Gear Review: Ahnu Hiking Shoes

When we’re headed out on a trip that involves both city walking and outdoor adventure, there’s always the quandary of which shoes to pack. Packing both tennis shoes and hiking shoes is not an option, especially in light of all the other dress shoes we need to pack.

Always looking for products with two-for-one utilities in the quest to streamline the contents of our suitcases, the Ahnu Superpine Air Mesh is a wonderful solution. The women’s Sugarpine Air Mesh is an athletic-inspired hiker, a hybrid sneaker-hiking shoe, that works for both city and the rugged outdoors. Recently, I packed my pair of raspberry pink Ahnu hiking shoes on a road trip through the Southwest because I wanted a shoe that I could wear to the hotel gym and go hiking in, without having to take up room for two pairs of shoes.

On a jog through downtown Albuquerque, checking out the cool old bones of historic buildings on Central Avenue, they were light and comfy. Scrambling up the slick, well-worn rocks of Scottsdale’s Camelback Mountain, the Sugarpine Air Mesh kicked in to high gear with the Vibram rubber outsole, offering solid traction and protection to summit the top. Plus, with the mesh material they’re made with, even with the 100+ temperatures of the Arizona desert, they kept my feet cool and dry.

On another trip up the California coast for a glamping excursion with my mom at El Capitan Canyon, I hiked up mountain trails then headed to the tide pools on the beach, never having to change my shoes as the leather is waterproof. On yet another trip to Santa Ynez wine country, I packed them as my all-purpose sporty shoe. I ended up biking, horseback riding and boating in them. That’s what I call an amazing multi-tasking shoe!

And lastly, for the fashionista, because hiking shoes and ‘cute’ don’t usually go together, Ahnu hiking shoes are actually attractive. They come in fun, playful colors such as raspberry red with periwinkle accents, lime green with turquoise accents or pewter grey with honeydew melon accents.

Size wise, they’re pretty wide. I have average width feet, but they are almost too roomy, as I like a more contour-to-the-foot shoe in general, like my Scarpa Light Hiking shoes. But, I did opt for a half a size larger (9) than I normally wear because I don’t like my toes jammed up when I’m doing serious trail hiking or running. With thick hiking socks like Thorlo, the too-roomy shoe dilemma is solved.

But don’t just take from us, the Ahnu Sugarpine was voted best 2014 day hiker by Fitness Magazine.

Other variations of Ahnu Sugarpine include a boot-style and waterproof. $110 – $130. www.ahnu.com

POSITIVES: 

Cool colors. Lightweight. City and outdoor versatility. Waterproof leather.

NEGATIVES: 

Shape of shoe at the top doesn’t contour to the foot.

WHY WE TRIED IT: 

Needed a shoe that could work in the gym and the outdoors.

OVERALL:

Reliable multi-purpose trail shoe with versatility and durability.

 

Shoes were provided by Ahnu for review purposes. Opinions are our own.