What Our Gearhead(R) Experts Are Saying:"I took the Newton Alpine Low Hiking Shoe on a long day hike with a creek crossing early on and didn't think about my feet again until I got back to the car. The waterproof bootie construction kept everything dry through the crossing and through two hours of light rain afterward. The rubber rand takes a beating on rocky trail without showing it - these are built tougher than they look."When the trail turns rocky and the weather turns questionable, Columbia's Newton Alpine Low Hiking Shoe is the shoe that keeps moving without asking us to slow down. The waterproof bootie construction seals the foot against creek crossings and sustained rain, and the suede upper holds up against the kind of abrasive terrain that wears through softer materials in a season. The protective rubber rand wraps the perimeter where rocks and roots make first contact, and the metal hardware keeps the lacing system locked under load on steep descents. Underfoot, the midsole cradles the heel and places deflection domes across the forefoot - a setup that absorbs impact on hard landings and rebounds quickly through the stride. Flex grooves in the forefoot let the shoe bend naturally with the foot rather than fighting it. The lugged rubber outsole bites into loose dirt, wet rock, and packed gravel with the same reliability. At 16. 6 oz, the Newton Alpine Low Hiking Shoe carries enough structure for a full day in the mountains without the weight of a full boot.