Runners are picky about their running shoes, so much so that I’ve heard runners quibbling about proper post-run footwear. We’re talking flip flops versus Crocs here, folks. I wasn’t wild about trying a non-neutral sneaker, but I wanted to give these a shot.
moreI started them out easy, with a grassy and flat trail run. Eh. I was currently in a pair of Brooks and these didn’t blow me away. I love me my Cascadians. I took the Masochists on a hike or two, a short run here and there. I liked them well enough, but I wasn’t ready yet for a serious commitment: the long run.
I had my doubts; I’m a neutral, they’re stiffer and more of a stability shoe. How was this going to work out? I half-heartedly took them for an easy middle-distance run. I was a 12-miler where I’d planned a bailout route to change shoes if my feet started to hurt, which they never did. I was curious, and the next week went for a longer, more technical run where these kicks could really shine. Now I was in love. The Masochists are now my shoe of choice for hilly, rainy and rocky runs, which is just about all of them.
The Masochists are more rigid than my neutral cushion Brooks, but I found that it didn’t bother me much on the rocky terrain. The thicker sole with Montrail’s trademark “Gryptonite” outsole made for an excellent combination on the slick rocks. They stuck like glue at one point, narrowly avoiding a header down a hill.
The shoes fit well; snug, but not tight through the heel and midsole. My feet didn’t move much inside the shoe either, even on steep downhills. The toe box feels extra wide, which is a blessing for late-season trashed toenails.
My favorite feature is the extra lace loop on the tongue. It’s minor, but makes my life so much easier. The tongues on my other shoes tend to slip toward the outside of my foot, putting extra pressure on my ankle. The extra loop on the Masochists keeps everything in place, and means I can spend less time fussing with my shoes and more time running.
Montrail boasts a “light and breathable hydrophobic mesh upper,” and while my feet did get wet, I found everything dried out quickly. Pair these Masochists with Smartwool socks (read about them here) and you’ve got a combination that’ll scare any puddle away.
The shoes are pretty true to size, mine are an 8, which is consistent with my other brands. And, unlike my Cascadians, I wouldn’t feel like a huge dork wearing these off-trail.
Get them at montrail.com or most outdoors stores for around $95.
Sara Davidson is an ultramarathoner and our resident women’s running gear destroyer.
