AR Ramblings

I’ve avoided this topic for a while because I haven’t had any supporting evidence, but today I found several posts on a message board that seem to jive with my thoughts and experiences.

I have been a long time fan of the Montrail Hardrock shoe for adventure racing and technical trail running. They always worked great with my biomechanics, never gave me a blister, drained well, and easily handled whatever terrain I took them through. They were not the lightest shoes, but were very versatile and totally bombproof. I have 4 pairs in the garage right now, and have retired even more than that over the years.

Imagine my surprise after buying a new pair last year and suddenly getting nasty heel blisters and achy knees. I had purchased the exact same model and size as all of my other pairs. The color was different, but everything else looked the same. How could this be happening?! I learned a little later that Montrail had been acquired by Columbia Sportswear. Surely they couldn’t have screwed up such a great shoe so quickly?! Did the manufacturing change? Did QA go straight to hell? I had no idea, but I was definitely not happy. After going through multiple pairs over several years, I could tell something was not right.

Today, I found some postings on www.whiteblaze.net that seem to agree with me. A few quotes/snippets:

Okay, there’s a been multiple threads scattered about WB regarding the problems with the Montrail Hardrock; they were great, but after Montrail got bought out by Columbia, problems came. The light gray has a different fit than the dark gray/yellow model. Less durable too.

…those appear to be the 2006-2007 models (the first batch by Columbia).
THe old Hardrocks are dark grey w/ blue stripes and with a yellow sole (pre-columbia):
http://www.protrek.com.hk/eng/images…ardrock003.jpg
Rumor has it that Columbia is revamping the shoes in 2008, partially because of the complaints from the post-Columbia takeover of Montrail.

having used the bomb proof hardrocks for a number of years, I have had problems with my last 2 pairs of new Columbia sportwear made hard rocks. Old ( montrail made) stock could become like gold dust if Columbia dosn’t get it’s act together. Is anyone out there having the same problems??

So, I’ve recently been on the hunt for some new shoes. I’m hesitant to try out the new ‘08 Hardrocks. I mean, they somehow managed to totally F-up a great shoe without attempting to change it (I assume). If they intentionally change it, what will be the result?

I tried some Brooks Adrenaline ASRs on my SCAR adventure run this past weekend. It seems like a good shoe for easy trails, but after 70 miles of AT running my feet felt as if a black-masked, medieval, dungeon dude had been testing out his new sledge hammer on my soles. I could barely walk for 24 hours afterwards. The Adrenalines didn’t have nearly enough rock protection. Also, the material underneath the sock liner was torn and worn away under my heal after 30 hours of running in wet shoes. There was actually a very noticeable depression in the heel area. I realize that my SCAR run was an extreme test, but come on…damaged after only 110 miles?..that sucks. A couple of other observations: 1) they seem to have great splash protection, but I think it keeps water in as much as keeping it out. 2) No toe bumper protection…ouch!

So, I’m on the lookout for shoes that will hold up on trail ultras, have a moderate amount of pronation control, and will fit a wide foot. If anyone has suggestions, I’m open. I’ve been wondering if putting some nice insoles in a neutral/mild-control shoe would give me enough support. The Sportiva Fireblades look like a badass shoe. The local FootRX has a nice treadmill video analysis that they offer for free when buying shoes, and I think they have the Fireblade. I might have to test out that combo.