Hoka One One Speedgoat Mid 2 GTX
$170, 1 lb. 10 oz. (US men’s 9)
Sizes: US men’s 7-15, women’s 5-11
backcountry.com

Comfort can prove an elusive quarry with footwear, especially for dayhikers and trail runners who pile on the miles and backpackers seeking the conflicting qualities of support and low weight in boots. After numerous trail runs, dayhikes, and backpacking trips in these two shoe models, I’ve reached a point where I’m usually reaching for either my Hoka One One Speedgoat 4 or my Speedgoat Mid 2 GTX when hitting the trails.

I’ve worn the Speedgoat 4 on numerous trail runs of up to 10 miles in my local foothills, on trails generally of packed dirt with occasional rocks, including a local peak where the trail ascends a steep 2,000 vertical feet in just over two miles.

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Similarly, I’ve found the Speedgoat Mid 2 GTX comfortable and supportive hiking and running local trails in a variety of conditions, as well as on a three-day, 19-mile backpacking trip on the Idaho Snake River National Recreation Trail in Hells Canyon, carrying up to 25 pounds while backpacking three days in the Wind River Range, and with up to 35 pounds on my back on a five-day, 78-mile backpacking trip on the Wonderland Trail around Mount Rainier. I also wore them on a late-October dayhike of Grandeur Peak in Utah’s Wasatch Mountains, on a trail that climbs 3,300 feet in 2.2 miles, with muddy trail and some wet snow on the upper section of the trail. My feet stayed dry and felt very good on the hard, pounding descent, my toes never getting jammed at the front of the boots.

Like other Hoka One One footwear, the neutral-stability, low-cut Speedgoat 4 and mid-cut Speedgoat Mid 2 GTX both feature Hoka’s signature oversized, lightweight foam midsole, which delivers balanced cushioning for trail runs or lightweight hiking for any distance.

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With both shoes, the wide midsole and forefoot kept my feet comfortable even on longer runs, when feet can swell slightly, while the fit was running-shoe-snug in the heel and midfoot: My feet never slipped in these shoes. And the wide platform and good torsional rigidity give both shoes exceptional stability for footwear this light.

The minimal, 4mm drop of both shoes works great for me. The stack height, or thickness of the midsole and outsole (i.e., the distance between the soles of your feet and the ground), goes from 33mm at the heel to 29mm at the forefoot. That thick cushion and the supportive heel cup also improve comfort.

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The 3D printed overlays on the uppers of the Speedgoat 4 and Speedboat Mid 2 GTXstabilize and lock down the midfoot, similar to the support and protection found in many hiking shoes that are several ounces heavier. The Speedgoat 4’s mesh uppers, updated over the Speedgoat 3, breathe supremely well, while cutouts in the gusseted tongue help the shoe ventilate—my feet never got sweaty, even on trail runs in temps pushing 80° F under a hot sun.

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A small rubber toe bumper in both shoes offers some protection, as do the 3D overlays on the mesh uppers, lending them good durability for trail-running shoes in this weight class. But neither model has the durability of beefier—and heavier—hiking shoes, if you use them for hiking or ultralight backpacking. The biggest weak point—as with many shoes in this category—is likely the exposed soft foam of the midsole outside the little toe; that spot will get chewed up more easily on rocky trails.

In both shoes, the Vibram MegaGrip outsole with multi-directional 5mm lugs and zonal rubber placements provide excellent traction and stability on trails ranging from packed dirt to solid rock. Even going down very steeply on loose dirt and pea gravel, the outsoles never slipped once.

Hiking in the Speedgoat Mid 2 GTX in steady rain, through shallow puddles, and even through heavily falling, wet snow that was several inches deep on the trail (I wore soft-shell low gaiters), the Gore-Tex membrane kept my feet dry. But on a day backpacking nine miles in steady, wind-driven rain in the Winds, these light shoes were overwhelmed and my feet got a bit damp.

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The Speedgoat 4 shoes are not waterproof, but dry out quickly because of the airy uppers, so they would be good shoes for typically dry dayhiking and ultralight backpacking on trails that are generally well-constructed and not littered with big rocks. There’s also a waterproof-breathable version, the Speedgoat 4 GTX ($160).

I’ve been very impressed with the Speedgoat line. As I wrote in my review of the Speedgoat 3, wearing them running rim-to-rim-to-rim across the Grand Canyon in a day—42 miles and over 21,000 vertical feet, which I’d done a couple of times before, in different shoes each time—I fully expected to beat up my feet again. But in those shoes, my feet actually felt good (just very fatigued) at the end of that long day.

The Verdict

The impressive comfort and support for their low weight, very good traction, and unparalleled cushion of the Hoka One One Speedgoat 4 and Speedgoat Mid 2 GTX—which adds ankle support and Gore-Tex waterproof-breathable protection—arguably make them the best shoes out there for hikers, trail runners, and ultralight and lightweight backpackers who prefer the lightest footwear.

BUY IT NOW You can support my work on this blog, at no cost to you, by clicking this affiliate link to purchase the men’s or women’s Hoka One One Speedgoat 5 or Speedgoat Mid 5 GTX at backcountry.com.

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See all my reviews of lightweight hiking shoes and backpacking boots, my “Expert Tips for Buying the Right Hiking Boots,” and “8 Pro Tips for Preventing Blisters When Hiking.”

