Salewa Mountain Trainer Lite GTX Full Review

I review the Salewa Mountain Trainer Lite GTX hiking shoe. Salewa is an excellent outdoor and mountaineering equipment manufacturer based in Northern Italy in the Dolomites. These shoes are very comfortable in my testing winning Most Comfortable Shoe of the Year.
Check out the Salewa Mountain Trainer Lite GTX: amzn.to/3mGv24d
Check out my blog review of this shoe and see more data on the testing I do for all five shoes tested. dustyhikers.com/salewa-mounta...

[@sdemosi]

The colour band on the sole is for Pomoca, Salewa's sister company that makes soles and ski skins. I've found Salewa very stable and never had heel locking problems with them. They make so many different shoes and boots that there's a model for everyone whether they're doing high altitude mountaineering or speed hiking. They're not really a "walk the dog shoe" brand but I guess they have some models that would work for that. I've had 2 issues with them in the past. Narrow fits in the toe box (some models are just right though) and they had some quality blips (waterproofing and 3F fasteners). They replaced the problem shoe without quibble so I would recommend Salewa , if they fit you. They also make a tonne of climbing equipment that's everywhere in the Alps and Dolomites. Their clothing is top notch too. The responsive wool stuff works very well in temperate climates. We even have a Salewa tent and it's brilliant in the rain and wind. Lots to like. Salewa should really be better known in the US and Canada but they might not be able to handle the demand.

[@Dusty_Hikers]

Thank you. This is very useful. This confirms my impressions of Salewa so far.

[@sdemosi]

@@Dusty_Hikers there's a reason they're so popular in Italy and Switzerland. The fit isn't for everyone however. But isn't that always the way with technical climbing and trekking gear. Some brands work, others don't. My wife absolutely loves Mammut shoes and I find myself between sizes for shoes she says are the most comfortable she's ever worn. 🤷‍♂️

[@User_truser]

Thank tou for your reviews. I just bought these shoes (women's) and I'm looking forward to testing it, but it's still snowy in my city)

[@tedbellWRV]

I started with the Salewa Mtn Trainer Lite mostly because it offers a size 14 (EU48) in wide, that I need. I have a high instep and need the volume. I then got the Salewa Mtn Trainer Lite GTX, for Spring and Fall when it is colder and damp. Again, a great shoe for my needs. I do not hike in these, I ride my bike with platform pedals. Platform pedals have taken over for my cyclists (that do not race or ride technical mtn bikes) that have a need for clipless pedals and cloppity-clop shoes. For platform pedals, a stiff rubber sole is important. The Salewa's have become my favorite, after wearing Scarpas for years. Their Pocoma rubber sole has performed better for my needs than many Vibram soles of late. The non-GTX is also very breathable. Unfortunately, the Scarpas do not come in EU48 or wide. I was going to get the Salewa Mtn Trainer Lite GTX mid-height version, but see they are made in "0" instead of wide. Not sure what that means, so I am holding off.

[@Jing1eWing1e]

Howdy, appreciate for the review, could you share you thoughts about ventilation of current model. Thanks in advance.

[@Dusty_Hikers]

These have a waterproof liner so they are not super ventilated. Definitely not great for hot summer hiking.

[@unseen1228]

Hey Allen. I actually bought the MS ALP TRAINER 2 MID GTX and send them back. Only issue was the width. Besides that i was a really nice shoe. Do you know enough about Salewa to recommend a Wider model? I havent been able to wind the info about a wide model. Just to give you Background since im writing on another of your videos. Im walking the TMB in september and want to find a new pair of boots since my LOWA INNOX (old version), which i love, is worn out. And they dont make the model anymore. Another info is that i have my right foot in a cast from a fall, doing some extreme sport called Gardening. So i watch youtube videos and buy shoes, try them on left foot, too feel how they are. Right now i have the (from your recommendation) SalomonX ULTRA 4 MID WIDE GTX and the Keen NXIS EVO Mid Waterproof and the On Cloudrock Waterproof mid shoes at home. But i agree Salewa is nice and i would love to try out a model for a wider foot. Do you know any? Cast is comming of in 4 weeks and im so exited. Thank you for your videos they help.

[@Dusty_Hikers]

Ciao Unseen! Good luck on Mont Blanc. I skied there in 1996 and loved it. I plan to do the Way of the Gods or Via degli Dei in June. It runs from Bologna to Florence. Unfortunately, I know nothing about Salewa other than what is in this video. I did some some comments online about Salewa being relatively precise or even narrow in width. Mine work great for width and I have a narrow foot. Please let me know how the TMB goes in September.

[@sdemosi]

I'll volunteer a few insights. The Salewa mountain trainer lite that was reviewed here is slightly wider and more forgiving than the alp trainer 2. Salewa are not wide shoes and if you can't fit your feet comfortably into them with the widest of their MFF footbeds then they're probably not the brand for you. Some people like the flaring of Salewa around the fifth metatarsal which works well for some toe shapes and poorly for others. They fit differently to La Sportiva, Scarpa and Lowa. Finding a boot that fits me either involves a round trip of over 400km or ordering lots of stuff online and returning what doesn't fit. In 25 years of buying hiking footwear I no longer size up beyond my JPN mondo size if width or toe box shape is a problem. I just accept that brand isn't for me because something is lost in say going from a 31.5 cm JPN to a 32cm or more just to stop pinkie toes being rubbed. Precision at the top of the boot isn't the same and I realised I would not feel confident when scrambling or trekking over rocky terrain. Having said that, Salewa customer support is helpful so ping them your question & they might have a different view. The Lowa Innox was a nice boot. The Innox Pro or Trek Evo might work for you.

[@mystufs]

Ciao Alan, in your best expertise which shoe would you say is the best shoe in waterproof aspect? Thanks

[@Dusty_Hikers]

I would like to do a waterproof test on various shoes one day. Honestly, I can say that the NorthFace Vectiv Exploris kept me dry in very wet conditions.

[@mystufs]

@@Dusty_Hikers thanks, i keep changing shoes as after a few months water always enters my right foot, and was wondering if Northface new material is at par or better than goretex, tough call i bet

[@limbophonic1]

question about getting the right size of any type of walking shoes, is it best to go for one size bigger than your normal shoes size?

[@Dusty_Hikers]

Great question. In my experience every manufacturer is a little different. In some models I have to go up a size and in others I wear my regular size.

[@lisknisi]

I have had these shoes for about 1 year and I give them 2 stars out of 5 - GTX is a joke, wet sock before I brushed the snow off the car - The shoe does not breathe at all, I have a wet sock after half an hour of walking around the city (dry and temperature around 20) - The last lace hole (yellow one) tears the laces. All 4 ends broke off. + Quite comfy + Pomoca outsole - trust them more than Vibram on Salewa Rapace (very slippery on wet rock - I have them too and don´t recommend) Having tried on two pairs of Salewa boots, I can say it's a window dressing only brand.

[@Dusty_Hikers]

Thank you for your impressions. I will see how mine hold up over time.

[@Jing1eWing1e]

Hey, lad. How come it has worst ventilation ? but the creators approach was create something comfy and good ventilated model ? hmmm

[@lisknisi]

@@Jing1eWing1e Good marketing, I trusted them too.