![]() “The closure and upper protection was great,” one tester said. The speed lacing system is fast and efficient, and the shoe’s overall fit walks the median line between narrow and wide. (The second half of the gallery shows the non-OutDry Mountain Masochist IV.) The Winter Shoe is cozy on-foot, thanks to its thick internal mesh and soft fleece lining. The $140 Mountain Masochist IV OutDry uses a low-top waterproof-breathable upper, and the base model is the $115 Mountain Masochist IV, with a breathable mesh upper. This particular Mountain Masochist IV is the most weather-resistant of the three models Columbia offers. Rain, mud, and snow are no match for these all-weather trail shoes. The outsole is a thick layer of carbon rubber. The midsole is a relatively thin combination of Columbia’s firmer FluidGuide foam and its more forgiving, compression-molded FluidFoam. A speed lacing system helps you quickly tighten the shoe around the ankle, and once zipped-up, the shoe extends up the runner’s calf. The gaiter offers excellent wind and water protection, although it didn’t fit snugly around the lower legs of multiple testers and therefore allowed stones and debris to enter the shoe. Unfortunately, it’s available in men’s sizing only, although the gaiter-less version is available for women. The Mountain Masochist IV OutDry Extreme Trail Shoe is a Mountain Masochist IV with a fleece-lined upper that’s shrouded in an integrated soft-shell gaiter for maximum water resistance and debris protection. These high-tops aren’t Chelsea boots for outdoorsy folk: They’re Columbia’s answer to the season’s coldest and wettest trail runs. We’re not in Worcester now, Toto.The right shoe for: Runners looking for a trail shoe that keeps wind and water out In Portland, however, no eyebrows were raised. As for the colour, well, there are more subtle versions than the vibrant golden yellow and blue option that I was testing. You’re not going to climb mountains in them, but nor do you need an extra pair of ‘town trainers’. For trips like this to Portland, worn as much in a craft brewery as a hiking trail, they had a clear role. Shoes that eliminate the need for a comfy pair of trainers, and a pair of hiking boots or runners. By the end of my day-long hike, however, my feet remained perfectly dry, no blisters or hotspots.ĭesigned to ‘blur the line between pavement and path’, the SH/FT, we think, are best suited to travel. There was a good grip on slippy surfaces but they did struggle through the deeper mud. Not great for views, but superb for testing shoes. I tested these out in their natural home, and for what they were designed for: from city to summit in Portland itself.įrom downtown Portland, I hiked out of town, up through the nature trails of Marquam Nature Park to summit at Council Crest to see the fantastic views. ![]() The SH/FT are designed to move from the streets to the paths of the city. The sole is made from a tough rubber that offers plenty of traction on the streets and paths, but they don’t have deep lugs to provide grip on mud. There’s also a thermal-reflective lining and 200g insulation – these are definitively winter boots. They fit like socks, which is not far removed from what they are. In the SH/FT, they’ve taken this OutDry technology and combined it with a knitted upper to make it waterproof, but not at the expense of the comfort provided by the kitted upper with leather overlays. In one swoop it eliminated the need for a bootie in a shoe, another layer in a jacket, a liner in a glove, a cover for a backpack – all were now waterproof. One significant step change was joining forces with OutDry a few years ago, a laminating technology that affixes the waterproof layer directly against the material. In short, the Pacific Northwest can throw anything at you. Since its inception in 1938, Columbia Sportswear Company has designed clothes for the terrain that surrounds it – mountainous, split by countless rivers and tributaries. Columbia is a brand forever flowing, developing, moving. The connection between the river and the outdoor company is evident in the name, and also the company’s direction. Before its final widening to the Pacific, it passes through Portland. It begins its 2,000km journey in British Columbia and snakes its way through Canada, into the US, forming the border between Washington and Oregon. The Columbia River is the longest in the Pacific Northwest. A 100% waterproof OutDry stretch knit hiking sneaker that delivers non-stop comfort. Enjoy non-stop comfort and protection from the elements. WHAT THEY SAY: With street-ready style and summit-level skills, SH/FT is the only shoe you’ll need. ITEM: Columbia Men’s SH/FT OutDry Mid Shoe ![]()
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