You may also be interested in my picks for “The Best Running Hydration Vests,” “The Best Ultralight Hiking and Running Jackets,” “The Best Trekking Poles,” and “The 10 Best Hiking Daypacks,” which includes my expert buying tips, and all of my reviews of hiking gear.

NOTE: I tested gear for Backpacker Magazine for 20 years. At The Big Outside, I review only what I consider the best outdoor gear and apparel. See my Gear Reviews page at The Big Outside for categorized menus of all of my reviews and my expert buying tips.

—Michael Lanza

Note: See my newer review of the Hoka One One Speedgoat 4.

Trail running and hiking can be hard on feet. Beyond the possibility of blisters, miles of pounding can sometimes leave your feet feeling beat up and sore—and longer distances magnify the effects of all that impact. As someone who enjoys long trail runs and dayhikes, I’ve suffered my share of foot pain. And after numerous trail runs of anywhere from five to 20 miles in my local foothills—and a one-day, 42-mile, 22,000-vertical-foot run-hike across the Grand Canyon and back—I believe that I’ve discovered the best trail-running shoes I’ve ever used, for numerous reasons, and a model that crosses over to hiking: the Hoka Speedgoat 3.

Going rim-to-rim-to-rim across the Grand Canyon—a journey I’d done a couple of times before, in different shoes each time—I fully expected it to beat up my feet again, simply because it always has. But my feet actually felt good (just very fatigued, of course) when I finished this time, wearing these shoes. The low-cut, super light, neutral-stability Speedgoat 3 features Hoka’s signature oversized CMEVA foam midsole, which delivers luxurious cushioning for trail runs or lightweight hiking for any distance.

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The wider midsole and toe box kept my feet comfortable even on longer days, when feet tend to swell a bit, while the fit was running-shoe-snug in the heel and midfoot, where you want that; my feet never slipped in these shoes. And the overall wider platform and good torsional rigidity, especially for a shoe this light—you can’t easily twist one of these shoes (like wringing a towel)—give the Speedgoat 3 very stable footing, even on rugged trails with a huge amount of vertical gain and loss, as when crossing the Grand Canyon. These shoes do not feel too “high,” an impression some consumers might get before trying them. On the many miles I’ve logged in these shoes, with ankles that have suffered their share of abuse, I recall rolling them maybe twice, and never badly enough to end a run.

Although I’ve never personally found zero-drop shoes comfortable for my feet, the minimal, 4mm drop of the Speedgoat 3 hits a balance that works great for me (and based on the shoe’s popularity, apparently also for a lot of other runners). The stack height, or thickness of the midsole and outsole (i.e., the distance between the soles of your feet and the ground), goes from 33mm at the heel to 29mm at the forefoot. That thick cushion and the supportive heel cup certainly help improve comfort, of course.

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TPU overlays creating a cage construction on the uppers help stabilize and lock down the midfoot, mimicking the support and protection of many hiking shoes that are several ounces heavier. The mesh uppers breathe supremely well—my feet never got sweaty, even during the hottest stretch of our early-October Grand Canyon rim to rim to rim, running and hiking uphill with the temp pushing toward 80° F under an intense desert sun.

The Vibram MegaGrip outsole with multi-directional 5mm lugs provides impressive grip and traction on trails ranging from packed dirt to solid rock and loose gravel and scree.

For hikes or high-speed workouts in windy, damp weather, get a breathable, ultralight shell. See my review of “The Best Ultralight Hiking and Backpacking Jackets.”

A small rubber toe bumper offers some protection, as do the TPU overlays on the sidewalls and the mesh uppers around the forefoot, giving this shoe good durability for trail-running shoes in this weight class. But they will not have the durability of beefier—and heavier—hiking shoes, if you use them for hiking or ultralight backpacking, especially in wet conditions. The biggest weak point—as with many shoes in this category—is likely the exposed soft foam of the midsole outside the little toe; that spot will get chewed up more easily on rocky trails.

They’re not waterproof, but dry out fast because of the airy uppers, so they would be good shoes for typically dry dayhiking and ultralight backpacking on trails that are generally well-constructed and not littered with big rocks. The Speedgoat 3 is also 100 percent vegan.

There’s also a Speedgoat 3 Waterproof version ($150).

The Verdict

With incredibly low weight, superior cushion, and the traction of an ATV, the Hoka One One Speedgoat 3 just may be the best trail-running shoe for any distance and terrain on the market today—and it crosses over quite competently to lightweight dayhiking and even ultralight backpacking (although ideally in mostly dry conditions).

BUY IT NOW You can support my work on this blog by clicking any of these links to purchase the men’s or women’s Hoka One One Speedgoat 4 (which replaced the Speedgoat 3) at backcountry.com or Moosejaw.com.

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Thank you.

See all of my reviews of hiking shoes and backpacking boots that I like, my reviews of hiking gear and backpacking gear, and my “Pro Tips For Buying the Right Boots.”

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NOTE: I tested gear for Backpacker Magazine for 20 years. At The Big Outside, I review only what I consider the best outdoor gear and apparel. See my Gear Reviews page at The Big Outside for categorized menus of all of my reviews and my expert buying tips.

