OUTDOOR SKILLS
Every Surface Is a Trail: Columbia’s Konos Trillium ATR Marks a New Era in Performance Trail Running
By Nancy Bouchard
Sometimes, the hardest part of running isn’t getting off the couch—it’s figuring out what to put on your feet. At its core, running is stunningly simple: lace up, get up, and get out of the door. But modern runners often find themselves lost in a maze of jargon—stack height, midsole offset, heel drop, lug patterns—and left wondering: where does gravel even fit in the rigid road-versus-trail divide?
Enter Columbia’s latest footwear style: the Konos Trillium ATR, a shoe designed to blur boundaries and rewrite rules. To get the inside scoop on how this all-terrain runner came to life, we sat down with two of Columbia’s top footwear minds—Steve Avé, Senior Product Leader for Hike and Trail Running, and Ben Rainey, Senior Product Line Specialist, Footwear. From concept to construction, here’s what they had to say. 
Enter Columbia’s latest footwear style: the Konos Trillium ATR, a shoe designed to blur boundaries and rewrite rules. To get the inside scoop on how this all-terrain runner came to life, we sat down with two of Columbia’s top footwear minds—Steve Avé, Senior Product Leader for Hike and Trail Running, and Ben Rainey, Senior Product Line Specialist, Footwear. From concept to construction, here’s what they had to say. 
Trail Roots and the Road Back
Q. How did Columbia get into trail running, and what prompted the brand to develop its own line?
Steve: In early 2024, we made a commitment to get back into trail running. Columbia has a long pedigree with the Montrail brand, which is one of the most historic, well-known trail running brands in footwear. In our first couple of years here with Columbia, Ben and I continued to evolve and update the Montrail line, then in 2024, the brand decided to expand beyond just pure trail running.
The shoes we created for Montrail were made for technical trails in the mountains, not what I’d have called “road” in any capacity whatsoever. They were extremely protective, but, to a certain extent, somewhat overbuilt—crafted for the consumer who was truly going to use them for some kind of extreme outdoor activity, not just to wear around or travel. 
Q. What inspired the move from pure trail shoes to a multi-surface running approach? 
We felt there was an opportunity to move a little bit further from technical trail towards the middle, not into road running, but what we call multi-surface running.  The brand created a position, “Every surface is a trail,” and with that, we started creating products supporting people who run on multiple surfaces, not just mountain trails or flat pavement. We had Montrail, which is pure, technical trail at one end, and then road running at the other end, which is a specific build for very flat, very linear movement. We focused in between.
The first shoe we created is called the Featherweight, which launched in January 2025.  The goal was to be extremely lightweight and breathable, with a multi-surface outsole, sort of door-to-trail. If you don’t live near the trail, or have to run to get to the trail, this is a shoe designed to run from your door to the trail, to run on grass, pavement and even on a treadmill.
   We felt that our history, our pedigree of being an outdoor brand was better suited to trail running, rather than staying in the more ambiguous multi-surface world. As of Spring 2025, we’ve recommitted to trail running. The difference is that we are making the new shoes under the Columbia brand, not Montrail.
Steve: In early 2024, we made a commitment to get back into trail running. Columbia has a long pedigree with the Montrail brand, which is one of the most historic, well-known trail running brands in footwear. In our first couple of years here with Columbia, Ben and I continued to evolve and update the Montrail line, then in 2024, the brand decided to expand beyond just pure trail running.
The shoes we created for Montrail were made for technical trails in the mountains, not what I’d have called “road” in any capacity whatsoever. They were extremely protective, but, to a certain extent, somewhat overbuilt—crafted for the consumer who was truly going to use them for some kind of extreme outdoor activity, not just to wear around or travel. 
Q. What inspired the move from pure trail shoes to a multi-surface running approach? 
We felt there was an opportunity to move a little bit further from technical trail towards the middle, not into road running, but what we call multi-surface running.  The brand created a position, “Every surface is a trail,” and with that, we started creating products supporting people who run on multiple surfaces, not just mountain trails or flat pavement. We had Montrail, which is pure, technical trail at one end, and then road running at the other end, which is a specific build for very flat, very linear movement. We focused in between.
The first shoe we created is called the Featherweight, which launched in January 2025.  The goal was to be extremely lightweight and breathable, with a multi-surface outsole, sort of door-to-trail. If you don’t live near the trail, or have to run to get to the trail, this is a shoe designed to run from your door to the trail, to run on grass, pavement and even on a treadmill.
   We felt that our history, our pedigree of being an outdoor brand was better suited to trail running, rather than staying in the more ambiguous multi-surface world. As of Spring 2025, we’ve recommitted to trail running. The difference is that we are making the new shoes under the Columbia brand, not Montrail.
