Montrail Hardrock
I currently run in the Hardrock and have not had any problems with it. I like the fit and it seems comfortable even at longer distances. However, the only reason I bought the Hardrock in the first place is because Montrail discontinued my previous favorite, the Leona Divide.

Montrail Leona Divide
I liked the Leona Divide because of its really cushioned feel and very stable ride. It seemed like a big protective shoe without being too clunky. My feet aren’t too wide, but the regular width in the Leona was more comfortable than many shoes. Given that the Continental Divide is the update to my previous favorite, it’s natural to want to go back to it. I’ve also only read positive reviews about the shoe.

The North Face Ultra 103
I include the Ultra 103 in the list because I like the look of the shoe and the built in gaiter hooks. I had a pair of a previous model but it suffered from a manufacturer’s defect … two times over. My initial pair cut into my heel (literally drew blood) and was sent back. The replacement they sent me was also defective. At that point, I asked for store credit and wound up with the Leona. I love the fit of the Ultra 103, but I wonder if it’s a bit too small. After 30+ miles and swelling feet, I worry it would feel too tight.

I went and picked up my new shoes from REI this afternoon in anticipation of a good run this evening. After adjusting my laces, always an important part to me when trying on a running shoe for the first time, I headed out for a nice jog.

The first thing that struck me was how tightly the shoe hugged me around the top of my foot. Though my instep was not cradled and the laces were not pulled too tightly, my foot was very firmly held in place. The next think that struck me was how both of my achilles tendons were tight and screaming. Nevertheless, I kept at it as I know the first outing in a new pair of shoes is not always the best indicator of whether the fit is really great.

The temperature was much cooler tonight than in many of my recent runs. It allowed me to really push my pace for the second half and definitely so through the final mile. My breathing felt much more open than normal making me think that a little bit of fitness is actually getting into my body. Or maybe that was just wishful thinking. Even with the quickened pace, my muscles were not really tight and I finished without much need for stretching to get back to normal.

I have owned another pair of Montrail Hardrocks but I wore them as casual, rather than running shoes. Even though this pair might not turn out to be my ideal fit, I was very pleased with tonight’s run. I’ll have to keep trying out the shoes, but I am also curious how the Montrail Continental Divide shoe would feel, given that my favorite trail shoe was the Montrail Leona Divide (now discontinued).

I wanted to see if the hot spots would persist on a short leisurely walk so I headed north on the Campion Trail. It looks like they are doing some trail maintenance at the far north end of the trail. A small path leads down to the Elm Fork of the Trinity River, but I am not sure what they are going to do with it. I suppose this area could be considered a trail head.

There are several nice picnic areas here and an explanation of the trail marking system. Every 1/4 mile, there is a ground marker with a colored star. The distance between stars of the same color is 1 mile. I suspected this was the case.

My walk was comfortable in the shoes but I did have a slight hot spot on the ball of my left foot. It was no where as much as when running, but it was there.

The trail was more crowded today than I have seen it with several bikers and a few roller bladers. I only saw one runner, though, but it was rather hot out at the time so that is probably why.