—Michael Lanza

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Hiking/Trail Running Shoes
Brooks Cascadia 12
$130, 1 lb. 10 oz. (US men’s 9)
Sizes: men’s 7-15, women’s 5-12
moosejaw.com

Lightweight, low-cut, trail-running shoes that cross over well to dayhiking and ultralight backpacking can look similar, but many share the same three shortcomings: inadequate support and cushioning for rugged trails; not enough toe space, especially for longer outings; and uppers that lack the durability for the abuse of rocky trails. Wearing the Brooks Cascadia 12 on fall trail runs of up to 10 miles, and on a 16-mile, roughly 5,000-vertical-foot dayhike of Utah’s 11,749-foot Mount Timpanogos, I found these shoes excel where other models fail at all three of those performance metrics—while still weighing in lighter than many competitors. Here’s why.

With this latest iteration of the popular Cascadia—a neutral-support shoe with a traditional, 10mm drop—Brooks has ramped up the cushioning. For me, the shoes delivered a soft ride that never caused soreness or fatigue even on longer runs or the 5,000-foot descent off Timpanogos. Brooks says that its BioMoGo DNA midsole foam, featuring the company’s proprietary polymer, reacts to a runner’s stride, weight, and speed to provide a degree of cushioning customized to the impact forces created by a runner with each step. A ballistic rock shield—a thermoplastic EVA sheath between the outsole and midsole from the midfoot forward—protects the forefoot by dissipating the impact of sharp objects like rocks.

The shoes also feature what Brooks calls a segmented crash pad, a caterpillar-shaped system of shock absorbers that boost the cushioning and smooth out heel-to-toe transitions. Lastly, the chassis gains stabilization from a wide platform and outsole pivot posts on both sides of the heel and forefoot.

The medium-volume fit has a distinctively spacious forefoot that gave my toes plenty of room and never felt confining, even on longer runs when feet can expand slightly, sometimes making toes hot. The heel cup feels very solid and supportive; and while, as with any low-cut, it doesn’t cover the ankle bones, triangular plastic plates on each side protect the heel and lower Achilles.

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The mesh uppers are super breathable—ideal for mild to hot temps, but my feet felt a little chilly when running trails with temps in the low 40s Fahrenheit. They also have strips of TPU overlays to protect the mesh and provide a bit more stability for the foot. Durability is further enhanced by a rubber toe bumper and reinforced fabric that extends to the side walls—farther on the lateral (outer) side on the foot, which typically suffers more abuse.

The widely spaced, multi-directional lugs on the outsole bite well on dry ground (packed dirt, scree, rock), brake securely going downhill, and even performed fine in granular, loose, early-season snow on the upper sections of the trail up Timpanogos (although the shoes clearly are not designed for snow). But the one fault I found was that they were more prone to slipping on wet rock than other shoes I’ve worn. I’d say they’re best for running on trails that are generally dry, which makes sense with the non-waterproof uppers. (Note: My feet didn’t really get wet in the snow, but it was cold and dry and had very low water content.)

The Brooks Cascadia 12 have jumped to the top of my list of favorite low-cut shoes for trail runs of any distance and dayhiking in mostly dry conditions; and they’re a solid shoe for ultralight backpacking, as long as you’re not heading out regularly in wet conditions.

BUY IT NOW You can support my work on this blog by clicking any of these links to purchase the men’s or women’s Brooks Cascadia 12 shoes at moosejaw.com, summithut.com, or rei.com.

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See all of my reviews of hiking shoes, trail-running shoes, and backpacking boots that I like, my reviews of hiking gear and backpacking gear, and my “Pro Tips For Buying the Right Hiking Boots.”

NOTE: I tested gear for Backpacker Magazine for 20 years. At The Big Outside, I review only what I consider the best outdoor gear and apparel. See categorized menus of all my gear reviews at The Big Outside.

—Michael Lanza

This blog and website is my full-time job and I rely on the support of readers. If you like what you see here, please help me continue producing The Big Outside by making a donation using the Support button at the top of the left sidebar or below. Thank you for your support.

Hiking/Trail Running Shoes
La Sportiva Akyra
$140, 1 lb. 11 oz. (US men’s 9.5)
Sizes: men’s Euro 38-47.5/US 6-14, women’s Euro 36-43/US 5-12
moosejaw.com

Build a shoe for running and hiking mountain trails, and it’s hard to keep that footwear from putting on weight—shoes intended for that level of hard use simply need more support and stability under the hood than your average, wafer-light shoes for running asphalt, or no-drop shoes with minimal underfoot cushion and support. So when I saw Sportiva’s Akyra weighing in lighter than many models in this category—and having owned and liked previous Sportiva mountain-running shoes that crossed over smoothly between running and dayhiking—I pounded the Akyra on a variety of trails, discovering much to like about them and one minor complaint.

I wore the non-waterproof Akyra shoes on a dayhike of almost 12 miles and more than 3,000 feet up Cannon Mountain and North Kinsman Mountain in New Hampshire’s White Mountains, a dayhike of eight miles on the forested trails on the Oregon side of the Columbia Gorge, and on trail runs of up to 10 miles in the Boise Foothills. Each outing featured mostly dry trails and weather, with temperatures ranging from the 50s to 70s Fahrenheit.

