Anyone who knows me well knows that I don’t like to run, unless being chased. I do, however, like to fast hike on technical trails and that brings us to today’s comparison test. The Lowa Amplux 2 came out on top over the Altra Outroad 3 and my still loved (but not for trails) Merrell Wrapts.
Wrapt Dismissal
Let’s go ahead and get past the Merrell Wrapts. While I love their ‘earth shoe’ aesthetic and wear them almost day, even for light hikes, they are really not light hikers or trail runners, and they don’t really have the firm feel and grippy, sturdy sole that puts them in the same class as the other two shoes.
Altra Outroad 3
I really wanted to love these shoes. Like the Wrapts, the Outroad 3 ($130) has an earth shoe style fit, with a very roomy toe box and a zero drop heel.
The outsole delivers plenty of grip for confidence on both road and trail, and the 100% recycled polyester ripstop mesh upper and modern tooling looks to be very durable against scrapes from rocks and branches. They also have a reinforced toe that is engineered to help protect from rocks, roots, and gravel.
Where the Outroad 3 fell short, at least for me, was in the midfoot. I have a fairly thick instep, and the Outroad was just a little too snug across that part of my foot – to the point where the I was getting an uncomfortable amount of pressure across the top and sides of my instep.
As with anything that I review, I also include the caveat that your mileage may vary, so if you have a somewhat slimmer foot profile, these may fit the bill for you.
Lowa Amplux 2
Lowa bills the Amplux 2 ($170) as an all-rounder that can handle everything from daily training to fun runs to races. Is it a different class shoe than the Altra? Maybe, but I think there’s a fair bit of overlap.
Like the Altra, the uppers are made from a breathable but supportive mesh upper. My midfoot always felt like it was being held firmly in place without feeling crushed, and when navigating tricky terrain, I did not feel my foot sliding around – though the toebox still had plenty of wiggle room.
The Lowa® Trac® Agility 2 provided plenty of grip while blocking intrusion from poky roots and rocks, and I always felt sure that I could place my foot and be confident that I would not slip.
When the trail flattened out and I was able to put down more power, the cushioned midsole and carbon-reinforced rebound plate returned energy with every step.
While not a zero drop shoe, there is a minimal 6mm of difference between the heel and the ball of the foot.
Conclusion
For this compo, it should be no surprise that the spoils go to the Lowa Amplux 2. It serves up plenty of support for fast hiking and I know that it’ll serve me well if I ever work up the desire to run!
All Outdoors 