Trail Blazer

Very disappointing to find out you're correct. Was trying Lems as a transitional option since they're a bit thicker, but they're narrower than my Keens and Oboz. Also they've never heard of speed hooks I guess.

I can second the Trail Blazer. I've been using them for a few months and they're some of the most comfortable shoes I've worn. I have a pair of the Outlander waterproof boots for the wetter months.

If you use an outside shoe a lot, it will last only a year. You should expect to replace once per year. It depends on if your feet require wide or if you have a slimmer foot. Nike has great shoe lineup for trail but are expensive and more narrow. Adidas seem to be the standard and what the GOAT uses, as well as Simon. I have been using Lems Trail Blazer and really like it. The only thing I don't like about them is the colorway options.

Which lems? The primal 3s worked well, but picked up the new Trail Blazers to hopefully do some light hiking in too

I'm absolutely loving the Lems Trail Blazer, wide toe box, durable af, waterproof, and actually comfortable. Going on half a season with them now and they are still looking brand new. Highly recommend.

I wear Lems Trail Blazers. Comfy for me. You'll get a lot of Altra and Topo recommendations. They're the most popular these days. Just be sure that if you try a Altra/Topo/Lem's zero drop or low drop shoe, that you get used to wearing zero drop shoes first. There's a break-in/foot-strengthening period for zero drop shoes, and you do not want to start that on the trail. I wear zero-drop 100% of the time, so it's no big deal on trail. I prefer breathable shoe with a wool sock most the time, but in the winter mud/slush/cold season I wear either a Lems Outlander or Foresake Hiker, which are water proof and high ankle but still quite light and flexible. The Outlander moreso

The current popular advice is that hiking boots should be reserved for those with ankle issues or hiking with heavy packs, and trail runners for pretty much everything else. Ideally wide toe box trail runners to allow your toes to splay. And the old mentality of getting waterproof shoes has largely shifted to getting breathable shoes, as waterproof shoes tend to trap moisture within, where as more breathable shoes will dry out more quickly. All personal preference of course. Amongst thru-hikers, Altras, Hokas, and Topos seem to the most popular. I like my Lems Trail Blazers and the new Lems Trail Thrasher looks appealing. But if you've never worn a zero-drop shoe it might be something you want to ease into. Edit: surprised at the downvote for just saying what the current popular opinion is (in the US). Obviously everyone should find what works best for them.

I've tried on the new Trail Blazer, and they are indeed narrow in the toe box for a "minimal" shoe. I compared them to several other Lems shoes with the "Wide" last, and the Trail Blazers were the most narrow of the bunch. This is pretty disappointing, but my observation was that sizing in length so that you have about a thumb's width of room in front of your big toe, the toe box is wide enough for my "D" width foot. Generally speaking, I think Lems makes fantastic shoes, but if you are looking for durability you gotta choose a model with a leather upper. All of the models with synthetic or canvas uppers just won't last very long. Same goes for Xero shoes, which I find to be inferior to Lems in quality, but they offer way more models that are actually low stack height and "minimal".

I wear [Lems, ](https://www.lemsshoes.com/)but they don't work for everyone. I just wore [these](https://www.lemsshoes.com/products/mens-trail-blazer?variant=40811906531386&country=US) on a 45 day trip around Mexico.

I wear Danner Mountain Light II boots when it's cold or the weather sucks. When it's hot I wear zero drop trail shoes, Xero or Lems. Pros and cons to all of them. Sometimes I wear Jim Green boots as well if I don't need waterproof or lots of traction (Ranger boots). IMO, there is no 'one size fits all' shoe for hiking.

I’m quite the fan of Altra for travel. Not sure about the newer models but the sole detached in a few places quite abruptly after about a year of use. I’ve been looking at the [Lem’s Trail Blazer](https://www.lemsshoes.com/products/mens-trail-blazer) for quite a while. They have some more subtle colorway options but I think it could be a potential one shoe travel shoe even in water. Tried on a pair while visiting Boulder, CO and they felt solid. Like really well built.

I doubt I "run" as far as you and more short run/walk/jog/gym/hike combo, but the shoes I use for that, which looks like Altra is a road/trail shoe, are Splay V1 and Lem's Trailblazer. I had Altra hiking boots and a previous version of your shoe for a few years before moving to Lem's and now also Splay and I like these just fine. Not hardcore runner so can't comment on that if you need it, but these work pretty darn good. Also look at Anya's site for running shoes and hiking boots and her recs will point you to some that make Men's versions too. Xero pop up a lot and I haven't tried them cause the stack height is a little less cushion than I want but I know many like them. For reference all of my other shoes are minimal...Vivo, Lem's, Origo, Shamma, couple others...so I do have experience in very low shoes. Not an expert but all my day to day and work boots are minimal. Sorry should've added for reference: V1s I do 1mi sprint work, 1.5mi road run, trail jog, 2mi treadmill and no issues; Trail Blazer I do light/med hike and I have jogged on road/trail/gravel and no issues. For more aggressive hikes I use Lem's boots because I like a little cushion and they work well for me.