Gear Review: Columbia Montrail Molokai
Today I would like to talk about something very near and dear to my feet, my Columbia Montrail Molokais. Marketed as a recovery shoe for runners, they have very quickly become my faveorite summer slippers and work shoes when I am going to be on my feet for a while.
When customers at the outdoor outfitter I work for first put them on the responce is invariable some version of "oh my gosh, these are the most comfortable shoes ever!" Columbia markets the Molokais as a recovery shoe for runners that can function either inside or out, but I recommend them for anything where you can get away with looking like you stuck your foot in a spandex beehive.
If you're still not sold on them, let me break down the shoe. Starting at the bottom, the outsole is made of a cushy outsole grade EVA foam with rubber lugs on the front, back, and sides. This creates a shoe that is completely capable of outside wear but still feels more like a slipper then a shoe. The midsole is a Columbia patented material they call Fluid Foam. Compared to Columbia's other shoes this midsole trades a little stability for a significantly more cushion. The insole is made from a third foam type called PRFRM and is designed to be molded to your specific foot using an oven. I have personally never molded thermal insoles for fear of ruining them but I feel like even so they conform to your foot during use. Finally the "spandex beehive" part of the shoe is an extremely breathable stretchy mesh that conforms to your foot very well. Your toe may seem close to the front but that's fine, they're so stretchy it's just how they work. One additional fun feature is the collapsible backs, allowing you to either use them as slides or secure your heal.
Now you all know how I feel about footwear, comfort is everything for my dancing feet. What about you? Do you prioritise fashion or comfort and how much would you give up of one to get the other?
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| They may look funny, but trust me, once you put them on you won't care. |
When customers at the outdoor outfitter I work for first put them on the responce is invariable some version of "oh my gosh, these are the most comfortable shoes ever!" Columbia markets the Molokais as a recovery shoe for runners that can function either inside or out, but I recommend them for anything where you can get away with looking like you stuck your foot in a spandex beehive.
If you're still not sold on them, let me break down the shoe. Starting at the bottom, the outsole is made of a cushy outsole grade EVA foam with rubber lugs on the front, back, and sides. This creates a shoe that is completely capable of outside wear but still feels more like a slipper then a shoe. The midsole is a Columbia patented material they call Fluid Foam. Compared to Columbia's other shoes this midsole trades a little stability for a significantly more cushion. The insole is made from a third foam type called PRFRM and is designed to be molded to your specific foot using an oven. I have personally never molded thermal insoles for fear of ruining them but I feel like even so they conform to your foot during use. Finally the "spandex beehive" part of the shoe is an extremely breathable stretchy mesh that conforms to your foot very well. Your toe may seem close to the front but that's fine, they're so stretchy it's just how they work. One additional fun feature is the collapsible backs, allowing you to either use them as slides or secure your heal.
Now you all know how I feel about footwear, comfort is everything for my dancing feet. What about you? Do you prioritise fashion or comfort and how much would you give up of one to get the other?
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