With all due respect to Martha Stewart, this shoe is the ultimate control freak. With close-to-the-ground feel and gravity-defying weight, the Highlander is like a racing flat for trails. Speed fanatics will love the stiff sole, and mud wrestlers will envy the aggressive Gryptonite tread, which shook off glop better than any other sole we tested. A close fit enhances control as well: Forefoot volume is low, and the heel pocket is slender. The mesh upper breathed and drained admirably but proved water-resistant enough to keep wet snow out on alpine runs.
Bonus: The upper molds to your foot after the first use.
Bummer: The thin, stiff sole means you’ll want to drive—not run—these specialists to the trailhead. 11 oz; www.montrail.com