Montrail Hardrock Trail Running Shoes (For Men)

I am on my third pair of Hardrocks. These are one of the most comfortable trail runner I have used. They fit me well and performs great until the midsole and outsole dies. I have purchased 3 different pairs of these shoes in last three years. Despite their poor durability I bought them for their great comfort and fit. Montrail used a thick single density midsole on these trail runners. While these EVA midsoles provide great comfort, they suffer in the long-term durability department My latest pair started to show its wear and tear only after 3 trail runs (about 20 miles). It is surprising that Montrail did not improve the mid-sole design over the years (they changed the mid sole design in other trail runners tough). Hardrocks also suffer from an average heel area design/construction. While the current design works okay, it lacks the design features that are common in many comparable trail runners from La Sportiva, Vasque, Brooks and Asolo. May be Montrails (currently own by Columbia) strategy with the current versions of Hardrock is to provide good comfort and fit at the expense of durability….so that they can sale more pairs of these shoes to people. If that is the strategy, its working for now. But, I don’t know how effective this is in the long run. My experience is that the current Hardrock is not that hard any more. Hopefully the redesigned Hardrock (2008) would improve on some of the issues I had with their older model.

These shoes were made for my foot. No foot issues even in 50 & 100 mile runs.

great support.

I'm on my tenth pair. I've used them on hundred mile trail runs with little if any blistering. They also drain and dry quickly after stream crossings.

Suitable for anything from a walk to a fourteener.

Have another pair of these,also, which fit right (are same size as this new pair which are too small) and which are not squeaky. Disappointing, given they are a quality shoe in performance; great if you pronate. I recommend purchasing at least a half size larger. (NOTE: The internet site did not state that they run small; only later while looking in the catalog did I learn that they run small...too late for me.....they ran out of my needed size.)

Although these shoes are heavy they don't really feel heavy and are great shoes for ultra distance trail running (50-100 mile trail races in particular). I'm on my fourth pair. For me to buy multiple pairs of a shoe, it has to be really good. Be sure to size up 1/2 - 1 full size (I sized up 1 full size). These run smaller than most running shoes.