Vasque Men's Synergist Low 7382 hiking shoe

Give it the boot

Product

Vasque Men's Synergist Low 7382 hiking shoe

Promise

These lovely looking hiking shoes promise to be part-trail runner, part-approach shoe, part-hiker. With Gore-Tex throughout to keep the elements at bay, the Synergist claims to be a 'stellar blend of protection, performance and functionality' employing Vasque's Spine Technology (VST) cushioning to assure maximum comfort.

Performance

We really put these through their paces on a cold day, walking and jogging about 10 miles along a rocky, muddy trail. The first thing we noticed was how comfortable they were - no blisters at the end of the week and that's really saying something. They look good (agreed, not the most important consideration, but still!) and even though this is a hiking shoe and not boot, they were also incredibly supportive. The only downside was the toppers are not waterproof and we managed to plunge into a fairly deep puddle. Good news, however, is that what they lack in waterproofing they make up for in breathability and they were pretty much dry by the time we finished our hike.

Verdict

Comfortable, good-looking, hard-wearing hiking shoes. If you want the versatility of a trainer but the support of a hiking boot, these are for you.