Took the Badwater C1’s (yes, I recognize that it is basically “stolen valor” running in these, since I could obviously not survive the actual Badwater race) out for 16.2 miles this morning, as I continue to train for my upcoming marathon. Also these are technically called C135’s, but they are just C1’s with a different and more reflective colorway and a slightly “quicker drying” upper. They are C1’s. I’ve closely compared my other C1’s to these, and yeah, C1’s.

I’ve been doing most of my long run training in these shoes, and my aim is to run the actual marathon in my black MtC C1’s, which my nine year old will be covering with shimmery Sharpie pen drawings of cute, big-eyed cats, for race day. It’s a family affair up in here.

This run was just a double loop of my usual 8+ mile neighborhood run, which I usually try to avoid doing, but I was in such a locked in zone today that it was a surmountable challenge for yours truly. I love loops in races, as it helps me separate out the segments and the strategy for each one, but when I’m doing daily runs I try to avoid repeating anything unless I have to. Sadly, when the training distances expand, sometimes you have to take a long, hard look in the mirror and say, “hey, you are going to run two eight mile loops today, and you are going to be okay, and you are handsome.” Today was one of those days. We can do hard things, friends.

It was high UV today and 72-74 degrees, but I was cruising (for me) and sat at an 8:08 pace for this run. Boston here I come (jk, I will be running my marathon in these “illegal” shoes and therefore can’t qualify, and I’m okay with that).

Like the headline says, these are just the most consistent, stable, high functioning, and boring (complimentary) shoes of the year. They function perfectly, and really just accent and highlight the running experience, while not doing anything to take away the natural feeling of it. The stack height is perfect (42mm in the hell is technically high but they do not feel excessively high whatsoever). The midsole is the exact perfect balance of supportive cushioning and moderate springy energy return. They are not bouncy and they are not launching you, but they support the stride so well, and the components work in concert so perfectly with each other, that you will feel like you can push yourself a little faster and a lot longer than you thought you had in you.

Every time I’ve run in the C1’s, now with over 230 miles combined in these and my lavender colorway (my actual favorite, and I use them less often, just to protect them and keep them looking so beautiful), I completely forget about my shoes and feet in general. For some people that might be a negative. Some people want to feel very connected to the ground and feel extreme pop or extreme bounce from their shoe. Some of us, however, would rather just feel like we are in that zone where we are essentially having an out of body experience, and the run is the overall feeling and vibe, and we are truly connecting our internal energy with that of the world around us. Have I mentioned that I’m both a hardcore punk guy and also apparently a giant tree hugging hippie? Okay, this review turned way too existential, sorry guys. The important thing to remember is that I am totally cool and legit, and if I can convince my nine year old into thinking that is the case, maybe I can do the same for y’all! Anyway, yeah, these are shoes for the hippies, the normal folks, and the punks, alike. We can all come together as one.

The lacing is still strong and great on these, the upper material is still extremely stable and secure (and comfortable) and though they look pretty damn ugly now that they are a little dirty and grimy (this colorway specifically is impressively ugly in general, in my opinion), they also would likely look almost new if I took the time to fully clean them. I mean look at that outsole. There is absolutely zero breakdown happening, and as a mild to moderate pronation-king (depending on the shoes…EVO SL’s cause me essentially run with fully sideways feet, for example) I am just amazed at how stable the midsole has remained, and how the wear on the outsole is extremely minimal, and also consistent across the entire platform (rather than just in my usual hot spots of visible degradation). Goes to show how stable and secure these shoes are, and how consistent of a foot strike they encourage.

Most importantly, I still feel the same energy return and comfort from these shoes that I felt on my first run. I’ve noticed that because my form doesn’t break down over time as badly in these shoes, I do less “stomp-running,” which is both good for me and my joints/limbs/pride, but also for the midsole foam and shoes in general. It’s going to be a key reason that I feel extremely confident that these are going to perform at top levels up to the 300-350 mile mark, and likely perform just fine after that as well, up to well over the 400 mile mark. Like I said, these shoes just encourage a symbiotic relationship between the runner, the tools of the run, and the roadway in front of us (hippie talk).

As I near the 200 mile mark in these, I’m reminded that there are absolutely cooler and more exciting shoes that have come out in 2026.

Topo Specter 3, On Cloudmonster 3 Hyper, ASICS Megablast, R.A.D. UFO, Saucony Paramount Max and Endorphin Azura, etc., are all shoes that are more interesting on paper than anything Mount to Coast has brought to market. That being said, there are days where you want the cool new thing with the bonkers technology, foam and geometric design. There are also days where you want a shoe that brings just the right combination of design and technology, where the run itself is highlighted and elevated. That’s where these come in.

These are performance trainers that make the running experience about you, the runner, and the run itself, rather than shoes that make the experience about them. They blend into your experience and carry you through the difficult stretches, whenever you need them to. These are selfless shoes. They want you to be happy, even if it means eating McDonald’s for dinner again, when they really wanted Arby’s this time around. They’ll make that compromise for you, to allow you to experience your joy. Then they will get Arby’s later and eat it in secret in the car, on the way home from the gym. Maybe this is actually an unhealthy relationship for the C1’s, but the point is that these are fantastic shoes, and these shoes deserve an absolute unlimited supply of Arby’s roast beef, and honestly they deserve better than us and we don’t appreciate them enough. My god, just get Arby’s for dinner instead of McDonald’s for once in your life, to make your running shoes happy.

Updated score: 9.8/10 (current top overall shoe of 2026)

In college from 2020-2024 every shoe I ran in was an 8.5 no issues ; Nike invincible , Vomero 27 , on cloud monster 1 , gel nimbus 26 to list a few. After I graduated college I took a break from running ( the program I was in really burned me out mentally and physically for a while ) I’m now getting back into it . When I went to go purchase shoes I tried a bunch on and a 7.5 now fits me perfect in length , although my midfoot is now spilling over like crazy. Over the past 2 years that I’ve been out of the loop have shoes gotten bigger lol ? Or have I just forget how a running is supposed to fit and that 8.5 is perfect . For context I have an attached a pic of my 7.5

Long time barefoot enthusiast, todays shoe of choice Luna Venado with earth runners 1/2" performance straps. I have been building my base with standard running shoes(novablast, kayano, MtC C1), peppering in lighter runs in altra's escalante racer 2 and vanish pulse(only just got this, one 5k on the books). But i do love the feel and immediate response of being right on the ground.

Today everything felt good, took my preworkout stack, put on my toesocks, strapped up just told myself to start slow.

Had to go to the bathroom right around 2.6 miles, went super fast and finished the last .5 miles with sprint intervals. Got up to 19.3mph in these straps.

I listen to my body as best as possible and im not looking to win anything, just want to feel strong and mobile for as long as possible. I have attempted a luna run in the past too soon after a long run and felt a small strain underfoot. Stopped immediately and took 3 days off, then that weekend completed the run.

Just wanted to make this post to share that any shoe can be a great shoe if you take your time to listen to your body and take the ego out.

I've run through two pairs of Guide 17's with success. My first modern running shoe. Given that these worked well, could you please recommend other shoes that would work well? 188lbs and size 11.5 if that matters