I’ve been overly impressed with my Garmont Dragontail shoes which are more of a heavy-duty hiker so I was excited to finally try out a lighter weight shoe from them. The 9.81 Trail Pro III GTX is perfect for light hiking adventures and running around town. They are comfortable, relatively light, and waterproof.
Attention to detail in the construction of the midsole has proven to be beneficial as there is good shock absorption whether I’m in a hurry up the trail or moseying by. Along with the detailed construction in the internals of the shoe, the heel lock system adds to the functional fit factor. Not only do the 9.81 Trail Pros feel great on, I know they won’t slip around on me when I’m out on the trail, which ultimately causes discomfort.
I have a narrow foot and these shoes do have a bit of a wider toe box. While I prefer an overall snug fit close to my foot, the wider toe box helps add a little bit of stability. Helping to get the snug fit, the laces are designed perfectly for that. They extend all the way down the shoe and really add to the overall performance fit.
The Gore-Tex membrane is going to ensure waterproofing when you need it most, while staying breathable. In Colorado, the Gore-Tex is invaluable for any trail adventure.
Garmont offers a wide range of hiking, approach, and active shoes and boots alike and so if you’re in need of anything within the realm of an outdoor shoe, I would highly suggest checking them out. The approach shoes I have by Garmont are some of my favorites so far, with these coming in as a little brother to the more heavy duty approach shoe.
9.81 Trail Pro III GTX
$170.00
Pros
- Gore-Tex is guaranteed to keep you dry
- Vibram outsole
- Breathable mesh upper that is protected by rubber where it needs it most
- Perfect light-hiker
Cons
- Hard to tighten laces all the way (they slip loose easily)
- Wide toe box (not necessarily a con but just mentioning here b/c of my narrow foot)
