Ahnu Montara III Review

Overall, the Ahnu Montara is a high-ranking boot in our metric comparisons. These boots are durable, supportive, and water-resistant. Comfort is foot-shape dependent, though, so be warned and be sure to try these on before committing to them.

Performance Comparison

Comfort

This version of the Ahnu Montara received a lower score in comfort this time around. Compared to some of the more comfort-oriented boots the Montara just did not provide the same level of comfort and padding. We found them to cause pain in the toe box, on both the outside of the foot and the inside. Now, this feedback must be taken with a grain of salt, as our lead tester has a wide foot, making narrow boots like these typically feel more uncomfortable. For women with narrower feet, the Montara III may be a great choice, as they have extra padding in the collar and heel to help prevent hot spots. The soft and supple leather upper also adds to the overall comfort of these shoes.

Support

The Montara III provides even more support than the previous model. The upper was redesigned and simplified to increase support, and it pays off. We found these boots to be stable and secure, even on uneven terrain. The boots also have solid support in the heel to keep it locked down and reduce slippage. This is a nice feature since the lining of the boot is slippery and can cause the foot to move around if they are not adequately tightened. We also liked that these boots, while still providing support, allow for plenty of forward-flex in the toe box. If we could improve this models' stability, we would use a stiffer insole to resist torsional flex, which is handy over rocky, unstable terrain.

Weight

The Ahnu Montara III's weigh in at 1.75 pounds, or 1 pound 12 ounces. This places them in the middle of the pack regarding weight. We found that in testing, they felt very light on our feet. Through testing so many models, we have found that the way a boot carries its weight can affect how heavy they feel on your feet.

Traction

Boulder hopping, loose gravel, and granite slabs were the perfect testing grounds for the new Vibram soles on the Ahnu Montara III. The Vibram MegaGrip outsoles are an upgrade from the already sticky Vibram soles that the Montara II's had.

Water Resistance

What surprised us most about the Ahnu Montaras is their performance in wet conditions. When wading in four-inch water, these boots kept our feet dry. In warm weather, the waterproof eVent technology was breathable and did not trap moisture inside the boot, even though the upper is made up of mostly leather. As with durability, boots with fewer seams performed better overall. The simplified upper support this claim, as these boots were able to keep water out for long periods of time. Most of the boots we tested this season had some waterproof coating; in the case of the Montaras, it was eVent technology that kept our feet dry. This technology stood up to the Gore-Tex waterproofing that is incorporated in many top-scoring models.

Durability

Constructed entirely of waterproof, oiled leather and suede, the Ahnu Montara were ranked highly in our durability metric. The boots have burly, leather uppers with waterproof coating, which provides plenty of protection against abrasions from life on the trail. The eyelets are sturdy, making the lacing system durable as well.

Value

The Ahnu Montara's are versatile and stylish and in the middle of the price spectrum. They appear online for around $170, but because they are well-made and built almost entirely of leather, with the eVent liner for breathability, we found this to be a good price for such a well-made shoe. They looked good around town too, so if you are looking to throw down for a new all-around shoe, these are a good investment.

Conclusion