It's great to see the predominantly hiking orientated brand Hi-Tec back in running. This great value for money shoe spans the divide between a stable trail shoe and a light weight off road walking or hiking shoe.
The outer sole grip is strong. Combined with the firm yet not overly rigid midsole, running over slippery rocks and loose gravel was made easy. The shoe is very stable, but I didn't find them too hard and ran on flat, firm surfaces without jarring.
The heelcup is firm but comfortable. The welded and stitched upper is light on top and protected on the sides and toe. This shoe featuring 'geo foam' midsole and 'dyna cradle' support cast has a rather unconventional, solid look about them, it's great to see an original design and we expect these robust shoes to last well.
The moulded removable Eva airflow inner sole created a comfortable footbed cushioning that was practical for post wet run drying.
On the downside puddle water did penetrate fairly easily. I did note some pressure on the toes while running downhill despite having a relatively broad forefoot which may require careful lacing or sock choices, but otherwise a great fit.
At 349g grams for a size 6 the shoes are on the heavier side, but not a surprising weight for an entry level trail shoe including solid support and 2 sizeable grab tags. Price R1200
Bottom line - a great value entry level trail shoe. Check them out yourself at https://hi-tec.co.za/product-category/collections/?swoof=1&product_cat=geo-collection&really_curr_tax=18-product_cat
- Mia van Rooyen
