Salewa Men's MS Firetail EVO GTX Approach Shoe

Ok, so I had to post before using this shoe, only because I wanted to be helpful in the sizing before you order. I will post another review when I use them for the style of climbing, and biking that I do. I first ordered my size 9, when tried on they felt a half size too big. I sent them back and ordered the 8 1/2, and they fit perfect out of the box (Amazon is so great on making us happy! Hassle free!). These shoes have great adjustability in the lacing, so you can custom your own comfort zones. They are a approach shoe, so they will be stiff feeling, but greatly supportive; it's that kind of comfort if you understand what I mean. If your looking for posh, don't order this, these are more for diverse hiking with scrambling, and low level rock climbing. Second, I'm using these for mountain biking with aggressive pedals because of the stiffness (cant' use clips anymore because of ankle surgery). I'll be complementing these with gators for complete coverage in the wet, scree, or brambles. I will follow up when I put them to the test....

I purchased these shoes to take on a trip to visit a couple of national parks (Sequoia and Yosemite). I hiked about 30 miles in these and had no blisters however, there's no support whatsoever in my opinion and my feet just plainly became sore from feeling all of the rocks and roots beneath my feet. That might be normal for long walks in new shoes but I'm taking stars off for the following:I wear a size US9.5 in Nike shoes and based on a size guide I found I should need a size 9 for these shoes. The 9s arrived and were still too big so I exchanged for an 8.5 which seemed to fit great. Even with the 8.5, as the shoes wore in, the hardened front end of the shoe would bend inward when I stepped and it was smashing into my toes. It was really uncomfortable and to fix, I had to shift my foot as far forward in the shoe as I could.

This is my second pair of Salewa. My first pair are still very comfortable and holding together very well. Just a bit worn looking. I have worn them no less than four times a week for the past two years! On average I put 16 miles a week on these running trails. Honestly, the only reason I purchased the new pair is because my wife keeps telling me that my original pair look ugly because they have been covered in mud, water, snow and dirt so many times over the years that at this point they have permanent staining of brown. Like I said. ... they look worn out but are perfect in every other way .I am very pleased with my new pair. Phenomenal quality and comfort. I will still use my original pair on rainy / snowy days, but I look forward to wearing out my new pair.These shoes are worth every penny. I have never had any footwear that has been made with such quality.

They lasted almost two years. The only reason I am downgrading them to the "yard shoe" is because my rabbit, the foul tempered little beast, decided to snick the side of the shoe with her teeth... That being said, they are water proof no longer and I live in Oregon.Break in was a little painful, there is a pointed lace reinforcement strip that extends right down to where my foot flexes. This caused some discomfort but I just used tape and such to get through it. Totally fine after initial break in.I have worn these things all over the place, great stick on rock, great slick on wet floors... The sole has little recessed semicircles that create a momentary cushion of air when you walk on a wet, flat and sealed surface. It's like you are on a air hockey table for like half second. I consider it fun attribute, but if you are slip prone...I found these are a great shoe for cycling, the stiff sole made the platform wider and more comfortable. (I do not use clip ins) 8 miles each day on a mountain bike.I would but them again!

Generall big fan of salewa. I like comfort - out of the box. Many pros feel they are too heavy overall. The shoe is slightly firm with just a little (not a lot) of cushion. For this mid level shoe I was looking for more cushion in long rocky descents. Support, comfort and looks give it good not great score.

I like the shoes well enough, but they don't seem to hold up well. Attached to this is a picture of a split in my left shoe. They right has a similar problem. If they will swap me for new, then great. If not- probably you'll want to keep shopping. At this price point, these should should hold up better.

These are great light hikers. Super comfortable, sturdy on the rocks, grippy tread. Fine for trail running as well.I loved Salewa boots before now and these shoes are at the same level.The one MINOR drawback is that the toe-cups could use a bit more flex. Barely noticeable.

I have currently have three pairs of Salewa, all in either Firetails or Wildfires, two are GTX lined. This newer shoe is different and while I ordered 1/2 size larger than my normal size 10, that size difference alone did not bother me as much as this shoe's new generation of design that now rubs my ankle bone, and other areas, overall making the shoe "just not comfortable". I believe the size overall is true and the custom footbed for the most part allows a comfortable fit. I like the Firetail wire but do not like the lack of true eyelets on the toe. Also with thinner low cut socks the tongue will rub the top of your foot to discomfort, something I have not experienced with earlier generation that featured thicker tongued Firetail GTXs. I returned these and reordered an earlier generation of a Wildfire GTX in size 10.