User Review: Montrail Zealot

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

Reviewed November 29, 2007 by Sara N.

Rating:
Materials: synthetic
Use: bouldering
Break-in Period: forever
Price Paid: $45

It's taken me about 6 months to properly break in this shoe. I purchased it a half size smaller than my normal climbing shoes, and although now it's fine, these shoes literally brought tears to my eyes on an easy sport route. I always brought backups to the gym, and wore these on a problem or two before changing into more comfortable shoes. Then one day, low and behold, they became the Best Climbing Shoes!!!

The shoes finally molded to my foot, I developed the proper upper toe calluses, and learned to really power moves with the big toe. I now love these shoes, but they are still difficult to get on and off, and must be removed now and again between problems to avoid the dreaded arch cramp.