Testers didn’t want to take this shoe off, thanks to its blend of trail-worthy guts and low-key style. The sole’s balance of support and flexibility was perfect for speedy trail hiking. And while the rubber toe cap makes it look like other approach shoes, the Paso has a wider forefoot and roomier toe box. What you lose in scrambling agility the shoe makes up for in comfort and ankle support on long trail days. The leather-and-Cordura upper is cooler than it looks, because air circulates through the mesh lining. www.zamberlan.com

Bonus: The triangle-shaped shoelace never requires recinching.

Bummer: The tongue keeper will prevent the narrow-footed from completely tightening the laces.

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LITTLE BIG BOOT

A hike on the eight-mile trail to the top of Colorado’s 14,259-foot Longs Peak demands a lot out of a shoe: support, traction, durability, agility, and low weight. That’s a tall order, but the Namche carried the day, performing like a running shoe disguised as an approach shoe masquerading as a boot. It didn’t bog us down on the hardpacked approach, but didn’t feel flimsy when the trail got technical, either. A protective (and perforated) plate under the forefoot allowed us to dash through the bouldery section, while the supportive midsole felt secure when scrambling up the Class 3 terrain near the top. montrail.com

Bonus: When downclimbing, you can really put on the brakes thanks to the prominent heel cut and the outsole’s aggressive lug pattern and tacky rubber.

Bummer: The uppers aren’t very water-resistant—a few deep puddles left us with damp socks—but the synthetic material dries quickly.

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THE WETTER, THE BETTER

Not surprisingly, sandal maker Chaco’s first-ever light hiking shoe excels in soggy conditions. As one of our testers shimmied down a waterfall drainage, he bloodied a knee, but, thanks to a full-coverage rubber rand, the Canyonlands escaped scratch-free. The low-profile outsole provided plenty of friction as he wrestled for footholds, and the microfiber synthetic uppers dried within minutes. The lacing system allows you to dial in the lower and upper laces separately for a precise fit and added control. And as with all of Chaco’s shoes, the Canyonland’s removable insole is soft and supportive—not a flimsy throwaway. 1.1 lbs; chacousa.com

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Though some manufacturers like to throw around the sexy-sounding “approach shoe” title, the CTC is no marketing gimmick. When my trip up a creekbed turned into a bouldering session, the CTC proved as nimble and grippy as a traditional climbing shoe. Wrapped in sticky rubber, the narrow toe box jams securely into cracks. Plus the platformlike rubber on the inner edge of the sole makes even a thin foothold feel like a ledge. Back on terra firma, the CTC cushions the foot enough for all-day hiking with loads up to about 25 pounds. www.montrail.com

Bonus: The all-synthetic midcut has good ankle support yet flexes well when smearing for a foothold.

Bummer: With so much rubber along the toe box, the interior of the shoe heats up easily.

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The fuel miser: It's freezing and the wind's howling鈥攁 perfect time to fire up the Reactor, which has a completely enclosed, windproof burner. The integrated pot/burner system puts the Reactor in a class by itself: It's compact, incredibly fuel-efficient, and boils a liter of water in a fast three minutes. An internal pressure regulator maintains consistent heat in cold temps or when the canister runs low. 1.3 lbs (includes 1.7-liter pot); msrgear.com

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GREAT ANKLE SUPPORT

In a world of Honda Elements and Subaru Outbacks, the Ranger is a Ford Bronco: old-school and well-built but certainly not flashy. The crux of this classically designed boot is the collar. Leather strips on the outer surface offer stiff resistance to ankle rolls, while the inner padding serves as a shock absorber. On a day hike in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the boot’s EVA-and-rubber midsole was beefy enough to support a 50-pound load over eight miles. Note: The Ranger fit testers with low-and medium-volume feet best. But thanks to an especially roomy toe box, there’s plenty of extra space to accommodate feet swollen from hours of pounding down the trail. 1.5 lbs; vasque.com

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Cheaper shoes exist, but you’ll be hard pressed to find one that beats the Prima for dollar-per-mile value. It’s light enough for a day hike and sturdy enough for a week in the Grand Canyon, and its midcut height and waterproof-breathable Gore-Tex XCR liner will handle the sloppiest edges of spring and fall. The midsole’s heel-to-toe layer of polyurethane and nylon adds rigidity for heavy loads and rough terrain. Even with all the stiffeners, the Prima flexes well at the toe, and EVA foam in the heel ensures a cushy ride. The soft leather upper reduces break-in to nil, but it still withstood bushwhacking abuse. www.tecnicausa.com

Bonus: Mud won’t cake in the widely spaced lugs.

Bummer: The performance is 30 years ahead of the style.

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Deluxe two-burner: Are you a stealth car camper? Hide this stove in the trunk. The clamshell design is much more compact than traditional two-burner units yet unfolds into a sturdy, propane-burning stove that rivals your dad's old Coleman for performance. 4.5 lbs; coleman.com

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BEST FOR BIG LOADS

Looking for something that isn’t a clodhopper but can handle a three-day back-packing trip? The Kayland’s waterproof eVent membrane lets sweat out, while the shoe’s plastic stabilizers and EVA foam form a lightweight support structure that allowed us to carry 40-pound packs without wincing. And if you’re worried about rolling a bum ankle, the superstable Convert is the perfect shoe. Lace loops near the heel lock the foot into the rear of the boot, while soft foam in the tongue and the throat hug the upper ankle. Our only concern with this otherwise bomber shoe: The cord-and-plastic eyelet combo that locks the heel into place is susceptible to snags. 1.6 lbs; kayland.com

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At 2.4 pounds per pair, this scrappy boot performs above its weight class. Made with super-sturdy nubuck and full-grain leather, the Skamania was still standing after going 12 rounds with a full pack on my back. The key is the midsole’s rigid nylon shank and molded EVA cushion, which together prevent heavy-load soreness. Sturdy leather at the cuff provides excellent ankle support, but unlike with some leather midcuts, there’s zero break-in time. www.columbia.com

Bonus: A synthetic Dri-Lex liner wicks sweat.

Bummer: Though dubbed Omni-Grip, the outsole tended to slip on rocks.

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