By Terry Doyle
Spring can be a tough time of year for the dedicated hiker. Snow still blankets the trail at higher elevations, while rain and meltwater leave vast stretches of mud down below. Since walking straight through the mud is the right thing to do in order to prevent soil erosion, a good pair of waterproof hiking shoes is essential springtime footwear.
The new Pulsar from Wolverine
The Pulsar waterproof hiking shoes feature Wolverine's ICS technology, where you can adjust the support level beneath your feet. A gel disc located under the insole can be rotated to offer more or less cushion to match the type of terrain for the day, your personal preference, or even to aid in over or under pronation tendencies.
The waterproof Gore-Tex lining makes these hiking shoes perfect for the wet spring weather. No matter how many mud puddles I trucked through, the dirt and water just seemed to bead up and roll off, leaving the bright blue color to shine through. During a recent hike, knowing I would be walking through an endless amount of mud, I conducted the "white sock test". Upon returning home, my socks were as white and dry as they had been before I left.
The Pulsar run pretty much true to size. One thing to note is that the hiking shoes come in two different widths: medium and extra wide. I have pretty narrow feet, so found the medium size to be a bit too wide for me. This means, however, the medium will probably be the perfect fit for those of you with normal feet.
Bottom Line: If you are searching for a workhorse in spring conditions, look no further than the Wolverine Pulsar. These hiking shoes will keep your feet dry and supported for miles on end.
The Wolverine Pulsar hiking shoes