GROUP TEST Trail shoes If you ll be doing outdoorsy stuff that doesn t involve high mountains or overly tough terrain, a pair of these might just suit (and they look pretty good in the pub too). TEST AND PHOTOGRAPHS GRAHAM THOMPSON IN THE GEAR SHOP WHAT TO LOOK FOR... WEIGHT Trail shoes are often chosen in preference to boots because they are lighter. However, the lighter the shoe the less support it may provide and the less durable it may be. Equally, a lighter shoe may lack cushioning underfoot, making it more tiring to wear while also lacking the stiffness in the sole to make climbing over rocks easy. So it s important to consider performance zand weight when choosing footwear. LUGS Lugs that are well-spaced and deep can provide good grip without easily clogging with mud and without wearing away too rapidly with regular use. Also look for a deep heel breast (the step between the heel and midfoot area of the sole unit) as this is vital for providing braking power in descents. HEEL COUNTER Pinch the heel of the shoe between thumb and fi ngers to test how supportive it will be for your foot. Support in this area is important for those moving over uneven ground, to help stabilise the foot and prevent injuries. UPPER A leather upper with minimal stitching will last for many years if cared for well, and will probably outlast the grip on the sole. Conversely an upper made of synthetic fabric, mesh and thin strips of suede leather is unlikely to be as durable and often tends to be slow-drying too. But mesh and synthetic uppers are much lighter and lower in price than leather, so they re commonly used in trail shoes. 108 TRAIL MAY 2014 MIDSOLE FLEX Grab the boot by the toe and heel, and bend them together to test longitudinal stiffness, then twist the sole to test lateral stiffness. It is a matter of personal choice, but generally a more fl exible sole is better for comfort on level ground and for moving fast, while a stiffer sole fl ex is more comfortable on rockier ground and also allows a more precise use of small footholds when scrambling. TOE BOX To protect the foot from stray boulders a stiffened toe box is important. You can test this by pressing the top of the area where your toes will be in the boot with your thumb, and then judging if it s stiff enough to provide protection.
La Sportiva Boulder X 100 Berghaus Prognosis GTX 100 Keen Marshall WP 110 m m n m n This is designed as an approach shoe, which means it s built to be more abrasion-resistant and to have good performance when scrambling over rocks during the approach to a climbing crag. So for durability the upper is made from suede leather with a rubber rand enclosing most of the shoe. There s also good stiffness in the heel cup, and reasonable stiffness in the toe box to support and protect the foot when traversing rocky ground. The lacing extends all the way to the toe, so you get a more precise fi t and feel. For grip underfoot there s a Vibram sole unit, which has widely spaced lugs; they re not the deepest available but they are reasonably good on grass or mud slopes. However, on rock the sole is better than most as it s made from sticky rubber for better grip, while a smooth climbing zone under the toe aids the precise feel of the shoe on smaller footholds. There s also additional cushioning underfoot to ensure that longer walks on hard surfaces to the crags are comfortable. This all adds up to the Boulder X having an outstanding level of comfort as well as precise performance when climbing, scrambling or walking on rockier ground. You don t get a waterproof lining, though, so this isn t the best option for tramping across wet and boggy moorland. The Prognosis weighs just 876g (pair, size 11), making it ideal for fast and light outdoor action or anyone simply wanting to save weight. The upper is made from mesh with a Gore-Tex waterproof lining and there are overlays of material to increase its durability. But it is still probably not going to be able to withstand the abuse that heavier shoes can tolerate. There is good stiffness in the heel cup to support the foot on uneven ground, but the toe area is slightly less well-protected than others, although it does have some stiffness and a rand to improve performance on rockier ground. The Vibram sole unit has a fairly shallow series of lugs and a small heel breast, but on muddy grass slopes this isn t the best sole I ve used in ascent or descent, although it s fi ne on level ground. There is some