(contest is over)
When the Monkeys at Luna Sandals told me they were developing a new sandal that was thicker with more cushioning, I didn't want to like it. For years I have been running in the tried and true Original Luna and at 7mm thick I thought it was the perfect sandal?
But
I'm smart enough to know that I am usually wrong
(does that make me right?)
I first tried the Mono out at Badwater last summer. I figured if it worked in an inhospitable climate such as Death Valley in summer it could work anywhere.
Upon initial inspection I was amazed at how light they were! At 12mm thick they didn't feel any heavier than my originals. I was still skeptical on the thickness but at the same time I was pretty stoked on the added grip over the originals. Immediately went running in search of rocks to step on. I am no Princess. (did I really have to state that?) although I could feel the ground I could not feel any sharpness from the terrain I was navigating upon. As for the transfer of heat from the ground to my foot, there was none.
My feet were not getting the stimulation that they were use to (for better or worse) But I felt like I could run for days in these sandals, and that I did!
Not my feet
The more I wore them the more I began to like them. If you thought the Original Luna took to the contours of your feet nicely the Mono molds even better. The soling material is soft, and I questioned it's durability but after months of use they have really held up quite nicely.
As I mentioned before the grip is substantially better than the Original Luna. They are great sandals for roads and moderate to somewhat technical tails. If I could only own one pair of sandals these would be them!
That being said I am Still wearing my Original Luna's for fast road racing and have been experimenting with different iterations of he yet to be released OSO for trails.
When do I wear my Mono's?
For everything else! They are very comfortable, great for lounging around and perfect for letting my feet recover after a hard race.
I have been enjoying my mono's so much I may end up using them at the Boston Marathon next month and as a further testament to how much I like them they will be my go to shoe as I plan to run about 3,500 miles from Boston to San Francisco and then down to Los Angeles after the race.
(way cheaper than flying right?)
(way cheaper than flying right?)
Where will your Luna Sandals take you?
those look like some awesome running sandals, man!
ReplyDeletePat, do I have to grow the beard to wear luna's or does it sprout from my chin when I equip them? Can't wait to try these out!
ReplyDeleteI can't believe you wrote a blog post without mentioning hot chicks or booze! Are you feeling OK?
ReplyDeleteThese look awesome! I'm curious how they compare to the Leadvilles with MGT... would love to give these a go!
ReplyDeleteLooks nice! Gotta try those someday.
ReplyDeleteBut how many avocados can the moe-knows hold?
ReplyDelete42
DeleteI would love to win some for my husband, barefoot enthusiast and owner of mutant, shoe-resistant feet.
ReplyDeleteHow about the pittards leather ? M
ReplyDeleteNew guy here been trying out some sandals for running. Get some real funny looks in the gym when I have them on. LOT'S of questions.
ReplyDeleteGreat picture with Mariposa :)
ReplyDeleteREALLY want to try a pair of those!
ReplyDeleteGood luck in Boston. What do you think your time will be?
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to your posts about your 3,500 mile trip and how well the Monos perform! Thanks to you and Luna Sandals for the giveaway offer!!
ReplyDeleteHe, I love the name of them. Very monkey-like!
ReplyDeleteI just got my first pair of Leadvilles and love them. I can't wait to try these.
ReplyDeleteExcited to follow your adventures in Boston and back. Go Pat go!
ReplyDeleteWould so love to try a pair of these. Hope my goats don't step on my toes though....
ReplyDeleteIf they had a beer-opener buckle on them, they'd be perfect it sounds like.
ReplyDeleteRunning with the original but would love a pair of the monkey.
ReplyDeleteDo I guess these or wait for the Oso for trail runs?
ReplyDeleteThe Oso's will have better grip but these are some pretty sweet sandals that you will not regret purchasing.
DeleteLooking forward to hearing about a 3,500 mile run! In Luna sandals, even more so! :)
ReplyDeleteFlying is expensive these days!
ReplyDeleteunless i missed it, do i just comment here and am entered? no postings or other "likes" to get more entries this time?
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear the latest Lunas measure up. I've been interested in one set of sandals that can do a bit of everything, from roads to trails to a trip to the market, and the Monos sound like they would work pretty well for me. Thanks for the review, and best of luck at Boston, as well as on the cross country adventure!
ReplyDeleteI'd love to win a pair of these, thanks for the chance!
ReplyDeleteI've been ogling Lunas for a while now, and I'm desperate to try a pair! I can just see myself tromping around Europe this summer in a pair that would be getting more and more lovingly worn in by the mile. I love this idea! Now I need to go down to the Luna store and test drive a pair...
ReplyDeleteThanks for the review! I want a pair of Mono's for "everything else" and hope to keep running bare...or is it just barely...
ReplyDeleteI really would like a pair of Lunas so I can stop goofing around in my silly FiveFingers...
ReplyDeletehttps://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Ftherunninglunatic.blogspot.com%2F2013%2F03%2Fthe-all-new-luna-sandals-mono-review.html%3Fspref%3Dfb&t=The+all+NEW+Luna+Sandals+Mono+Review+and+Giveaway
ReplyDeletethanks
aunteegem@yahoo.com
Thanks for review!
ReplyDeleteSweet. These look really nice.
ReplyDeleteI do need to find a replacement for my Original Luna sandals. I wore out the soles and these just look so much sweeter. I still won't look as good as you running though. Put a kilt on me, and maybe things might be slightly different.
ReplyDeleteI'm ordering these ASAP... still debating between the leather top and the MGT top. I think I might go MGT, leather is too fancy for this monkey!!
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ReplyDeleteI need to get these so I can be a beast monkey runner like PAT!
ReplyDeleteOooh, I hope I win I hope I win I hope I win! !!
ReplyDeleteI'm ordering, and hoping to win a pair of Mono's as well! I hope they are good for trail running. I am training to run the Foothills Trail next year http://foothillstrailultras.com/ I hope they are suitable.
ReplyDelete