Danner Trail 2650 Campo £107

Sock-like fit, light and breathable, grippy Not the most protective, not waterproof

With every mile you walk, the weight of your footwear matters all the more. This hiking shoe from US brand Danner is named after the 2650-mile Pacific Crest Trail, when, presumably, you’d be grateful for every gram saved by your shoes. And the Trail 2650s are extremely light, thanks to fabric mesh uppers, with a central leather panel and thin overlays for added durability. The midsole is EVA foam rubber, stiffened with a plastic ‘Trailguard’ shank for a little more stability and protection underfoot. The outsole is definitely built for the trail though, with a Vibram Megagrip compound and sharply angled lugs for enhanced traction. We liked it a lot, giving reliable grip across multiple surfaces. We were also impressed with the fit, which wraps the foot snugly thanks to a stretchy tongue. One of the common drawbacks of low-cut trail shoes is that they often allow grit and other debris in, but this sock-like construction helps to ward off most bits and pieces. There’s also a D-ring at the base of the laces so you can fit a dust gaiter, though we can’t see much call for that here in our hills. As that feature suggests though, this is definitely a shoe intended for dry, dusty trails, since it has no waterproof liner. On the flipside, that ensures they are extremely cool and breathable.

Weight 365g Men’s sizes US 7-14 (inc half sizes up to 11.5) Women’s sizes US 5-11 (inc half sizes)