TRAIL SHOES

For lighter, faster days and friendlier conditions, nothing beats a comfortable performance shoe.

Regatta Gatlin Low/Holocombe Low £70

This is an ideal budget-priced option if you need good general performance for walking. It has an Isotex waterproof lining with a mix of synthetic mesh and PU on the upper plus some solid reinforcement at the toe box. The outsole has deep, well-spaced lugs for grip in softer ground. The shoe feels nice and stiff for support but a more pronounced heel breast would make it

better. The fit is not quite as neat, precise and comfortable as higher-priced shoes.

Weight 1048g (pair, size 11) Sizes 7-13 (men’s); 6-9 (women’s) + price; supportive upper - higher priced shoes offer better performance Trail tested May16 4.0/5 Trail Approved

Merrell Siren Sport Q2 GTX £120

Designed specifically for women by Merrell, a brand renowned for the levels of comfort and fit that it attains in footwear. This model has been designed to match the way women move, offering support, alignment and gender-specific stability based on the Q-Angle from hip to knee and the impact this has on walking comfort. There is Gore-Tex behind the nubuck leather and antimicrobial agents to manage odour.

Weight 624g (size 5½) Sizes 5-11 (women’s) + women’s specific design; weight; sole lugs - no pronounced heel breast Trail tested No, new

Oboz Sawtooth £140

A new exciting brand of shoes with benefits to the trail walker and the planet! Oboz plants a tree for every shoe sold and the company offices are 100% powered by wind and sun. The shoes come with a more supportive footbed than standard and the outsole has a very aggressive set of lugs that are well-spaced to provide far superior grip.

There is also good stiffness in the sole and the upper.

Weight 1102g (pair, size 11) Sizes 8-14 (men’s); 6-11(women’s) + sole lugs; sole stiffness; supportive upper; - price; other Oboz models have better durability Trail tested? No, new 18 TRAIL GEAR GUIDE 2017

Trekstar Libero£100

A new brand of shoes featuring NestFit technology, based on 3D scanning of 20,000 feet to improve how well these fit and this is said to reduce muscle fatigue by 31%. This model has a suede leather upper and good support for the foot with reinforcement at the toe and heel. The sole unit is very stiff too, so again plenty of support for the foot. The outsole has a relatively shallow set of lugs though so grip on softer terrain won’t be as good as others.

Weight 1048g (pair, size 11) Sizes 7-12 (men’s); 4-7 (women’s) + price; very stiff and supportive sole - no wide-spaced lugs for best grip Trail tested No, new

Scarpa Zen Pro £130

A proven performer that stays the same price as 2016 and retains its features. It is a true allrounder thanks to having a durable upper made from suede with a rubber rand around the toe. You also get lacing to the toe for a more refined fit and a smooth climbing zone under the toe which improves scrambling performance. The sole has well spaced lugs. The overall impact is great grip on a range of terrain and good durability but there is no waterproof lining.

Weight 1136g (pair, size 11) Sizes 7-12 (men’s); 4-8 (women’s) + durable upper; stiffness; sole lugs - no waterproof lining; price Trail tested May16 4.0/5 Trail Approved

Zamberlan Zenith £140

This was £125 in 2016 so there has been a price hike here, but nonetheless it is still an excellent shoe. The upper is made of split leather overlays and synthetic materials with a rubber toe rand and it is very stiff and supportive, making this good for rocky trails. There is a Gore-Tex waterproof lining for puddles and underfoot you get well-spaced lugs to keep a grip in mud. A slightly more pronounced heel breast would

be good for loose ground and more stiffness would be better for walking on rockier terrain.

Weight 1048g (pair size 11) Sizes 7-12 (men’s); 6-9 (women’s) + durable upper - high price Trail tested May16 4.6/5

Berghaus Expeditor AQ Activ £100

Described as a lightweight, flexible and comfortable shoe to take you anywhere, anytime, this shoe has a suede leather upper for durability overlaying mesh for a sporty style and greater breathability. An AQ waterproof lining is provided to save cash compared to the Gore-Tex used on the similar Berghaus Explorer Active GTX shoes at £115. The outsole has an Opti-Stud pattern of well-spaced lugs but they are relatively shallow.

Weight 810g (pair, size 9) Sizes 6-12 (men’s); 4-8 (women’s) + price; weight; widely spaced lugs - others are stiffer Trail tested No, new

Lowa Renegade GTX Lo £140

This is the latest version of the popular Renegade that has been around for many years. It has a nubuck leather upper with a Gore-Tex waterproof lining. Of particular interest is the stiff sole and its very good set of deep wellspaced lugs and a heel breast that should ensure this keeps a better grip on grass and soft paths better than many other shoes. It is less sporty than other designs and does not have the precise feel at the toe of more climbing orientated

designs, but for traditional walking it‘s great.

Weight 1094g (pair, size 11) Sizes 6½-15 (men’s); 2½-10 (women’s) + durable upper; stiffness; sole lugs - price; less sporty styling; not ideal for climbing Trail tested No

AKU La Val Low Plus £145

The traditional styling hides a wealth of technology as the sole is a Michelin Pulsar design that was inspired by mountain bike tyres, so it has deep, well-spaced lugs as well as a heel breast for grip. To protect the environment, the Zero Impact leather replaces chrome and heavy metals from the tanning process and has reduced CO2 emissions. For durability the nubuck leather has minimal stitching. But there’s no waterproof lining or rubber rand, and the toe box is soft.

Weight 1152g (pair, size 11) Sizes 3-13 (unisex) + durable upper; stiffness - price; no waterproof lining; less precise for climbing Trail tested No, new