LITTLE BIG BOOT
A hike on the eight-mile trail to the top of Colorado’s 14,259-foot Longs Peak demands a lot out of a shoe: support, traction, durability, agility, and low weight. That’s a tall order, but the Namche carried the day, performing like a running shoe disguised as an approach shoe masquerading as a boot. It didn’t bog us down on the hardpacked approach, but didn’t feel flimsy when the trail got technical, either. A protective (and perforated) plate under the forefoot allowed us to dash through the bouldery section, while the supportive midsole felt secure when scrambling up the Class 3 terrain near the top. montrail.com
Bonus: When downclimbing, you can really put on the brakes thanks to the prominent heel cut and the outsole’s aggressive lug pattern and tacky rubber.
Bummer: The uppers aren’t very water-resistant—a few deep puddles left us with damp socks—but the synthetic material dries quickly.