TREKSTA ADT GTX SURROUND
SHOES TEST SERIES BY BRIAN
HARTMAN LONG-TERM REPORT
April 15, 2016
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TESTER INFORMATION
NAME:
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Brian Hartman
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EMAIL:
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bhart1426ATyahooDOT com |
AGE:
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48
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LOCATION:
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GENDER:
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M
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HEIGHT:
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5' 9" (1.75
m) |
WEIGHT:
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150 lb (68.00
kg) |
I have been backpacking for over
20 years throughout Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky and most recently in Western USA. In
addition to backpacking I enjoy family camping with my wife and kids and being
outdoors in general. I would describe myself as a mid-weight backpacker. I use
fairly light weight equipment and gear but still like to bring more than the
bare essentials with me while on the trail.
INITIAL REPORT
PRODUCT INFORMATION &
SPECIFICATIONS
Manufacturer: Treksta Year of Manufacture: 2015 Manufacturer's
Website: http://www.trekstausa.com/ MSRP: US
$200.00 Listed Weight: 15.8 oz (450 g) per shoe Measured Weight: 16 oz
(454 g) per shoe Available Colors: Black Available Sizes: 8, 8.5, 9, 9.5,
10, 10.5, 11, 11.5, 12, 12.5, 13 Available Widths: Medium Size Tested:
9.5
Product Details: Water-repellent Nubuck & Split Leather
upper Gore-Tex Surround waterproof breathable membrane HyperGrip
sole Ortholite insole TPU Heel support NestFIT
technology
TrekSta describes their All Day Trail (ADT) 103 shoes
(hereafter called ADTs or shoes) as "built for trail, travel, and everyday wear
with unmatched comfort". They are lightweight and waterproof and, for the next
four months they will be my go-to shoes for multi-day backpacking trips and
day-hikes with light to moderate pack loads.
INITIAL IMPRESSIONS
The ADTs arrived in a tan and red
shoebox, with TrekSta's logo prominently displayed on the top and sides. Inside
the lid was information regarding TrekSta's NestFIT technology which was
designed to improve the fit and comfort of their shoes. In order to spawn this
technology, Treksta used 3D imaging to measure 20,000 peoples' feet and create a
contour map of all the bones and joints within. Their goal was to create a shoe
that actually fit, providing support where needed while removing pressure spots.
TrekSta claims that NestFIT reduces foot pressure by 23% and muscle fatigue by
31%. They also say that NestFIT provides unrivaled support and unbelievable
comfort, things I'll certainly be looking for during testing.
My first
impression of the ADTs was very positive. They have a classy, understated
appearance due in large part to their solid black color with hints of gray in
the shoelaces and mesh sides. I also really like their styling, toe guards, and
aggressive tread pattern of the outsoles.
The ADTs are 5 in (17.8 cm) tall to the
top of the shoe and 3.75 in (14.0 cm) to the side heel collar. They appear to be
solidly constructed both inside and out. Stitching is accurate and there aren't
any loose threads or material imperfections anywhere on the shoes.
The
uppers are a combination of water-resistant Nubuck and Split leather with nylon
mesh vents on both sides just above the midsole. I really like the addition of
the nylon mesh, not only for its weight savings versus leather but it also makes
the shoes more flexible and breathable. As far as this being an avenue for water
to get into the shoes, I will be watching to make sure that the Gore-Tex
membrane prevents that from happening.
Moving on, the tongue is fully gusseted to keep
water and debris from getting inside the shoes. The ADTs have pull loops at the
heel to help with getting them on and off. The pull loops should come in handy
when trying to get my shoes on before sunrise or after a long day on the trail
when my feet are swollen. As far as the lacing system goes, it consists of four
pair of nylon webbing loops and a final pair of traditional eyelets at the top
of the shoes.
