There is no one shoe for everything

I don't like snow, it scares me, and maybe that's why I don't like it.

But what I've learnt might help you.

The fear comes from the fact that years ago I had a very bad time crossing the Roland Gap in the Pyrenees. I wasn't wearing the right shoes and I slipped from time to time. Slips and mountains are a bad mix.

The day after that, with boots and crampons rented from the Monte Perdido refuge, I climbed to the summit.

I had a bad time again and when I got to the top I felt a kind of liberation, but the crampons gave me security and the situation taught me a couple of things:

• There is no one shoe for everything.

• Sometimes fears are not unfounded. If a bad step can send you into limbo, you'd better be sure before you take it.

I'm telling you about the footwear because I went on that trip with Merrell Trail Gloves.

It was mid-June and for most of the route I was fine, but when I got to a snowy area the shoes slipped, even though I put some small chains called 'yantras' on them.

And something similar happens to many customers when it comes to choosing a shoe.

They are looking for a shoe that is good for everything, but there is no such thing.

They want them to be cool and breathable for the summer, but waterproof in case one day they go to the mountains and it rains.

Or that you can wear them for everyday wear, but also for playing padel.

A shoe that is good for everything is not good for anything. The shoes that cover a lot, will not give you the best in every situation, and the valuation that something is good or bad, will depend on your personal experience.

In my case, the Merrell Trail Glove was a bad choice for wet areas, but awesome for dry rocks.

Are they bad or have I used them inappropriately?

Then there are those who don't care where they walk and will always wear the same shoes. Like this man with his boat shoes and jeans last Saturday in Sierra Nevada.



Back to snow shoes.

If your thing is punctual and you have clear that it is not your terrain, I did very well with the Vivobarefoot Tracker Forest Esc (Woman - Man).

I felt steady, no slipping, warm feet and although they are not waterproof they held up very well on a snow day.

If you are looking for something more powerful, fully waterproof and cramponable, your boots are:

• Lems Outlander (Unisex).

Something similar is offered by the:

• Alpine by Xero Women

• Alpine by Xero Men

With the advantage or "disadvantage" that the sole is 10 mm thick, compared to the 17 mm of the Lems.

All 3 models have wide lasts, so that the arch can flatten, do its job and the toes can open up.  

It's up to you whether you want to be closer to the ground or further away.

• Closer: more balance, more stability, more proprioception.

• Further away: more protection against cold and water.

Health starts with your feet.

Antonio Caballo.