Montrail Sabino Trail

[fastpacker]

Take Montrail’s running-shoe DNA and give it up-armored construction, and you get this go-fast hybrid. “It’s bedroom-slipper light and instantly comfortable, thanks to the great-fitting meshy upper, with good cushion, ankle stability, and underfoot support,” says a NOLS instructor who wore it on a two-week trip in Montana’s Absarokas, while carrying a 30-pound pack over long miles, steep terrain, snowfields, and talus. The sole’s toothy, in-cut lugs give it plenty of traction on packed dirt trails.

Webbing lace guides are easy to tighten without pressure points. Testers praised the midsole’s springy-yet-protective layers of EVA and TPU*, and they loved the built-in debris protection. “The midcut neoprene collar is soft and snug,” reports a tester, “and, combined with the gusseted tongue, kept out all detritus.” But beware of wet rock, she warns. “I slipped on steep, slick slabs.”

Bonus: A progressively harder midsole from heel to pinky toe supports the outer edge of the foot to prevent ankle roll. Fit runs wide. $135; 1 lb. 12 oz.; m’s 7-15, w’s 5-11Women’s and Men’s SABINO TRAIL™ (GL2104, GM2101)
Performance running shoe built for stability and protection on the trail
•Synthetic leather and nylon mesh upper materials for a lightweight and flexible feel
•Dual density compression-molded EVA midsole for stability and support
•Soft EVA heel and forefoot internal pods for cushioning
•Thermoplastic midfoot shank for torsional rigidity and support
•Gryptonite™ outsole provides great traction on wet and dry surfaces
•Gusseted tongue keeps out debris
•Details- Women’s: 10.25 oz.; Last: ULT; Cool Grey, Lemon Mist (063), Blue River, Gold Dust (413); $100
Men’s: 12.8 oz.; Last: ULT; Cool Grey, Tiger (066), Blue Chip, Yellow (493); $100