Review: Salewa Pedroc 2 Powertex Shoes
For this review, I tested the Salewa Pedroc 2 Powertex shoes to see how they stack up against my trail runners in fit, traction, and overall durability.
When I first started hiking, I wore traditional boots before switching to hiking shoes. Even then, my feet would get hot and sore on longer hikes, and the narrow toe box left my toes feeling cramped. I eventually realized they weren’t the right fit for me and moved to lighter, more flexible footwear that has worked much better ever since.
I’ve been hiking in trail runners for over 10 years now, but they have durability issues and tend to wear out quickly. I was curious to see how a shoe that leans more toward hiking would last — and how well they would protect my feet on rocky trails. The Pedroc 2 Powertex are a waterproof hiking shoe, so I tested them over the rainy season in the Pacific Northwest.
About Salewa
Salewa is an outdoor brand based in northern Italy near the Dolomites. The company is well known for hiking, climbing, and mountaineering gear, with a strong focus on technical footwear designed for steep and rugged terrain. Its shoes often balance lightweight performance with the added support and traction needed for mountain trails. Salewa uses PFC-free materials in many of its products, including the Pedroc 2 Max. The company also partners with the Fair Wear Foundation as part of its efforts toward responsible manufacturing and labor practices.
Specs
- waterproof lining: PowerTex PFC-Free waterproof and breathable membrane
- drop: 10mm
- weight: 10.9 oz per shoe (1 lb 5.8 oz per pair)
- price: $179.95
My Experience with the Pedroc Shoes
Of course, shoe reviews are highly subjective — our feet and needs vary widely — but it can be helpful to hear others’ experiences when deciding on gear. The shoes I typically wear when hiking include Topo Athletic Pursuit, Altra Olympus, Altra Lone Peak, and Hoka Speedgoat. Previously, I’ve worn Keen, Oboz, and Columbia hiking boots and shoes, and trail runners from Saucony and Salomon.
For the Pedroc, I ordered my usual hiking shoe size, and they fit perfectly right out of the box. The shoes weigh only a few ounces more than my trail runners, so they didn’t feel bulky, but they are noticeably firmer and seem to be built with more durable materials. In case it helped to break them in, I wore them on a couple of 4-mile walks in my neighborhood before hitting the trail.
The first time I wore these on a moderate hike, the extra support was immediately noticeable — I didn’t feel every rock and root underfoot like I usually do with trail runners, and my feet weren’t as tired afterward. Traction was excellent, and I felt more confident descending loose scree than usual. The reinforced heel and toe caps were also appreciated when I bumped into rocks along the trail. The toe box isn’t quite as wide as I’m used to in Hoka, Topo, or Altra trail runners, but my toes have plenty of room to move comfortably.
In rainy weather and on muddy trails, the Pedrocs have kept my feet dry, even when stepping through puddles and crossing creeks. On cold days, they also help keep my feet warm while providing reliable grip on wet rocks and roots. After a year of use, they’ve proven to be significantly more durable than trail running shoes, with no noticeable wear so far despite being my go-to choice for colder-weather hikes.
Overall, I’ve been pleasantly surprised at how well these shoes have worked out for me and I’ll be turning to them often, especially when I need a more supportive and durable shoe that offers excellent traction and protection on technical trails.
Disclosure: this item was donated for the purpose of a review.