stiffness in the sole to take the discomfort out of rockier ground, but some other shoes are better on rock. The sole fl exes nicely for moving fast, though, which when combined with the low weight makes this well-suited to fast activity. So while this model is great in terms of weight its best performance is limited to easier terrain. But it would be a useful all-rounder for biking, walking and moving fast as long as you stick to paths and tracks. Trail shoes are great for lightweight journeys in dry conditions, while boots are more efective on rough terrain. This is a very modern style with a low weight of just 970g (pair, size 11), which gives it instant appeal on the shelf and in the hand. The upper is a mix of synthetic material and an external rubber skeleton with a particularly large rubber bumper. A Keen Dry waterproof lining is provided, and this combination does appear to be useful for wet conditions as well as giving some rocky ground abrasion resistance. For grip there s a good set of deep, widely spaced lugs, particularly under the forefoot. But there is a less pronounced heel breast than on some other shoes here, so there s less braking grip available on wet grass slopes. The main problem with this shoe, though, is that it is very fl exible. This will be welcomed by those seeking a more natural and unrestricted feel underfoot; but once you re on rocky paths it places more physical demands on the foot, and I did fi nd it felt more tiring on such ground. The fi t is typically Keen in style with a wider forefoot and a very comfortable but secure heel area. When used on level paths this is an extremely comfortable option, but it s less well-equipped for more challenging terrain unless you re looking for lightweight, more natural-feeling footwear, which does have benefi ts of course. As there s no waterproof lining, this shoe is relatively low in price, and when used for approaching crags it is excellent. FEATURES DESIGN PERFORMANCE VALUE A very wellpriced lightweight shoe, ideal for fast and light activity on easier terrain, but others are better on rough ground. FEATURES DESIGN PERFORMANCE VALUE Waterproof and durable with good grip for level muddy surfaces, but on rock you may prefer a shoe with more sole stifness. FEATURES DESIGN PERFORMANCE VALUE MAY 2014 TRAIL 109
BEST VALUE Boreal Aztec 110 m n Merrell Moab Gore-Tex 110 Salomon X Ultra GTX 115 m n m n The Aztec is a hillwalking workhorse with some modern design features to appeal to the less traditional hill-goer. It s also exceptionally well-priced for what it offers, as most shoes around its price range have much less substantial designs details. The upper is made from fabric and leather, like most multi-activity shoes, but there is much more stiffness and support built into this shoe than many of its competitors at this price. By having good stiffness in the heel cup and toe box, the Aztec is better suited than most shoes to heading onto the hills and scrambling over rockier ground. For even more durability there is a rubber rand at the toe box too. Underfoot there is a Vibram sole unit with well-spaced lugs to prevent clogging and a heel breast to aid braking during a descent on soft ground. There is also plenty of stiffness in that sole, so again it can cope better than most in its price range when the ground becomes rockier. Considering its walking-orientated design the Aztec does have quite a close and precise fi t, which means it s suitable for scrambling over easier rocky ground as well as being able to provide comfortable support for general walking. This shoe is heavier than many, though; so if you want something for fast and light activity other shoes are likely to be better. The Merrell Moab is very much an all-round outdoor shoe. The upper has a Gore-Tex waterproof lining that s protected by mesh to allow some ventilation, plus overlays of material for more durability. The heel cup is nice and stiff to support the foot on uneven ground while the toe box has some stiffness at the front to protect the fi t, but it s less protective on the top than a leather shoe. There s quite a lot of stitching here compared to some designs, so if used on really rough, abrasive terrain it may not last as long as a simpler leather design. For good grip there is a Vibram Multi-Sport sole with a variety of lug designs that are quite deep and well-spaced, but there s no pronounced heel breast so braking in descent may not be perfect on soft ground. The