I am wondering who has put some good miles onto a pair (or several pair) of Montrails. What model did you use and was that model particularly successful or not? What did you like about your model. Specifically, I am looking for a low-cost model with high performance (aren’t we all?). Thanks.
nightfever
Having worn nearly every pair they make, since they fit my feet so well, here’s my experience with Montrail.
Vitesse- hands down probobly the best long distance shoe they make. Great durability and light on the feet. The sole will wear out before the shoe. Regularly hear hikers logging 1000+ miles on one pair
Hurricane Ridge - my least favorite. Mesh on inside of shoe along ball of foot/arch has ripped on nearly every pair Ive seen. My in 5 days going thru the high sierra’s. Shoe was totally trashed in 10 days. Gore-tex was the least waterproof/breathable out of any shoe Ive worn.
Melee - this is an old style that is no longer made. Alot of shops are clearencing this out dirt cheap. I loved this shoe. An all mesh shoe that survived 700+ miles of desert. Sole wore out before shoe. Super light and breathable.
Masai - This is the new “better” version of the melee. I beg to differ. More supportive, same sole, but mesh fabric blew out prematurely for me. They apply a paste of sorts around the toe box over the mesh to protect the toes but all the flexing of the hard mesh caused it to crack and rip.
Leone Divide - great shoe, up there with the vitesse. An overall more roomy shoe compared to the vitesse but same great durability.
Hardrock - This shoe has alot of potential. Heavier, but alot of support and protection. I used this shoe going thru washington. Shoe was holding up great until I hooked a sharp root, catching the toe bumper, and ripping it from the shoe. Finished out the trail with a shoe that talked to me. If it wasnt fo that one fall, I think the shoe would have logged multiple miles.
As a side note, montrail has given me great customer survice. When my hurricanes blew out, I called and they told me I could pick out any shoe of my choice and they’ll drop ship them along the trail for me. For anyone with medium volume feet with narrow heels, this is a great brand. Hope this helps.
Pepper PA
I started my PCT hike wearing the Vitesse, they lasted 800 miles and probably could’ve gone much longer. My experience was the same as Pepper’s, in that the shoe was still in great shape but there wasn’t much tread left. I felt that these were a good shoe to start with because they had great ventilation for hiking in the desert.
I also wore the Leona Divide in Oregon and Washington. The tread pattern is more boot-like than the Vitesse, which I like. The mesh over the toes started to tear about 500 miles in, but the shoe held together for hundreds of miles after that. I believe this shoe is very similar to the Hurricane Ridge, but without the Gore-Tex.
I just bought two pairs of Leona Divides from TravelCountry.com at $50 each, so I imagine you can find some deals this time of year.
Pacer
montrail Javas - wore one pair from Troutville to Bear Mountain NY and another from Bear Mountain NY to Katahdin.
They are also being discontinued so you can find them on a great sale.
Blip
second question – does anyone know how montrail accomodates those with big old feet (i worte size 14 new balances on the at.)?
nightfever
On Sierra Trading Post right now, there’s an older Montrail shoe called the Escapegoat for 40 bucks. (maybe kind of a crappy name, but oh well). I bought a pair and love em. They’re all nubuck, so they’re more durable than the Hurricane Ridge or Vitesse. The construction seems to be as solid as any Montrail shoe I’ve seen. Of course they’re much less breathable, but then they are a bit more water resistant without the lack of breathability that Gore-Tex can add. They feel very solid underfoot and the sole is very grippy, more grippy than my Hurricane Ridges.
I used the Hurricane on the Colorado Trail this summer and really liked them. The mesh definitely did blow out prematurely, but then I did subject them to some pretty harsh off trail scree. They’re so comfy and stable over long miles. The waterproofness didn’t last long though. One other drawback- with the running shoe last, the comfort is at the cost of forefoot precision i.e. anything off trail or on rock that requires more precise footwork is more difficult with the big floppy toe area. Nonetheless, they’re great shoes for long miles on trail.
zach attack
I used the Javas on the Colorado Trail this summer and I have to agree with Blip they are a nice shoe. Got a little warm sometimes. But very durable. I’ve done a couple of hikes sence then and they are holding up well. Hi Zach, I heard from Seraphina last week. She and Dee Dee are doing well. Hope you enjoyed the CT pics I sent you.
Black Toe Bob
The Vitesse is my savior!
I absolutely recommend them.
I just bought my fifth pair. I think I get about 800 to 1000 miles out of a pair, although I change the insole out about every 250 miles. Traction, breathability, weight, and comfort are absolutely excellent.
Victor
Hurricane ridges suck! I did many day hikes in my hurricane ridges and they were great. 5 days into my hurricane ridge stint they ripped through. I’m convinced that these shoes actually gave me foot problems that lasted me a month past my finish date of my trip.
mountain mamma
Here’s another vote for the Vitesse, I’ve worn out 4 or 5 pairs over the years and plan to wear them this year on the PCT again. I also had a pair of Wastach’s that I loved, but they discontinued 
. I plan to use a lighter ,more breathable pair of NB for the desert, but I’ll have a pair of Vitesse in my bounce box in case those don’t work out!
doodlebug