Review: Montrail Men's Fluid Flex FKT.
Written by Kohei Tsushima
Uploading GPS data from a specific trail run to an FKT (Fastest Known Time) site is an activity where participants compete for their personal record on that section, becoming a new way to enjoy trail running.
The Men's Fluidflex FKT introduced here is an FKT model for runners seeking speed and challenging records. We'll be reviewing this lightweight and agile trail shoe.
table of contents
Detailed Review
Item Name
Montrail Men's Fluid Flex FKT.
Main specifications and evaluation
| item | Specifications and reviews |
|---|---|
| weight | 272g (one foot) |
| Upper fabric | Thermoplastic welded midfoot cage design |
| Outsole | Griptonite with 3-point lugs in heel and forefoot traction zones. Trail Shield in forefoot |
| Comfort | ★★★★☆ |
| weight | ★★★☆☆ |
| grip | ★★☆☆☆ |
| protection | ★★★☆☆ |
| stability | ★★★☆☆ |
| Overall score | ★★★☆☆ |
This is good!
Soft and flexible sole supports your running
Lightweight shoes are essential for running. Given the nature of running on uneven terrain like trails, protective capabilities are essential. However, the more functional these are, the heavier they become, and the sense of lightness is lost. The Fluidflex FKT we're introducing today is advertised as being for runners challenging records, and there's no denying how easy it is to run in them. The moderately flexible sole provides solid support for your push-off, and the blocks placed in the forefoot and rearfoot provide a firm grip even when force is applied in various directions
An outstanding fit creates a sense of unity with the shoes
I've been using Montrail's Bajada shoes until now, but with the FluidFlex FKT, I can feel the difference in the fit from the moment I put my feet in. This is because the inner sole is higher on both sides, so the entire sole of the foot from the arch to the heel is wrapped around it, and the sense of unity between the shoe and the foot has increased significantly. The difference is immediately obvious when compared to the Bajada insole (pictured left). The light blue parts on both sides are not made of cloth, so they are less slippery, which is also a nice touch
The upper is made of thermoplastic welded material, and the more you tighten the laces, the tighter the fit becomes from the sides to the instep. The seamless construction also contributes to the improved fit
High level of protection to protect your feet from rough road surfaces
The FluidFoam outer sole is a material that offers superior shock absorption, flexibility, and cushioning compared to conventional EVA. Even when landing on hard surfaces like rock, the impact from the ground feels much milder. The thickness in the midfoot also helps prevent arch collapse. While you may step on tree roots, stones, or other protruding objects on the trail, these shoes offer a secure, secure feeling of support for the soles of your feet
The tongue has one piece on both sides to prevent gravel from getting in. This is something that wasn't available on the Bajada, and I wish it was a must-have for trail shoes
This is a pity
Grip softness
While they offer a more nimble running feel than the Bajada, I felt they had slightly weaker grip. While I didn't notice much difference in the push-off, I did lose control a few times while running down steep slopes, so I needed to be especially careful in wet conditions when the shoes tend to sink into the ground. While the midfoot protects the foot, it's also mostly flat, so you need to be careful when stepping on slippery bumps
Summary: I would like to use it in these situations!
Although these are trail shoes, they are light and flexible, allowing you to run in the mountains with a road-like feel. While they appear to be geared towards advanced runners, the softness of the sole and the high level of protection make them suitable for runners of all levels. The grooves in the outer sole are not very deep, making them perfect for trails with gentler surfaces, or courses that combine trails and roads
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