Comments on: Dirty Runner: Montrail FluidFlex Trail Shoe Review

By: Dan

Dan — Tue, 22 Apr 2014 17:44:59 +0000

In reply to Dom Layfield. What would be your ideal shoe for Squaw Peak? I just ran a 50k in the Montrail Bajada, and was thinking about getting something with a little support over the 50 mile distance. I'm signed up for Squaw peak this year. Thanks,

By: Freddie Smith

Freddie Smith — Fri, 20 Dec 2013 04:26:42 +0000

In reply to Pete Larson. Thanks for the review. I have these as well. I love the fit feel and ride. I do admit though I wish the toe box was a little wider or more foot shaped. Hopefully they will do this on the next model. If they do this Montrail definitely will have a shoe that will beat out any other trail running shoe. It is also great on pavement. Montrail griptonite rubber is purely awesome on all surfaces. The more you run in them the better they feel. Also the measurements Montrail claims as 15mm in heel and 11mm in forefoot is definitely not correct. They are more in the ballpark of what runners warehouse claims. If they were as low as Montrail claims they would be in the ballpark of New Balance MT-10 which they are not in thickness. Anyways great shoe so far!

By: Dom Layfield

Dom Layfield — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

In reply to Pete Larson.

Absolutely. The FluidFlex runs really well on pavement. Something I really appreciated in the American River 50, which is nearly half on road. This was the perfect shoe for that race.

By: Nate S.

Nate S. — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

In reply to Courtney Huolt.

Hi Courtney,
I think that they should easily last 500 miles. I have about 200 on them so far and they show almost no wear. Pretty amazing actually.

By: Dom Layfield

Dom Layfield — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

I got a pair of these in March, and I've really been loving them. I've enjoyed previous lightweight Montrail shoes (Rogue Runner, Rogue Racer) but the forefoot protection in these felt too thin to run comfortably on rough trails. I also didn't like the traditional heel-to-toe drop in these shoes.

The FluidFlex addresses both of these criticisms. The forefoot is thicker and squishier (which I like: YMMV), and the heel-to-toe drop is slight. I loved the feel of them immediately, and having run in them only once, I felt happy to race a 50k in them.

I've now run in the FluidFlex something like 50 times, including three ultra races. My only criticism of the FluidFlex is that they seem to stretch a lot. I don't know if this stretch is from the upper or the sole. But it is very noticeable. So I would definitely follow Nate's advice and downsize. Buy them snug!

By: Nate S.

Nate S. — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

In reply to Nick J.

Nick,
I am not sure if Dakota is wearing these or not. As far as the durability of the upper goes, I wouldn't worry a bit about it. I have been using them on extremely rough rocky terrain and they don't show any sign of fraying or tearing. The lowers show way less wear than I expected. I see no reason why these wouldn't last at least 500 miles.

By: Matt

Matt — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

It's good to see more and more shoe companies come up with low/zero drop shoes with some level of cushioning/protection, which is where my sweet spot seems to be. Simply due to the fact that not having adequate protection slows me down on technical trails with pointy rocks, which is what I use this kind of shoe for. I'm currently using the Inov-8 Roclite 243 and the Altra Superior for that kind of trail. This Montrail looks promising, altough the stack height might be a bit more than what I'm looking for. Now fingers crossed next year's models will all be zero drop ;)

By: Courtney Huolt

Courtney Huolt — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

I am thinking of getting these for my husband. What do you think the life expectancy of these should be?

By: ultrastevep

ultrastevep — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Nate....I also have been running in these and so far, I love them. The past couple of years I have been wearing Montrails (Rockridge, Masochist and Bajadas) without much success, mostly due to clunkiness or in the Bajadas, the forefoot area being too tight.
These shoes are the first Montrails that I don't feel like i have anything on my feet., which is great. No rubbing on my toes and the cushiness has gotten better with time, at first I thought they were just too soft for trail running, but they have set after about 50 miles and now feel great. These might actually be my go to shoe for Hardrock this year (a different pair each half).

By: P Gee

P Gee — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Just bought these (size 11, same as my kinvaras) – fit is dead-on, and, wow, am really enjoying them on the techy trails…my pair of hoka’s have ‘too much’ underfoot for my taste, these Montrails have some of the soft forgiveness without the bloated sensation, with great grip (pounding steeper downhills with the lighter upper can result in a bit of compression in the toes, but not bad) – overall, a big winner for me….

By: Pete Larson

Pete Larson — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

In reply to Dom Layfield.

I actually saw a few people running the Vermont City Marathon in the Fluidflex, seems like a pretty versatile shoe!

Pete

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By: Nick J

Nick J — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

I'm looking at the upper, and the lack of any real rand has me worried that with a bit of heavy trail use, or high mountain running they may wear through quickly. Apart from that they do look like a good option for ultras. Is Dakota Jones wearing these?