The Montrail Trinity AG II. All images: iRunFar/Bryon Powell
Columbia has been retaining 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 journey, stability, and expertise for runners of all paces. Kudos to Columbia for placing their proprietary higher-end expertise in sneakers 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 peak of 32- and 24-millimeters on the heel and toe, respectively, for an 8-millimeter drop. The Trinity AG II can also 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 sneakers, able to something from a hike with canines to a shorter up-tempo run on smoother terrain. Nothing about these sneakers is intimidating, which makes them an incredible choice for somebody inquisitive about path operating, who should still use them for different actions as nicely.
Sizing word: I put on a ladies’s 9.5 in Montrail, which is similar 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 comfy 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, clean overlays kind a steady pliable rand across the total higher/midsole junction, which retains a few of the sand, water, and particles from simple entry, and the identical overlay materials makes for very clean 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 simple changes.
Montrail’s Navic Match System makes use of a lace-webbing system to enhance the safety by the midfoot, and create that locked down feeling within the heel, which sits nicely 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 the complete run. It’s a safe and comfy match.
The tongue is attention-grabbing as a result of it’s nicely padded beneath the laces, then tapers to a thinned-out part in opposition to the ankle. Fortunately, it’s a fairly conventional tongue materials, so it stays comfy even in opposition to distinguished 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, however 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 difficulty, so I could also be further delicate, however 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 attention-grabbing sneakers.
The second factor I’d change is the detachable insole. The insole that comes with the sneakers is a really skinny, flat foam strip with zero arch assist. Fortunately, it’s simple to take away and exchange with over-the-counter full-length insoles, however it frustrates me so as to add price to the shoe, when not a few years in the past each path shoe got here with an incredible Ortholite insole with beautiful assist beneath the arch.
Hopefully, firms will return to together with these with the sneakers. Two urged modifications however, it’s a extremely comfy 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 targeted 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 Steering Pebax Plate is meant to reinforce ahead propulsion and power return, whereas nonetheless providing multidirectional stability. Notice, it’s not carbon, however fairly is a light-weight plastic polymer foam compressed to kind a plate. I’m not a brilliant shoe wearer — my physique doesn’t tolerate carbon plates in any kind — so I used to be a bit cautious of how this may go, however my general 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 area 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 sneakers I’d put on for an extremely, and maybe they’re higher fitted to 5- to 30-kilometer distances general. The forefoot safety feels a bit skinny (Oh, hello, pointy rock!) and oddly disjointed from the squishier heel. The heel is nearly marshmallowy, versus the firmer forefoot, which is extra obvious at a stroll or sluggish jog versus a average to up-tempo run.
General, I used to be happiest in these sneakers throughout hikes with the canines (embrace the squish) or faster runs on pretty clean grime, when the thinner forefoot safety wasn’t a difficulty 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 respectable traction for popping up and down rolling singletrack hills.
I discover the outsole completely satisfactory for many non-technical trails and grime roads, the place some gravelly rocks and sand are sometimes floating on the packed grime or slab floor beneath. They work effective after a brief rainstorm, however aren’t aggressive sufficient for actual mud or snow. That being mentioned, in addition they don’t are inclined to clog up with an excessive amount of grime or snow, which is appreciated if these quick sections are unavoidable.
The traction on the crash pad within the heels does nicely with quick, steeper descents the place you’re making an attempt to keep away from the bum slide, however once more, they do higher for me on decrease angle terrain.
What I do respect concerning the midsole-outsole mixture, is the gentle flare on the forefoot and heel, which boosts 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 General Impressions
A high view of the Montrail Trinity AG II.
General, the Montrail Trinity AG II is a shoe maybe greatest suited as an entry-level or all-comers path shoe, for individuals who may discover themselves run/climbing alongside gentler trails, groomed singletrack, and grime roads — or doing shorter, faster runs, the place the midsole transition can clean out and shine.
The Pebax expertise ranges up the expertise a bit should you’re inquisitive about plates, with out forcing the monetary funding of carbon-plated sneakers. It could be helpful to have an over-the-counter insole to slide in in case your arches respect a little bit of assist, however all in all, it’s an attention-grabbing moderately-priced path shoe.
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