sole does have good resistance to rocks, though, and is good for general conditions. This is the sort of shoe you put on and forget about, because it s very comfortable and just allows you to get on with the fun. I d happily wear these every day, but I might sometimes choose alternative footwear for specifi c activities like running, biking or approaching crags if I was looking for more dedicated performance. Ensure the design of a shoe matches your activity, as some are best for climbing while others are better for general use. This is an exceptionally light shoe at just 956g (pair, size 11), making it instantly appealing to anyone wishing to save weight or move fast outdoors. The upper is synthetic with an open mesh and a Gore-Tex waterproof lining. The upper is protected by synthetic overlays and a large rubber toe bumper, but it s still not going to be as durable as an all-leather upper if taken onto rough terrain. There is some reasonable stiffness in the heel cup for support on uneven ground but the upper and toe box are quite soft, so again it s not the best option for loose, rocky ground. What is most interesting about this shoe, apart from the weight, is that the outsole has some very aggressive and widely spaced studs that are great for gripping soft, grassy slopes and generally muddy terrain. The underfoot cushioning is also excellent for taking the strain out of pounding along fi rm paths. This all adds up to a shoe that s great for fast and light movement in a variety of terrain, but it s best suited to paths and moors. On rockier ground the X Ultra doesn t perform as well as stiffer shoes as there isn t a great deal of stiffness in the sole. But it would work well for superlight backpacking as well as general outdoor activity away from rockier terrain. A very good, practical hillwalking shoe for most hillwalking and more general outdoor activities; but others are lighter and some are better on rock. FEATURES DESIGN PERFORMANCE VALUE A true all-round multi-activity shoe. It may not be the best for specifc activities but is ideal for general use in a range of situations. FEATURES DESIGN PERFORMANCE VALUE This is a very lightweight shoe that would be a great choice for biking, hiking, moving fast or superlight backpacking on easier terrain. FEATURES DESIGN PERFORMANCE VALUE MAY 2014 TRAIL 111
Lowa Sirkos GTX 115 m n Meindl Respond 120 Zamberlan Crosser GTX 120 m n m n This is a rather traditionally styled walking shoe with less versatility than some. It weighs 1056g (pair, size 11), which isn t the heaviest here, but it does feel a little more clumpy on the foot due to the more traditional design. The upper is made of suede leather and synthetic fabric with a Gore-Tex waterproof lining. There isn t too much stitching on the upper, nor is there lots of mesh either, so it should offer good durability. But you don t get the rubber rand offered by some models, and the toe box is slightly soft for a walking shoe designed for heading onto rougher ground. The outsole has deep lugs that are widely spaced plus a decent heel breast and so on mud, grass and moorland walks this should provide good grip. The sole is quite bendy, though, so once this is taken onto rockier ground it won t be as comfortable as other shoes. When used for fast movement or short sessions of biking or scrambling it feels too clumpy and not as precise as other options, so this is best kept as a walking shoe that is perfectly capable of carrying you along paths in the valley or onto the hills. Its styling will probably appeal to the more experienced traditional hillgoer than the young pretender. So-called 'sticky rubber' is ideal for scrambling or climbing but it will wear down more quickly than general-purpose sole unit rubber. This is very much an all-round outdoor shoe with a good range of general features. So you get a mesh upper with a waterproof lining and some suede leather overlays to provide some durability. The heel cup offers very good support for uneven ground while the toe box is less protective, but it does get a rand for durability and there s at least some stiffness in this area to protect the foot from stray rocks. The sole unit is less aggressive than some other models here with quite shallow lugs that mean this shoe isn t great on mud or grass slopes and that s a slight niggle with this otherwise good design. Stiffness in the sole is good, though, and there is also decent cushioning to take the pounding out of walking