Salewa Pedroc Air Shoe Review
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Salewa Pedroc Air: The Introduction
Salewa has long been known for their exceptional hiking and climbing apparel. Ever since “half weight – double resistance” has been defined as a research goal, Salewa focused on lightweight products. In 2005, Salewa added a new division: footwear. Salewa’s outdoor footwear is built to keep you secure on your journey. Leisurely, fast paced, mud or snow ridden, their footwear’s anti-slip soles will to keep you sure-footed on your path.
The Pedroc Air was introduced as Salewa’s lightest and most agile hiking shoe. Available in men’s and women’s sizes, it has been engineered for speed and agility on the trail. The Salewa website recommends ordering a size up from your normal size. I was a bit conservative here and ordered 1/2 size up. I found the sizing to be spot-on to my expectations. When they arrived, I was so pleased with what I found. The shoe just screamed quality as I held it in by hands.
Over the past month, I have had the opportunity to test out the Pedroc Air in the Rocky Mountains. Follow along as I tell you all the features. I’m sure you will love it as much as I do.
Salewa Pedroc Air: Exceptional Fit
Salewa really did a good thing with the Pedroc Air. In the box, I found two sets of insoles. The Multi Fit Footbed (MFF+) included makes it possible to further adapt and customize the fit. They are interchangeable and secured with velcro. I opted for the full insole. I found this to be a fantastic option as I have narrow feet and the full size insole eliminated the excess room that I often find in the toe box area. When I slid my foot inside and tightened the laces, I felt the Kevlar cords pull the heel cup snugly around my heel. These shoes are lightweight and exceptionally comfortable. On my first hike, they didn’t even need a “breaking in” period. They surrounded my feet with comfort and I never once developed a hot spot despite miles of testing trails.
The Kevlar cords pull the heel cup snug around the heel when the laces are tightened.
Salewa Pedroc Air: Superior Traction and Protection
The Pedroc Air proved to be superior in their protective qualities. A TPU rand surrounds the entire shoe and was very important as I stumbled over sharp rocks and stubbed my toe a few times. The breathable upper kept my feet dry but I didn’t find that I was getting excessive sand though the mesh. While I couldn’t find information about a rock plate, I did use these shoes hard on trails with sharp scree and pointy rocks. I felt the protective quality of the sole and didn’t feel bothered by the tough terrain.
When the Pedroc Air first arrived, I was a bit skeptical of the lightweight feel and low profile lugs. I was pleased to experience how the low profile lugs performed to make this shoe equally comfortable as it is functional. The Pomoca™ Speed Hiker Pro outsole was developed to promote enhanced walkability and traction thanks to its S-Path technology which improves natural rolling, and can be worn from the city to the mountains and back. I climbed some steep dirt to put them to the test. I was impressed with the tree-frog grip of the outsoles. They were functional in the uphill and downhill position as well as when I was side stepping. Impressive.
While Salewa does not market the Pedroc Air as a running shoe, I still had to put it to the test on the downhill. I found the lugs to have excellent traction. As expected, it didn’t carry the cushion that one might find in a running shoe but I found it to be comfortable and well fitted. There was minimal slop in the shoe box and it felt like I was wearing custom fitted shoes.
Salewa Pedroc Air vs. Water/Mud
I personally like to test a trail shoe in the mud and water. These conditions can create some challenges for some shoes. Not the Pedroc Air! I found that the Pedroc Air’s multi-directional lugs performed well in the red, Rocky Mountain mud. I didn’t feel the side-slip that I have felt in the past with other shoes. Of course, after taking my white shoes though the red mud, I had to take them to the water. I was so happy that they washed up nicely, even in the mesh areas, with a simple swish in the reservoir. Its highly breathable mesh fabric works to keep your feet dry. The water shedding qualities were amazing and it wasn’t long before I was hiking in mostly dry shoes. I found the thicker portions around the ankle retained water but this was expected due to the generously padded ankle.
Salewa Pedroc Air: Technical Specs
- Pomoca outsole
- Kevlar Cable Wrapping Net
- TPU film protection
- POMOCA® S Path
- Adaptive Eyelets
- Cleansport NXT ®
- MFF+ Footbed
- 3F System
For the women’s selection, Salewa offers the Pedroc Air in Black/Camo, Red Flame/Black, and Cold White/Grey. Sizes 6-11.
For the men, Salewa offers the Pedroc Air in Black, Blue Java/Black, and Dark Olive/Black. Sizes 7-14.
Salewa Pedroc Air: Final Thoughts
The Salewa Pedroc Air was designed for hiking speed and agility. With that primary engineering in mind, Salewa also incorporated features that make this an all around fantastic shoe for many purposes. The flattened lugs are comfortable and durable when walking around town or hanging out at camp, but don’t miss a beat when the action is intense. Steep climbs, smooth rock, loose dirt…these shoes performed. Period.
Salewa made sure that these shoes could be worn by many by offering the multi-fit footbed insole options. This was a winner for my narrow feet. The other insole options would allow for wider feet. I found that the modest cushion make these shoes stable and solid. The Kevlar cables around the heal and tied into the lacing system allowed these shoes to hug in many directions. This eliminated any heel slip and I never had a single hot-spot or blister despite putting these shoes to the test. The excellent water shedding feature and the quick dry mesh only add to the comfort of this shoe. Salewa has done some great engineering on this shoes. The MSRP is 149.99 and I they are worth every penny. For more information on the Salewa Pedroc Air or to order a pair for yourself, visit www.salewa.com or www.amazon.com/salewa.
