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Salewa Wildfire Edge Review

One of the most capable climbers in this review, and is a great shoe for technical hiking in dry conditions.
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Price:  $170 List | $124.93 at REI
Compare prices at 3 resellers
Pros:  Excellent traction, breathable
Cons:  Not waterproof, can feel uncomfortable
Manufacturer:   Salewa
By Ryan Huetter ⋅ Review Editor  ⋅  Nov 11, 2019
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62
OVERALL
SCORE

RANKED
#14 of 15
  • Comfort - 25% 5
  • Weight - 25% 8
  • Support - 15% 5
  • Traction - 15% 9
  • Versatility - 10% 5
  • Water Resistance - 5% 1
  • Durability - 5% 5

Our Verdict

The Salewa Wildfire Edge is a great hiking shoe to put on if we know we will be scrambling in rocky terrain and need the confidence that our foot will stay put on the rock. These are some of the most nimble shoes we reviewed, and are akin to an approach shoe that is designed for climbing on technical routes. The low-top cut and the lack of waterproofing make them specialized for dry conditions, and their stiff sole, which makes them excellent for edging, does put the performance in front of comfort. This is a niche shoe, and is the best choice for a hiker or climber who wants to move freely on exposed routes.


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This Product
Salewa Wildfire Edge
Awards  Editors' Choice Award  Top Pick Award Top Pick Award 
Price $124.93 at REI
Compare at 3 sellers		$120 List$190.00 at REI
Compare at 3 sellers		$170.00 at REI$149.95 at Backcountry
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Overall Score Sort Icon
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Star Rating
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Pros Excellent traction, breathableGreat value, comfortable, lightweightExcellent comfort and traction, waterproofExtremely comfortable, lightweight, supportiveAggressive traction, great water resistance, versatile
Cons Not waterproof, can feel uncomfortableMaterial shows wear after heavy useExpensive, not the most durableNot as cushioned as previous Hoka models, some traction issuesQuicklace system not for everyone, average ankle protection
Bottom Line One of the most capable climbers in this review, and is a great shoe for technical hiking in dry conditions.A cross between a hiking shoe and a trail runner, this model blends comfort with performance at an unbeatable price.The La Sportiva Spire GTX is a hiking shoe built with the comfort of a running shoe.A blend of top-notch comfort with support in a lightweight package that makes them an excellent choice for long-distance hikers looking to shave weight and increase mobility.This shoe is nimble and aggressive for hikers who like to pick up the pace in any terrain.
Rating Categories Salewa Wildfire Edge The North Face Ultra 110 GTX La Sportiva Spire GTX HOKA ONE ONE Sky Toa Salomon X Ultra 3 GTX
Comfort (25%)
10
0
5
10
0
8
10
0
9
10
0
9
10
0
7
Weight (25%)
10
0
8
10
0
8
10
0
8
10
0
8
10
0
8
Support (15%)
10
0
5
10
0
8
10
0
7
10
0
9
10
0
7
Traction (15%)
10
0
9
10
0
8
10
0
7
10
0
6
10
0
9
Versatility (10%)
10
0
5
10
0
9
10
0
8
10
0
6
10
0
9
Water Resistance (5%)
10
0
1
10
0
8
10
0
9
10
0
8
10
0
8
Durability (5%)
10
0
5
10
0
8
10
0
5
10
0
6
10
0
6
Specs Salewa Wildfire Edge The North Face... La Sportiva Spire... HOKA ONE ONE Sky Toa Salomon X Ultra 3...
Weight of Size 11 Pair 2.02 lbs 2.07 lbs 2.06 lbs 2.12 lbs 1.95 lbs
Upper Suede, EXA Shell cage, microfiber Mesh Abrasion-resistant mesh Synthetic Textile/synthetic leather
Width Options Regular Regular Regular Regular Regular
Waterproof Lining None Gore-Tex Gore-Tex Surround eVent Gore-Tex Performance Comfort membrane
Flood Level (inches) 3 4.25 4.75 4.25 4.5
Last Board/Shank EVA Molded EVA EVA Advanced chassis and molded shank
Midsole Multi Fit Footbed Plus EVA 5mm Ortholite Insole, Compression Molded EVA, TPU inserts EVA Injected EVA
Outsole POMOCA Speed Mtn UltraTAC rubber Vibram XS Trek with Impact Brake System Vibram MegaGrip Non-marking ContaGrip
Warranty 2 years Limited 1 year 1 year 45 day 2 years

Our Analysis and Test Results

Performance Comparison


If you need high-performance traction on difficult rock routes this is a shoe to strongly consider.
If you need high-performance traction on difficult rock routes, this is a shoe to strongly consider.

Comfort


This shoe gets edged out by the competition when it comes to comfort. 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, and 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.

Ready to rock and roll! The Wildfire Edge is reasonably comfortable to hike in with but once the objective is reached they really show their usefulness.
Ready to rock and roll! The Wildfire Edge is reasonably comfortable to hike in with, but once the objective is reached they really show their usefulness.

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 to be worth the extra stability and climbing ability that they provide over models with less grippy soles.

We verified the weight of these shoes and they come in at a respectable 2.02 pounds.
We verified the weight of these shoes, and they come in at a respectable 2.02 pounds.

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, though 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 that 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.

These hiking shoes are great for sprinting around in the mountains but their low ankle height might make them less stable when carrying big backpacks.
These hiking shoes are great for sprinting around in the mountains, but their low ankle height might make them less stable when carrying big backpacks.

Traction


Traction is an area where these shoes prove themselves worthy. Using a Pomoca Speed Mtn outsole, these shoes have the stickiest rubber we found in any of the test shoes. This rubber grips incredibly well onto the rock, and the sole simultaneously is able to edge and smear thanks to the Edging Plate in the insole. The sole of the Wildfire Edge features relatively shallow lugs, that are 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.

These soles features some of the lowest profile lugs of any shoe but it makes them very grippy on smooth rock.
These soles features some of the lowest profile lugs of any shoe, but it makes them very grippy on smooth rock.

Versatility


This is not a very versatile shoe, as it is limited by its lack of water resistance, its lack of support when carrying a big pack, and its diminished comfort when putting down long miles on the trail. 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.

While not designed for it we put some microspike crampons on the Wildfires and used them to climb a moderate snow slope.
While not designed for it, we put some microspike crampons on the Wildfires and used them to climb a moderate snow slope.

Water Resistance


Without a waterproof liner, this shoe is not waterproof, and it scores low in this metric. There are waterproof versions of this shoe, however.

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 as well as 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 from 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.

The lacing system of these shoes prone to wear and is one of their weakest attributes.
The lacing system of these shoes prone to wear, and is one of their weakest attributes.

Value


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.

Conclusion


This sticky rubber hiking shoe is one of our favorite shoes for traveling in complex technical terrain, as they climb as well as a approach shoe but can handle moderate approaches on trail as well.


— Ryan Huetter