Shoes and Boots for Men and Women

November 25, 2020

Shoes and Boots for Men and Women

We test a lot of shoes and boots here at Engearment. Here are some of our favorites from the last year. These make great holiday gifts!

Forsake Meridian Shoe – Simple and Good Looking Vegan Shoes

The Forsake Meridian $99 is a simple and good looking slip-on shoe. Bonus points for being vegan and carbon neutral. Though in good grip and you have a winner.

Mammut Alnasca II Low Gore-Tex Men’s Approach Shoes

Austen Beason

Many approach shoes today I feel miss the mark on what makes a good, true approach shoe. That’s not saying there aren’t several great shoes available (I’m sure we can all name our favorites), however, there seems to be a trend of poaching the “approach” shoe title for the sake of marketing. Some are not much more than slightly bulky climbing shoes, with barely treaded soles and ultra-low profiles, while many others are really just town-going tennis shoes with some outdoorsy looking material to help them fake the approach shoe style.

Sixty miles later this is how they're looking - wearing — Sixty miles later this is how they’re looking

Hoka One One Speedgoat 4

A well-cushioned long-distance trail running machine

Drew Thayer

I was skeptical. A year ago I tried on a pair of the Speedgoat 3 shoes found the exaggerated toe rocker to feel really weird. The toebox also felt really narrow and constrictive. I decided to wait, and I’m glad I did because Hoka fixed both these issues with the 4^th version of the shoe.

La Sportiva TX3 Approach Shoes- The Jack (or Jill) of All Trades

The La Sportiva TX3 approach shoes are versatile and ready for anything you throw at them. From scree to rafting to canyoneering, these shoes can handle it. As the saying goes, “A jack of all trades is a master of none, but oftentimes better than a master of one.” (Most people don’t know that last part although I find it vital.)

Vasque Breeze WT GTX – Legitimate Cold Weather Hiking Boots

The Vasque Breeze WT GTX ($199) is a new winter hiking boot featuring 200 grams of Thinsulate to keep your feet warm and dry on your next hike. Add in the Vibram Contact Grip with Megagrip Compound and you are going to be able to handle a lot of terrain.

Hoka One One Clifton Edge – Light, Fast and Super Comfy

Andrew Piotrowski

Overview- Do they look a little goofy? Yes. Are they light, fast, and super comfy? Also yes! For the past few months, I have really enjoyed putting the Clifton Edges to the test on the roads of Southern Maryland.

KEEN SOLR Sandal – Sea, Ocean, Land or River

The KEEN SOLR Sandal $110 (on sale for $82) is at home in the water and on land. I really enjoyed these for hiking around this summer in all kinds of conditions, wet or dry! From rafting and tubing to hot summer day hikes.

Salomon Women’s Sense Ride 3 Trail Running Shoe – A friend for your feet

Eliza Lockhart

Running shoes can be one of three things, your friend, your acquaintance, or your enemy. The friends support you, take care of you (your feet), make the run enjoyable. The acquaintances are a shoe you don’t have much of a relationship with, they’re neither good nor bad, they’re just a pair of shoes.

Salomon Women's Sense Ride 3 Trail Running Shoe — Salomon Women’s Sense Ride 3 Trail Running Shoe

Teva Universal Trail Sandal – Built for Every Environment

Eliza Lockhart

Teva has released the Universal Trail sandals $99 and the crowds are stoked! Inspired by their Original Universals, these feature recycled materials, a burlier tread, and fashion-forward colorways. They are designed to appease both city dwellers and mountain folk through their versatile and comfortable components.

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