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| Industry | Clothing |
|---|---|
| Predecessor | One Sport Montrail |
| Founded | 1982 |
| Headquarters | Washington County, Oregon (near Beaverton), United States 45°31′46″N122°49′31″W / 45.52938°N 122.82535°W |
| Products | Athletic footwear |
| Parent | Columbia Sportswear |
| Website | www |
Columbia Montrail is a sub-brand of Columbia Sportswear that manufactures and distributes shoes for trail running, hiking, and general long-distance running. [1]
The company was originally called Brenco Enterprises with a line of boots called One Sport. Enthusiastic outdoorsman Menno van Wyck liked their boots so much that he bought the One Sport line from Brenco Enterprises in 1993. As chief executive officer, Van Eyck expanded the line of boots. [2]
In 1997, it was rebranded as Montrail. [3] The same year, their hiking boot Moraine was rated Best Hiking Boot in Backpacker Magazine.
In 1999, Montrail patented stretchable Gore-Tex in the Java GTX shoe. In 2002, it created the first "shoftshell" shoe made with Schoeller fabric. In 2004 "Gryptonite" ultra-sticky rubber was introduced, and in 2005 PRFRM thermo-moldable foam was introduced in the Molokai and Molokini flip flops, Enduro-Soles, and rock climbing shoes; Gryptonite rubber was extended to trail running shoes; Hardrock was introduced. [4]
In 2006, Montrail was acquired by Columbia Sportswear for a cash payment of $15 million plus the assumption of certain liabilities. [5] Columbia Sportwear had wanted to expand from selling winter coats and apparel. [6] Montrail's employees relocated to Portland within the year. Columbia continued to use the Montrail brand until, in 2017, it discontinued the Montrail brand and sub-branded it as Columbia Montrail. [7]
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The company has sponsored ultrarunning athletes, rock climbers, and related events in the United States since 1996, and now supports 88 athletes.[ citation needed ] It also hosts and sponsors ultrarunning and trail running events in the United States. The Montrail Ultra Cup is a series of six ultrarunning events, culminating at the Western States Endurance Run, a 100-mile ultramarathon. [8]
An ultramarathon, also called ultra distance or ultra running, is any footrace longer than the traditional marathon length of 42.195 kilometres. Various distances, surfaces, and formats are raced competitively, from the shortest common ultramarathon of 31 miles (50 km) and up to 3100 miles. World Championships are held by the International Association of Ultrarunners (IAU) for 50 km, 100 km, 24 hours, and ultra Trail running. The Global Organization of Multi-Day Ultramarathoners (GOMU) holds World Championships for 48 hours and 6 days. World Records are ratified and recognized by World Athletics, the IAU, and by GOMU.
Trail running is a type of running that takes place on outdoor trails, often in mountainous terrain, and often includes significant ascents and descents. Trail running is overseen by the International Trail Running Association (ITRA) and includes longer races.
Kaufman Footwear was a Kitchener, Ontario-based shoe company. It was known for its Sorel brand.
Hiking (walking) boots are footwear specifically designed for protecting the feet and ankles during outdoor walking activities such as hiking. They are one of the most important items of hiking gear, since their quality and durability can determine a hiker's ability to walk long distances without injury. Hiking boots are constructed to provide comfort for walking considerable distance over rough terrain. Boots that protect the hiker's feet and heel are recommended. Hiking boots give ankle support and are fairly stiff. A less popular alternative is to use light trainers with thin soles. Footwear should be neither too loose nor too tight, to help prevent blisters and sore feet. Hiking socks that wick sweat from the feet, provide warmth, and cushion the feet are recommended and a thin, inner sock may also help. Most hiking boots are also designed for other outdoor activities such as backpacking, climbing, mountaineering, and hunting.
Scott Gordon Jurek is an American ultramarathoner, author, and public speaker. Throughout his running career, Jurek was one of the most dominant ultramarathon runners in the world, winning the Hardrock Hundred (2007), the Badwater Ultramarathon, the Spartathlon, and the Western States 100 Mile Endurance Run (1999–2005). In 2010, at the 24-Hour World Championships in Brive-la-Gaillarde, France, Jurek won a silver medal behind Shingo Inoue and set a new US record for distance run in 24 hours with 165.7 miles. Jurek has followed a vegetarian diet since 1997, and a vegan diet since 1999.
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Altra Running, commonly known as Altra, is an American manufacturing company engaged in the design, development, marketing, and sales of athletic shoes for road running, trail running, and general footwear. Since 2018 Altra is owned by VF Corporation, an American global apparel and footwear company with other brands like Icebreaker, The North Face, Vans, JanSport, Eastpak and Timberland.
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