For the last month, I’ve been checking out Patagonia’s new Rover all-mountain shoe. Here’s the good news: it’s lived up to my expectations as a badass hiking, trail running, and light climbing all-star. Here’s the great news: Patagonia’s giving away two pairs to you guys, because you read the most awesome gear site on the interwebs.
So here’s the deal. Watch the video below, answer my question in the comment section below, then feel free to repost the video on your social networks and brag about the shoes you’re going to win. We’ll select a winner at random and announce the winner November 15th. If you want more insight on the shoe, read my review below.
And here’s the question: Would you use the Rover as mostly a hiker, runner, or climber? And where would you use it?
Want more info on this bad boy? Here’s my take:
Patagonia Rover, $125 Patagonia.com Release Date: November 15
The Good: Wide forefoot, minimalist feel, EXTREMELY sticky outsole.
The Bad: Great on easier climbs, but don’t expect to climb 5.12 in these bad boys.
The Awesome: The first minimalist running shoe/approach shoe I’ve laid eyes on.
It’s a new world out there: Killian Jornet is running up mountains now. Literally running up mountains. Last month, he summited the Matterhorn in under two hours, sprinting up and climbing the 5.3-rated Lion Ridge with little more than a pair of running shoes. Designed with this new hybrid sport in mind, Patagonia’s Rover runner/climbing shoe hybrid sports climbing rubber in the forefoot and deep lugs in the heel to withstand the rigors of a rapid descent. The 8.8-ounce Rover sports a 4mm heel to toe drop, and the burly mesh and synthetic rubber upper is made to shrug off scree and brush, and the gusseted tongue keeps debris outside the shoe, where it belongs.
Patagonia was good enough to send us a pair to try out, so we took it up into the Whiskeytown Recreational Area for some off-trail mountain running to see how it held up. Here are some first impressions of this new breed of running shoe:
1. No break-in period. Thanks to the wide toebox and to-the-toe lacing (another not to climbing shoes), I ran ten miles of singletrack and watershed “trails” right out of the box, and I didn’t even get a hotspot.
2. The climbing rubber in the toe is legit. I ran up 65-degree limestone face without putting a hand down, and was crossing creeks with confidence.
The climbing rubber on the toes stuck to wet and steep rock…
3. It blends minimalism and protection like a champ. The 4mm drop and flexible outsole give you a responsive feel, but the ESS forefoot plate keeps a stray rock or root from bruising your metatarsals.
4. The burly heel tread provides great traction on the downhills. Too great, as a matter of fact. I stubbed my left toe on a downhill run(great toebox protection, btw), and stuck my right leg out to catch myself. Instead of sliding on the loose rock, the shoe stuck in the ground and I ended up with a delightfully hyperextended knee.
…while the deeper heel tread kept is grip on steep descents.
5. You can scramble, but don’t plan on climbing 5.12 in them. The rubber is great and the edges are well-defined, but the shoe’s not really stiff enough to let you properly edge on a bare face.
The Rovers look like the first entry in a wave of gear aimed at high-speed ascents. It’s a pair of shoes meant for the hyper-athlete who isn’t content to climb a mountain anymore: he has to run it.
10 miles off-trail and they’re ready for the next run.
34 Comments
Hiking/Approach, looking for a durable shoe to withstand the GR20
I’d use this shoe as a runner to beat my time from Navajo Mtn. to Rainbow Bridge and back. trail scrambling, climbing and just general awesomeness ascending and descending through canyons.
excellent urban trail runner…
I’d use these in the Wasatch range (when the snow dries up several months from now) to climb Pffeiferhorn, Superior, and go up to the Tetons and do the Exum Ridge. The possibilities with these are endless. The run to climb options are a very sexy possibility. Yeah I said sexy…
Trail running @ Heysen Trail in South Australia! Perfect for long distance, diverse terrain, technical descent and love the ultra-light!
I’d use these shoes to scramble up mountains and save lives. I’d take them out in Cottonwood Canyon and in the Uintas.