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A stable trail-running shoe with a more traditional 9mm drop, the Akyra have good support, thanks to a soft, dual-layer EVA midsole, a firm heel cup, and a thick heel for a cushioned strike when running. Enhancing stability are narrow, horizontal strips of plastic over the midsole exterior (below the uppers), extending from heel to midfoot on each side. The medium-volume fit cradles the heel and midfoot well, preventing any slippage, but the toe box feels a little cramped; I had to loosen up the lower laces, especially when running (as opposed to hiking), to give my toes some space so they wouldn’t get hot. The shoes run a bit small: I normally wear a U.S. men’s 9, but the Akyra fit me well in size 9.5.

The AirMesh uppers breathe fairly well, generally keeping my feet from overheating, even on a hot, humid day and a sweaty hike on steep trails in the White Mountains. Flexible TPU Microlite Skeleton overlays on the uppers protect the mesh and provide added support over the top of the foot. But despite cutouts in the overlays, that protection comes at the price of some breathability. Still, though, we’re talking about breathability on a scale of non-waterproof shoes, which as a group are far more breathable than any waterproof footwear.

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The Akyra’s outsole is built for rugged terrain. Sticky Frixion rubber with an aggressively in-cut heel for braking, and relatively deep, well-spaced lugs for a shoe in this category, deliver all-around good traction for hiking and running on a variety of trail surfaces: packed dirt, loose dirt or sand and pebbles, and mud. But I slipped at times on steep rock slabs, especially if they were at all wet or covered with a thin layer of dirt or debris—not a surprise when the outsole design favors aggressive lugs over the kind of smoother outsole found on approach/scrambling shoes. (The latter feels “stickier” in part simply because more of the outsole’s surface area makes contact on smooth rock). Sportiva’s Trail Rocker2 outsole shape also gives a sharp upward curve to the forefoot, for a supportive and smooth transition from outer heel to inner toe when running.

For trail runners and hikers who frequent rugged, up-and-down trails, the Akyra is a light, breathable shoe with impressively good support for weighing barely north of a pound-and-a-half per pair.

BUY IT NOW You can support my work on this blog by clicking any of these links to purchase the men’s La Sportiva Akyra shoes at moosejaw.com or rei.com, or the women’s La Sportiva Akyra shoes at rei.com, or the women’s La Sportiva Akyra GTX shoes at moosejaw.com.

If you’re a fan of this shoe category and La Sportiva, I recommend also looking at two of my all-time favorite crossover shoes, the La Sportiva TX3 for hiking and scrambling (read my review), and the La Sportiva Ultra Raptor for trail running and hiking (read my review).

Tell me what you think.

I spent a lot of time writing this story, so if you enjoyed it, please consider giving it a share using one of the buttons below, and leave a comment or question at the bottom of this story. I’d really appreciate it.

See all of my reviews of hiking shoes, trail-running shoes, and backpacking boots, my “Pro Tips For Buying the Right Boots,” plus all of my reviews of hiking gear and backpacking gear at The Big Outside.

NOTE: I tested gear for Backpacker Magazine for 20 years. At The Big Outside, I review only what I consider the best outdoor gear and apparel. See categorized menus of all of my gear reviews at The Big Outside.

—Michael Lanza

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Hiking/Trail Running Shoes
Aku Mio Surround GTX
$200, 1 lb. 14 oz. (US men’s 9)
Sizes: US men’s 7-13

The pivotal question you might ask yourself before buying trail footwear is: How much do I need? You’re probably thinking along the lines of how much support you need in a shoe or boot. But that question could also refer to the delicate balance between how much protection you need from wetness on the outside getting inside, versus breathability so moisture on the inside gets released. The new Gore-Tex Surround technology alters that equation, and Aku’s Mio Surround GTX leaps feet first into this debate as a lightweight, low-cut shoe that could serve the needs of a wide range of dayhikers and backpackers.

I wore them on dayhikes of up to nine miles in southeastern Utah’s Grand Gulch Plateau and Arizona’s Canyon de Chelly National Monument, plus numerous trail runs on the packed-dirt footpaths of the Boise Foothills and the rocky, leaf-strewn trails of central Massachusetts. The Mio breathed well enough that my feet were nearly dry even at the end of very sweaty trail runs. That’s due to Gore-Tex Surround technology, which features side vents in the shoe’s midsole to release moisture and heat, and a “spacer” layer between the outsole and the shoe’s inner lining, allowing airflow under your foot. Gore says Surround increases breathability by 30 percent over their standard waterproof-breathable membrane. As for waterproofing: I stood in a shallow creek and the shoes didn’t leak.

But a nice interior is worth little without a reliable chassis, and on that front I found the Mio’s thick midsole of molded EVA provides enough shock absorption for hiking rocky trails carrying up to 20 or 25 pounds on your back, or for trail running. And the shallow, multi-directional lugs of the Vibram Megagrip outsole bite well into dirt and scree and do a respectable job of sticking to rock slabs. Micro-suede overlays guard the mesh uppers that help maximize breathability. The uppers are also shielded by Liba Smart PU at the toe and heel—areas receiving hard abuse—which Gore-Tex says is 40 percent lighter than rubber, with more abrasion resistance. The medium-volume fit provides a little extra space in the forefeet and toe box.