Meet the Konos Trillium ATR
Q. How did the Konos Trillium ATR get its name?
Steve: Trillium comes from Trillium Lake, which is by Mount Hood, in Oregon. And ATR is like All Terrain Vehicle (ATV), except for running. With the ATR, we are making that transition from multi-surface back to trail. The Trillium ATR is about delivering a pinnacle trail runner that delivers lightweight, with max cushioning, for all-day comfort on various trails. Our design team focused on making the Trillium ATR lightweight, breathable, and comfortable. 
Ben: Konos is the Greek root word for cone, and for us, it is a full head to toe story. Our underfoot experience, Omni-MAX™, is built on the inspiration from the pinecone. Konos is a category of our product, and Omni-MAX™ is our underfoot package that we use for all our running styles. In addition to other elements, it has a nice little diamond pinecone texture on the sidewall. We found that pinecones come in two forms, ones with a hard, stable structure, and the others that are a bit softer, and more malleable. We took the duality of those two --- how they appear differently—and they provided the inspiration of what went into that Omni-MAX™ platform. 
For the Konos Trillium ATR, we wanted to develop a really stable heel and midfoot, with the assuredness that you won’t slip and slide around.  In addition to the pinecone inspired sidewalls, the biggest callout on the Omni-MAX™ platforms is the deflection dome, you’ll see it in the forefoot and in the heel. These concave depressions disperse energy when you are coming down on the heel strike or initiating the toe off. They collect all the energy and re-disperse it back, in a vertical sense (as opposed to a horizontal) and that really reduces fatigue and also provides a lot more energy return to help you with your gait and to propel you forward. 
Steve: Trillium comes from Trillium Lake, which is by Mount Hood, in Oregon. And ATR is like All Terrain Vehicle (ATV), except for running. With the ATR, we are making that transition from multi-surface back to trail. The Trillium ATR is about delivering a pinnacle trail runner that delivers lightweight, with max cushioning, for all-day comfort on various trails. Our design team focused on making the Trillium ATR lightweight, breathable, and comfortable. 
Ben: Konos is the Greek root word for cone, and for us, it is a full head to toe story. Our underfoot experience, Omni-MAX™, is built on the inspiration from the pinecone. Konos is a category of our product, and Omni-MAX™ is our underfoot package that we use for all our running styles. In addition to other elements, it has a nice little diamond pinecone texture on the sidewall. We found that pinecones come in two forms, ones with a hard, stable structure, and the others that are a bit softer, and more malleable. We took the duality of those two --- how they appear differently—and they provided the inspiration of what went into that Omni-MAX™ platform. 
For the Konos Trillium ATR, we wanted to develop a really stable heel and midfoot, with the assuredness that you won’t slip and slide around.  In addition to the pinecone inspired sidewalls, the biggest callout on the Omni-MAX™ platforms is the deflection dome, you’ll see it in the forefoot and in the heel. These concave depressions disperse energy when you are coming down on the heel strike or initiating the toe off. They collect all the energy and re-disperse it back, in a vertical sense (as opposed to a horizontal) and that really reduces fatigue and also provides a lot more energy return to help you with your gait and to propel you forward. 
Q. Does biomimicry show up in the design of the shoe?
Ben: The lifecycle of the pinecone is what inspired all these components for the Omni-MAX™ underfoot package, so it is a form of biomimicry. 
Q. What does the Konos Trillium ATR bring to trail running?
Steve: If you look at the lightweight upper, you’ll see protection without weight. The rand is a no-sew material to give a bit more stability and toe protection. Underfoot, it’s got a Omni-MAX™ cushioning platform, so the stack height is a bit higher than some of the other shoes in our line. The Omni-MAX™ cushioning is for trail runners who are looking for a significant amount of protection underfoot. We went for all day comfort, with a 5mm lugged outsole for improved traction on multiple surfaces. 
Q. How did you keep the Konos Trillium ATR lightweight without sacrificing performance?
Steve: First and foremost, we tried to keep it as light as possible, without negating the attributes of max stack height. We wanted to provide toe protection in the upper, but also sole protection from the trail itself, which is why we have a bit more EVA.
Also, methods of make have improved year over year, with materials getting lighter. These days, it is a competitive race--not a space race--but a weight race, about how light you can go while still maintaining protection. There are some give and takes—as you go lighter, you give up some level of protection, and possibly some traction. There are some quadrants, you can’t be a leader in all four with an 8 oz shoe. Our emphasis with the Trillium ATR was to provide assuredness with the outsole, protection with the Omni-MAX™ cushioning, and stability in the upper. 