The insole and midsoles appear to offer adequate padding
and shock absorption for hard pack trails. The true test of course will be how
well my feet feel after backpacking all day. The rubber outsoles are made by
HyperGrip and feature an aggressive tread pattern that appears durable and
sticky. I'm anxious to test them on wet creek rocks and slippery boulders to see
how well they perform. I'll also be watching to see if they shed mud and snow or
clog up when things get mucky. Finally the ADTs sport a stiff rubber toe guard
for protection against rocks and tree roots. They almost completely surround the
toe box so I anticipate that they will do a good job of protecting my feet on
the trail.
The inside of the shoes are smooth and comfortable to the
touch. The Gore-Tex Surround waterproof membrane is visible on the interior
sides of the shoe, and is reported to extend beneath the foot bed as well
according to the manufacturer. This will be my first experience with Gore-Tex
Surround so I will be watching closely to see how well it performs and if it is
as waterproof and breathable as it claims to be.
Three small hang tags
and an instruction booklet were included with the shoes. TrekSta also has some
good information online. Regarding care instructions, they simply recommend
removing all dirt, mud, and debris after each use using a soft, wet brush and
clean water.
I've only worn the ADTs around my house so far, but
nevertheless they are very comfortable. I have plenty of room in the toe box and
the heel fits great with no slipping whatsoever. In addition they feel solid
underfoot without feeling heavy.
SUMMARY
The ADTs are well designed shoes
with top quality construction and workmanship. TrekSta has incorporated a number
of innovative features into these shoes to make them sturdy yet comfortable. I
look forward to logging lots of miles with them this fall and
winter.
This concludes my Initial Report for the TrekSta ADT 103
shoes.
FIELD
REPORT
FIELD LOCATIONS AND CONDITIONS
During Field Testing I wore the TrekSta ADTs on three
backpacking trips and six day hikes, logging 13 days and 71 mi (114 km) in
total. While in the field I hiked on all kinds of terrain including dirt, hard
packed gravel, grass, snow, and pavement. I also crossed numerous creeks, at
least one of which was ice covered. During testing I wore the ADTs with new
merino wool socks that I had just bought. The socks were mid-weight and perfect
for cold weather shoe testing. Regarding my pack weight, it varied from 9 lb (4
kg) when I was day hiking all the way up to 34 lb (15 kg) when backpacking or
through-hiking. In addition to the trips above I also wore the ADTs every chance
I got on evenings and weekends.
Hoosier National Forest, Indiana: This
was a three day backpacking trip of approximately 16 miles (26 km). Temperatures
during this outing were average for early December with highs in the upper 30's
F (3.3 C) and lows in the mid 20's F (-4.4 C). The terrain was rugged and
heavily forested. Since the ground was still soft, I spent the majority of this
backpacking trip on-trail.
Hoosier National Forest, Indiana: This was a
two-day backpacking trip of approximately 14 miles (22.5 km). The weather was
mild and partly sunny with highs in the mid 30's F (1.6 C) and lows in the upper
20's F (-2 C). With vegetation mostly dormant I did a fair amount of off-trail
hiking during this trip.
Oldenburg, Indiana: This was a two-day
backpacking trip totaling 6 mi (9.6 km). I spent most of my time in the forests
but did hike through a couple fields as well. The weather during this trip was
cloudy with temperatures in the mid 30's (1 C).
North Chagrin Metro Park,
Cleveland, Ohio: While visiting family in Cleveland, Ohio during the Holidays I
went on a 5 mi (8 km) day hike in a local park. While there I also went on a 9
mi (9 km) biking adventure and even wore the TrekSta's while playing full court
basketball. Temperatures were in the low 20's F (-5.5 C) during my hike but it
felt like 0 F (-17 C) with strong, nearly continuous winds. Elevations were
approximately 660 ft (201 m).
Devils River State Recreational Trail: I
hiked 9 mi (14.5 km) of this NE Wisconsin trail passed farmlands, prairies and
wetlands. It is made of hard packed gravel and was converted from abandoned
railroad tracks to this trail by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
(DNR). The weather was clear and breezy with temperatures in the mid 20's F (-4
C).
