Zamberlan Parrot RR Hiking Shoes

www.zamberlan.com; 1 pound, 12 ounces
The right shoes are essential to a blister-free hike. Our tester beat up the Parrots on a multi-day epic rock-hounding at the John Day Fossil Beds in Eastern Oregon and fell in love with the out-of-the-box comfort the Parrot offered, with great stability on rough terrain. Built on a female-friendly last, the Parrot fits narrow, low-volume feet so well they almost feel custom-made. Outside, a rugged, durable Vibram sole with an aggressive tread pattern grips the trail. In a nod to climbing footwear, the Parrot has a rubber toe bumper to protect your feet from cactus, sharp rock, and other potential pitfalls of treacherous terrain.  We appreciated the shoe’s well-thought-out features: a cushy EVA midsole underneath a moisture-wicking liner, and a soft, synthetic tongue that helps pad the often-troublesome area between the lace and instep. The uppers are a water-resistant split-grain leather that look sharp and provide plenty of protection from sticks and stones and both the toe and heel have thermoplastic inserts that help to decrease foot roll. One tester wished the cuff of the shoe extended a bit higher on the ankle—with the beefy leather upper, the low cut seemed a bit lacking for protecting tender ankle bones and supporting heavy loads.