So why get the low-cut Mio with Gore-Tex Surround? In many ways, it’s ideal for dayhikers who want waterproof footwear just in case, but need optimal breathability more often—because their feet will more likely sweat than get rained on or slog through miles of puddles and mud. The Mio isn’t designed for extremely wet conditions like constantly muddy trails, heavy rain, or summer snow. But it is light enough for trail running and supportive enough for ultralight backpacking.

BUY IT NOW You can support my work on this blog by clicking this link to purchase the Aku Mio Surround GTX shoes at campsaver.com.

See all of my reviews of hiking shoes, trail-running shoes, and backpacking boots that I like, my reviews of hiking gear and backpacking gear, and my “Pro Tips For Buying the Right Boots.”

See also my stories:

“The Simple Equation of Ultralight Backpacking: Less Weight = More Fun”
“Buying Gear? Read This First”
“Ask Me: How Do We Begin Lightening Up Our Backpacking Gear?”

NOTE: I tested gear for Backpacker Magazine for 20 years. At The Big Outside, I review only what I consider the best outdoor gear and apparel. See all of my Gear Reviews at The Big Outside.

—Michael Lanza

Do you like The Big Outside? I’m Michael Lanza, the creator of The Big Outside, recognized as a top outdoors blog by a USA Today Readers Choice poll and others. Subscribe for updates about new stories and free gear giveaways by entering your email address in the box at the bottom of this story, at the top of the left sidebar, or on my About page, and follow my adventures on Facebook and Twitter.

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Hiking/Trail Running Shoes
Scarpa Proton GTX
$169, 1 lb. 7 oz. (men’s Euro 42/US 9)
Sizes: men’s Euro 39-47, 48, women’s 37-41
moosejaw.com

Everyone wants ultralight footwear for all manner of outdoor adventures these days, from light hiking and ultra-hikes to trail running and ultralight backpacking. Bonus if you can scramble a peak in them. I feel the same way. But that kind of hybrid shoe can be a challenging find. I put some trail miles on Scarpa’s new Proton GTX, a low-cut, waterproof-breathable trail runner that crosses over to hiking, and found it packs a heap of performance and versatility into one of the lightest pieces of outdoor footwear you’ll find.

The Proton GTX (there’s also a non-waterproof version, the Proton, for $129) provides all the forefoot flex you’d want in a trail runner, with excellent stability and lateral support, thanks to a dual-density compression-molded EVA midsole with a high-density EVA trail plate, and a molded, external heel counter that’s rock solid around your heel but cushioned underneath.

Those features, plus the heel to forefoot drop of 21mm to 11mm for better cushioning, means these shoes behave like an ATV for running or hiking rugged trails—really not what you’d assume in a shoe that’s under a pound-and-a-half per pair. I pounded out numerous fall and winter trail runs of up to 10 miles—hiking at times in steeper, rockier terrain—from the Foothills above my Boise home to the rocky, rooted trails of New England, in dry, wet, muddy conditions and on snow, and these shoes have a very stable platform for all of those situations.

Hi, I’m Michael Lanza, creator of The Big Outside, which has made several top outdoors blog lists. Click here to sign up for my FREE email newsletter. Click here to learn how I can help you plan your next trip. Click here to get full access to all of my blog’s stories. Follow my adventures on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Youtube.

I deliberately stood and splashed around in shallow water to test the Gore-Tex membrane, and my socks never got damp. I also put a low gaiter on over the shoes and ran on snow, in temperatures just below and above freezing, without my socks getting wet. The Airmesh uppers really enhance the breathability—I’d find my socks almost dry after long runs when I worked up a good sweat. Granted, I didn’t test the shoes on really hot days, but for drier, hotter conditions, I’d go with a non-waterproof shoe for even better ventilation, anyway.

A welded TPU external frame protects the uppers on rocky trails, while the Vibram Genesis outsole has widely spaced, relatively deep, 4mm lugs that bite into loose dirt and mud, but aren’t really designed for sticking to steep slabs, and did slip occasionally when descending on wet, slick rock and roots.

Final analysis: I’d recommend the Scarpa Proton GTX for rugged trail running in wet, cool conditions, dayhiking or ultra-hiking with a light daypack, and for hikers who are accustomed to wearing lightweight low-cuts for ultralight backpacking.

BUY IT NOW You can support my work on this blog by clicking this link to purchase the men’s or women’s Scarpa Proton GTX shoes at moosejaw.com.

Tell me what you think.

I spent a lot of time writing this story, so if you enjoyed it, please consider giving it a share using one of the buttons below, and leave a comment or question at the bottom of this story. I’d really appreciate it.

See all of my reviews of hiking shoes, trail-running shoes, and backpacking boots, plus all of my reviews of hiking gear and backpacking gear at The Big Outside.

See also my “Pro Tips For Buying the Right Boots.”

NOTE: I tested gear for Backpacker Magazine for 20 years. At The Big Outside, I review only what I consider the best outdoor gear and apparel. See all of my Gear Reviews at The Big Outside.

—Michael Lanza

Was this review helpful? Get full access to ALL stories at The Big Outside. Subscribe now and a get free e-guide!