The Featherweight was our first foray—at about 9 ounces, it’s a pretty lightweight shoe. With the Trillium ATR, we added more midsole for protection, a more defined lug pattern, and an outsole with Adapt Trax, so there’s a slight weight penalty to achieve that underfoot confidence. Trails are undulating, not linear—they’re rarely flat, and the surface is constantly changing—so you really need more protection. As you start adding elements to the upper for durability, components for stability, and features that keep the runner grounded, more traction and Omni-MAX™ cushioning, the weight naturally increases. That’s why the Trillium ATR comes in about 2 ounces heavier than the Featherweight. 
Ben: The lifecycle of the pinecone is what inspired all these components for the Omni-MAX™ underfoot package, so it is a form of biomimicry. 
Q. What does the Konos Trillium ATR bring to trail running?
Steve: If you look at the lightweight upper, you’ll see protection without weight. The rand is a no-sew material to give a bit more stability and toe protection. Underfoot, it’s got a Omni-MAX™ cushioning platform, so the stack height is a bit higher than some of the other shoes in our line. The Omni-MAX™ cushioning is for trail runners who are looking for a significant amount of protection underfoot. We went for all day comfort, with a 5mm lugged outsole for improved traction on multiple surfaces. 
Q. How did you keep the Konos Trillium ATR lightweight without sacrificing performance?
Steve: First and foremost, we tried to keep it as light as possible, without negating the attributes of max stack height. We wanted to provide toe protection in the upper, but also sole protection from the trail itself, which is why we have a bit more EVA.
Also, methods of make have improved year over year, with materials getting lighter. These days, it is a competitive race--not a space race--but a weight race, about how light you can go while still maintaining protection. There are some give and takes—as you go lighter, you give up some level of protection, and possibly some traction. There are some quadrants, you can’t be a leader in all four with an 8 oz shoe. Our emphasis with the Trillium ATR was to provide assuredness with the outsole, protection with the Omni-MAX™ cushioning, and stability in the upper. 
The Featherweight was our first foray—at about 9 ounces, it’s a pretty lightweight shoe. With the Trillium ATR, we added more midsole for protection, a more defined lug pattern, and an outsole with Adapt Trax, so there’s a slight weight penalty to achieve that underfoot confidence. Trails are undulating, not linear—they’re rarely flat, and the surface is constantly changing—so you really need more protection. As you start adding elements to the upper for durability, components for stability, and features that keep the runner grounded, more traction and Omni-MAX™ cushioning, the weight naturally increases. That’s why the Trillium ATR comes in about 2 ounces heavier than the Featherweight. 
Innovation Underfoot
Q. What performance tech sets the Trillium ATR apart?
Steve: It features Navic Fit in the upper. Navic Fit is a special area in the upper, where there is a strip of webbing below the lace eyelets. When you secure the laces, Navic Fit locks your foot down and gives you the best, most appropriate fit.
The Trillium ATR has our Adapt Trax outsole, a rubber compound created to not only provide excellent traction in dry weather, but more importantly, in inclement weather. The rubber compound is really our secret sauce, it provides confidence, stability and traction not only when on dry trails, but when you’re running through rain and mud. We do a lot of testing in the laboratory and in the wild and the Adapt Trax rubber and 5mm high lug pattern really makes a difference when it comes to grip.
Omni-MAX™ is our underfoot package that we use for all of our running styles; it provides advanced stability, cushioning and traction. The midsole has the Konos/pinecone inspired texture.
Q. Why do the flex grooves matter for trail runners?
Steve: Trail shoes tend to have one-piece outsoles, whereas road outsoles have multiple pieces. For a trail running shoe, it's advantageous to have full rubber coverage underfoot. When you go to a single piece of rubber, sometimes the shoe can get a bit stiffer, so we’ve engineered flex grooves into the midsole so you can still get that rubber coverage and protection without having to sacrifice flexibility
Steve: It features Navic Fit in the upper. Navic Fit is a special area in the upper, where there is a strip of webbing below the lace eyelets. When you secure the laces, Navic Fit locks your foot down and gives you the best, most appropriate fit.
The Trillium ATR has our Adapt Trax outsole, a rubber compound created to not only provide excellent traction in dry weather, but more importantly, in inclement weather. The rubber compound is really our secret sauce, it provides confidence, stability and traction not only when on dry trails, but when you’re running through rain and mud. We do a lot of testing in the laboratory and in the wild and the Adapt Trax rubber and 5mm high lug pattern really makes a difference when it comes to grip.
Omni-MAX™ is our underfoot package that we use for all of our running styles; it provides advanced stability, cushioning and traction. The midsole has the Konos/pinecone inspired texture.
