Vasque S-Trail GTX

The trail is an uncontrolled environment, a place of obstacles and adversity—and it’s where the simple yet supremely capable Lowa S-Trail GTX thrives. Both nimble and strong, this lightweight shoe gripped the trail like a puma paw and held my foot tight during sideways dances around and over rocks. The secure, comfy fit belied its ability to dampen impact from exposed roots and other notorious toe-smashers. The only drawback to this shoe is the fit above the midsole—it’s a bit loose and on steep, sustained downhills, my foot slid forward and piled up into the toebox. Uncomfortable, but a small price to pay for the core quality of this solid trail shoe. Available at Schnee’s and Timber Trails. $99; lowaboots.com.