Hiking/Trail-Running Shoes
Vasque Inhaler II Low
$120, 1 lb. 12 oz. (men’s US 9)
Sizes: men’s 7-14, women’s 6-11
backcountry.com

For much of the trail mileage that most dayhikers, backpackers, and runners pound out, breathability is more important than waterproofing—our feet are hot more often than they face any prospect of getting wet. Since moisture and heat are two of the three elements that create blisters (the third is friction), unless you typically hike or run in a wet, cool environment, keeping your feet cool should really be your top concern when choosing footwear—and even more so the farther you hike in a day. On local trail runs of up to about 13 miles in the Boise Foothills, and southern Utah desert dayhikes in the San Rafael Swell and the Horseshoe Canyon District of Canyonlands National Park, the smart design of the Inhaler II Lows kept my feet dry and happy.

Lighter and more breathable than many low-cuts built for hiking, the Inhaler II Lows have airy, abrasion-resistant mesh uppers and ventilation ports at the toe and heel for excellent air flow throughout; I finished trail runs of more than two hours, with 2,500 feet of elevation gain and loss, in warm sunshine, with my socks only slightly damp. With such good breathability, the shoes dry out quickly, too: When I inadvertently got the toes of both shoes wet while crossing a creek on one trail run, they were almost dry by the time I reached my car 45 minutes later. The low- to medium-volume fit allows some wiggle room for toes (but may not fit people with wide feet well). The basic lacing system is quick to loosen and tighten, which is more convenient for hiking and trail-running shoes than the to-the-toes lacing found in technical/approach shoes.

But these aren’t flimsy trail runners. PU-coated leather overlays lend the uppers more structure and protect the sides, toe, and heel without compromising breathability. Vasque’s exclusive Vibram Pneumatic outsole with Megagrip rubber, and well-spaced, multi-directional lugs, provided good traction whether on slickrock or in loose dirt and scree. A molded EVA midsole with a TPU instep shank, plus dual-density EVA footbeds, protect your underfoot from rocks and deliver a nice balance of support, cushion, and flexibility: These shoes fit and feel like trail runners but have enough support for all-day hikes in the mountains, ultra-hiking, and even ultralight backpacking.

For hikers who need waterproofing, there’s also the Vasque Inhaler Low GTX ($160, 1 lb. 10 oz. for men’s US 7), which my teenage son wore on an overnight, lightweight, partly off-trail backpacking trip in Idaho’s White Cloud Mountains (when he realized he had forgotten his backpacking boots at home), and on an eight-mile, 2,300-foot dayhike on the Iceline Trail in Canada’s Yoho National Park. They kept his feet dry through rain showers, thunderstorms, and muddy trail, and delivered confident traction for scrambling up and down steep talus and scree. They are moderately breathable—not nearly as breathable as the non-Gore-Tex Inhaler II Lows, of course.

BUY IT NOW You can support my work on this blog by clicking either of these links to purchase a pair of men’s Vasque Inhaler II Low shoes at backcountry.com or the women”s Inhaler II Low at moosejaw.com.

See all of my reviews of low-cut shoes and trail-running shoes, and my stories:
“Pro Tips For Buying the Right Boots”
“7 Pro Tips For Avoiding Blisters”
“The Simple Equation of Ultralight Backpacking: Less Weight = More Fun”
“Buying Gear? Read This First”
“5 Tips For Spending Less on Hiking and Backpacking Gear”

NOTE: I tested gear for Backpacker Magazine for 20 years. At The Big Outside, I review only what I consider the best outdoor gear and apparel. See all of my Gear Reviews at The Big Outside.

—Michael Lanza

Do you like The Big Outside? I’m Michael Lanza, the creator of The Big Outside, recognized as a top outdoors blog by USA Today, a Trip Advisor site, and others. Subscribe for updates about new stories and free gear giveaways by entering your email address in the box at the bottom of this story, at the top of the left sidebar, or on my About page, and follow my adventures on Facebook and Twitter.

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Hiking/Trail Running Shoes
La Sportiva Wildcat 3.0
$115, 1 lb. 8 oz. (men’s Euro 42/US 9)
Sizes: Euro men’s 38-47.5, women’s 36-43
sportiva.com

There are trail-running shoes I can run in, and then there are shoes I can run and hike far in because they simply have greater support and cushion for handling the cumulative abuse that feet suffer on longer outings. On many trail runs of up to 12 miles in the Boise Foothills—plus one 20-mile, 3,600-foot run—the Wildcat 3.0 never caused me the hot toes, sore soles, or foot achiness that I get from some lightweight shoes on runs of more than eight or 10 miles. Even after that 20-miler in the Wildcats, my feet felt good.

A bit lighter and airier than another outstanding trail runner, Sportiva’s slightly more stable Ultra Raptor, the Wildcat 3.0 is kind of like a light tank: built for speed and minimal but adequate protection. A stiff heel cup and a partial TPU shank in the compression-molded EVA midsole provide superior lateral stability and protection underfoot for a shoe that weighs just one-and-a-half pounds per pair. Yet a pronounced rocker shape to the outsole and a very flexible forefoot give a natural toe-off feel when running or walking fast. The toe cap and sides are reinforced to survive rugged terrain; and yet the toe box is soft, and the fit from midfoot to the toes finds a good balance between decent roominess while cradling the foot securely, to avoid toes getting jammed.

