Gear Review
Montrail Mountain Masochist II Trail Running Shoe - Men's
Far from Montrail's roots
By Brian Wilson
Ranked #38 - Men's Trail Run Shoes
November 18, 2009
I have purchased Montrail products since the OneSport days. Sadly, this is a great example of a company that is struggling to find its identity in a competetive, if not saturated market. Each year I am hopeful that the new Montrail (Columbia) will find its place. They are a good company and put out for their athletes and the sports they sponsor. The hope was that an infusion of capital from a corporate giant would reignite the relavence of a wandering crew.
I purchased the MM for a 50+ miler that involved some dirt road and trails. They are a comfortable shoe to wear, but I was disappointed with their performance. I liked the thin, flexible forefoot and found it had ample cushioning, letting the occasional stinger through. Granted, others will have a different experience based on their biomechanics, I found the shoe to encourage heel-strike vs midfoot running. For me the fore and aft just don't match well. The MM also showed early signs of wear and tear. The plastic-y tread is pretty lame. Does okay in substantial mud, but is an underperformer on roots, rocks, and wood etc.
It is the best shoe they have put out in a while, so I am hopeful for next season. Perhaps they should embrace their beefy, mountain style heritage and put out some fattys with gnarly tread. Inov-8 has changed the market and left others trying to tap in on the light weight, nimble shoe. The reality is that not everybody wants it. For example, the original HR was a badass shoe, with a devout following, and has been reduced to a confused, non-commital pile of polymeric crap.
I am 5 feet 11 inches tall and weigh in at 175 pounds. I am a supinator and like a shoe sans motion control. I perfer a light wt and nimble shoe, but do like to mix it up with some protection and comfort in the late stages of a 100 miler.
View Details: Montrail Mountain Masochist II Trail Running Shoe - Men's
Helpful Votes: 3 Yes
Change me.
2 Comments Last Reply: July 12, 2010 By: Brian Wilson
Thanks Jon. I anxiously await the new shoes each year and occasionally get sneak peeks from testers. As a HURT member/runner I certainly know Geoff's work. My MM have held together pretty well over all and think it is a pretty decent shoe. I suppose I am a little sensitive after a couple of bad experiences and reps that didn't seem to give a shit. After pumping a few thousand retail $$$ into Montrail I hoped for a little more love. I have been wearing INOV-8 Terroc 330s since their debut in the US so I think the MM foot strike issue was more about adapting my muscles to the shoe. Have a great mid to forefoot now. As for the original HR it was my go to for late in the race-stumble-good protection shoe. I dig the AT plus for mixing it up with a heavy pack during training. I used a pair to train for the Big Island Traverse (mountainrnr.blogspot.com) an unsupported 160 mile traverse of the island of Hawaii - from sea-level to sea-level over Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea. The ATs allowed me to train with a 40+ pound pack (140%) and remain injury free. Thanks!
Helpful Votes: 1 Yes
Thanks for the review Brian. Couple things: try the Rock Ridge from Montrail this season. It just won the 'Best All-Arounder' Editor's Choice award from Trail Runner Mag for what it is worth. It is also a neutral shoe with protection in the fore-foot but not throughout. As fas as durability is concerned, at the last trade show we had a pair of Montrail athlete Geoff Roes Mountain Masochist's with 1036 miles on them from one season. They looked beaten but still together. Yes, he runs a lot and wins a lot too! The original Hardrock, which you like base on your review, was a burly motion control shoe with a fat medial post. If you want to try something similar in the new line... check out the Sabino Trail. If you want burlier than that? Check out the AT Plus. I agree.. the Hardrock '09 wasn't that great of shoe but hopefully the new shoes (Rock Ridge, Sabino Trail, and AT Plus) in our line will attract some of those devout Montrailistas back to our shoes. Again, cheers and thanks for the review.
Helpful Votes: 4 Yes