User Review: Montrail Hardrock

Montrail Hardrock
Above: The current Hardrock, which may differ slightly from the version reviewed.

Reviewed October 13, 2007 by mountainmanofleisure

Rating:
Materials: Nylon mesh upper, two-density EVA midsole, soft, thin mildly aggressive lugged non-Vibram outsole
Use: short, non elite-paced easy trail running, longer technical and ultra running, light backpacking and extended ultralight thru hiking, supportive strolling around town
Break-in Period: whatever you need for a new running shoe
Weight: a little over 13 oz
Price Paid: $95

This shoe is already well known and regarded, but at the risk of being redundant, I'll pile on. Other than a Chaco sandal, I think it's the most versatile piece of footwear you're going to find at an outdoor store.

Montrail has built an exceptionally stable, smooth and light platform for trail running, ultra running, light backpacking and ultralight extended backpacking, some road running and even supportive walking around town. More stable for its weight than any other trail runner I have found, it holds steady with up to 30 lbs on your back, yet doesn't feel clunky on a 3-mile easy breezy trail run. It's even passably smooth on the road (I disagree with any complaints about clunky heel-to-toe transition, especially when comparing to something like the Vasque Velocity), and given its mega-stability, it's a comparable and lighter option to motion control road runners like the Brooks Beast.

It provides an amazing combination of comfort, cushion and stability for sub-30 lb. backpacking, and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them to an experienced thru-hiker for the AT, provided they've got 3 or 4 pair lined up for them along the trail. And hence its trade off-- limited durability for intense backpacking use, with its soft, practically wispy non-Vibram outsole and EVA mid-sole. Although monumentally stable, keep in mind it's still built like a running shoe.

Montrail has hit a target with this popular shoe and has smartly put its platform in boots-- the Namche and its waiting-at-the-gate GTX XCR counterpart-- which I'd recommend looking into as well. Overall, a great unmatchably versatile shoe for ultra-active, ultralight pursuits.

Save & Share

Where to Buy

Buy Online We found the Hardrock at 10 online stores:

Store

Product Description

Price

Backcountry.com 2 purchase options:	Hardrock '09 Trail Running Shoe - Men's	$87.96	Buy Now
Backcountry.com 2 purchase options:	Hardrock '09 Trail Running Shoe - Women's	$87.96	Buy Now

Oregon Mountain Community

Hardrock 09 - Women's

$84.95

Buy Now

Moosejaw 2 purchase options:	Women's Hardrock Shoe - 2009 BACKPACKER MAGAZINE BEST RUN/HIKE CROSSOVER	$69.99	Buy Now
Moosejaw 2 purchase options:	Men's Hardrock Shoe - 2009 BACKPACKER MAGAZINE BEST RUN/HIKE CROSSOVER	$110.00	Buy Now

Altrec Outdoors 2 purchase options:	Men's Hardrock 09 Trail Running Shoe	$86.09	Buy Now
Altrec Outdoors 2 purchase options:	Women's Hardrock 09 Trail Running Shoe	$86.09	Buy Now

REI 2 purchase options:	Hardrock Trail-Running Shoes - Men's	$69.83	Buy Now
REI 2 purchase options:	Hardrock Trail-Running Shoes - Women's	$79.83	Buy Now

Backcountry Outlet 2 purchase options:	Hardrock Trail Running Shoe - Womens	$47.48	Buy Now
Backcountry Outlet 2 purchase options:	Hardrock '09 Trail Running Shoe - Men's	$87.96	Buy Now

RockCreek 2 purchase options:	Hardrock Running Shoe (Men's)	$87.95	Buy Now
RockCreek 2 purchase options:	Hardrock Running Shoe (Women's)	$87.95	Buy Now

Buy direct from EMS

MONTRAIL Men's Hardrock Trail Running Shoes

$55.98

Buy Now

US Outdoor Store 2 purchase options:	Hardrock 09 Trail Running Shoes	$110.00	Buy Now
US Outdoor Store 2 purchase options:	Hardrock Running Shoes - Women's	$110.00	Buy Now