Salewa Wildfire Edge Review

The Salewa Wildfire Edge is the shoe we grab when the terrain is going to get steep and technical. It has some of the grippiest rubber of any shoe in our review, it fits snug like a glove, and edges and smears as well as many climbing shoes.

Performance Comparison

Comfort

When it comes to comfort, this shoe gets edged out by the hiking shoe competition. We like many aspects of the shoe, such as the easy lacing system that allows for a snug fit when getting ready for a challenging climb. The innovative 3F system pulls the lacing around the back of the heel, making for an even more secure fit in the heel. The MFF+ (multi-fit footbed) is one of the nicer footbeds we have worn. The stiff sole that makes this shoe great for climbing also makes it one of the least comfortable shoes to wear for miles at a time. It does lessen the impact of sharp rocks jabbing through the sole, but it can feel clunky, and our feet felt fatigued at the end of a long day wearing these on the trail.

Support

These hiking shoes are supportive in some ways and quite unsupportive in others. The sole of the Wildfire Edge, which includes an Edging Plate in the insole for more stability, reduces the pain of feeling every single rock through the sole. The narrow sole makes these shoes nimble and responsive. However, this width, combined with the fact that these shoes are cut very low on the ankle, means that they will be more susceptible to rolling ankles than other more supportive shoes that have moderate ankle protection as well. We feel that these shoes are best for confident hikers and climbers who do not carry heavy loads.

Traction

Traction is an area where these shoes prove themselves worthy. Using a Pomoca Speed Mtn outsole, these shoes have the stickiest rubber in any test shoes. This rubber grips incredibly well onto the rock, and the sole simultaneously can edge and smear thanks to the Edging Plate in the insole. The sole of the Wildfire Edge features relatively shallow lugs capable in moderately slippery conditions but are outmatched by mud and other trail conditions that require heavier-set lugs. We paired these shoes with a pair of microspike crampons to ascend a moderate snowfield, but that is at the edge of their comfort zone.

Weight

These Salewa shoes weigh in at 2.02 pounds in US men's size 11. These are not the lightest shoes but are certainly not the heaviest. We find the weight worth the extra stability and climbing ability that they provide over models with less grippy soles.

Water Resistance

Without a liner, this shoe is not waterproof, and it scores low in this metric. There are waterproof versions of this shoe available, however, if you know you need that capability.

Durability

These shoes can hold up to the standard rigors of life on the trail but may have some durability issues if used regularly in abrasive terrain. We used these shoes to climb Mount Whitney and numerous other routes in the Sierra Nevada and Red Rock Canyon and found the suede wearing out on the outer edge of the foot. The laces are quite thin, and the lacing eyelets are made from cord rather than metal, so with a lot of jamming into cracks, these will likely break and be unreplaceable. We feel that we could get one solid season of heavy use out of the Edge before they are worn out.

Should You Buy the Salewa Wildfire Edge?

This sticky rubber hiking shoe is one of our favorite shoes for traveling in complex technical terrain, as they climb as well as an approach shoe but can handle moderate approaches on the trail as well. The Wildfire Edge is a great shoe for the technical hiker, and the extra traction provides good value. That said, these are a niche pair of shoes that aren't as suitable for general hiking applications as many other shoes on the market. This makes them most valuable to a smaller group of people. It is best for those who anticipate mostly dry conditions and who require the best performance on steep and rocky terrain that they can find. Those who plan on sticking mostly to trails, who carry overnight packs, and who want the added protection from a waterproof liner can look to several other good options found in this review.

What Other Hiking Shoes Should You Consider?