Review: Columbia Montrail Outdry Running Shoes

Last year, Arturo got us a big discount visit to the Columbia Outlet store. I found a pair of Montrail Outdry shoes for a substantial discount and bought them. I should have bought more than a pair, that's how good they are.

I'll contrast them with the Salomon XA Pro 3D Waterproofs. Those are currently on sale at REI but they are crap. They claim to be waterproof, but even a little bit of water will soak right through the uppers and into your socks and then you'll have a squishy hike for the rest of your day.

By contrast, the Columbia Outdry actually works. I've walked into ankle-deep puddles, been caught in thunderstorms, and at no point did these shoes ever fail. If the inside got wet, it was always because my socks were wicking water down into the shoes. (Even the waterproof socks do that, since those are effectively two non-waterproof layers with a waterproof layer in between).

I should have bought more than just one pair of these shoes. As it is now, I wear the Salomons for unchallenging conditions, and save the Columbia for the toughest rainiest outings. How often do you ever see me regret not spending money? That means these shoes are highly recommended.