Details
Brand
Montrail
Heel To Toe Drop
10 mm
Breathability
7/10
Latest Version
No
Terrain
Trail
Type
Stability
Key Features
• New FluidPost technology provides pronation control that changes depending on wearer’s needs.• Synthetic mesh upper includes webbing to keep out debris• Toe bumper protects from hard debris on trails• Trail Shield protects foot from potential punctures underfoot• Gryptonite outsole features aggressively angled lugs in forefoot• FluidFoam midsole cushioning provides padding and impact protection
Upper
The Montrail Mountain Masochist II’s upper is made of a synthetic mesh. The upper is also made of a special webbed-like material. This material helps to keep stuff that you might encounter on the trails out of the shoe. There is also a toe bumper in the forefoot. This feature is meant to protect your feet from impact with hard objects, like rocks and boulders, on the trail. Overlays are also part of the upper construction and help to ensure a snug and secure fit.;The shoe’s laces are fairly standard but they still allow the wearer to adjust the fit of the shoe accordingly. In addition, the front area of the shoe is particularly wide. This helps with ventilation and ensures your toes don’t get squished while you run. Some reviewers found the forefoot was a bit too wide but most of these reviewers had very narrow feet. The tongue is well-padded and comfortable but does tend to get waterlogged and doesn’t dry very quickly.
Midsole
The Montrail Mountain Masochist II’s midsole features a medial post – called the FluidFrame – for pronation control. The midsole also features a type of rock plate called the Trail Shield. This feature is meant to provide protection so the wearer does not get injured by potential trail debris lying around.;Most rock plates tend to make a shoe very rigid but the shoe’s Trail Shield has a bit of give. This ensures that the wearer still gets a smooth ride. The midsole also contains a cushioning material called FluidFoam. This full-length cushioning absorbs shock and provides comfortable padding for the wearer. The midsole foam is not overly thick, so ground-feel is not sacrificed. The FluidFoam padding is also fairly responsive. And finally, reviewers were quite happy with the midsole’s adequate arch support.
Outsole
The Montrail Mountain Masochist II features a tough outsole that’s meant to handle a variety of trail conditions. The outsole is composed of Gryptonite material (almost powerful enough to take Superman down apparently!). The sole of the shoe also has aggressively angled lugs. These grippy lugs have been placed in the forefoot area to ensure ample traction, even on the roughest of trails.;There are also lugs on the outer sides of the outsole. These provide extra traction and ensure the shoe works well on highly technical trails. The aggressive forefoot lugs make the shoe adept when it comes to uphill climbs and they’re well-suited for gripping a variety of surfaces. They also perform well even in wet weather. Cut-outs can also be spotted on the outsole. The reason? This somewhat reduces the weight of the shoe. Despite these cut-outs, the shoe does not tend to pick up mud. Mud comes off the shoe easily so it won’t weigh you down during your trail run.
Breathability
The Montrail Mountain Masochist II’s upper is made up of synthetic materials. The mesh is open and breathable. The upper still keeps out debris that might be encountered on the trails, though. Inside the shoe, there is a sock liner. It’s removable, so runners can insert an orthotic if the need arises. The liner wicks away moisture and keeps the wearer’s foot dry. The shoe also drains water effectively and performs well in wet conditions. Reviewers were happy with the breathability of the shoe but complained that the heel collar and tongue did not dry quickly enough. Both of them were prone to holding in water. Otherwise, the rest of the shoe does a great job at keeping the wearer’s feet dry and comfortable.
Comfort
The Montrail Mountain Masochist II is very comfortable. Most reviewers found the shoe fit true to size. Some runners with particularly narrow feet found the forefoot area much too wide. The FluidFoam midsole cushioning enhances comfort for the wearer. It’s enough protection and padding to keep you comfortable even on long runs. In addition, the Trail Shield provides protection from debris but because it does have some flexibility, runners will still get a smooth ride out of the shoe. The heel collar and tongue are both well-padded and offer a nice plush feeling for wearers. Unfortunately, they offer poor drying ability. Switching the material or reducing the padding would definitely be an improvement.
Style
The Montrail Mountain Masochist II definitely looks like a tough shoe. The shoe is not flashy and masks any dirt build up quite easily. The color offerings are fairly muted and will suit a variety of wearers from hardcore trail runners to hikers looking for a reliable walking shoe. The Mountain Masochist II looks like it can handle all kinds of terrain and weather conditions.
Durability
The Montrail Mountain Masochist II is built with quality materials. It’s apparent that it’s a solid shoe. The Gryptonite outsole is durable enough to handle a good deal of use. Reviewers found that the shoe handled high mileage off-road running quite well. There were no negative comments concerning durability. It’s clear the Masochist II can handle anything you throw at it.
