Merrell Grassbow trail shoes

The Merrell Grassbow proves that it isn't always necessary to wear boots for summer walking – in fact I spent most of last summer hiking in the Alps in trail shoes – so they're worth a once over if you want to keep things minimalist.

It utilises a Gore-tex breathable air mesh upper, which apart from helping to keep the weight down to 354g per shoe also assists in keeping your feet cool and sweat free on hot summer days.

This obviously adds to the comfort of the shoes, as does the Grassbow’s flexible forefoot shock absorption pad and heel air cushion, whilst the sticky rubber outsoles are deeply lugged or grip in all terrains.

I liked the fact that no real breaking in is needed for such a lightweight and flexible shoe, and the Grassbow also looks good – you could just as easily wear it for hanging out in town as on the hill – so all in all a good option if you want really lightweight footwear for your walking this summer.