Ahnu Montara Boot Review
July 20, 2012
69 The Good
- Comfortable for very light hikes
- Stylish enough for in-town wear
- Super lightweight
- Fully waterproof
The Bad
- Very little support in ankle/mid-foot area
- Wide, loose fit in heel cup and toe box
- Thin sole (I could feel rocks underfoot)
- Sole/shank was too flexible for extended hikes
We can only recommend these boots for a limited group of hikers. While the mid-cut design makes the Montara look like a stable boot, it offers embarrassingly little support even under light loads and on moderate trails, and does not offer enough stability for any substantial backpacking weight. While a few hikers with high-volume feet will appreciate the high-ankle abrasion-protection and easy, cruising comfort of this shoe-like boot, most will probably find it uncomfortably out of its elements in most unpaved terrain.
If you’re looking for comfortable shoe with some boot characteristics for mild trails, this may be your ticket. But if you’re looking for a shoe that can handle rocky trails featuring any sort of elevation gain, you’ll want to look elsewhere. Overall, I was disappointed with the Montara’s loose, flimsy feel and inability to support my foot on even moderately unstable terrain.
Fit
Unlike the Vasque Talus UD or Oboz Mystic Mid, the Montara does not bill itself as having been built on a women’s specific last. Perhaps that’s partly why the shoe felt very wide and loose compared to others; my heel slipped out of the heel cup and squished around in the toe box with every step.
Support & Stability
Ahnu claims this boot “can handle packs up to 40lbs…” We disagree strongly. This boot has a striking lack of stability even under no load at all. There was minimal support on uneven terrain due to the flimsy, insubstantial upper construction (you can see the boot collapsing on itself in the photo below—note the buckling of the upper along the sidewalls). Oddly, there is high, tight ankle lacing, which is somewhat useless given the overall loose fit and collapse-prone upper.
Comfort
The Montaras are not uncomfortable boots. The fit is simply more comparable to a sneaker than a hiking boot, which makes it perfectly adequate for in-town use or very light hikes/walks. Caveat: although the Vibram outsole looks substantial, the midsole is thick enough that I could feel the stones underfoot (which got fatiguing after several miles).
Value
We were conflicted about the value of this shoe. On one hand, it uses premium materials—the eVent waterproofing and Vibram outsole are two examples. There’s no skimping there. However, you can find boots with better performance, and much more versatility, at the same price. (E.g., Garmont’s Amica Gore-Tex and Vasque’s Talus UltraDry.) We don’t factor in style or aesthetics—that’s up to you.
The Target Consumer
Those who enjoy light, short, flat-trail walks and want a stylish shoe that will protect their feet from wet weather will appreciate the Montara. Also, if you have a wider foot and like a more high-volume fit, this shoe might be right for you. Be aware that the Montara is not appropriate for extended outings – the flexible midsole will cause foot fatigue
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