Trail Shoes

Recent Trail Shoe Reviews

Oboz Sawtooth II Low

Mostly waterproof, sole not as grippy on wet rocks and roots as I would prefer. Keen has better grip, but don't last more than a year before the soles start to separate from the shoe. I haven't had the Oboz quite a year yet so can't compare the durability. Due to the limited waterproof quality, I don't wear them as often so may not be able to compare fairly with Keen.  I did notice early on that there are wear places, cuts, on the soft areas of the sides of the sole. I actually ordered Bridger… Full review

Oboz Sawtooth II Low

I said it before and I say it again; They're crap. Been there, done that but these shoes just will not handle wet conditions. Parts of New Zealand where I live have up to 9 meters of rain per annum. I have tramped in dry and extreme wet and though these shoes are possibly the most comfortable ever they are also probably the worst I have ever bought. If they do not have time to dry out thoroughly then 3 to 6 month of use and they are completely useless as footwear. I now put my trust in Merrell...2… Full review

Oboz Sawtooth II Low

Fits like a Bridger Mid or Sawtooth Mid. Comfortable, good looking, stable, traction. Bought these because I love the fit. I wanted a 12 wide. Great traction, lots of stability, supportive. Probably my favorite walking/hiking shoe. Yes, it is a bit heavier than a tennis shoe. But you get rock solid stability. And rocks don't bother me underfoot. They fit just like a Bridger Mid except less ankle support.  Full review

Merrell Moab 3

A comfortable upgraded model from Merrell, that while grippier, still falls a little short for technical or long hikes. I have a love-hate relationship with Merrells. I've worn several models over many years and have not had problems. Until I bought pairs manufactured after 2019. The Moab 2's I bought after 2019 were fraught with issues. The soles literally had chunks come off and the stitching all around was coming undone, particularly at the toe. And while I like the Moabs for casual hiking they… Full review

Icebug Rover RB9X GTX

Excellent grip ability, secure and comfortable footbed, and ease of adjustment.  BOA System of fine adjustment                   Non-carbide stud version            I first bought the carbide-studded BUGrip version, but since I don’t hike in snow or ice (thought they would be helpful on black ice on my long driveway), I returned them and bought these instead. Since I’m from SoCal originally, I have a lack of skill and desire to backpack in snow, which is why I did the JMT in… Full review

Adidas Terrex AX2

Sticky, durable soles and decent uppers ruined by terrible heel holding and resulting sprained ankles. These are now a version behind so this is a long-term review. I tried the new AX4 on, walked around the store and found the same heel slip. So I wanted to warn others. I bought these in 2019 for our Grand Canyon North Rim to river to rim jaunt. During training for the trip, I mildly sprained my ankle while wearing the AX2. I thought it was just the terrain, and my poor footing. I did some PT and… Full review

Merrell Moab Speed GTX

These shoes score well on most points including comfort and traction but the soles wore out fast. Overall I walk a lot, typically 2,000 to 2,500 km a year so it is important to have shoes that work well in all sorts of conditions. After my fifth pair of North Face Hedgehog Fastpack GTX shoes failed to come up to the standard of the earlier ones I decided to look for a replacement and chose these Merrell Moab Speed GTX. For the most part I am very happy with the change. They are noticeably lighter… Full review

Asolo Flyer

Good fit, but terrible in the toebox. I have been a fan of Asolo but lately it seems like their quality and build has gone down.  This shoe runs true to size, has a wider toe box so unlike many shoes out there it is not narrow which is good for wide feet. However the top of the shoe is strangely built—the edges of the shoelace bite into the toes causing quite a bit of pain. However this does subside after a mile into your walk. I have used this shoe for urban walks and noticed that there is very… Full review

Limmer Boots The Oxford

Limmer’s Oxford is an old school leather walking shoe. It is firm-fitting and heavy, more than twice the weight of modern low hikers. They are also quite expensive for a low walking shoe but should last a long time—you can resole these, and the leather will last for years with normal care. I like how they feel, the soles offer nice traction, and I appreciate being able to wear them in social situations without looking like I just left the trailhead. The Oxford   Basic Details Limmer’s Oxford… Full review