DANNER PANORAMA LOW (M)
£150; danner.com
This shoe is clearly designed for hikes over challenging terrain. The waterproofing proved effective in our tests, keeping rain and puddle water out well, but the bellows on the tongue finish slightly lower than some other shoes, so beware of deepish puddles. The suede upper looks great, but suede does need more care than synthetic fibres.
Underfoot, the outsole proved adept on hard-packed ground, rock and dry mud, but the spaced-out pattern of the wide lugs meant they weren't so great in wet, muddy conditions. The lacing system isn't the best at helping you get a perfect, secure fit. It's something I've also noticed with this American brand's Mountain 600 boots (which I love otherwise). When tying them up, it's a challenge to keep the laces taut throughout the lacing system, which can become frustrating.
The midsole is pretty stiff. That's handy if you need support on particularly uneven terrain, but may be overkill if you're hiking on well-maintained tracks. This men's shoe is available in both wide and regular fits.
VERDICT: A robust and supportive good-looking shoe, but grip and lacing aren't the best.
LA SPORTIVA TX HIKE GTX (M/F)
£159.95; lasportiva.com
Aside from the low-cut ankle, this shoe feels very much like a hiking boot, but that's not surprising given the expertise and heritage of Italian shoemaker La Sportiva. As you'd expect from a shoe using Gore-Tex, protection against the elements is no bother, with rain and puddle water failing to penetrate in our testing.
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