We loved how Asics’s patented waterproofing, called “PlasmaGuard,”performed; rain, snow, and puddle splashes couldn’t penetrate the shell on this shoe. Plus, there’s no sweaty mess brewing inside, thanks to how well it breathes. It features a pliable upper, so right out of the box, even narrow-footed testers felt securely fit. The traction—multi-directional lugs for solid footing uphill and down—is fairly low profile for a smooth feel on buffed trails. And the cushioning strikes a good balance between shock absorbing and peppy (read: not too mushy). Swami gripe: Might be too narrow for some. Swami like: All that weatherproofing in a light package. 11.9 oz. (men’s); 9.9 oz. (women’s)
