Sole Comfort: Treksta Kobra II GTX
Published on 07/02/2012
By Scott Yorko
If you've ever been on a hike with someone having footwear issues, you know that they don't just get better as the day wears on. Whether it's arches, blisters, or toe jams, cranky feet make cranky outdoorsmen.
Treksta has built a shoe from the sole up to make sure you're not that whiney, unprepared dead weight requesting piggybacks from everybody. Testers first noticed the comfort of the NesftFIT insole, which actually provides cushion and arch support where most standard insoles do not.
Just because it rivals slippers in comfort doesn't mean the rest of the sole isn't totally bomber. With Poron open-cell cushioning and HyperGrip proprietary rubber compound, you get the best of two great worlds: long-lasting durability and serious grip on everything from loose dirt to slippery ice. And it doesn't stop there.
Heavy-duty reinforcements wrap both sides or each foot from the heel to toe, sole to tongue, and keep the upper firmly in place while protecting the mesh from sharp rocks and wild roots.
The BOA lacing system holds all of this in place. Simply crank on the low-profile wheel just beside the ankle to tighten the front and stiffen the heel while the same cable cinches through the internal housings for a pretty snug fit. Without having to worry about excess shoelace or having to take your gloves off to retie them, the BOA is a functional luxury that grows on you quickly.
Active Junky testers noted that they had to twist the BOA system very tight to feel completely secure. Testers also noted that the quick-release pull-up action could potentially get caught on trail debris. But when trouncing through the rough stuff, with Gore-Tex waterproof breathability and construction-worthy toe reinforcement, the Kobra II held up almost as well as a full mountaineering boot. The biggest difference? Weight. At 15.6 oz, superior protection and comfort never felt so quick and nimble after 7 hours on the trail.
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