The running shoe industry is undoubtedly one of the most competitive, with rapidly evolving technologies pushing brands to innovate continually. Amid this fast-paced landscape emerges a new contender: Mount to Coast. Unlike many, Mount to Coast isn’t just entering to compete—it’s here to fill a gap in the ultrarunning world with a focus on the unique needs of endurance athletes. We had the privilege of speaking with Yeti Zhang, Head of Product at Mount to Coast, who shared insights into the inspiration behind the brand, their unique approach to design, and the values that set them apart. Dive in as Yeti unveils what makes Mount to Coast stand out in this challenging industry, and how they’re transforming the way ultrarunners experience every mile.
Athletico: What was the inspiration behind starting Mount to Coast? Was there a specific moment or experience that made you realize there was a need for a new running shoe brand?
Yeti Zhang: Ultrarunners are known for their passion for running. For many, it’s not about being the fastest but about fulfilling a desire to push further, savoring the introspective journey that comes with each mile. We see ultrarunners as the purest form of athletes. However, because this community is niche and ultrarunning isn’t an Olympic sport,
the commercial appeal has been limited, and their specific needs have been overlooked by mainstream shoe brands. This is what drives us to found Mount to Coast. We aim to create shoes that cater to those who truly love running, helping them go the distance and beyond.
Athletico: Mount to Coast emphasizes ultra-distance running. How does that focus influence your shoe design compared to brands targeting more general audiences? What specific features make your shoes stand out for endurance runners?
Yeti Zhang: A few years ago, we had the privilege of meeting Lucong Geng, a legendary ultrarunner who set the record for the 1,000-mile ultramarathon of 2022 (here’s an interview with him for context). Through our in-depth conversations, we gained insight into the unique challenges he faces—challenges that current products on the
market fail to address.
Firstly, the midsole’s durability performance. Most running shoes in current market don’t provide consistent cushion and response for ultra distance running, and runners often experience midsole breakdown and they need multiple shoe replacements for big endurance races.
Secondly, the dynamic fit of the shoe upper. We found that runners’ feet swell significantly in multi-day running and they need to cut the upper for a bigger room, or they need to choose a few sizes up shoes at the expense of protection and risking injury.
As a footwear veteran, our chief product designer firmly believes we need to stand up and do something for them. Thus, our R1 addresses these concerns head-on. For the midsole, we teamed up with BASF to develop ZeroSag, an innovative shock-absorbing material originally used in racing car suspensions. ZeroSag boasts up to 10 times the durability of traditional EVA midsoles. For the upper, the R1 features a roomy forefoot area and a dual lacing system, enabling runners to adjust the fit around both the forefoot and rearfoot independently.
Before launching, we conducted extensive testing within the ultramarathon community. The ultimate test came during the MTC JOGLE 2024, a grueling 17-day ultramarathon across Great Britain, where Justin Montague shattered all records, completing the entire 854 miles in a single pair of Mount to Coast R1. This success confirmed our shoes’ problem-solving capabilities, prompting our market launch.
Athletico: What role does sustainability play in your shoe development process? Are there any eco-friendly materials or methods you’re proud of incorporating into your products?
Yeti Zhang: All of our models feature the LightCELL technology, utilizing a supercritical physical foaming process with injected nitrogen instead of chemical agents. This method, currently the most eco-friendly midsole foaming process available, results in midsoles that are 50% lighter and provide 45% more energy return than traditional
EVA midsoles. Despite its higher cost, we are committed to using this process for all future models until an even more eco-friendly method becomes available.
Our factory sources nitrogen from the atmosphere, converts it into liquid form for the foaming process, and releases it back into the atmosphere. This helps to maintain an ecological balance. The factory earned LEED Gold Certification for green buildings in April 2023, and 15% of its electricity is powered by solar energy.
Moreover, the R1’s upper is made of 40% recycled polyester, while the S1’s upper uses 100% recycled yarn. These efforts also reflect our commitment to eco-friendly practices.
At Mount to Coast, functionality is our top priority, with sustainability as a plus. The most unsustainable practice is producing inadequate shoes. If a shoe is purchased but fails to meet the user’s needs and goes unused, it causes the greatest environmental harm, regardless of how “eco-friendly” it claims to be.
Athletico:How do you ensure your shoes provide the right balance between comfort and performance? What types of testing or feedback loops are used to refine your models?
Yeti Zhang: Over the past 20 months before launching our brand, we kept enlisting over 300 dedicated runners to traverse a total of more than 90,000 miles (140,000 km) for rigorous testing. It culminated in the refinement and evolution of our product, shaping it into the R1 and S1 models that stand before us today.
Athletico: Mount to Coast emphasizes comfort as key to building confidence in runners. How do you translate this philosophy into your shoe design?
Yeti Zhang: We use our proprietary technologies to prioritize comfort in our products. For example, our LightCELL midsole base material features an impressive light weight with an excellent energy return while the ZeroSag midsole inserts guarantees extraordinary cushioning on the longest runs. We also use premium materials on the upper to ensure breathability and durability for runners to log hundreds of miles.
