Montrail Masochist GTX Shoe : Kick Up The Dirt

Once the weather gets bad, a trail running shoe with a hard sole and no agility is a liability instead of a bonus. If you can't feel the rocks and roots, and if you slip on wet ground, you go down hard. The Mountain Masochist's grippy sole and incredible agility have kept me upright more times than I can count, and the GoreTex membrane keeps my feet happy and dry. The Masochist GTX is one of the best poor weather trail shoes I've worn.

The shoe is ultra light, yet provides a lot of stability and support. I might opt for a beefier shoe for all-day trail affairs, but those shoes are often heavy. For my normal training days, the Mountain Masochist GTX shoes are perfect.

They've got a Gryptonite sole, which is a sticky rubber formulated by Montrail for its shoes. It's super grippy, as the name implies, yet it's also long wearing. I feel very secure running on slippery trails and through mud and crud. I know I won't fall in these shoes. Add to that a perfect balance of sensitivity and support, and the Mountain Masochists can take on anything. I've found the toe box to be the perfect size for my foot - it's not too narrow but not too wide.

On the comfort side, I love the gusseted tongue. It keeps out mud and debris. I also like the waterproof, breathable GoreTex liner. Finally, the shoe has a Trail Shield underfoot (ie, Montrail's full-lenght system to protect feet from bumps on the road.). I've actually sustained bruised heels many times, caused by landing on rocks in poor running shoes, so I'm happy to have a hearty blend of protective features in a lightweight trail shoe.

Bottom LIne: Bomber bad-weather trail runner with sticky rubber soles and full GoreTex protection. .--N.W. (Oct. 09)

Price: $115 at

Manufacturer's Site: www.montrail.com

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