www.trekstausa.com, 13.9 ounces
A classic maxim in the sports world is that you know a referee has done his job when no one notices him. If the same is true for trail shoes, then the TrekSta Evolution II could umpire the World Series. When embarking on a particularly long or intense excursion—especially on race day itself—the last thing you want is a gear distraction. This shoe is comfortable and reliable, making you forget you’re wearing them (but grateful that you are).  Fundamentally, the TrekSta Evolution II is ready to go right out of the box, thanks in no small part to the dynamic “footnest” constructed from measurements taken from more than 20,000 individual feet. If there is a breaking-in period to be had with these shoes, I didn’t notice it. Versatility is the word of the day; you can tackle asphalt and dirt alike without recognizing much difference. This adaptability does come with a cost, however, leaving the traction dependable but unremarkable. I wore them during a 13-mile Tough Mudder adventure race, running through almost every element possible: rocks, freezing water, thick mud, flaming hay bales, and even ultra-slick grease. They performed admirably (even though I’m sure TrekSta didn’t have sprinting up greased half-pipes in mind during development). They shed water quickly and easily; they returned to dry weight mere minutes after full submersion. They also stay tightly grafted to your feet in thick mud; there’s no risk of losing a shoe in boggy conditions. While staying light, the Evolution II’s provide plenty of foot and ankle support, and really shine in areas of uncertain footing and sharp rocks, at least on the bottom and sides. While increasing the breatheability in warm weather, the mesh toe tops did leave me a bit vulnerable to stubs on roots and stones. Ultimately, if you’re a fan of low-maintenance steadfast footwear in adverse conditions, the TrekSta Evolution IIs are the shoes for you.
-Justin Kintz