Little details can make a big difference in foot comfort, too, especially on a long day. The highly breathable mesh uppers kept my feet cool and mostly dry, even when the rest of my body was perspiring heavily. The other advantage of really breathable uppers is how quickly they dry: After I accidentally dunked one shoe on a creek crossing, it dried completely before I finished the run an hour later. The Wildcat’s tongue is uniquely comfortable and well constructed for such a lightweight shoe—it never slipped to one side, which can cause rubbing and discomfort. The laces never untied or even loosened up. Lastly, the widely spaced, shallow lugs of the outsole, with a slightly in-cut heel that allows for more aggressive downhill braking, consistently bit well into dry trails of packed dirt with some steep, gravelly stretches.

The Wildcat 3.0 shoes are built for trail runs of any distance, but have the stability for dayhiking and even ultralight backpacking, for hikers accustomed to using very lightweight low-cuts.

See all of my reviews of hiking shoes I like.

NOTE: I’ve been testing gear for Backpacker Magazine for 20 years. At The Big Outside, I review only what I consider the best outdoor gear and apparel. See all of my reviews by clicking on the Gear Reviews category at left or in the main menu.

—Michael Lanza

Hiking/Trail Running Shoes
La Sportiva Ultra Raptor
$130, 1 lb. 10 oz. (men’s 9)
Sizes: Euro men’s 38-47.5, women’s 36-43
sportiva.com

For a recent 28-mile dayhike through Idaho’s spectacular White Clouds Mountains—partly off-trail, with a cumulative elevation gain and loss of nearly 8,000 feet, including a steep, very loose scramble of several hundred vertical feet over a pass—I wanted the lightest shoes possible, yet ones with plenty of support, comfort, and traction. It didn’t take me long to decide on the Ultra Raptor, which I had worn a lot and reviewed previously. Not only did they perform as I’d hoped they would throughout this long and rugged hike, but afterward, my feet felt fatigued but otherwise not like I’d just hiked 28 miles.

My original review covers these shoes in detail. But I had not taken a dayhike or trail run this long in them before, nor done a serious, off-trail scramble. I was impressed with how well they gripped steep slabs and loose dirt and scree; how they remained comfortable over the course of a very long day; how the mesh uppers breathed so well that my feet never got sweaty, and my left shoe dried quickly after an accidental dunking at one creek crossing; and how the close fit from the collar through the midfoot helped keep trail debris out of the shoes. While my companions on this hike were dumping stones from their shoes several times—especially after that steep scramble in sliding scree—I never had to empty my shoes out. No matter what distance your trail runs and dayhikes, the Ultra Raptor is an outstanding shoe.

See all of my reviews of hiking shoes and my reviews of trail-running shoes I like.

NOTE: I’ve been testing gear for Backpacker Magazine for 20 years. At The Big Outside, I review only what I consider the best outdoor gear and apparel. See all of my reviews by clicking on the Gear Reviews category at left or in the main menu.

—Michael Lanza

Hiking/Trail Running Shoes
Salomon XT Wings 3
$140, 1 lb. 9 oz. (men’s 9)
Sizes: men’s 7-14, women’s 5-12
salomon.com

For my regular trail runs, I like a shoe with plenty of stability and cushion, so that my feet don’t get beat up (and because I sometimes start and finish a trail run on pavement). If the shoe is surprisingly lightweight for the amount of support it delivers, that’s a bonus. So I got a bonus with the XT Wings 3, which I’ve worn on numerous, hilly trail runs of up to 12 miles, mostly in the Boise Foothills but also in Massachusetts. While not in the category of super-light, minimalist trail-running shoes, the XT Wings 3 have enough support to cross over nicely as light dayhiking or ultralight backpacking shoes.

This shoe delivers huge support and a stable landing because of a TPU-reinforced heel and midfoot, plus an outsole that flares outward, creating a wide base. The midsole’s triple-density EVA and an outsole thickness ranging from 20mm in the heel to 9.5mm in the forefoot gave me plenty of cushion. The highly breathable mesh uppers kept my feet cool even on long, hot runs (and keeping feet dry means avoiding blisters). For ultralight thru-hikers, that’s good news because the shoes dry very quickly: I slipped on an icy rock crossing a creek and dunked a shoe just a couple miles into a 9.5-mile trail run. But I just dumped the water out, wrung out my sock, and continued the run; the shoe remained comfortable and almost dried out by the time I finished, even though the air temperature on that early-spring morning never got more than several degrees above freezing. The cord-lock, wire lacing facilitates quick on and off, wrapped around my feet evenly and snugly, and always stayed tight. The shallow, widely spaced outsole lugs gripped well on trails of mostly packed dirt.

One minor nitpick: While a stretchy, mesh overlay on the tongue helped keep out most trail debris, the highly breathable mesh uppers let in a lot of dust, so my socks and feet got pretty dirty on longer runs. Fit is best for medium-volume feet.

See all of my reviews of hiking shoes and trail-running shoes that I like.

NOTE: I’ve been testing gear for Backpacker Magazine for 20 years. At The Big Outside, I review only what I consider the best outdoor gear and apparel. See all of my reviews by clicking on the Gear Reviews category at left or in the main menu.

—Michael Lanza

This new-and-improved rendition of Sportiva’s Raptor, one of the best trail-running and low-cut, light hiking shoes I’ve worn, lives up to its heritage. On numerous trail runs in the Boise Foothills ranging from five to 10 miles, on typically dry trails of packed dirt with some steep, gravelly sections, these non-waterproof low-cuts shined by any measure, but especially for stability and traction. The EVA midsole with a nylon shank, plus a TPU harness on the uppers that’s integrated with the laces to wrap around the foot, deliver superior torsional rigidity for a shoe this light: It has the lateral stability of a lightweight boot. But the shoe still retains the forefoot flex and the rocker and toe-off of a nimble, ultralight hiking and trail-running shoe.

