Patagonia Tsali 3.0 Review
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New for this spring, the Patagonia Tsali 3.0 is ready to tear up trails with a combination of durable yet lightweight materials and comfortable build. Patagonia, long known for all things outdoors, offers up this update to their ever growing trail lineup in hopes that it will satisfy those looking for a neutral cushioned shoe that’s as comfortable on the trail as off of it. And because Patagonia is a company fully committed to sustainable initiatives, you’ll also being helping support a great cause when you decide the Patagonia Tsali 3.0 is for you.
Initial Thoughts on the Patagonia Tsali 3.0
Right out of the box, I could tell the Patagonia Tsali 3.0 was going to have one feature which excelled all others – comfort. Patagonia has a last which fits my foot very well (medium in just about every regard), and I feel this translates well to a multitude of foot shapes and sizes. The Patagonia Tsali 3.0 is no exception to this – right of the box they fit great; I immediately slipped them on to walk around the house, and initially they were cushy yet stable in a way that’s pleasing to walk in. A quick cruise of Patagonia’s website showed that this update includes a ton of tech in a low key package. This is a hallmark of Patagonia’s styling (even present in product as simple as a hoody) and a trademark of the brand which tends to make it’s fan base crazy loyal. My first impression of the Patagonia Tsali 3.0 did nothing to dispute this. As shown in the photos, I tested out the Folios Green pair – it’s not nearly as bright as it looks in the photos, coming across as a bit more understated – it’s similar to the green on their down sweater from years past, although this year we reviewed the brown). I liked the styling updates as well; one of the reasons I enjoy testing Patagonia is they function great on the trail, but are stylish/comfortable enough for every day wear.
The Upper on the Patagonia Tsali 3.0 is rugged enough for the trail, but comfortable enough for everyday wear.
Testing the Patagonia Tsali 3.0
Over a period of several weeks, I was able to test the Patagonia Tsali 3.0 in a variety of conditions and terrains. The winter here in Colorado has been raging up in the mountains, but has been relatively mild down in the foothills. Despite this, I was able to take the Patagonia Tsali 3.0 through everything from snow pack and mud to dry trails and pavement. My primary testing trail includes a .75 mile run across pavement and gravel to access the trail head, so while pavement wasn’t the primary focus of my testing runs, I got a good feel for it at the beginning/end of each trail run. Patagonia’s website states the Patagonia Tsali 3.0 is the perfect choice for a 23 mile course; while I never tested them at this distance, I can say I felt very comfortable in them even in my longest trail day at 10 miles.
Perhaps my favorite part of the Patagonia Tsali 3.0 is the upper. Patagonia uses a construction in the upper that utilizes welds instead of exposed seams in order to provide the maximum amount of comfort and durability; I had no hotspots or blisters during any phase of testing the shoe as a result. Mesh webbing is sometimes a bit irritating on this build of shoe; it can stretch and make for a sloppy fit. I had no such problem with the Patagonia Tsali 3.0, and very much appreciated the moisture wicking capabilities. This will function great during the hotter, drier days of summer.
The midsole combines well with the outsole to create a very balanced feel in the Patagonia Tsali 3.0.
The midsole and outsole combination is, in a word, balanced. This combo is crucial to the performance of the shoe, and you can only tell it’s extremely successful… if you can’t tell it’s there. It shouldn’t be noticeable during a run, and Patagonia achieves this very well. Runners who use a well balanced footstrike will appreciate the feel for the trail, while others who use a heel strike will be pleased with the amount of cushion provided. I took the Patagonia Tsali 3.0 through some pretty severe mud slicks, and really only managed to bog them down after several miles of the clay/dirt mud mixture that marks most Colorado trails. This was to be expected though, as the outsole is designed for balance and speed, not necessarily for heavy mud. I found the Patagonia Tsali 3.0 to have excellent traction in most conditions.
Only the muddiest of trails slowed the Patagonia Tsali 3.0 down.
Final Thoughts on the Patagonia Tsali 3.0
The Patagonia Tsali 3.0 truly is a go anywhere, do anything sort of shoe. The unique styling makes it a perfect choice for casually hanging out, and the blend of tech which is subtly inserted into the design of the shoe tackles all but the most technical terrain and trails. The neutral cushioning is perfect for biomechanically efficient runners, and yet the heel is cushioned enough to please most heel strikers as well. At a very reasonable pricepoint of $110, the Patagonia Tsali 3.0 is as affordable as it is reliable and versatile. Head on over to www.patagonia.com to check out the Tsali 3.0, and also read up on all of their green initiatives – remember, purchasing the Patagonia Tsali 3.0 means 1% for the planet.