Protection
The Montrail Mountain Masochist II protects the wearer quite well. In the midsole, there’s FluidFoam padding to protect the wearer from the shock of each footfall. The upper has a webbed material that helps to keep out unwanted debris. There is also a toe bumper in the forefoot area. This helps to protect your toes from impact with hard stuff on the trail. The Trail Shield rock plate also provides protection from hard debris. The great thing about it is that it has a bit of flexibility so the ride in the shoe isn’t overly rigid.
Responsiveness
The Montrail Mountain Masochist II is quite responsive. You’ll get a fairly smooth ride out of this shoe, even though it has a rock plate. Reviewers felt that the ground-feel of the shoe was quite good even with the Trail Shield component. Those looking for a minimalist shoe might find there’s not enough ground feel. But most folks will be happy that they’re well protected and can still sense the ground underneath them.
Support
The Montrail Mountain Masochist II is a moderate stability trail shoe that’s meant to provide a smooth and stable ride. The midsole features ample FluidFoam cushioning. The material runs the length of the shoe and ensures the wearer is standing on a supportive base. The upper also provides support for the wearer. The shoe’s overlays keep the wearer securely stationed inside the shoe. Quite a few reviewers were happy with the stability of the shoe and enjoyed the mild arch support. Those with narrow feet may not feel as comfortable as the wide construction may make the shoe feel a bit sloppy. The heel cup is tight enough to keep most runners securely fitted inside the shoe.
Terrain
The Montrail Mountain Masochist II has a durable outsole that’s meant to tackle technical and non-technical trails alike. Runners won’t need to worry about how the Masochist II will hold up. The majority of reviewers were very pleased with the protective features of the shoe including the Trail Shield rock plate. This component provides protection while still maintaining some pliability and ensuring runners get enough ground feel.;While the Mountain Masochist II can handle varied terrain, it’s not a good choice for road running. The lugs featured in the outsole simply provide too much traction for the pavement.
Price
The Montrail Mountain Masochist II is priced quite fairly considering its durable construction and the number of features incorporated in the shoe. This is definitely a shoe geared towards a dedicated trail runner. For that person, it offers great value. The shoe provides adequate cushioning, grips surfaces with ease, and offers various protective features to keep you injury free. The shoe can also easily be used by hikers.;This shoe is not for someone who’s used to running on pavement or the only occasional trail runner. For those particular runners, a hybrid shoe is a much better option.
Drop
The Montrail Mountain Masochist II features a 10mm drop for both men and women. It’s a fairly standard drop and is by no means a minimalist shoe. Despite this and the existence of a rock plate, runners felt they were able to feel the terrain quite well. No runners felt that this 10mm drop caused instability. For those used to traditional road running shoes, the Masochist II is a good choice for those seeking a similarly constructed trail shoe.
Stability
The Montrail Mountain Masochist II is a mild stability shoe. This version of the shoe introduces the new FluidPost midsole component. This new technology provides variable pronation control. The correction provided depends on the type of trail you’re running on.;The shoe also features a Gryptonite outsole which can grip the trails with ease, ensuring runners stay stable and upright. The upper fits quite securely around the foot and the snug fitting heel cup keeps the wearer’s heel locked-in. Unless you have particularly narrow feet (and a narrow heel), it’s likely you’ll feel stable in the Masochist II.
Flexibility
The Montrail Mountain Masochist II is quite flexible. Even with the Trail Shield rock plate, the shoe is pliable enough to ensure a smooth ride. Runners found the flexibility of the shoe enhanced its comfort quite a bit. The shoe’s upper is also flexible enough to accommodate various foot shapes and foot swelling.
Traction
The Montrail Mountain Masochist II has a very aggressive outsole with multi-directional lugs. The lugs are very visible when viewing the shoe from its side profile. The shoe grips varied terrain quite well, even when the weather isn’t so great. It can easily handle muddy trails and doesn’t tend to pick up mud throughout a run.;It’s not well-suited for road running, though. The lugs underfoot provide a bit too much traction for that kind of use. Keep this in mind if you’re a road runner who’s looking for a part-time shoe for the trails.
Bottom Line
The Montrail Mountain Masochist II is a durable, well-constructed trail shoe that offers mild support for runners. The shoe is meant to provide protection and a smooth ride for trail runners. The shoe features enough cushioning to provide a comfortable ride even for long-distance trail runners. It also provides correction for runners that need it. The shoe comes in several subdued colorways that look well-suited for the trail. They will do great when it comes to camouflaging mud! The Masochist II also provides great grip. You can easily climb mountains and bound downhill in these shoes. It won’t perform well on pavement, but that’s not what it was built for.
