The shoe’s low stack height puts it close to the ground, its collar wraps nicely around the ankle, and the reinforced heel counter helps limit rolled ankles while boulder hopping. Meanwhile, the Gore-Tex waterproof membrane guards against any liquid or moisture entering and keep feet dry in the chillier, wetter months. Originally debuted in Spring 2006, The North Face has updated their signature Hedgehog design to feature a modern lightweight construction and CRADLE Guide technology.

Lighter than the classic Hedgehog boots but still packed with technology to support, cushion and stabilise your journey through rugged terrain, the soles are zonally fine-tuned with CRADLE™ offering support and comfort. Compared with the Hedgehog, the two shoes are nearly identical in weight but the Ultra has better protection and cushioning underfoot.The initial stiffness underfoot and around the collar did loosen up fairly quickly, but the lightweight cushioning and TPU shanks failed to provide sufficient protection and shock absorption. This means the brand has sourced factories who have passed an audit, so their worker rights, environmental impact and social compliance is up to scratch.

Move faster in these all-terrain hiking shoes, with grippy Vibram® outsoles that ensure you never lose your footing. And as touched on above, the Vibram outsole is holding up very well and should have a long lifespan. The momentum in hiking footwear is moving away from bulky boots toward lightweight shoes and even trail runners that are faster and more comfortable. They are packed with technology to support, cushion and stabilise your journey through rugged terrain.But considering this shoe is intended for fast-paced hiking (hence the “Fastpack” name), the weight isn’t all that impressive. Brought these on a recommendation from a member of staff in Millets who told me he had brought several pairs over the years.