The Outdoor Adventure Giving you tips, tricks & recommendations to help make adventuring in the Outdoors fun, safe & exciting for you and your kids.
Back in Spring, I was sent a pair of Treksta Assault GTX hiking boots (at my request). I knew I was going to be doing some hiking in rough terrain and in cold weather, so I turned to something a bit sturdier than my typical hiking shoe for the job. The Treksta Assault GTX, turned out to be a great hiking boot for many reasons and I will definitely be recommending it to friends who prefer a bit more support in their outdoors adventures.
Nestfit
The first thing you notice when you look at a pair of Treksta shoes is the unconventional design (off centered lacing and a contoured toe box that doesn’t follow the normal curve of a pair of shoes). I recommend checking out their explanation of their Nestfit technology. It’s an obvious idea when you think about it. The scanned over 250 different foot types and made a foot mold based on the combined results. What they have is a foot mold that looks more like a regular foot, with toes and more contours.
So Treksta took that and designed their shoe around it. Instead of putting the lacing in the middle of the shoe, they placed it over the ridge of it to prevent rubbing and chaffing when it is worn. They took into account toe placement as well so that your toes don’t get jammed together and rub against each other. Each toe has its own place and sits comfortably inside it. The actual toe cap is divided into curves that look strange at first, but when you understand the technology it makes sense. It’s all to make sure your toes stay comfortable when hiking, while keeping them protected.
Does Nestfit work?Hiking boots are generally notorious for the amount of time they need to be broken in. I took them out hiking in Bolivia on a 12 mile round trip uneven trail up to a 5000 meter base camp in about 5 hours (including breaks) and the only thing sore were my legs from the climb and my head from the altitude.
Another things that these have over my typical hiking shoe is arch support. I found it uncomfortable for a day as it re-trained my foot (I had been wearing watershoes most of the time) but it didn’t make my foot sore. I just read on the website after writing the above that the “Triple-density EVA insole supports the arch, cushions key strike zones, and strengthens your stride.” I guess we came to the same conclusion.
HyperGrip Sole
You gotta love a shoe with a solid amount of soul. The Treksta Assault GTX boast what they call HyperGrip. Hypergrip is an outsole rubber used on all their shoes that is supposed to blend durability with grip so you don’t have to suffer in different terrain or loose out by a sole that wears out.
Does HyperGrip work?
I’ve used these shoes in gravel, dirt, rock and snow in both wet and dry conditions. In all conditions I felt confident and had good traction. The rubber is a good blend of durability and pliability. The only time I felt a bit awkward was after taking a wrong turn on a steep and icy approach to a basecamp and I didn’t have my crampons on. Even then I escaped without problems.
Without scientific testing, I can’t give overly specific results of how they perform, but I can vouch for the fact that it’s a great sole and that even after 6 months of regular use the whole shoe, sole included is holding up great and has many a mile to go!
Tongue and Lacing
As we mentioned above the nestfit places the lacing over the ridge of your foot. Combine that with a continuous tongue and you have a great design. As I said previously I could take these out only long hikes from the start without feeling any discomfort or developing any sore spots on my foot. A huge plus.
The only trouble was when I broke a lace after a few months use. It wore through at one of the metal eyelets. I was able to use my basic knowledge of knots to fix it and I haven’t had any problems since.
Gore-Tex
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| Hiking at 5400 meters in Bolivia |
What can one say? It’s made with gore-tex. I have used these boots in hot and cold weather, both wet and dry and don’t have any complaints about them.
Support
Obviously a hiking boot offers more support than your typical low or mid boot. I wanted that stability for hikes with my kids where distance isn’t a factor and where a heavy pack (loaded with gear for 3 or 4 little hikers) is expected. I also wanted it for work on snow and ice where ankle support is essential. These shoes provided all of that, but at the same time are comfortable enough for a day hiking around town. At 19 oz each they’re not too much of a drag on your feet, even if they are more than a typical pair of shoes.
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| Despite their differently shaped sole, the Treksta Assault work well with Trail Crampons too! |
Just the facts
Upper Material: synthetic and leather
Waterproofing: Gore-Tex membrane
Sole: HyperGrip (rubber, fiberglass)
Midsole: Zero Gravity EVA
Footbed: triple-density EVA
Technologies: NestFit, HYPERGRIP, GORE-TEX
Weight: 19 oz each
Cost: $210 MRSP
Do you have any shoes made by Treksta? What is your experience? Backpacker’s Magazine gave their Evolution Mids Editor’s Choice in 2011.
Do you have any shoes made by Treksta? What is your experience? Backpacker’s Magazine gave their Evolution Mids Editor’s Choice in 2011.
