Dunham Nimble Trail Shoe : Leave Your Boots Behind

Two years ago I fell in love with Dunham's Nimble Trail shoe.

It had everything I wanted: a firm, stable, lugged Vibram outer sole that provided excellent traction in muddy, rainy conditions, a cushioned midsole, and a rounded toe box. My Nimble shoes were ideal for power walks and hiking. Unlike so many lightweight trail shoes that are just too flexible through the forefoot to provide adequate support, the Nimble was the perfect shoe for me. I could walk for miles with no foot fatigue.

The new Nimble achieves the same type of lightweight support, but with a few minor changes. First, the mesh uppers of the older model have been replaced by a denser, seemingly more durable nylon material. Both sides of the shoe are reinforced with protective material to keep out water and mud.

Like the older Nimble, the new shoe also has a reinforced toe guard and extra cushioning under the heel and forefoot. The soles have changed from the honeycomb shaped lug pattern in Dunham's previous Waffle Stomper collection to a smaller lugged style, also by Vibram. Same great traction.

As far as performance goes, the new Nimbles are just as sturdy and versatile as the old Nimbles. The main difference I notice is in the fit. I don't know if my feet have changed or Dunham is using a different last, but the new shoes seem to run a tiny bit long and be slightly tapered at the toes. Still, they're the first shoes I reach for when I'm heading out for a walk or hike.

Bottom Line: I have always liked Dunham products. The fact that their footwear comes in so many different widths means they're committed to helping people find the best fit.--E.D. (Nov '06)

Price: $94.99

Manufacturer's Site: www.dunhamfits.com

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