THE NORTH FACE - Men's Hedgehog Fastpack Shoes - Waterproof Hiking & Outdoor Trekking Shoes

Product Information

One area of concern is the sheer amount of stitches throughout the upper, and a number of the threads are starting to fray around the instep on both shoes. Offering incredible trail protection, the hiker features abrasion-resistant mesh, which prevents snags and tears, mid-height construction for added ankle protection, and a Vibram rubber outsole for traction on uneven surfaces. A decision between the Sawtooth and Fastpack likely will come down to priorities, and the Oboz’s better foot hold and comfort are what give it the nod for us. Further, the wider tread spacing along the sides of the shoe isn’t prone to caking up and effectively sheds mud and trail debris. Ortholite® OrthoLite® foam footbeds are lightweight and breathable, and feature built-in moisture management and antimicrobial action.

If you're the kind of hiker that tackles rocky, steep, uneven terrain with pace but likes the support of a boot rather than a shoe, the Hedgehog Fastpack II boots from The North Face are for you.

To be clear, comfort and fit often go hand-in-hand and the Hedgehog Fastpack has been around long enough to have its legions of fans. North Face themselves apart with the Hedgehog Fastpack by using technology to deliver a hiking shoe like no other, in tailored models for both men and women. The upper material will start to absorb moisture after a while, but it does dry reasonably well thanks to the thin construction. This means the brand has sourced factories who have passed an audit, so their worker rights, environmental impact and social compliance is up to scratch.

This shoe has been around for more than a decade (the latest “2” was released a couple years ago), and is a proven choice for day hikes and short backpacking adventures. Hiking boots are critical to your comfort and performance on the trail, but this no longer means a stiff and burly model that will weigh you down. This will be either BSCI (Business Social Compliance Initiative) or SMETA (Sedex Members Ethical Trade Audit), which are social auditing methologies and reports but are not an accreditation. The soles are zonally fine-tuned with CRADLE™: the toe area gives added stiffness over technical rock, and the heel shape is optimised for comfort.Interestingly, the women’s Hedgehog Fastpack swaps the three sets of metal grommets found on the men’s lacing system for standard eyelets, but otherwise the two designs mirror one another. Hikers and backpackers can rely on the heel stabilising Cradle Guide technology to keep them steady on uneven ground while the EVA cushioning provides a pillow-soft landing. We use marketing, analytical and functional cookies as well as similar technologies to give you the best experience. My experience has been similar to nearly every GTX shoe and boot I’ve tested: the Hedgehog does a fine job repelling light rain, dewy grass, and the occasional stream dunk.

Width is average in the heel and toe box, and the length was sufficient for my swollen feet when hiking in hot weather. The mesh and leather portions of the upper all are intact, and we haven’t seen any signs of the toe cap peeling apart (which, based on user reviews, is occasionally an issue). The shoe’s low stack height puts it close to the ground, its collar wraps nicely around the ankle, and the reinforced heel counter helps limit rolled ankles while boulder hopping.The Hedgehogs are our classic, tried and tested hiking shoes built for versatility and comfort balanced with a lower profile and weight than boots. And as touched on above, the Vibram outsole is holding up very well and should have a long lifespan. Running is among the most approachable forms of fitness, requiring only a pair of quality shoes to get you going. Missed payments will show on your credit file potentially making credit harder to obtain and will result in late fees being added to the debt.

ounces on our scale (The North Face lists them at 1 pound 14 ounces), which lands right in the middle of the waterproof hiking shoe market. ounces) and undercuts other comfort-first models like the Merrell Moab 2 (2 pounds 1 ounce) and Oboz Sawtooth II (2 pounds 2. Further, we’ve found the Ultra’s insole provides a more secure hold and the shoe’s slightly beefed-up construction gets the edge in overall stability. Meanwhile, the Gore-Tex waterproof membrane guards against any liquid or moisture entering and keep feet dry in the chillier, wetter months. We've divided up all of the sustainable features we've identified across our product ranges and grouped them into three so you know how your purchase is making an impact: Think Nature, Think Welfare, Think People.

The DryVent membrane is waterproof and breathable, and the secure lace-up closure and Ortholite footbed offer incredible foot comfort and fit. The North Face uses own and third party cookies for marketing, profiling and analytics purposes, and to ease your navigation on the site. The Salomon is lighter by about 4 ounces, feels nimbler while offering better cushioning, and is extremely comfortable over long distances. On the plus side, the Hedgehog was pretty sturdy underfoot, felt reasonably light, and the lacing system—with actual metal grommets—tightened evenly. Lighter than the classic Hedgehog boots but still packed with technology to support, cushion and stabilise your journey through rugged terrain, the soles are zonally fine-tuned with CRADLE™ offering support and comfort.