Trail Shoes

Recent Trail Shoe Reviews

Merrell Men's MQM Flex

The Merrell MQM Flex is a pleasant surprise and a good value. Not quite a trail runner, the MQM Flex is a moderately priced, non-waterproof light hiking shoe that has proven itself over the miles. I have backpacked in these shoes for about 150 miles in the Ozark Mountains before posting this review. This includes two 50-mile trips and a few shorter excursions. I feel a hiker should be able to count on a solid 500 miles in a pair of lightweight shoes, and the 150-mark is a good test of performance… Full review

Ecco Terracruise II

Firstly, this is in no way a hiking shoe. I have had my pair for one year, and already there are signs of serious wear and tear to the webbing. I have a Gore-Tex version; and it is not waterproof. I have and have had several pairs of Ecco shoes and sandals, and the Terracruise are the first that are not satisfactory. Mine are just over a year old; and I will probably have to throw them out soon. On one shoe, some damage to the webbing was inflicted by the nails of an excited puppy (should this have… Full review

Keen Men's Koven

Recommended to me by a distance hiker who does sections of the PCT. Like house slippers for comfort; the waterproof version are a tad hot for warmer weather, but I have been wearing these for outdoor stuff for two years and I am most pleased. If you allow water to pour over the sides of the shoes, they are no longer called waterproof. I wore these in a small boat all day on Monday and feet were still dry in spite of squalls of very heavy rainfall. Wonderful hiking shoes! No additional details needed. Full review

Salomon Evasion 2 Aero

Rugged like a tractor...inside too! Low cut, lightweight, highly breathable trail shoe for the most rugged, rocky, and wet trails out there with a grippy sole like Velcro—so stable you can even carry your own heavy pack till you drop. Day 0—Looks can be deceptive, this cumbersome looking clogs when put in action felt feather-light and nimble becoming one piece with the foot I could easily walk, jog, run, jump, and climb with a grip like tiger claws sticking like Velcro to any surface, urban,… Full review

Lowa Men's Renegade GTX Lo

The shoes walk perfect, but in only four months the sole is completely worn out. Never again shoes so expensive and no guarantee from Lowa. I walk daily 8-10 miles on the road, nothing special. The shop did send the shoes back to Lowa, but they didn't do anything for me. The shoes cost me 179,95! So for me never again Lowa shoes! Full review

Oboz Women's Sawtooth Low

Really comfortable, but dangerous on wet tracks, tiles, granite, or cobblestones as they slip just like wearing ice skates on ice! Really comfortable but lethal on wet tracks, tiles, granite, or cobblestones as they slip just like wearing ice skates on ice! Have witnessed another person slip and fall and noticed she was wearing the same Oboz hikers. Very disappointed as was on a nine-week overseas walking holiday in Italy, Croatia, France, and Great Britain where surfaces and weather conditions… Full review

Merrell Outpulse Leather

Low cost trail shoe. I wanted a comfortable around town shoe and found these on sale, just two pairs left, I was told, they have just flown from the shelves. The 10 was not quite right, but the 10.5 was perfect. I might have had my winter slippers on!  Now I have had them for nearly a month and can say that they are now my go-to shoes for all my outdoor activities: going to town, daily walk, and the weekend trips on the local hill tracks. One of these tracks is gravel at an average 30-degree slope… Full review

Merrell Men's Moab 2 Ventilator

Loved prior versions. Latest version (shoe has 10/18 date on tongue) is uncomfortable. Had this latest incarnation for about a month and I cannot get them comfortable. I have tried lacing them in different ways and nothing works. I finally put a different insole in and that has helped. But, overall something has changed in manufacturing and I would give this latest bunch a pass. Tried on in store and they seemed fine, but stiff. I had hoped they would break in, but they are not getting any more… Full review

Lowa Men's Renegade II LL Lo

Long lasting shoes build Lowa quality! I typically use my shoes for approach and hikes. So I need a great support when carrying climbing gear. The Lowa Renegade have a polyurethane mid sole, which is heavier but will not collapse over time or under heavy load. They are made of nubuck (is top-grain cattle leather that has been sanded or buffed on the grain side, or outside, to give a slight nap of short protein fibers, producing a velvet-like), so they are warm. I even walk with them during winter… Full review