I’m often cautious on downhills because of a history of sprained ankles, but the Ultra Raptor gave me the confidence to open up my stride, thanks to opposing, slanted outsole lugs that grip on all surfaces. Sportiva claims the design reduces impact and increases traction both by 20 percent. As always, the Frixion outsole grabs aggressively onto rock.

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Compared to the Raptor, the Ultra sports more protection from rocks in the toe, and is slightly more flattened out, with a drop of 8mm versus 12mm in the old Raptor. As with the Raptor, a stiff heel cup bolsters support and protection, and the mesh uppers breathe well enough to keep my feet from sweating profusely.

Fit is good for low- to medium-volume feet; with a medium-volume foot, I found the shoes comfortable even on longer outings.

It’s a great choice for light dayhiking, ultralight thru-hiking, and trail running on mountain paths.

See my later gear review update of the Ultra Raptor, following a 28-mile dayhike in them.

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BUY IT NOW You can support my work on this blog, at no cost to you, by clicking either of these affiliate links to purchase the men’s or women’s La Sportiva Ultra Raptor shoes at backcountry.com or moosejaw.com.

See my “Pro Tips For Buying the Right Hiking Boots,” all of my reviews of backpacking boots and hiking shoes, and all of my reviews of backpacking gear and hiking gear.

NOTE: I’ve been testing gear for Backpacker Magazine for 20 years. At The Big Outside, I review only what I consider the best outdoor gear and apparel. See categorized menus of all of my reviews at my gear reviews page.

—Michael Lanza

Lightweight Trail Shoes
Vasque Velocity 2.0
$120, 1 lb. 9 oz. (men’s 9)
Sizes: Men’s 7-12, 13, 14 and wide 8-12, 13, women’s 6-11
vasque.com

Hot feet are the fastest route to blisters. Keep your feet dry and cool and you’ve eliminated two of the three factors necessary for developing blisters (the third being friction, caused by imperfect fit). Several trail runs of four to nine miles each in the non-waterproof Velocity 2.0 convinced me they may be the most breathable low-cut trail-running shoes I’ve worn, thanks to very airy uppers that are virtually all mesh. I ran on some days so hot that my synthetic T-shirt would be soaked—but my feet and socks completely dry when I finished.

The shoes fit low- to medium-volume feet very well, with good wiggle room for toes. These are not minimalist trail-running shoes—the midsole delivers solid cushioning (a thick layer of EVA foam) and torsional stability, which I like, especially on longer runs. In fact, the Velocity crosses over well into light hiking, offering more support than most low-cut hiking shoes, thanks to a rigid plastic plate under the arch, a firm heel cup, a toe guard, and multi-directional outsole lugs that grip well on a variety of surfaces. It’s ideal for trail running and light hiking in summer, or ultralight backpacking (for people accustomed to a very lightweight shoe) because the excellent breathability means the shoes dry fast when wet. The Gore-Tex version costs $150.

See all of my reviews of hiking shoes I like.

NOTE: I’ve been testing gear for Backpacker Magazine for 20 years. At The Big Outside, I review only what I consider the best outdoor gear and apparel. See all of my reviews by clicking on the Gear Reviews category at left or in the main menu.

—Michael Lanza

Lightweight Trail Shoes
La Sportiva Raptor
$120, 1 lb. 9 oz. (men’s Euro 42)
Sizes: Euro men’s 36-47.5, women’s 36-43
sportiva.com

Is this a running or hiking shoe? You decide. Rare is the shoe that excels at trail running and crosses over to perform among the best light hikers, but the Raptor does exactly that. After several trail runs, the longest a 25.5-mile, seven-hour run-hike (running perhaps three-quarters of the distance, walking the rest) in the Boise Foothills, I fell in love with these non-waterproof low-cuts. I also wore them for gym workouts.

The explanation lies in the part you can’t see: Sportiva has dialed the EVA midsole to keep the shoe flexible and light enough for real running, while retaining superior support and cushion for hiking. My feet would normally feel very fatigued after a 25-mile outing, but remained pain-free in the Raptors right to the end of that day. A flexible TPU rib cage-like overlay on the uppers is integrated with the laces and the midsole, holding the heel and midfoot snugly, and TPU is used in the heel for increased stability. The front of the shoe has beaucoup toe space for when your feet expand on a long day, and mesh to keep toes cool. The temperature was in the 60s Fahrenheit when I started that 25-miler, but rose into the 80s; still, the uppers breathe so well my socks were almost dry when I pulled them off—even though I had taken the shoes off only once, briefly, during the run (to dump out a few tiny pebbles). A thick toe guard and stiff heel cup protect your feet, and Sportiva’s sticky FriXion rubber outsole grips well on rock and dirt. Also, unlike some mesh-top low-cuts I’ve worn, these don’t allow pounds of dust through the uppers to turn your feet black. If you want a shoe that walks the fine line between trail running and light hiking without compromising performance on either side of that line, you can hardly do better than the Raptor.

—Michael Lanza