Fast and Light
We love that the Stumptown LT is made mostly from recycled materials. The only thing that impressed us more was its performance. At a wispy 11 ounces, it’s the lightest trail shoe that made the cut this year, and it quickly became a favorite of the flashpackers among our test team. “This shoe could almost pass as a trail runner,” noted one after returning from a four-mile run/walk. Still, thanks in large part to a deep, snug-fitting heel pocket, the Stumptown offers a degree of lateral support most running shoes lack. And its aggressive outsole made for confident tromping on slick surfaces. A word of advice: Despite its three-quarter height, it’s simply not sturdy enough for hiking with a heavy pack. 11 oz;