Breathable and with foot stabilising supports in the heel and midsole, The North Face Hedgehog is a great all sport choice. Further, we’ve found the Ultra’s insole provides a more secure hold and the shoe’s slightly beefed-up construction gets the edge in overall stability.

Salomon’s X Ultra line of hiking footwear is one of our long-time favorites for all types of uses from day hikes to lightweight backpacking trips. The good news is it’s a fairly easy fix if you’re willing to invest in an aftermarket insole (Superfeet and SOLE are two popular choices).Furthermore, the Hedgehog Fastpack II Shoes are incredibly versatile - able to handle wet and muddy as well as dry and stony terrain. Further, the wider tread spacing along the sides of the shoe isn’t prone to caking up and effectively sheds mud and trail debris. The North Face Hedgehog Fastpack GTX hiking shoes are perfect for moving swiftly over uneven terrain even when it’s wet. And while I can understand the Hedgehog’s appeal, particularly for those with flat feet, it disappointed overall due to consistent issues with foot soreness.

Borrowing more than you can afford or paying late may negatively impact your financial status and ability to obtain credit. The outsole is constructed from Vibram rubber which offers durable protection on rocky terrain and grip on wet, snowy and even icy conditions. The heavily cushioned design gets the clear nod in terms of all-around comfort, and we also like that the Merrell is offered in a non-waterproof “Vent” model (the Fastpack only is available in a Gore-Tex version). This will be either BSCI (Business Social Compliance Initiative) or SMETA (Sedex Members Ethical Trade Audit), which are social auditing methologies and reports but are not an accreditation.To be clear, comfort and fit often go hand-in-hand and the Hedgehog Fastpack has been around long enough to have its legions of fans. Flat and cheap insole lacks the sculpted and comfortable fit that comes with competitors like the Merrell Moab 2, Oboz Sawtooth II, and Salomon X Ultra 3. We’ve had good success in terms of durability with The North Face shoes (one exception was the old Ultra 109), and the Hedgehog Fastpack GTX has held up pretty well throughout our testing. The Salomon is lighter by about 4 ounces, feels nimbler while offering better cushioning, and is extremely comfortable over long distances.