Q. Why do the flex grooves matter for trail runners?
Steve: Trail shoes tend to have one-piece outsoles, whereas road outsoles have multiple pieces. For a trail running shoe, it's advantageous to have full rubber coverage underfoot. When you go to a single piece of rubber, sometimes the shoe can get a bit stiffer, so we’ve engineered flex grooves into the midsole so you can still get that rubber coverage and protection without having to sacrifice flexibility
Fit and Functionality
Q. What kind of fit can runners expect from the Trillium ATR?
Steve: Our trail running shoes are purposely a bit wider in the forefoot area, because we know feet swell during trail running.
Q. How can someone choose the right trail shoe for their running style?
Steve: We really were trying to figure out a vernacular people could understand—like street to light trails. Light trails could be bike path, flat grass—then the shoes move to technical trails, and finally, competition.
We created a chart about the evolution of styles from Spring 2025 to Spring 2026 that’s designed to help the runner who might not be very familiar with the minutia of lugs, and stack heights of the midsole and offsets. We break our shoe categories down to light trail, technical trail and speed trail.
Q. What makes trail running shoes like the Trillium ATR different from road running shoes—and are they only for running?
Steve: Trail shoes generally have lug heights anywhere from three to five millimeters.  Road-running shoes are significantly flatter because they’re used on a stable surface.
In the world of running, versatility matters. People want footwear that’s just as comfortable for walking and traveling as it is for tackling tough trails. Today’s trail runners aren’t just used for running—they're also a go-to option for hiking. Consumers are looking for shoes that inspire confidence, offer strong traction, and stay lightweight. Plus, trail running shoes often dry faster than traditional hiking boots, making them a practical choice for a range of outdoor activities.  
Steve: Our trail running shoes are purposely a bit wider in the forefoot area, because we know feet swell during trail running.
Q. How can someone choose the right trail shoe for their running style?
Steve: We really were trying to figure out a vernacular people could understand—like street to light trails. Light trails could be bike path, flat grass—then the shoes move to technical trails, and finally, competition.
We created a chart about the evolution of styles from Spring 2025 to Spring 2026 that’s designed to help the runner who might not be very familiar with the minutia of lugs, and stack heights of the midsole and offsets. We break our shoe categories down to light trail, technical trail and speed trail.
Q. What makes trail running shoes like the Trillium ATR different from road running shoes—and are they only for running?
Steve: Trail shoes generally have lug heights anywhere from three to five millimeters.  Road-running shoes are significantly flatter because they’re used on a stable surface.
In the world of running, versatility matters. People want footwear that’s just as comfortable for walking and traveling as it is for tackling tough trails. Today’s trail runners aren’t just used for running—they're also a go-to option for hiking. Consumers are looking for shoes that inspire confidence, offer strong traction, and stay lightweight. Plus, trail running shoes often dry faster than traditional hiking boots, making them a practical choice for a range of outdoor activities.  
Philosophy and Future
Q. Why is comfort more important than ever in trail running shoes?
Steve: In non-competition arenas, it is all about comfort. If I’m on a thru hike, or long run, and I’m hitting or surpassing 10 miles a day, I want a light shoe. Twenty years ago, I would have been using an all-leather shoe, mid height for support, with a very stiff midsole and outsole. You’d just accept the aches and pains. Comfort was about third on the list of what people demanded back then, but now, with new materials, manufacturing methods, and sole packages, comfort leads.
Q. What does the Omni-MAX™ platform represent for Columbia?
Ben: The Omni-MAX™ platform is really big for the brand. You’ll see Omni-MAX™ not only in running, but hiking, fishing and winter products as well. We want it to be something that is recognizable to our customers—that’s one of the reasons for the Konos pinecone design on the sidewalls.  We’ve put a lot of time, energy, and resources into getting the Omni-MAX™ underfoot experience just right. There’s a lot of technology and innovation that has been put into footwear. We may not have the Columbia-specific brand history in the category, but we are building that pedigree.
Q. What does the Omni-MAX™ platform represent for Columbia?
Ben: The Omni-MAX™ platform is really big for the brand. You’ll see Omni-MAX™ not only in running, but hiking, fishing and winter products as well. We want it to be something that is recognizable to our customers—that’s one of the reasons for the Konos pinecone design on the sidewalls.  We’ve put a lot of time, energy, and resources into getting the Omni-MAX™ underfoot experience just right. There’s a lot of technology and innovation that has been put into footwear. We may not have the Columbia-specific brand history in the category, but we are building that pedigree.
Wherever your next adventure takes you, bring Columbia’s lightweight Konos footwear for world class comfort, stability and protection.
