I’m looking for advice on hiking and walking shoes. I usually do trails, mostly flat terrain, and cover about 20km (12.5 miles) a week. Some parts of my route are on roads. I live in a wet climate (Netherlands), so I’m considering Gore-Tex shoes. I overpronate severely and have flat arches, so I use insoles in my sneakers and work shoes. I prefer light but sturdy shoes, and I’ve tried Meindl boots in the past, but they were too heavy for me. Right now, I’m looking at the Salomon Speedcross 6.
I had the Speedcross 5, but they didn’t hold up well on tarmac. They’re excellent on muddy trails, but the sole and lugs wore out quickly when I used them on the road. I’ve heard a lot of good things about Merrell. I had a geology professor who did a lot of off-road work, and he swore by them. I’m planning to switch to Merrell when my current Mammut shoes wear out.
The Speedcross has aggressive lugs that are great for muddy trails, but they can be dangerous on wet pavement and concrete—like walking on ice. You might want something less aggressive for mixed terrain.