Altra Vanish Tempo Review: A Lightweight Tempo Trainer with Altra's New EGO PRO MSLE Foam

Introduction

The Altra Vanish Tempo is the non-plated, lightweight training counterpart to the Vanish Carbon, Altra’s carbon-plated racing shoe. The two share a lot of DNA, with the Tempo coming in slightly heavier but positioning itself as a genuinely fast workout shoe. It also marks an important step forward for the brand: it is one of the first two shoes to use Altra’s new EGO PRO MSLE foam, a TPU-infused compound that feels very soft underfoot and represents a real improvement in how Altra’s foam performs.

Who This Shoe Is For

This is a shoe for runners who want a lightweight daily trainer that can handle uptempo work. The EGO PRO MSLE foam is soft and comfortable, and while it is not as responsive as the bouncier feel of standard EGO foam, it moves clearly in that direction. In practice, that makes the Vanish Tempo feel best for uptempo daily training and tempo miles rather than hard interval sessions or race day.

If you are looking for a lighter marathon racer with a comfortable ride, it can work in that role too. But runners who want something genuinely faster, or that near-zero-drop feel in a race package, will need to step up to the Vanish Carbon or another carbon-plated, low-drop option.

Main Strengths

The headline feature is the EGO PRO MSLE midsole. As a TPU-infused foam, it delivers a soft, cushioned ride that is a clear step up for Altra in terms of underfoot comfort. It lacks some of the snap of EGO foam, but for steady, quicker-paced running it does its job very well.

The specs back up the lightweight trainer positioning: a men’s size 9 weighs 8.2 oz, a women’s size 8 comes in at 6.9 oz, and the stack is 33mm in the heel and 33mm in the forefoot for the expected 0mm drop. That generous, evenly balanced stack combined with the soft foam makes longer uptempo runs feel comfortable rather than punishing.

Things to Consider Before Buying

Fit is the first thing to understand. Altra’s anatomic toe box is here, but in a much lower-volume execution than typical Altra shoes. There is still room for toes to splay, but the fit is noticeably slimmer overall. Runners used to Altra’s roomier shapes should be aware of that before buying.

The upper itself is a strong point: it is very flexible while still feeling secure, with no need to lace lock the shoe. The tongue is thin but gusseted and locked into the upper, which keeps everything in place. The heel counter is similarly well judged, flexible without causing any irritation.

The main trade-off is pace ceiling. The foam is not as responsive as some runners would like, so while it feels great for uptempo daily training and tempo miles, it does not respond quickly enough for hard workouts or racing. That is the clearest reason to look at the Vanish Carbon instead.

Buying Advice

Choose the Vanish Tempo if you want a lightweight daily trainer that comfortably absorbs quicker-paced miles, especially if you prefer a zero-drop platform with a well-cushioned 33mm stack. It rewards runners who spend most of their week in steady training and only occasionally dip into faster work.

If your priority is racing or sharp interval sessions, the Vanish Carbon or another carbon-plated low-drop shoe is the better fit for that job. But as a soft, light, zero-drop tempo companion, the Vanish Tempo does exactly what it sets out to do.

Conclusion

The Altra Vanish Tempo successfully brings the brand’s new EGO PRO MSLE foam into a lightweight, zero-drop training package with a secure, low-volume fit. It will not replace a plated racer, but as an uptempo daily trainer it is a genuinely solid option and a promising sign of where Altra’s foam technology is heading.