Other day hikes: Cuyahoga Valley National Park - Cleveland,
OH Mt Airy Forest - Cincinnati, OH Macgregor Park - Westfield, IN
PERFORMANCE IN THE FIELD
Fit/Comfort: I really enjoyed
testing the TrekSta ADT shoes during the past two months. First off they fit
great! I had plenty of room in the toe box, my toes didn't rub on the sides or
top of the shoes, my heels didn't slip, and the arches were very supportive. And
this is coming from someone who has a tough time finding shoes that fit, given
my wide feet and narrow heels. From day one the ADTs were comfortable, so much
so that I didn't worry about breaking them in before going on my first overnight
backpacking trip of the test period. The insoles made backpacking on all
terrains a breeze, including hard packed gravel and even pavement. Throughout 71
miles (114 km) of hiking I experienced no discomfort, hot spots, blisters, or
pinch points whatsoever with these shoes.
With their smooth interior
lining and heel loop, the ADTs were easy to slip on and the laces were easy to
snug up for a tight fit. They provided great support and a firm, stable base
that made carrying my pack enjoyable. In fact on several outings I went without
my arch supports and experienced no fatigue
problems.
Construction/Durability: The ADTs held up exceptionally well on
rocky, muddy trails, bushwhacks, and dozens of creek crossings. The stitching on
both shoes remains intact, the leather uppers have tons of life left and the
rubber toe caps are still firmly cemented in place. In fact other than normal
tread wear and a few bolder scuffs, these shoes are still in excellent
condition.
Traction/Stability: On my two trips to the Hoosier National
Forest this test period I carried backpacks weighing approx. 32 lb (14.5 kg);
and, in spite of the heavy load, the ADTs gave me great stability. The outsoles
offered superb traction and didn't collect much debris in their treads. I was
especially thankful that they were lightweight and waterproof while scrambling
up and down steep terrain, over logs, and through multiple creeks.
Waterproofness/Breathability: These
shoes are definitely waterproof. I've crossed a dozen or more creeks while
wearing them and had no issues at all. In fact the only time my feet got wet is
when I stepped in water over my ankles and accidently submerged the shoes while
trying to make my way across a particularly deep section of creek in Wisconsin.
Luckily I was only a few miles from shelter and able to get inside before my
feet froze completely. The ADTs seemed to breathe well as I didn't notice any
perspiration in my socks after several hours of aggressive hiking. I say this
with the qualification that my feet don't perspire much in cold weather.
Possibly a better test of the breathability of these shoes came when I played
full court basketball in them for over an hour while in Cleveland and
experienced no damp socks or sweaty feet. After 2 1/2 months of testing I am
very impressed with how well Gore-Tex Surround works.
While day hiking
at North Chagrin Park in 28 F (12 C) temperatures, my feet were noticeably cold.
I tried speeding up my pace in an effort to warm up but was unsuccessful. My
socks were simply too thin and the fact that the shoes were uninsulated and
tight on my feet certainly didn't help. My feet were much more comfortable while
hiking in Florida in temperatures of 82 F (28 C).
The only time my feet
got really cold was when hiking in snow for several miles. Of course the ADTs
aren't insulated and weren't designed for snow so this is no fault of theirs. In
retrospect wearing an extra pair of liner socks under my regular socks would
most certainly have helped out a lot in this situation.
SUMMARY
The TrekSta ADT shoes are very
well-designed trail shoes, with many great features beyond the fact that they
are lightweight, waterproof and breathe extremely well. They provided traction
in all terrains and great support when carrying a heavy pack. They were also
super comfortable, so much so that I did not experience any blisters or hot
spots during Field Testing.
This concludes my Field Report. Please check
back in two months for my final test results. In the meantime, thanks to TrekSta
and BackpackGearTest for allowing me to test the ADT hiking
shoes.
