.0 mm
5.0 mm
Advertised Heel-To-Toe Drop
4.0 mm
4.0 mm
External Shape
3D Model Full Shoe
Preview 3D
Preview 3D
Outsole Heel Width
86 mm (3.4")
88 mm (3.5")
Outsole Arch Width
79 mm (3.1")
79 mm (3.1")
Outsole Forefoot Width
117 mm (4.6")
117 mm (4.6")
Heel Width-To-Stack Ratio
2.14
2.61
Forefoot Width-To-Stack Ratio
3.42
4.07
Internal Shape
3D Model Internal
Preview 3D
Preview 3D
Internal Length
276 mm (10.9")
276 mm (10.9")
Internal Heel Width
68 mm (2.7")
64 mm (2.5")
Internal Forefoot Width
95 mm (3.7")
95 mm (3.7")
Wide Sizing Available
No
No
Forefoot Fit: Width
8.1
9.1
Forefoot Width Photo
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Ball-Of-Foot TTS Deviation
5.1 mm (0.201")
3.7 mm (0.146")
Toe TTS Deviation
7.9 mm (0.309")
3.7 mm (0.144")
Forefoot Fit: Height
6.4
6.1
Forefoot Height Photo
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Toe TTS Deviation
-4.3 mm (-0.169")
-4.7 mm (-0.184")
Arch Fit: Width
9.9
7.9
Arch Fit Photo
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Arch Width TTS Deviation
1.7 mm (0.065")
-3.4 mm (-0.134")
Length Fit
10
7.0
Toe Clearance Photo
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Heel Rocker Geometry
8.4
7.2
Heel Rocker Photo
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Heel Spring
31 mm (1.2")
19 mm (0.7")
Heel Apex Position
21.0%
19.4%
Heel Rocker Angle
26.9°
19.1°
Forefoot Rocker Geometry
8.6
6.7
Forefoot Rocker Photo
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Toe Spring
67 mm (2.6")
45 mm (1.8")
Toe Apex Position
56.9%
59.5%
Forefoot Rocker Angle
28.2°
21.4°
Foam
Primary Foam Picture
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Secondary Foam Picture
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Primary Foam Name
FAST RCE
FAST TRN
Primary Foam Type
PEBA
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
Sawtooth
Sawtooth
Width
5.0 mm (0.2")
6.0 mm (0.2")
Thickness
1.7 mm (0.1")
1.4 mm (0.1")
Stretch
1.7%
6.5%
Breathability
7.5
9.0
Breathability Video
Upper Breathability
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Upper Microscope Photo
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Time-To-Dry
9.0
9.4
Time-To-Dry Timelapse
Time-To-Dry Graph
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Time To 30% Dry
4.0 hrs
3.3 hrs
Time To 70% Dry
10.8 hrs
8.6 hrs
Time To Dry
17.1 hrs
14.0 hrs
Water Absorption
9.7
9.4
Dry Weight Photo
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Wet Weight Photo
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Water Absorbed
21.2%
26.2%
Other Features
Other Features Photo
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Tongue Gusset Type
Non-gusseted
Non-gusseted
Plate
Carbon Fiber
Plastic
Performance
Heel Compression Energy Return
8.3
8.6
Heel Compression Video
Heel Energy Return
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Heel Energy Return
82.6%
84.4%
Forefoot Compression Energy Return
8.5
8.7
Forefoot Compression Video
Forefoot Energy Return
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Forefoot Energy Return
83.9%
85.1%
Heel Cushioning
8.2
6.4
Heel Cushioning Picture
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Heel Cushioning
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Energy Absorbed At 550N
4.01 J
3.56 J
Energy Absorbed At 1100N
9.87 J
8.04 J
Energy Absorbed At 1900N
16.20 J
12.33 J
Forefoot Cushioning
8.4
5.6
Forefoot Cushioning Picture
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Forefoot Cushioning
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Energy Absorbed At 800N
5.35 J
3.72 J
Energy Absorbed At 1300N
9.15 J
6.06 J
Energy Absorbed At 2050N
13.54 J
8.55 J
Heel Firmness
6.6
7.9
Heel Firmness Graph
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Firmness At 550N
36.3 N/mm
39.3 N/mm
Firmness At 1100N
48.7 N/mm
55.7 N/mm
Firmness At 1900N
70.4 N/mm
83.6 N/mm
Forefoot Firmness
6.0
9.1
Forefoot Firmness Graph
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Firmness At 800N
49.0 N/mm
65.8 N/mm
Firmness At 1300N
64.9 N/mm
89.9 N/mm
Firmness At 2050N
90 N/mm
128 N/mm
Forefoot Long Run Cushioning
8.0
5.4
Forefoot Long Run Cushioning
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Energy Absorbed At 10km
8.70 J
5.96 J
Energy Absorbed At 20km
8.56 J
5.85 J
Energy Absorbed At 30km
8.47 J
5.79 J
Energy Absorbed At 40km
8.39 J
5.73 J
Rocker Stiffness
7.7
7.0
Forefoot Rocker Stiffness Video
Forefoot Rocker Stiffness Graph
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Force To Flatten The Rocker
108 N
86 N
Forefoot Bending Energy Return
8.8
7.8
Forefoot Bending Video
Forefoot Bending Energy Return
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Forefoot Bending Energy Return
79.3%
69.9%
Forefoot Bending Stiffness
8.9
7.2
Forefoot Bending Resistance Picture
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Forefoot Bending Resistance
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Forefoot Bending Stiffness
33.1 N/mm
11.6 N/mm
Forefoot Bending Force
368 N
296 N
Heel Compression Depth
6.7
5.9
Heel Compression Graph
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Heel Compression At 550N
15.1 mm
14.0 mm
Heel Compression At 1100N
22.6 mm
19.7 mm
Heel Compression At 1900N
27.0 mm
22.7 mm
Forefoot Compression Depth
6.9
5.0
Forefoot Compression Graph
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Forefoot Compression At 800N
16.3 mm
12.2 mm
Forefoot Compression At 1300N
20.0 mm
14.5 mm
Forefoot Compression At 2050N
22.7 mm
16.0 mm
Altra Vanish Carbon 3
Altra Vanish Tempo 2
Comments
Altra Vanish Carbon 3 vs Altra Vanish Tempo 2: Main Discussion
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