The Belorado Low has the kind of rough and tough durability that can often equal too much weight and a ruined hike and the 564g of our size 10.5s isn't insignificant in the hand. Slip the Hanwags on though and you quickly forget what those pesky scales say, as they allow you to dance around the trail like popcorn on a hot fire.
If you trust what your hands tell you then you'll also think the footbed will be stiff and unforgiving, but when paired with the well judged midsole the balance between comfort, trail feel and precision feels great to us.
There's a good dose of cushioning around the ankle and gusseted tongue and the inner of the shoe feels quite sumptuous while still providing a precise, technical fit. Overall, comfort underfoot is high on the list of things that the Belorado has going for it, long hikes are no problem.
The lacing system allows you to cinch the suede and fabric upper tight to your foot which gives you some flexibility while still providing decent support on uneven ground. The heel cinches nicely around the back of the foot and minimises blister inducing slippage.
The Vibram sole unit is grippy on slippery surfaces and the good amount of spacing between lugs allows you to stroll through deep mud without ending up on your bum. The TPU shank in the midsole stiffens everything up which ensures that the sole of the shoe doesn't twist around too much. This all adds up to a precise feel which is great for more technical trails. On less technical trails you'll find that the sole has plenty of energy and a good roll off the forefoot making for a shoe that helps you eat up the miles.
Up front the leather toe bumper protects your tootsies, as well as the shoes from rocks and if you ever manage to wear the sole out then you'll be glad that it's stitched, rather than glued allowing for unlimited resoling.
The looks are resolutely technical so these aren't necessarily the shoes to use for travelling, but chuck them in your suitcase for serious hikes when you arrive and you won't be disappointed.