LONG-TERM
REPORT
LONG-TERM TEST LOCATIONS AND
CONDITIONS
During this test
period I wore the ADTs on two weekend backpacking trips to the Hoosier National
Forest totaling five days and four nights. I also wore the ADTs on day hikes to
Shingle Creek Park and Triple N Ranch in Central Florida as well as on private
land in Franklin County, Indiana. In total I put another 40 plus miles (64 km)
on these shoes during Long Term Testing. Temperatures ranged from 26 to 82 F
(-3 to 28 C) during this period and wind conditions were calm to breezy. I only
experienced one day of rain during these trips.
Backpacking
Trips Hoosier National Forest (HNF), Indiana: This was a two day backpacking
trip of approximately 12 miles (24 km). The weather was cool and sunny with
highs in the mid 50's F (13 C) and lows in the mid 20's F (-3 C). The terrain
was heavily forested and quite rugged. I spent most of the time backpacking
off-trail.
Hoosier National Forest, Indiana: This two day backpacking
trip was to a different part of the forest, South and West of where I normally
camp. On this trip I covered approximately 9 miles (14.5 km). The weather was
warmer with highs in the upper 60's F (20 C) and lows in the mid 50's F (12 C).
As is typical throughout the HNF, the terrain was heavily forested and quite
hilly.
Day Hikes Central Florida: While in Florida for a few days I
took the opportunity to go hiking at two parks in the area, Shingle Creek and
Triple N Ranch. Daytime temperatures ranged from 58 to 82 F (14 to 28 C), and
the weather was nearly perfect beyond the first day which was rainy and windy.
The trails were easily located, quite scenic and in excellent condition so
consequently I hiked 17 mi (16 km) during my stay.
Oldenburg, Indiana: I
only covered 4.5 mi (7 km) while there as I got side tracked doing some fishing.
The weather was great on this trip, mostly sunny with temperatures in the mid
60's (18 C).
PERFORMANCE IN THE FIELD
The ADTs are among the most
comfortable low cut trail shoes I've worn. They offer plenty of room in the toe
box with mid weight or lightweight socks so my toes don't feel cramped and yet
my heels stay firmly in place with no slipping. I experienced no blisters
despite giving them very little break-in time before going on the trail. After
ordering the shoes in size 9.5 four months ago I was a little concerned that I
should have gone up a half size so my toes wouldn't hit the front of the shoes
on steep downhill descents, but my concern was unfounded as I have had no
problems with this in actual use. I have also had no blisters or hot spots on
my feet despite wearing these shoes for hours on end in sometimes wet
conditions.
The ADTs provided a stable base for my feet while hiking.
They were supportive even when carrying a heavy pack and I had no instances
where I rolled or twisted an ankle or the shoes felt unsteady or not up to the
challenge.
Despite the mileage I put on these shoes, the soles show
minimal wear and still provide excellent traction. Despite wet trails during my
first day in Florida I never slipped in wet grass or when stepping on wet logs
and always felt like the shoes were firmly planted. I've had no durability
issues inside or outside of the shoes; the insoles still remain springy and the
uppers and toe guard are still in great shape.
Although most of the
backpacking I've done during the past two months has been on dry ground, I've
still made numerous creek crossings and walked in plenty of early morning dew
and the GoreTex membrane has performed wonderfully. My feet have stayed dry and
any moisture that builds up inside the shoes easily escapes. The only issue
I've had is some debris getting into the shoes which is to be expected with low
cuts.
SUMMARY
The ADTs proved to be
exceptionally comfortable and provided outstanding support for my feet during
the past four months. Having flat feet my legs often feel fatigued after long
days of hiking, but that wasn't the case with these shoes. I absolutely loved
their cushioned feel and was impressed with how durable they were. The Goretex
membrane was waterproof and breathable, exactly as described and the shoes
provided excellent traction in every terrain I wore them in.
This
concludes my testing of the ADT 103 trail shoes. I would like to thank TrekSta
and BackpackGearTest.org for the opportunity to test these shoes.
This report was created with the BackpackGearTest.org
Report Writer Version 1. Copyright 2016. All rights reserved.
Read more reviews of TrekSta gear
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