The Montrail Trinity AG II. All pictures: iRunFar/Bryon Powell
Columbia has been preserving the Montrail path shoe line pared down the previous few years, however their “pinnacle path shoe,” now the Montrail Trinity AG II ($150), has been up to date with a brand new Pebax plate expertise designed to enhance the experience, stability, and expertise for runners of all paces. Kudos to Columbia for placing their proprietary higher-end expertise in footwear that don’t require good biomechanics or large monetary funding.
The Trinity AG II caters to the runners preferring a bit extra cushioning and drop to maximise their consolation. The shoe has a claimed stack top of 32- and 24-millimeters on the heel and toe, respectively, for an 8-millimeter drop. The Trinity AG II can be a bit lighter, with an precise weight of 9.7 ounces (276 grams) for a U.S. males’s 9.
To me, these really feel like lighter weight footwear, able to something from a hike with canines to a shorter up-tempo run on smoother terrain. Nothing about these footwear is intimidating, which makes them an incredible possibility for somebody inquisitive about path operating, who should use them for different actions as properly.
Sizing observe: I put on a girls’s 9.5 in Montrail, which is identical as La Sportiva and New Stability for me. I put on an 8.5 in Salomon, and Brooks will be 9 or 9.5 relying on the modele.
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Montrail Trinity AG II Higher
A lateral view of the Montrail Trinity AG II.
The higher of the Montrail Trinity AG II is tremendous snug and accommodating with the broader toebox, tapered midfoot, and the light-weight, breathable, stretchy mesh all through. With temperatures within the 90s Fahrenheit, the breathability has been superior. Skinny, easy overlays kind a steady pliable rand across the whole higher/midsole junction, which retains a few of the sand, water, and particles from simple entry, and the identical overlay materials makes for very easy integration of the lacing system.
The asymmetrical lacing throws the eyes off only a bit, however as soon as your foot slides into the shoe, it’s all consolation and straightforward changes.
Montrail’s Navic Match System makes use of a lace-webbing system to enhance the safety by way of the midfoot, and create that locked down feeling within the heel, which sits properly within the structured heel cup. Flat laces stay tied with one double knot, and as soon as I lace up, I don’t must futz with the match by way of the whole run. It’s a safe and comfy match.
The tongue is fascinating as a result of it’s properly padded beneath the laces, then tapers to a thinned-out part towards the ankle. Fortunately, it’s a reasonably conventional tongue materials, so it stays snug even towards outstanding tendons. The ankle collar is well-padded with out being obtrusive, and drops down a bit further for the ankle bones, which is fabulous, with out compromising lateral and medial stability or consolation.
However let’s focus on the Achilles tab. It begins off effective, however then completely skyrockets to obnoxious heights for causes I can’t fairly grasp. The higher is so, so good till the Achilles tab — it’s padded and even versatile within the high inch, nevertheless it’s so tall that it subtly impacts my Achilles. I say subtly, as a result of it’s not overtly noticeable till after the run or hike, when each Achilles really feel bruised.
I haven’t identified anybody else to have this subject, so I could also be further delicate, nevertheless it was simply remedied with a pair of scissors. It’s one in every of two issues I’d change about these in any other case fascinating footwear.
The second factor I’d change is the detachable insole. The insole that comes with the footwear is a really skinny, flat foam strip with zero arch help. Fortunately, it’s simple to take away and change with over-the-counter full-length insoles, nevertheless it frustrates me so as to add value to the shoe, when not a few years in the past each path shoe got here with an incredible Ortholite insole with pretty help beneath the arch.
Hopefully, firms will return to together with these with the footwear. Two recommended adjustments however, it’s a very snug higher, as soon as I slip that insole in and trim the Achilles tab down.
Montrail Trinity AG II Midsole
A medial view of the Montrail Trinity AG II.
The midsole is the place Columbia appears to have centered most of their updates for the Montrail Trinity AG II. The Techlight+ dual-density midsole system saves a little bit of weight over the primary model, whereas nonetheless maximizing cushioning and responsiveness.
The brand new addition of the Adaptive Steerage Pebax Plate is meant to reinforce ahead propulsion and power return, whereas nonetheless providing multidirectional stability. Be aware, it’s not carbon, however somewhat is a light-weight plastic polymer foam compressed to kind a plate. I’m not an excellent shoe wearer — my physique doesn’t tolerate carbon plates in any kind — so I used to be a bit cautious of how this would possibly go, however my total expertise with this midsole has been optimistic.
With carbon plates, I really feel just like the shoe bosses me round, which ends up in cranky toes and different points, however with this Pebax plate, I nonetheless management the shoe. The shoe feels fairly responsive over non-technical hardpacked singletrack with some occasional rocks and rubble, and is secure sufficient to maintain my foot on the platform when on aspect angle slabs and cambered path.
I haven’t observed myself rocketing by way of house after push-off, so sadly it hasn’t made me tremendous speedy, however alas, that’s most likely what speedwork is for.
I don’t know that these are footwear I’d put on for an extremely, and maybe they’re higher fitted to 5- to 30-kilometer distances total. The forefoot safety feels a bit skinny (Oh, hello, pointy rock!) and oddly disjointed from the squishier heel. The heel is sort of marshmallowy, versus the firmer forefoot, which is extra obvious at a stroll or sluggish jog versus a average to up-tempo run.
Total, I used to be happiest in these footwear throughout hikes with the canines (embrace the squish) or faster runs on pretty easy dust, when the thinner forefoot safety wasn’t a problem and the ahead propulsion smoothed out the heel-to-midfoot transition.
Montrail Trinity AG II Outsole
The outsole of the Montrail Trinity AG II.
The Montrail Trinity AG II outsole retains the identical Adapt Trax moist/dry compound from the earlier model, in addition to the 4-millimeter lugs of assorted geometric shapes, in a sample that promotes first rate traction for popping up and down rolling singletrack hills.
I discover the outsole completely satisfactory for many non-technical trails and dust roads, the place some gravelly rocks and sand are sometimes floating on the packed dust or slab floor beneath. They work effective after a brief rainstorm, however aren’t aggressive sufficient for actual mud or snow. That being mentioned, additionally they don’t are inclined to clog up with an excessive amount of dust or snow, which is appreciated if these quick sections are unavoidable.
The traction on the crash pad within the heels does properly with quick, steeper descents the place you’re attempting to keep away from the bum slide, however once more, they do higher for me on decrease angle terrain.
What I do recognize concerning the midsole-outsole mixture, is the gentle flare on the forefoot and heel, which reinforces stability once you do have these quick stints of wonky rocks and roots. The elevated floor space there boosts lateral and torsional stability and confidence at any pace.
Montrail Trinity AG II Total Impressions
A high view of the Montrail Trinity AG II.
Total, the Montrail Trinity AG II is a shoe maybe greatest suited as an entry-level or all-comers path shoe, for many who would possibly discover themselves run/mountain climbing alongside gentler trails, groomed singletrack, and dust roads — or doing shorter, faster runs, the place the midsole transition can easy out and shine.
The Pebax expertise ranges up the expertise a bit for those who’re inquisitive about plates, with out forcing the monetary funding of carbon-plated footwear. It could be helpful to have an over-the-counter insole to slide in in case your arches recognize a little bit of help, however all in all, it’s an fascinating moderately-priced path shoe.
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