Gear Review: Astral TR1 Merge Water Resistant Hiking Shoes
Value Rating: 10
Durability Rating: 10
Overall Rating: 10
Location of Test: PNW Rivers and Trails
Duration of Test: 1 year
Product Name: TR1 Merge Water Resistant Hiking Shoes
Product Brand: Astral
Best Use: Hiking, Kayaking
The Full Review:
I've been wearing the Astral TR1 Merge for about a year now think they are the best shoes ever made. For someone who is kayaking and hiking all the time and lives in the Pacific Northwest, these are for sure the best shoe to have. The first reason I bought these shoes was that they are "water ready" meaning they drain very easily. It also means the fabric and other materials they are made out of are mold resistant. If you were going to take other hiking shoes through the water as much as I do, they would never dry and become moldy. These dry quickly and drain great. In the summertime I’ll just throw a light neoprene sock on and in the winter, I wear them over my drysuit booties.
The other thing I like about these shoes is that they are a "Soft high-top shoe". If I want to lace them up nice and tight around the ankle, I can really get the support of a legit hiking shoe, but If I want to use them inside my boat where I need a little more give and flex, I can do that as well. This is perfect for the whitewater kayaker who has to hike into rocky and steep gorges and sometimes portage on slippery rocks. Or someone who loves to hike into canyons. Or someone who just likes to hike in the rain all the time. Lastly, these offers bomber grip! So, when you do have to scale some rocks or hike up some steep sections...you are good to go!
The Good:
Bomber grip
"water ready"
Drains great
Mold resistant
Awesome ankle support!
Great quality
The Bottom Line:
These are the 1 shoes to rule them all if you are an avid outdoorsmen/woman. They can take the steep and dirty or the cold and wet. Replace about 3 different shoes with 1. Give em a try.
The Full Review:
I've been wearing the Astral TR1 Merge for about a year now think they are the best shoes ever made. For someone who is kayaking and hiking all the time and lives in the Pacific Northwest, these are for sure the best shoe to have. The first reason I bought these shoes was that they are "water ready" meaning they drain very easily. It also means the fabric and other materials they are made out of are mold resistant. If you were going to take other hiking shoes through the water as much as I do, they would never dry and become moldy. These dry quickly and drain great. In the summertime I’ll just throw a light neoprene sock on and in the winter, I wear them over my drysuit booties.
The other thing I like about these shoes is that they are a "Soft high-top shoe". If I want to lace them up nice and tight around the ankle, I can really get the support of a legit hiking shoe, but If I want to use them inside my boat where I need a little more give and flex, I can do that as well. This is perfect for the whitewater kayaker who has to hike into rocky and steep gorges and sometimes portage on slippery rocks. Or someone who loves to hike into canyons. Or someone who just likes to hike in the rain all the time. Lastly, these offers bomber grip! So, when you do have to scale some rocks or hike up some steep sections...you are good to go!
The Good:
Bomber grip
"water ready"
Drains great
Mold resistant
Awesome ankle support!
Great quality
The Bottom Line:
These are the 1 shoes to rule them all if you are an avid outdoorsmen/woman. They can take the steep and dirty or the cold and wet. Replace about 3 different shoes with 1. Give em a try.