This lightweight hiking shoe provides the comfort of a sneaker, with all the support and performance of a serious hiking shoe.

By Dan Sanchez

When you talk about a supportive hiking shoe with a Gore-Tex waterproof membrane, a high-quality compression EVA mid-sole, and an outsole made from recycled rubber, you’d expect it to be stiff, heavy and expensive. But Timberland’s Pathrock Low hiker is one of the lightest hiking shoes we’ve tested in recently, that combines the qualities of a hiking shoe, a rock climbing approach shoe, and a performance sneaker all at an affordable price.

Feeling more like a trail running shoe, the Pathrock Low offers excellent traction with an outsole that’s manufactured from 42 percent recycled rubber. The tread pattern flicked away the mud during our test and provided lots of traction when scrambling over slick rocks and sandy trails. The combination of fabric and leather uppers provides support where it’s needed, but keeps the shoe lightweight and comfortable. The EVA midsole provides an extra layer of comfort, that makes it tempting to wear the shoes to the mall, as well as out on an all-day hike.

We liked the front toe-guard that is normally found on an approach shoe, and provided extra protection when scrambling or trekking over loose rock and scree. As expected, the Gore-Tex membrane also kept our feet dry and with a good pair of performance merino-wool socks, the Timberland Pathrock Low was extremely comfortable.  But don’t let the lightweight feel and cushy comfort fool you. This shoe is rugged and features an internal TPU shank that provides excellent torsional rigidity that makes it perfect for a heavy day-pack filled with water, food and emergency gear.

We also liked the 12 shoe-string eyelets that feel snug and the top two fabric eyelets provide extra ankle support on uneven terrain. One might even be tempted to use this shoe on some mild trail-running excursions, but as an all-day hiking shoe, the performance it provides makes it an excellent value at a retail price around $120. Our test pair came in brown/orange, but it’s also available in dark gray/chili red. Both colors look great and can be worn with casual attire that matches your outdoor lifestyle. For more information, visit www.timberland.com Watch the video below that has Timberland’s global product manager explain about the Pathrock’s traction design characteristics.