The New York Times-20080124-Rain- Thy Name Is Mud

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Rain, Thy Name Is Mud

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FOR several seasons, jackets made from smooth soft-shell fabrics have been winning raves from outdoor enthusiasts. Now the often-waterproof, breathable and lightweight materials are trickling down to trail-ready footwear, with questionable acceptance.

Manufacturers claim the new footwear keeps hikers' feet dry, with better ventilation and lighter weight than traditional hiking boots. Yet while many soft-shell fabrics are waterproof, others can't weather a deluge. Then there is the question of durability and protection, as slick soft-shell fabrics don't appear as rugged as leather, suede or even nylon mesh.

The jury is still out on soft-shell footwear, says Marcus Woolf, the senior editor for GearTrends, an outdoor-industry trade publication. Casual consumers wonder why they need soft-shell fabric as opposed to traditional fabric in a multisport shoe, he said, and they question the $100-and-up price tags.

Isabel Aley, the development and outreach coordinator at the trail-building group Portland Trails, in Maine, tested five of these first-generation soft-shell shoes and boots over the course of a month while hiking on dirt and paved trails in wet or snowy conditions. Durability is the big unknown, said Ms. Aley, but she thought the shoes were worth the extra money because of their lightweight water-protection. SARAH BOWEN SHEA

[Illustration]PHOTOS: SALOMON SYMBIO DRY: $135, www .usoutdoorstore.com. (The men's version is the Fusion Dry.) Ms. Aley wore these 14.4-ounce boots on a walk through some nasty freezing rain, yet her feet were cozy and dry. She appreciated the great lacing system that eliminated the need to tie them. They hug the ankle more than any of the others, which took a little getting used to.; NORTH FACE STORM PEAK BOOT: $153.95, www.zappos.com. At 13 ounces, these boots (left) were the lightest in the test (though the Mion is only 0.2 ounce heavier). Ms. Aley found it refreshing for a high boot to be light on the feet, although the upper was somewhat stiff. PrimaLoft insulation meant the boots didn't leak heat.; MION WARM CANYON: $130, www .riversportsoutfitters.com. This bold looking shoe (above) is designed for use while paddling or simply tromping around town. Walking on slushy sidewalks, wetness did not penetrate the shoe, she said, but the wide footbed made the Warm Canyon feel clumsy.; KEEN SHELLROCK WP: $125.95, www.zappos.com. This 14-ounce shoe (right) was Ms. Aley's favorite. On long excursions, her feet did not feel suffocated, she said. Nubs on the soles gave her confidence to walk normally on most wintry surfaces except black ice.; VASQUE ZEPHYR TECH: $175, available at www.backcountry.com later this month. Designed for backpacking, this 3-pound 4-ounce boot (left) has a combination upper of waterproof leather and soft-shell nylon. Ms. Aley found that the boot offered the most extreme protection from inches of rain, slush and snow. But its sole was so inflexible that she didn't feel safe on slick trails. The lacing system made the boots easy to get on and off. (PHOTOGRAPHS BY HERB SWANSON FOR THE NEW YORK TIMES)