Meet the reviewer
Columbia Konos TRS Outdry hiking shoe: first impressions
It's no longer the case that every hike requires a sturdy boot and for many of us, a decent pair of trail shoes will more than suffice for days on the trail. However, not everyone wants to sacrifice grip and protection for the comfort of a lighter shoe, and with the Konos TRS, you don't have to.
These ultra light hiking shoes are designed to let you walk for miles and scramble on steep terrain in comfort. A plush midsole is designed to absorb the impact of each step and return energy to you as you stride, while deep grooves in the forefoot provide enough flex that your toes can bend properly. Though the lugs aren't the deepest, the outsoles delivered good traction when we tested them out on steep, wet slopes.
• List price: $120 / £110
• Gender specification: Men's and women's sizing available
• Sizes: Men's 7 - 15 UK, 6 - 14 UK / Women's 5 - 12 US, 3 - 10 UK
• Weight (women's UK 4, per shoe): 7.4 oz / 210 g
• Materials: OutDry membrane, mesh uppers, OmniMax midsole, TechLite midsole, AdaptTrax outsole
• Colors: Black/Ultra pink, White/Berry patch, Black/Grill, Black/Mountain red, Wilver grey/Vivid blue, Cloudburst/Marmalade, Nocturnal/Sunkissed
• Best use: Hiking
You can all but guarantee out-of-the-box comfort with these sneaker-style shoes, though the toe box may be a little narrow for some feet but the lacing system allows for some versatility. The uppers have kept our feet dry striding through bogs and, even though we've been testing these in colder weather, we haven't struggled with the breathability.
Reinforcements mean the uppers will give you good protection on rocky trails without adding much weight and overall, we've been able to walk for hours in these with happy feet. The price of these shoes is really appealing for anyone wanting the comfort of a trainer but some grip and protection, however we'd love to see some recycled materials used in the next iteration.
Columbia Konos TRS Outdry hiking shoe: in the field
When I lived in Colorado's Rockies, I spent 11 years hiking in trail running shoes. They were comfortable and had plenty of grip for rocky, dry trails. Upon returning to Scotland three years ago, I quickly realized that I'd need to embrace hiking boots once again, since our trails are often non-existent, and usually boggy. But I miss hiking in shoes, and though I've tried a few pairs of Columbia's trainer-style shoes, I've struggled to find a pair I really liked. Until now.
I first tested the Konos TRS OutDry shoes on a long but mellow cross country stroll before realizing they were up to tougher stuff. Next I wore them up a Corbett and finally a Munro.
Here’s how they performed:
Fit and comfort
I'm technically a 3.5 in UK sizing but always go up to a 4 and that usually gives my feet enough room to swell, though occasionally I still find myself wanting more room if the toe box is narrow. I think the 4 for these is about perfect for me, however, some hikers may want to go up a full size for more room around the toes.
There's nice, secure lockdown fit around my heel and midfoot, though these would be too snug with thick hiking socks. However, I'm honestly unlikely to pair thick socks with a trainer-style shoe since I'd only wear them if it was really cold, and then I'd want a boot.
Some Columbia hiking shoes I've tested have rubbed at the heel, but these felt great from the moment I put them on and, thanks to the cushioning, meaning I can walk for four hours without my feet feeling tired.
Protection and breathability
I think there's a general assumption that with trainers, you give up a degree of protection, and of course, water can more easily get in over the top and you can bash your ankles. However, besides those two things, I think these uppers are nicely reinforced so I wouldn't think twice about wearing them on a rockier trail. I hadn't checked the label to see if they were waterproof before heading out, but I decided to stride through the first bog I came to in the name of journalism and was thrilled to discover not a drop came through.
I've been testing these in fairly cool or cold conditions, and I haven't had any overheating in my feet which is a relief. That said, you always give up some breathability for waterproofing, so I'll be interested to see how these hold up in the summer months (though fingers crossed, the bogs will dry up a bit and I won't need waterproof shoes).
Grip and stability
You can tell by looking at the soles of these shoes that the lugs aren't super deep, so I was impressed by the grip I got when hiking down an extremely steep, grassy and wet slope recently. It's a hike I do often and I nearly always slip and fall when I'm on it, but not this time.
As for stability, I've struggled with Columbia shoes in the past that have a chunky rocker sole but these manage to have quite a thick midsole for comfort without tilting up at the toe, so I enjoyed a fairly stable ride in them.
Durability and value
I haven't been testing these long enough to say how long they'll last, but they shoe signs of being reasonably durable, with the reinforced toe box. A little of the outsole is on display to cut weight, which could increase their vulnerability.
Compared to other hiking shoes, I think the value of these is great. They're a compelling price and offer some good technical details, such as waterproofing and good grip.
Columbia Konos TRS Outdry hiking shoe: the bottom line
If you're looking for all-day comfort in a trainer-style hiking shoe but need some protection from the elements, these shoes are a great place to start. If you need something a little more technical in terms of traction and have more money to spend, check out the AKU Rocket DFS GTX.