Athletico: What challenges did you face while bringing the R1, S1, and P1 models to market? How do you differentiate these models, and what kind of runners would benefit from each?
Yeti Zhang: The R1 is our race model for ultra races while the S1 is the daily trainer for everyday training sessions and the P1 is our first stability shoe best for runners with overpronation. The main challenge when bringing them to the market was balancing durability and cushioning while maintaining a sleek, minimalist look.
Athletico: What is the design process like at Mount to Coast? Can you walk us through how a new concept evolves into a final product?
Yeti Zhang: Our design process is a journey of combining innovative functionality, environmental sustainability, and the distinct needs of ultrarunners. Here’s a brief introduction at how our new concept evolves into a final product:
1. Concept Ideation: Our team draws inspiration from real-world feedback, ultrarunning insights, and cutting-edge research in biomechanics and materials. We’re constantly collaborating with ultrarunners to understand the evolving demands they face on diverse terrains.
2. Research and Development: Every shoe concept is rigorously researched, starting with the essentials like optimal cushioning, grip, and stability. This stage includes testing potential materials, including those with eco-friendly properties, that align with our commitment to sustainability without sacrificing durability.
3. Prototyping and Testing: Once a design blueprint is in place, we create initial prototypes. These prototypes are tested by athletes under real-world conditions, covering everything from ultramarathons to daily trails. Feedback on aspects like performance, comfort, and wear is essential to refine the design.
4. Iteration and Refinement: Based on the test results, our designers make adjustments, often iterating multiple prototypes to achieve the perfect blend of performance, comfort, and resilience. This stage can involve tweaks in cushioning, traction, or the shoe’s structure to ensure it withstands the demands of intense ultrarunning.
5. Finalization and Quality Assurance: After extensive testing and modifications, the final design is confirmed. We conduct a thorough quality check, ensuring that each pair aligns with our high standards for durability and eco-friendliness. The finished product is a fusion of athlete insight, sustainable design, and unmatched performance, ready to take on any challenge.
6. Launch and Feedback Loop: We launch the new product with detailed insights and encourage feedback, ensuring that each release contributes to the continuous improvement of our designs. This collaborative, iterative process makes every Mount to Coast shoe a reliable partner for runners across the world.
Athletico: Your shoes feature the quote 'When I run, I am just running.' Can you tell us about the significance of this statement? How does this reflect the brand’s overall philosophy?
Yeti Zhang: This statement is inspired by Zen philosophy. We hope it encourages runners to enjoy the process of running rather than focusing on the results, such as running faster, getting healthier, or winning medals—though all of these are great, we believe that the most important thing is to enjoy running itself. In fact, we use this mindset to
motivate ourselves as we launch a new brand in the fierce competition of the running shoe market. As Homer said, “The journey is its own reward,” we often remind ourselves not to focus on whether we succeed or fail, but to stay engaged in the process and do our best in the moment.
Athletico: As a newer brand in a competitive space, how do you view the current state of the running shoe market? What trends do you see shaping the future of running footwear?
Yeti Zhang: In today’s market, where running shoes are highly homogeneous (with features like carbon plates and thick soles), we believe people inherently crave diverse expressions, which is possibly a reason why emerging running brands are so welcomed.
As the sport becomes more diverse across many different categories, new brands not only bring fresh products, but also different understandings and even philosophical perspectives on running that resonate with broader audiences and/or demographics. Compared to larger, long-established brands, new companies like ours are more agile and more focused. At Mount to Coast, our team members and partnered athletes can contribute suggestions and once accepted, these changes can be quickly implemented. This level of responsiveness, especially in the product development process, is unimaginable in large corporations.
We are always tinkering with new designs and innovating for the ultrarunning community, including prototyping what a carbon plated shoe would look like for ultrarunners trying to go both farther and faster. In the meantime, we will continue to serve the endurance running community with shoe options that support every step of their training on trail or road including race day, training, and recovery runs.
Athletico: What is something unique about Mount to Coast that sets it apart from other running shoe brands, and where do you see the brand in the next 5 years?
Yeti Zhang: Mount to Coast is the first performance footwear brand in the world to specialize in ultrarunning. Whereas major brands have not found the value or excitement in the sport, we have prioritized ultrarunning above all else. We want to be the go-to brand for ultrarunners, providing innovative solutions for their performance needs and elevating the unique culture of long-distance running.
As we wrap up, it’s clear that Mount to Coast is not just another player in the running shoe market—it’s a brand with a mission to elevate ultrarunning and the people who make it a way of life. Yeti Zhang’s insights reveal a brand deeply committed to addressing the unique needs of endurance athletes while embracing innovation and sustainability. With bold plans for the future and a focus on empowering runners at every step of their journey, Mount to Coast is poised to leave an indelible mark in the world of ultrarunning. Thank you to Yeti for sharing this inspiring vision, and we look forward to seeing what Mount to Coast accomplishes in the years to come.
Mount to Coast - Line Up
