Montrail Shoes

Bajada:

I have a couple of pairs of the top one, the Bajada. A new version just came out (Bajada 2) and I bought two more pairs of the older ones (pictured in your image) on sale.

If you have wide feet I don't think these are for you. Normal or narrow feet and they are great.
What stands out to me is how you can customise how you tie them – the lacing never comes undone and you can really alter where you want more loose, where you want more support on the upper.
They dry fast. Good grip.
My problem where I run/hike (very rocky trails) is doing 50Km+ the soles of my feet feel very battered (I can feel it starting after 40Km). If you go less you should have no problem I think.

Masochists:
Have a good reputation but I can't stand them because they have so much pronation control (very soft on one side of the heel outer sole). If you need/like that than they are worth trying out.

If you need specific info don't hesitate to ask.

My husband has had at least 4 pairs of the bottom shoe (Masochist?) and has been very happy with the fit and durability. He usually buys them from STP for $40-$45. I have a pair myself, but don't wear them a lot (though they are comfortable), preferring more minimalist type shoes.

First pair of montrail shoes failed after 150 miles on the AT. Got a credit from them and for a free pair of mountain masochists. Great shoe, but my feet swelled and I got a blister underneath the ball of my foot because they were too small. Obviously this was user error and not the shoe's fault. Worst blister of my life. Now I wear merrel moab ventilators but I'd get the masochists again, in a half size bigger this time.

I have both and I think Ito's advice above is spot-on. I haven't worn my Masochist in some time because they feel too "structured" after using the Bajada and a pair of Brooks Cascadias.

I do think the Masochist will last longer than the Bajada, however, given the build of the shoe.

Steven, does the Masochist also have a rock plate, and if so, does it make a significant difference in your book?

The Masochist is comfy and fine for dry conditions, but useless if it's at all wet out. Zero traction. Also really tough to get a snug enough fit and still be comfortable. The insole has a bad habit of sliding around and bunching up inside the shoe with the slightest bit of moisture.

Interesting… my husband has never had any sliding around of the insole, even with the shoe soaked from hiking through creeks… no traction problem, either… no problem with fit either… He does have a very "generic" foot that never seems to have a problem with shoes fitting.

The Mountain Masochists II are my go-to hiking and backpacking shoes. I tried a *bunch* of different options a few years ago (including the Cascadias, some Inov8 models, and many others) and *for me* the Mountain Masochists were the best fit, with just the right amount of I've used them for four or five week-long treks on the PCT in CA (and on many other daytrips) and so far, so good.

Can't tell you how long they have lasted for me…I never really paid attention.

I haven't tried the vIII models yet.

Cheers!
/Jas

The Masochist is way more durable than the Bajada. My wife has been using the women's versions of these shoes and she got 400-500 miles on the Bajada's, while she's near 1000 miles on her current pair of Masochist II's and they still look quite good.