on hard terrain. On the foot this feels quite spacious, and I found it generally comfortable. Wearing it for day-to-day walks it performs well, but move onto more challenging terrain such as mud or rock and other shoes have benefi ts. As this weighs 1020g (pair, size 11) it isn t the lightest option so it s not great for fast and light activity, and considering what it offers the price is a little high compared to others. It s an all-rounder, but deeper lugs would make it better on soft ground. This is a good lightweight option at 954g (pair, size 46), making it instantly appealing to anyone wanting to travel light. The shoe has a synthetic upper with a Gore-Tex waterproof lining, but there s less mesh here, which means the waterproof lining is better protected and the upper may be faster-drying as well, as it will tend to absorb less water. There is a rand around the sides of the shoe that features Kevlar, so that should be very durable. The Crosser also sports a rubber rand at the toe and heel. Surprisingly for such a functional design the toe box is very soft, perhaps to keep weight down, but it certainly offers less protection in this area than many other shoes. The outsole has widely spaced lugs and a heel breast, and although the lugs aren t quite as good as the best available they are reasonably good on soft terrain. I d ideally like them to have a little more bite, though. The sole has good stiffness for fast action with a nice spring in the toe and particularly good cushioning in the heel area. This all adds up to a comfortable, fast-action shoe for general use. It doesn t excel in any particular area, but that is what makes it a good all-rounder for walking, fast and light hiking, or just playing outdoors. This is a good walking shoe; but it feels clumpier and less precise than some other, more modern designs of multi-activity footwear. FEATURES DESIGN PERFORMANCE VALUE A comfortable, modern shoe that ofers reasonable general-purpose performance, but some tweaks to the design would make it better on softer surfaces. FEATURES DESIGN PERFORMANCE A lightweight shoe that ofers good performance; but a sole unit with a little more bite would be useful, while a stifer toe box would help on rockier ground. FEATURES DESIGN PERFORMANCE MAY 2014 TRAIL 113
GROUP TEST Scarpa Zen Pro 125 m n Haglöfs Vertigo II GT 130 m n The Zen Pro manages to push the boundaries of what s possible in terms of performance from an all-round multiactivity shoe. It has a suede leather upper with some synthetic overlays, a rubber rand at the toe and minimal stitching, which means it s going to be very durable. There is no waterproof lining inside, though, so this is not the best option for wet terrain. But the toe box is much fi rmer than most, making it ideal for rockier ground. The heel cup is also fi rm while the sole unit is much stiffer than most multi-activity shoes, both toe to heel and laterally, and this makes the Zen Pro much more suitable for using on rocky ground. It also has a deep studded outsole so getting a grip on wet grass or mud is much easier with this shoe than many others. But there s also a smooth climbing zone under the toe for precise climbing performance. On the foot the fi t is closer and neater, particularly around the toes, making this ideal for scrambling over rocks. The studded sole is ideal for approaching crags over muddy ground while the durability means the shoe should be a reliable workhorse year after year. The niggle is the lack of waterproof lining, which means that although the studded sole may allow you to tackle wet and muddy terrain you may get wet feet. It s also quite heavy at 1176g (pair, size 11). A superb all-round shoe for scrambling, walking or lightweight backpacking, but its range is limited to dry terrain as there is no waterproof lining. FEATURES DESIGN PERFORMANCE This shoe has proven its worth over the years, thanks to being built to take plenty of abuse. The upper s made from leather with a synthetic tongue and there s minimal stitching so this should make the upper more durable than many when used on tougher outdoor terrain. The toe box is stiffer than some other shoes too, and there is a rubber rand around the toe, which all helps to make the Vertigo more suitable for rockier ground. The heel cup is also nice and stiff again a great feature for more challenging terrain. The outsole lug pattern is reasonably aggressive, and while not as a good as a boot it s good for a shoe. Grab