Straight out of the box for test on my midweek jaunt to Beinn an Dothaidh were the Haglöfs Crags.
They come with the new Sole insoles ready fitted and after my recent good fortune pulling the same trick with the Escape Ventilators, I laced them up at the carpark and set off.
But, these are a very different shoe indeed and after a mile or so I was taking them off and wiggling my toes wishing I’d thought it through a little more.
They’re a classic-style approach shoe, not a trail shoe. That might seem like nit-picking, but it means that they’re stiffer, both in sole-flex and the upper, and with a set of as-yet unmolded Sole’s in them, my feet nearly blew a gasket. So, some re-lacing was done and I was away again, and after a few hundred metres I was happy enough. It turns out that they need a little breaking-in, which I just never thought of.
Once I was back into my stride I started to gain confidence in them. The sole is a Haglöfs-branded soft compound affair and it proved to be grippy on everything I encountered, on rock they’re like velcro, but there’s enough of a pattern to latch onto mud and grass, and on the super-steep descent on mixed terrain the second day, I never lost my footing once.
The lacing is a little clunky, the mix of lacing loops makes sense from a strength and security point of view, but it’s a bit faffy to do them up. I’m assuming they’ll ease off with more use.
The upper is beefy and designed to take the knocks, on the rough ground and rocky stuff they just bounced through, but they’d taken enough of a mold of my foot and have enough flexibility for me to jog down the trail quite happily as well. They drain and dry well whewn the water gets in with some large mesh areas, and that means they’re cool as well. And, once the upper eases into your shape, they’re comfy. They’re quite high volume, but with the Sole and my current Wigwam Trail Runner Pro and Smartwool PHD sock combo I didn’t have any hotspot or rubbing issues.
It’s early days, but I like the look of them. They’re not a trail shoe by a long way, but they’re not a low cut boot either. They sit in the middle as a robust shoe that still allows full use of your foot and ankle. I know that’s stating the obvious, and maybe that’s what an approach shoe is supposed to be, but then it’s not really for approaching anything, it’s for using when you get there isn’t it? So that’ll make it a mountain plimsole then.
More, soon.
PS I’d like to say that the photie on Haglöfs website makes these shoes look rubbish, they look far better in the flesh, and in the budgie green option.
MMMM Green,
Aye, and there’s a mid version coming for winter is the same colour :o)
Do you think these would be any good for scrambling?
ok, prob better in Vertigo as it laces down to the toes – more precise fit
Gus
I know it’s hard to tell, but in the photie (which Phil took by the way), my left foot is at 45 degrees on the rock there and it stuck solid.
I’ll be happy scrambling in these, the added stiffness the sole has over most of my footear would help with staving off tired feet on a long day.
But, like Gus says it’s a fit thing as much as anything, scrambling in loose shoes is suffering on toast.
you are turning in to a walking, talking advert for Haglofs these days
I’ll tell you, I’m glad that I get to test that brands that I do, it could very easily be HorrorwearUK (or US)that I’m going out to the hills in… :o)
But, we very nearly fell out when I took these off after that first mile and said to Phil “I’m going back to the motor for my Montrails…”.
Naebody’s perfect.
MIDS !
You never told me that the other day (or did you ?)
Can’t remember what model Haglofs shoes we tried on in Outdoors Experience, but you, Elaina and I all found them sloppy round the heels. I presume these fitted better?
bobinson, first photie, the three at the back. https://petesy.co.uk/?p=1003
Kate, it was the Crags we all tried. I even emailed Haglofs to say not to send them for test as I’d tried them on, but they were on their way. But, these fit, no problems with the heel at all, straight onto the hill with them. It must be socks or the colour or something?!
I’ll need to get Elaina to try these ones on before the get too minging.
I like them ! a purple pair woul be a bonus !
That’s very strange, ptc*, cos we all found them really sloppy! Maybe you’re right about the colour. I’ll have to try them on again cos apart from the heels they were really comfy.
bobinson you’ll have Golden Green or Graphite and like it. The wummin get the fancy colours again.
Aye Kate, it’s like a different shoe. I am at a loss to explain it, but I’m happy with the outcome!
Tried my new pair of Crags on Tryfan North Ridge today. They seem to be nice and grippy for scambling. I couldn’t bring myself to go for the budgie green
Good stuff, I thought they should be with the little bits I got to tackle.
Aye, the green is hard to co-ordinate your accessories with…
Well they’re hardly likely to stay green for very long :)
Talking of such things, my Montrail Streaks have been dyed chocolate brown from immersion in peaty bogs. Ach!
just got some green solomon shoes in the sales in keswick and in my size, fit perfectly ;o)
had a wicked time even with the rain, it was also the 1st trip out for my newest tent!!
Good lad! Not only size 13, but cheap too :o)
Glad the trip went well!
Aye would have been nice to have stayed a few more days but weather turned and we had spent a stack of cash so gonna do some walking round here tomorrow and fri
As long as you’re still avoiding work it’s all good :o)
@PTC: which one would you recommend for everyday use/travel
– crag
– crag gt
– vertigo
Tx
Just saw the 2013 versions of those today!
I like the Crag, had them on the other day. But, the Vertigo has that nice leather outer, a less techy looking design maybe?
They’re both a similar stiffness and fit I think (I’ve got a Vertigo Mid), so unless your feet say other wise it might be down to what you like the look of best.
The soles are different it occurs to me, the Vertigo is more suited for soft conditions with a more aggressive tread if that’s a factor.
@PCT: thanks a lot!
Crag with or without GTX ? (not sure how weatherproof are the one without and how breatable are the one with). Thanks!
Or you could go for the Roc Legends !
GTX version is not sweaty and there is a mid version in that too !
Depends what you class as every day use !
I have tried the Roc Legends on… Purple.
GTX shoes is a thing isn’t it? For everyday use I might say yes, walks in the park at lunchtime, standing on loose paving stones and getting a wet foot when the water splashes from under it etc
The regular Crags drain and dry fast though, great for hills.