I got an awesome set of "everything" shoes last year - Merrell Capra Bolt Light Trail Runner. I wanted something for light hikes, active days in the city or mountains and trail runs. I don't want to have to buy 20 different outdoor shoes for each activity I enjoy. I also extremely dislike all the white rubber soles on what seems like every women's runner and trail runner. Do people not wear there shoes off pavement? Maybe my shoes get more dirty than others but I just don't like white soles.
Besides non-white rubber sole options these shoes get 4 stars out of 5 review. I give them this rating because:
Positive features:
- shockingly durable for light weight shoes - I am told all the time how hard I am on shoes
- super comfortable like a running shoe
- very light weight, feel like nothing on your foot
- breathe extremely well
- done a 10km running race, worked better than past "running" shoes
- dark colours so they still look good / not gross and dirty
- light weight for packing
- metal hooks for laces, I've blown throw eyelet holes of light hikers (some say I'm rough on shoes)
- I've personally had no blisters or rubbing
Negatives I've found:
- like most shoes they need a more durable heel cup to stop material breakdown
- breathability = wet feet in rain or wet ground, this is a trade off. There is a waterproof version of the Capra Bolt so consider it if in lots of wet weather
These shoes have lasted two seasons of lots of wear, I will definitely have them as top pick when I need to replace them.