The Astral TR1 Merge 2.0 is a mesh hiking boot designed for very wet environments where good drainage and fast drying times are required. I’ve been using them this summer for ultralight (pack boat) canoeing, both for wet entrances and exits, as well as hiking between bodies of water, and they have become my favorite shoes for that activity. I think they would also be an excellent choice for pack rafting, which has similar land-water transition requirements.
- Type: Hiking Shoes
- Drop: Zero Drop
- Pile Height: 20mm
- Upper: Polyester mesh, TPU reinforcement
- Midsole: Closed-cell EVA foam with top shank
- Width: Feels narrow – no large toe box as advertised
- Size:Unisex
- Dry Weight: 304 g / 10.7 oz (W US 7), 358 g / 12.6 oz (M US 9)
The Astral TR1 Merge 2.0 is made of polyester mesh, which drains well when wet. There are also drain holes on the sides, like you’d find in old school tennis or basketball shoes, which help release liquid moisture. However, the soles do not appear to have perforations, which you sometimes find on water shoes. They dry overnight, provided they have good ventilation; A little sunlight also helps.
The shoes have a heel counter and a mid-collar, which is also perforated and wraps well around my lower leg and ankle. Although I wear these mids with socks, the ankle collar and mesh upper don’t stop sand from getting in if you have to walk on a lake or river bottom, although it does take a while for it to be noticeable. If sand accumulates, it is quite easy to wash the shoes. However, I wouldn’t want to wear these without socks because I’m really worried about skin abrasions and blisters on my feet during backcountry trips, so I prefer to wear these shoes with socks.
How do they compare to trail runners whose uppers are fine enough to prevent sand from getting into the mesh of your shoes? Good question. Although these mid and trail runners will still let sand in, especially around the ankle, these shoes shed water much faster than trail runners, remaining squishy for longer periods of time. Drying time is largely equal for both types of boots, although slightly slower for boots due to the extra fabric in the ankle collar.
One area where the TR1 Merge 2.0 is clearly superior to Trail Runners is protection from submerged obstacles like rocks and branches, which you may encounter when crossing rivers, walking along ponds and lake shores, or getting in and out of a boat on a rocky landing.
Astral sells these shoes as amphibious hiking shoes, and there is some truth in that statement. They have strong rubber soles that you can climb on, especially on rocky slopes, and enough toughness and grip for minor scrambling. But the depth of the lugs is limited at best and not optimal for muddy environments, where longer lugs will provide additional traction.
recommendation
The Astral TR1 Merge 2.0 Hiking Boot is an excellent choice for activities in very wet environments, such as pack rafting, ultralight canoeing, and lake portage. Its polyester mesh upper and side drainage holes ensure fast drainage and quick-drying, making it ideal for frequent water crossings. The boot provides good ankle support with its heel counter and mid-collar, although sand can still get in during riverside walks, so wearing socks is advised to prevent blisters. Compared to trail runners, these shoes excel at water drainage, but have moderate traction due to shallow lugs, making them less suitable for muddy terrain. Overall, the Astral TR1 Merge 2.0 is a reliable amphibious hiking shoe for wet conditions, but unless you expect your feet to be constantly submerged in water, I’d stick with a more traditional, faster-drying hiking shoe like the Trail Runner.
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