This shoe. Wow what a workhorse. It has seen me through my very first marathon (TNF Endurance Challenge Bear Mountain) and countless training runs on a variety of terrains totaling up to around 700 miles. As I write this review, I can't help but think of the memories I have with this shoe. What I have asked from it and what it gave back in return. I'll do my best to keep my emotional ties out of this review as we continue...but just know, when it comes to this shoe in particular, I write from experience.

How it fits

Size - runs a little large, but my usual size worked for me because I have a wide forefoot (may want to consider purchasing 1/2 size smaller than normal)

Heel - medium

Midfoot - medium

Forefoot - medium

Overall shoe shape - semi-curved

Montrail has created a real game changer here. In the Montrail line, the Caldorado fits perfectly between the lighter, less aggressive FluidFlex FKT, and heavier, less flexible Trans Alps. Many individuals will enjoy this shoe based on its characteristics. It falls in the middle of a lot of categories. Not too cushioned, not too light, not too aggressive, not too rigid.

I ran The North Face Endurance Challenge Marathon in Bear Mountain, NY in the Caldorados. The race includes over 4,000 ft of climbing and descending (upwards of 9,000 ft total). I won in a new course record of 3:36. This shoe played an integral part in my victory. The course is extremely technical and rocky. I was constantly being thrown off balance by shifting rocks and foot placements. My feet felt great (tired, but great) after the race. This shoe provided the protection and comfort I desperately needed for that kind of race, yet the breathability and traction I needed to feel smooth over the terrain. After the Endurance Challenge, I knew that this shoe could withstand anything I could find on the trails. They held together perfectly in training and racing. What more can you ask for?

Fast forward a few months. I started running in the Caldorados on the road because I was training for a road marathon. I wasn't so sure about how they would feel on the new surface. After a few dozen training runs including a 26.4 miler in 2:52, I was surprised. Don't get me wrong, they do not have the ride of a road shoe by any means. They were, however, comfortable and supportive, which is exactly what I needed for training at the time. The Caldorados perform well on many surfaces and I would peg it as an ideal road-to-trail shoe.

Features

- 8mm offset

- Seamless upper

- Thin thermoplastic midfoot frame for protection

- FluidFoam midsole

- FluidGuide technology for enhanced midfoot stability

- 5 mm lug height

Outsole (see picture below)

Full length rubber outsole with 3-point lugs for multi-directional adhesion. These work like a charm on rock and dirt!

Weight

At 11.0 oz, the Caldorado is a lot of shoe. It is not a shoe I would throw on before a set of mile repeats. It also feels a bit heavy toward the end of a long run (such as my trail marathon). The ground comes a little quicker after 20 miles!

Look

With its classic Montrail ribbed look, the Caldorado is aesthetically appealing. I like the bright colors of this version; it's a good summer shoe. One of the three color options is bound to suit your fancy with one being light grey, one being blue, red, and yellow, and one being bright orange and yellow (shown in this review).

SUMMARY

Ride - 8/10

Fit - 9/10

Durability - 10/10

Functionality - 9/10

Look - 8/10

Total: 44/50

It all comes down to what you are looking for in a trail shoe. Would this shoe be ideal for a short, technical trail race? No. But, it does perform extremely well at its intended distances. Rocky half marathon? No problem. Marathon up and down a mountain? Piece of cake. Grooved singletrack in the deep woods? Easy peasy. I would even venture to say that this shoe would hold up for 100 mile races. I mean, I did get 700 miles out of it when I normally get 450-500 out of a pair with similar features. That statement alone says a lot about the durability and comfort of the Caldorado. It has been quite a mainstay for my training and racing and I think it will be the same for you. Montrail really nailed this debut (Competitor Best Debut) and it gives them something to build on in upcoming models.

Get a pair of Caldorados for yourself here: www.montrail.com

*As an ambassador for Montrail, I received these Caldorados for free.*