#Hiking shoe the noun project full

A thin (but still durable) suede and mesh upper and Vibram’s ultraslim LiteBase outsole both shave ounces, helping keep the Torre AT nimble as you stride. The Torre AT turns that paradigm on its head with lightweight materials that provide surprising responsiveness under big loads.

Vasque Torre AT GTX ($200) (Photo: Courtesy Vasque) Best for Big Loadsīoots designed for carrying heavy packs are typically, well, heavy. One of Darn Tough’s most popular styles (and the #1 Hiking Sock in the USA), the Light Hikers are slip, bunch and blister free, and unconditionally guaranteed for life. Our tester was also impressed with the minimal break-in time, especially for a mostly leather boot (credit the supple suede). The polypropylene lasting board and midheight cuff were enough to support a multi-day pack while we hiked around Ship Lake Pass. All that waterproofing takes a toll on breathability, though: our tester was sweating big-time in temps over 60 degrees. “My feet were only a little damp-rather than drenched-after three hours of hiking through wet vegetation,” said one tester after navigating flooded trails, soaking brush, and deep mud while hunting for blueberries in Alaska’s Chugach Mountains-an impressive accomplishment for shoes in this category. This light hiker pairs a Gore-Tex waterproof-breathable membrane with a nigh-impenetrable (1.5- to 1.7-millimeter-thick) suede upper to keep your feet dry. Is shoulder season your favorite time of the year? The Eldo Mid can slosh through water and mud with the best of ’em. 1.3 lbs (women’s) / 1.6 lbs (men’s)Īsolo Eldo Mid LTH GV ($195) (Photo: Courtesy Asolo) Best for Protection Bonus: an included multipart insole lets you customize the shoe to the volume and width of your foot. This shoe isn’t made for carrying large loads, but it kept our feet comfy under a 35-pound climbing pack. The shoe’s nonwaterproof, mesh-and-TPU upper breathed well into the seventies. Leave the cord uncinched for a nimble, flexible fit on the hike in when it’s time to climb, tighten the lacing to simultaneously cinch the heel cord, lower the volume, and increase precision. While other Salewa shoes have a static cable that wraps the heel to link the laces to the heel cup, the Wildfire uses a dynamic nylon cord. The most unique feature is Salewa’s adjustment mechanism. A relatively beefy EVA midsole absorbs shock, and the outsole’s four- to five-millimeter lugs grab dirt (a capability you also don’t see a lot of in this category). “This shoe was a joy to wear on rolling dirt trails below treeline but still gave me plenty of confidence once I hit the rock,” one Alaska-based tester said after wearing the Wildfire 2 for three days of hiking and ridge scrambling in the Chugach. It feels more like a light hiker, without losing its chops on technical rock. Salewa Wildfire 2 ($140) (Photo: Courtesy Salewa) Best Approach Shoeįew approach shoes are actually comfortable for hiking.

A Gore-Tex lining kept out precip and handled sweat well while she hiked in Colorado’s Golden Gate State Park on a day “hot enough to fry an egg.” 1.6 lbs (men’s) / 1.4 lbs (women’s) “As someone who appreciates the dexterity of trail-running shoes but the support of midcut boots, the Magma S Mid struck the perfect balance,” said one tester. An airy, synthetic-mesh upper and a Vibram Megagrip LiteBase sole keep weight at just over 1.5 pounds for a pair, and an oversize heel counter adds stability on descents whether you’re running or hiking. Still, the 24-millimeter (in the heel) EVA midsole prevented sore feet both on Rocky Mountain trail runs and while carrying a 35-pound pack in Montana’s Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness. The S Mid is certainly light, and its snug last encourages nimbleness. It has “backpacking boot” written all over it yet does not abandon its speed-focused roots.

Most of Tecnica’s Magma line takes its DNA from trail-running shoes, and the new S Mid model is no exception. Tecnica Magma S Mid GTX ($190) (Photo: Courtesy Tecnica) Most Versatile

#Hiking shoe the noun project full

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