the shoe and you ll fi nd there s good stiffness laterally as well as toe to heel, which again makes this model better than most for rockier ground. Inside there s a footbed that s moulded to support the arch, meaning this shoe feels more stable on the foot than some others. There s good cushioning too. The Vertigo II GT isn t as light and springy as some options, but if you want footwear for walking over rocky ground, approaching crags and generally acting as a trusty outdoor workhorse when you re not wearing boots, then the Vertigo is for you. A true all-round mountain walking and scrambling shoe that will provide longer-term durability than most; but others are better for street comfort or fast and light action. Trail shoes comparison guide Your at-a-glance guide to the main features of each shoe, and how the products stack up against each other. La Sportiva Boulder X 100 Berghaus Prognosis GTX 100 Keen Marshall WP 110 Boreal Aztec 110 BEST VALUE Merrell Moab Gore-Tex 110 Salomon X Ultra GTX 115 UPPER MATERIAL suede leather synthetic synthetic closed mesh, 2mm split leather, synthetic mesh, synthetic synthetic textile leather overlays synthetic tongue and leather overlays WATERPROOF LINING none Gore-Tex Keen Dry Boreal Dry-Line Gore-Tex Gore-Tex SOLE UNIT Idro-Grip Vibram XS Trek high-traction rubber Vibram Skyrunning Vibram multi-sport Advanced Chassis MEN'S SIZES 36-47.5 7-11 6-13 6-12 6½-14 6½-12½ WOMEN'S SIZES none 4-8 3-8 4-8 3½-8½ 3½-8½ WEIGHT 1060g (pair, size 46) 876g (pair, size 11) 970g (pair, size 11) 1234g (pair, size 11) 986g (pair, size 11) 956g (pair, size 11) WEBSITE www.lasportiva.com www.berghaus.com www.keenfootwear.com www.e-boreal.com www.merrell.com/uk www.salomon.com/uk FEATURES DESIGN PERFORMANCE VALUE RATING 114 TRAIL MAY 2014
BEST IN TEST Salewa Wildfre GTX 130 m n FEATURES DESIGN PERFORMANCE VALUE The Wildfi re is an extremely technical approach shoe that weighs in at 1004g (pair, size 46) while boasting an excellent set of features. The upper is made of a more hard-wearing mesh than most shoes, and it s also protected by an external rubber cage that should increase durability further. You also get a rubber rand that encloses the shoe and toe area. The lacing extends further towards the toe than in general-purpose shoes for a more precise fi t when scrambling or climbing. The profi le of the toe is also better suited to climbing and offers a more precise foot placement than most approach or general-purpose shoes. This dedication to more technical climbing performance continues with the outsole, which has a smooth area under the toe for precision when climbing. But you also get a set of studs on the sole and a slight heel breast for a good grip when approaching the crags over softer ground. The outsole is made from sticky rubber, which offers better grip on rock but is less durable than standard rubber. On the foot the toe fi t was exceptionally precise, which made climbing much easier, and as there is great cushioning in the heel you can walk easily on paths. But if you want a shoe primarily for general walking then the more durable sole rubber and more relaxed fi t of other models is an advantage. The ultimate shoe for scrambling, climbing and via ferrata, but if you move away from that terrain more generalpurpose shoes have advantages in terms of comfort. FEATURES DESIGN PERFORMANCE BEST IN TEST Lowa Sirkos GTX 115 Meindl Respond 120 Zamberlan Crosser GTX 120 Scarpa Zen Pro 125 Haglöfs Vertigo II GT 130 Salewa Wildfre GTX 130 suede leather, synthetic mesh Cordura and Schoeller suede leather, synthetic 1.6 to 1.8mm nubuck ballistic mesh, external synthetic Cordura and suede leather Kevlar-reinforced fabric and rubber overlays leather, synthetic tongue rubber SD cage Gore-Tex Gore-Tex Gore-Tex none Gore-Tex Gore-Tex Lowa Cross II Meindl Contagrip Zamberlan Vibram Vibram Spyder 2 Haglöfs HSH Vibram Tech Alpine double density Speed King Approach EVO 6½-13 6-12 40-48 41-48 6½-12½ 6-13 3½-9 3½-8 36-43 37-42 3-8 3-9 1056g (pair, size 11) 1020g (pair, size 11) 954g (pair, size 46) 1176g (pair, size 46) 1170g (pair, size 11) www.lowa.co.uk www.meindl.co.uk www.zamberlan.com www.scarpa.co.uk www.haglofs.com 1004g (pair, size 11) www.salewa.com Did you know you can read our gear tests online? Check out www.lfto. com/gear to access Trail s vast archive of gear tests for free! Details of any shoes that just missed getting into the magazine will be online from 17 April. MAY 2014 TRAIL 115