2014 Gear Of The Year: Vasque Lotic Performance Hiking Shoes

On one of our best hikes this summer we ran in to some unexpected terrain, a creek that was much higher than normal. Instead of easily hopping from rock to rock we had to walk through the water – which made us truly appreciate having water hiking shoes.

Hiking in soaking wet shoes can damper a fun adventure pretty quickly. It can also cause some unwanted blisters. If we’re out on the trails for the day we want the flexibility to hit some water, navigate fallen rock or tromp through uncleared land, but that takes a specific type of shoe. Being shoe junkies we have tried quite the range of hiking shoes and boots – everything from light trail running shoes to winter boots in sub zero temps.

If you like to get off the beaten path we’ve found you can’t go wrong with the Vasque Lotic Performance Hiking Shoes. With a slickrock sole and Vibram Idrogrip rubber for excellent traction, these shoes can handle it all. If you happen upon water, just hop right in – the Lotic Shoes have a fast drying upper mesh and excellent drain holes in the bottom of the sole for water to escape quickly. Not only do they drain water, these super light shoes also have an antimicrobial lining to keep your sweaty feet from stinking up the shoes! The Vasque Lotic’s meet every criteria (and then some) for the type of hiking shoe we are looking for, making them an easy choice for a hiking shoe.