Craft CTM Lineup Review: Ultra 2, Ultra Carbon 2 and Race Rebel Compared

Introduction

Craft is best known in the ultramarathon and trail community, and its CTM (Craft Tailored Motion) lineup reflects that heritage. The three shoes we tested, the CTM Ultra 2, CTM Ultra Carbon 2 and CTM Race Rebel, form a trainer, performance trainer and racer trio, though the boundaries are drawn differently than in typical road lineups. This post breaks down how each shoe fits, rides and where each one earns its place in a rotation.

The Lineup at a Glance

All three shoes share the same geometry: 40mm of stack in the heel, 30mm in the forefoot and a 10mm drop. Where they differ is the midsole compound, the plate and the weight.

The CTM Ultra 2 is the non-plated trainer of the group. It weighs 250g (8.8 ounces) and uses Craft’s UDFoam. The CTM Ultra Carbon 2 adds a carbon plate on the same stack and foam, bringing weight up to 262g (9.2 ounces). The CTM Race Rebel is the lightest and most road-focused of the three at 200g, using a different UDFoam Pro compound developed for shorter, faster distances.

A detail worth knowing: Craft prints the key material specs directly on the shoe itself, with the exception of the drop ratio, which is an unusual touch that makes identifying each model easy.

Fit and Upper

The uppers across all three shoes are essentially the same: an ultralight polyester mesh with minimal structure. The fit is true to size in length, but the volume is generous, particularly through the forefoot and midfoot. Testers with narrower feet found they needed to heel lock the lacing aggressively, pulling the two rows of eyelets nearly together, to keep the foot on the platform.

Once heel locked, the fit issue largely resolves. The heel collar uses a suede-like lining that grips the sock well, and the mesh held up through hard trail turns without excessive stretch.

That extra volume is not a flaw for everyone. Runners whose feet swell over long distances found the roomy interior genuinely useful, with no pinching over extended miles. If you have a high-volume foot and want a shoe for long days, this could actually work in your favor. If you have a narrow foot and want a snug, secure upper for shorter efforts, you will need to work for it.

Ride and Midsole: UDFoam vs UDFoam Pro

The UDFoam in the Ultra 2 and Ultra Carbon 2 sits firmly in the traditional EVA camp. Craft describes it as a proprietary blend, and on foot it reads as a firm, protective, lightweight midsole rather than a bouncy new-generation superfoam. It still has a subtle bounce to it and it rides more stable than much of the plated competition.

The plated Ultra Carbon 2 feels noticeably firmer than its non-plated sibling because the plate stiffens the same midsole considerably. That is not a bad thing: the Ultra 2 impressed as a soft, flexible daily trainer with well-executed rocker geometry, while the Ultra Carbon 2 became a long-run favorite, rhythmic and protective with a plate that keeps you rolling once you are up to speed.

The Race Rebel’s UDFoam Pro surprised several testers by feeling firmer and less snappy than the standard UDFoam. Combined with a stiff plate, one tester needed a break-in period before the shoe felt usable, even stepping out of it mid-tempo the first time. Once broken in, the plate shows through at speed, but the shoe relies heavily on its geometry rather than foam propulsion.

Outsole and Traction

The outsole is arguably the standout feature of the Ultra 2 and Ultra Carbon 2. The rubber has real depth to it, and the pattern works as a genuine hybrid road-to-trail outsole rather than a trail shoe that tolerates pavement. Testers transitioned between road and light trail without noticing a change in grip, and after 60-plus miles of mixed surface running the lugs showed wear but plenty of life remaining.

The Race Rebel’s traction is also strong for a road racing shoe, better than most of its competition, which adds to its appeal on mixed-surface tempo days.

Testing Impressions

The consensus after testing was clear: the Ultra 2 and Ultra Carbon 2 are the strengths of this lineup, and the Race Rebel is the shoe with the most room for improvement.

The Ultra 2 works beautifully as a daily trainer, especially on mixed road and light trail routes. The Ultra Carbon 2 is a compelling long-run and ultra-distance racing option: it is lightweight for its 40mm of stack, protective, and stable enough to move quickly on trails. Both feel like a comfortable middle ground between firm geometry-driven shoes and softer plated racers.

The Race Rebel is Craft’s entry into road racing, built in collaboration with ultra athlete Tommy Rivs. It is a legitimate attempt with good rocker geometry and solid traction, but the foam is firm without being lively, the shoe is not especially responsive by current standards, and at a premium price point there are stronger road racing options to consider first.

Which Shoe Is Right for You?

If you want a workhorse daily trainer that handles gravel and light trails as well as pavement, the Ultra 2 is the pick. If your running leans toward long miles, ultras or high-volume training on mixed surfaces, the Ultra Carbon 2 adds a protective plate that keeps rhythm over distance, and it is one of the more interesting ultra-racing options available. If you are shopping purely for a fast road racer, the Race Rebel has potential but the firm, plate-stiffened ride means it is worth trying on before committing, especially if you are used to livelier next-generation foams.

One caveat applies to the whole lineup: the high-volume upper needs heel locking for most runners. If you have a wide or swelling foot, that becomes an advantage rather than a drawback.

Conclusion

Craft’s CTM lineup succeeds where it is aimed: long, comfortable miles on mixed road and trail terrain. The Ultra 2 is a versatile daily trainer with genuinely hybrid traction, and the Ultra Carbon 2 is a stable, protective plated option for long-run days and ultras. The Race Rebel shows promise in Craft’s road racing ambitions but currently trails the rest of the lineup in responsiveness. For trail-leaning runners, this is a lineup well worth a look. a and trail-leaning runners, though, this is a lineup well worth a close look.