My first thought was that the Dynafit Traverse trail shoes look very similar to Salomon Speedcross. They are a little wider and have more robust looking uppers, but the shape, lacing and sole design are familiar. I like Speedcross footwear, so I was expecting I would also like the Dynafit – and I do.
The Dynafit have generous underfoot cushioning and this will suit some people more than others. There is less ground feel and the soles are quite stiff but the shoes feel comfortable for long distances.
Fiona Russell Recommends
While the shoes have a Gore-Tex membrane, the wet can get in at the ankle, and I did not find the shoes very breathable in warm conditions.- Supportive
- Lacing
- Waterproof
- Size small
- Heavy
- Price
| Quick specs | |
|---|---|
| Price: £175 Weight: 346g Materials & features: Gore-Tex membrane, invisible lacing, Pomona outsole, heel preloader Heel-to-toe drop: 8mm Lug depth: 5mm Sizes: Uk 3 to 9 Women/Mens version: Yes URL: https://www.dynafit.com/en-gb |
The support from the uppers and lacing is excellent. The lacing tightens evenly and is fixed by a toggle. The excess lace can be tucked into a (rather fiddly) pocket on top of the lacing. Despite a resultant neat fit the ankle cuff and tongue provided comfort.
In addition, there is a “heel preloader” that aims to give support in the heel area. My feet feel secure and protected in the Traverse GTXs, which gives me confidence on rougher terrain and when it’s wet and muddy.
The soles offer good grip on most terrain, although they did cause me to slip a bit on steep slopes of wet grass. I would prefer to see better designed lugs for grip at the rear of the sole.
The uppers are designed to cope with high levels of abrasion and there is an excellent protective rand all round the shoe.
On the downside, the shoes size small so you should go up a full size. They are quite heavy and more like a workhorse than a whippet. If I am being picky, it would be good to have a slightly larger pull-on loop at the rear.
While the shoes have a Gore-Tex membrane, the wet can get in at the ankle, and I did not find the shoes very breathable in warm conditions.
Tested and Reviewed by Fiona Russell
Fiona Russell is a size UK8.5 and has a narrow foot. She is a keen trail and hill runner, as well as a mountain walker and especially enjoys the Munros and Corbetts in Scotland. To test this trail shoe, she walked and ran in each pair of shoes on a range of terrain.
