Salewa MTN Trainer 2 Approach Shoe - Men's Wallnut/Fluo Orange 9.5 Review
The Salewa MTN Trainer 2 Approach Shoe in the vibrant Wallnut/Fluo Orange colorway is engineered for adventure. This low-cut shoe delivers a superb blend of flexibility and sturdiness, making it an excellent choice for alpine trekking, hiking, and vie ferrate in rugged terrains. With a high-performance Vibram sole ensuring a firm grip on various surfaces and a breathable mesh lining designed to keep your feet comfortable during long excursions, this approach shoe stands out as a reliable companion for outdoor enthusiasts.
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Features
- Ferrata Zone for enhanced climbing performance
- Stretch gaiter to keep debris out
- Reinforced Rand for added durability
- Ortholite Footbed for superior comfort
- Vibram outsole for exceptional traction
- Climbing Lacing for a secure fit
- 3F System providing optimal foot support
- Drop: 11 mm
- Shoelaces: Flat Shoelace
- Sole segment: Trekking & Hiking
- Footbed: Ortholite
- Midsole: Expanded PU
- Outsole: VIBRAM MTN TRAINER EVO
- Upper: 1.6mm suede leather
- 360-degree full rubber rand for enhanced protection
Pros
- Excellent grip on wet and dry surfaces
- Durable construction with quality materials
- Comfortable fit with effective cushioning
- Versatile design suitable for various outdoor activities
- Breathable material helps regulate temperature
Cons
- May require a break-in period for optimal comfort
- Not fully waterproof, which could be a downside in heavy rain
- Price point may not suit all budgets
Comparison With Other Similar Products
| Feature | Salewa MTN Trainer 2 | Scarpa Drago | La Sportiva TX4 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upper Material | 1.6mm Suede Leather | Synthetic | Leather |
| Outsole | VIBRAM MTN TRAINER EVO | Vibram XS Edge | Vibram MegaGrip |
| Cushioning | Ortholite Footbed | Medium Cushion | Shock Absorption Midsole |
| Weight | Moderate | Lightweight | Lightweight |
Detailed Review
When it comes to tackling difficult terrains, the Salewa MTN Trainer 2 Approach Shoe excels thanks to its thoughtful design and robust features. The Ferrata Zone enhances climbing performance, allowing you to grip rocky surfaces securely. Its stretch gaiter effectively blocks sand and dirt from entering the shoe, enhancing overall comfort while hiking. The use of 1.6mm suede leather ensures not only durability but also breathability, which is essential for those longer treks.
For comfort, the Ortholite Footbed provides cushioning that proves beneficial over uneven ground. The 3F System incorporates steel cables for better stability, ensuring that your foot remains firmly in place while navigating challenging paths. One of the most commendable aspects is the Vibram outsole, which offers excellent traction; whether you're dealing with slippery rocks or muddy trails, these shoes maintain their grip.
As you step into these shoes, you'll notice they offer a snug yet flexible fit, although it's worth mentioning that some users have reported needing a brief break-in period. The lacing system is another highlight, giving you the ability to customize your fit perfectly. However, it's important to remember that while they are water-resistant, they aren't completely waterproof, so planning your outings based on weather conditions is advisable.
Detailed Rating
| Category | Score | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Comfort | 4.5 | Excellent cushioning; requires slight break-in. |
| Durability | 4.7 | High-quality materials withstand rough terrain. |
| Traction | 4.9 | Outstanding grip on multiple surfaces. |
| Breathability | 4.3 | Good airflow, ideal for warmer hikes. |
| Value for Money | 4.0 | Price reflects quality but may deter budget-conscious consumers. |
User Reviews
Initially a tight fit but after a few hours of wear they were very comfortable! Took two orders to get the right size… measure your feet as recommended before purchasing. I missed that recommendation on my first order.
I typically wear a size 11.5 in most brands of shoes. However, after reading the reviews and knowing that most Italian made clothing and shoes run small compared to American sizing, I ordered a size 13, and I'm glad I did. Now, I do have some room, maybe I could have slipped into a 12.5, but the size 13 worked well. In fact, I noticed much less leg fatigued after a typical 10.2 mile hike than I usually do.With a thicker sock, the 13 made for a really comfortable fit.Also, this is my first time trying Salewa. The brand showed up on my home page for recommendations. I usually wear Salomon or Arc'teryx, however, Salema seems to be made more durable. Therefore, given the quality of thees shoes, I have the confidence to try another model from Salewa. Again, I'm a first time buyer and never heard of this brand until a week ago.Lastly, the shoes are made in Romania, but according to Salema, they were first born in Munich, and now based in Italy.
Previous 3 pair of this model were awesome wonderfull durable shoes. These are terrible.So low volume I would call them a flip flop more do than a shoe. If you have a narrow flat foot with no arch …. Maybe…,,That’s the sad thing. They are and have always been really well made shoes. Shouldn’t surprise ya. Is there anythung the world hadn’t cheapened and tried to sell us for more ?
Had a pair of the waterproof version before. Loved ‘em. Very comfortable and supportive straight away. Lasted a couple years of hard use including construction work most days. Bought this version again and glad I did. Very pleased
If I was the old woman, this is the shoe i'd be living in.
I bought these as climbing approach shoes, and I’m not very stoked on their performance. I prefer a stiffer shoe, and in the past found the Scarpa Mescalero and Zen models to be a great level of stiffness for my narrow size 14 foot. The size 14 Salewa shoe fits well in width and length, but the heel is horrible, it doesn’t “cup” whatsoever, and the heel lock system is purely aesthetic, the heel is completely vertical. The shoes are also the stiffest shoe I have ever worn which maybe wouldn’t be a big issue if I only used them on smooth trails, but they suck for scrambling on scree, and the entire shoe rotates around my foot when I step on uneven terrain unless I crank the laces down so tight they cut off circulation.These shoes may work well for via ferrata due to the stiffness, and maybe if you have Achilles issues then these might work for you…but as an approach shoe I’d suggest looking elsewhere.Update after 3 weeks: broke a shoelace, and retreading new laces in these is a PAIN! I sincerely regret this purchase.
Salewa shoes aren’t well known in the US, I only discovered them recently. I’m very picky about shoes and socks, proper fit is critical. I’ve always worn 10.5 shoes in standard width. I wear trail/approach shoes for work, hiking and leisure. I supinate and this style of shoe supports my ankles properly. I’ve worn various Vasque shoes for 20+ years, mostly the Juxt model. After I discovered Salewa I decided to check them out. They have many similar shoes across the product line and I wanted to compare them. There’s only one retailer on my area with limited stock and there’s not much info online comparing the different models. So I ordered a few different models from Amazon. Every model of Salewa shoes I tried are very narrow, I could never get a good fit even going up one full size.When I tried on the Mountain Trainer 2 in 10.5 I they way too narrow, I couldn’t even get them on. I returned and got the 11.5. I could squeeze my feet into these, but still way too narrow and were returned. I was impressed with the construction, these appear to be very high quality and have a novel lacing system. The these have a stiff and hard midsole like most hiking shoes and boots. trail shoe. The POMOCA outsole is sticky, and should work well on a trail and rocks.I only wore these a few minutes because of the width, I can’t speak to durability.
I wear a size 11 in Puma, Adidas, Doc Martens, Georgia Boot, Reef, NB, and several others. In these I almost couldn't get my foot all the way in. My toes curled up against the inside. They run WAY small. At least one full size. The same was not true for my red Salewa Crow GTX's. The 11 was perfect. Must just be this trail shoe.As for Salewa - it doesn't get any better than Salewa. I was super sad to return them.