LL BEAN Women's Trail Model Hiker Mid
A superlight boot for high-mileage speedhikers
Brand: L.L. Bean
Model: Women's Trail Model Hiker Mid
Fastpacker
A high-mileage, high-speed boot needs to have enough support to prevent foot fatigue, low weight and low bulk to enhance agility, and a tread that grips without tripping you up. The Cirrus GTX nails ’em all. After a 20-mile day in Vermont’s Green Mountains, one tester said, “On the trail, the low-profile tread never snagged roots or debris, and bit into everything but ice.”
Rather than chunky lugs, the outsole has rows of double dashes cut into the rubber. The Cirrus is also exceptionally stable for a fastpacker, thanks to an X-shaped external heel cup that extends to just behind the ankle, as well as a TPU shank that provides torsional rigidity. A deep Achilles cutout provides a huge range of motion for extra nimbleness. That, plus a shock-absorbing EVA midsole, let one tester run these shoes down Tunnel Mountain in the Canadian Rockies.
The Gore-Tex waterproof/breathable liner functioned exceptionally well in conjunction with the durable nylon mesh upper, keeping testers’ feet dry in sloppy autumn rain, but never getting hot and sweaty in mild temps. Angel-hair-thin laces tie into the midsole. Most testers got a snug wrap, but others felt the laces loosened too easily, leading to heel-slip and blisters. $149; 1 lb. 15 oz.; m’s 7-15, w’s 5-10Our lightweight hikers feel like sneakers, yet provide the additional support you need for short hikes and fair-weather adventures. The cushioned EVA midsole and removable footbed provide noticeable comfort right out of the box. Suede-and-mesh upper offers protection and extra breathability, while heel and toe bumpers add durability. Rubber outsole features a versatile lug pattern for traction on a wide range of surfaces. Reflective trim increases safety in low-light situations. Import
Lightweight, breathable, day hiking or multisport boot suitable for gentle to moderate terrain.
Materials
Upper: Water-resistant suede; synthetic mesh fabric.
Lining: Dri-lex® (wicking nylon).
Innersole: Drilex wicking top layer, memory foam padded footbed. (removable)
Arch Support: Contour of innersole.
Midsole: Molded EVA.
Shank: Nylon.
Outsole: L.L.Bean’s exclusive ‘Trail Trac’ sticky rubber. (not resoleable)
Laces: 68″ round polyester.
Eyelets: 5 sets nylon web lace loops; 2 sets metal lace hooks.
Special Features
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Drilex wicking top layer, memory foam padded footbed.
Polyurethane coated toe bumper & heel counter.
Gusseted, padded tongue. Padded collar.
Reflective trim.
Web pull-on loop at back heel.