What would I use these shoes for!? Sketchy scrambles in the Alps, rock climbing approaches, getting vertical on some 5.8s, trail/mud runs, peak bagging in the granite trinitys? All of the above? Im thinking so
These would help me balance better on uneven surfaces. I love to hike Civil War battlefields and in the Berkshires.
after just completing the NYC Marathon in my longest time yet, 5 hrs and 20 minutes I know how important a comfortable shoe is. This past June I also climbed Mt. Washington, NH in Hiking Boots with no issues, A running/hiking shoe would be the perfect combination shoe allowing me to combine the two outdoor activities that I have grown to truly enjoy. Funny thing is that one of the participants in the Mt. Washington climb did run another mountain and my first thought was what would I wear? by winning these shoes my first thought would be when can we go?
Speed assent of Cosmic Wall?
Hiking in the Adirondack Mountains. Yes, please!
This just reminded me I really need approach shoes. I don’t think steel toe work boots count hahahah
These shoes would be great for my life fitness goals. I’ve done 2 marathons, a dozen or more triathlons, several duathlons, a plethora of double century bike rides, and a truck full of 10K and 5K races in my younger years. But as I’m aging (I just turned 56) I’m redefining what fitness means to me. Not just slowing down, but changing! These shoes would be so awesome as I get more involved with trail running/hiking as part of my new strategy.
I would use it mostly for hiking and as an approach shoe climbing. I tend to live a pretty nomadic lifestyle so I could use these anywhere in or out of the country. And if these shoes have a limit I WILL FIND IT.
With these shoes I would; climb, hike, run, trek, fish, ride, jump, skip, and maybe go for a walk.
WITHOUT these shoes I would; climb, hike, run, trek, fish, ride, jump, skip, and maybe go for a walk.
The only difference is that I would tell everybody I know to go buy your shoes if I am wearing them.
I would use them primarily for hiking and scrambling around on boulders and exposed rock. I am planning on a trip to the Enchantment Lakes area in the Cascades next year and they would be great for climbing around on all the granite!
I deserve to win because BILLY RULES
I’m incredibly excited to see a complete, versatile, minimalist shoe like this one! I have been using minimalist footwear of all types for years now, but most fall short when coming to steep climbing. I would live to use these shoes for my mixed, speed ascents in all weather, even with micro spikes if things get icy! Weight = time and energy and the lighter and more versatile the better. Great review! I hope to get a chance to wear these on some of my upcoming mini-adventures.
Hiker - White Mountains
My feet need super human powers. I would use these powers the Rovers would give my to scramble up some rocks at Castle Crags.
I’d use these sweet shoes as day hikers and some trail running around the Great Falls NP area near DC. I’d also try them out on Old Rag Mountain in VA. They seem to be some versatile kicks!
I have quite a few friends who love the outdoors and would like a good stable, all around shoe to start joining them on their adventures. I would mostly use this shoe while running trails in northern California
Well, I’m a high heels kinda girl and it used to be that the only time you’d see me not wearing heels was when I used to go running. My knees suck (it’s probably from the high heels) so I’ve stopped running for a while. So, I would definitely use these to start running again as well as hiking! I would love to use these around Whiskeytown area to begin with.
I just moved to Colorado from a less mountainous state and was hoping to find a perfect all round trail run and hiking shoe which is exactly what the Rover looks perfect for. Especially on some of those steeper summits. I hit the trails in Evergreen, Boulder, and Golden with my dog four times a week and would love to have something to scramble over rocks as confidently as my dog does. Plus they look like a great lightweight option for longer hikes. Just what I need. Thanks!
I would use these shoes for all of the above, leaning more towards hiking and running. As winter approaches in the pnw, rain will slow down my climbing, but increase my outdoor running and hiking (since I don’t mind running in wet conditions). Cascade mountains are perfect for a day hike or a couple days backpacking. On the other hand, my daily running trail (Discovery Park) will take advantage of these shoes.
Oh man, these look like the perfect shoes for my year round peak bagging efforts. Awesome for scrambling around sierra granite in the summer, and comfy enough for those long approaches and rough rock on desert peaks in the winter. I currently wear the Patagonia cragmasters (leather sticky rubber approach shoe) and would love something a little lighter and more versatile for trail running.
Hiking! Appalation Trail in PA, MD, VA, and NC
I would use this mostly as a runner/hiker. it would be perfect for Rock House
I am thinking that these would be the shoe for long weekends here in the Blue Ridge Mountains of VA. Hiking up the Priest and Three Ridges and doing 4-point scrambling to those out-of-the-way vistas.
I’m also pretty sure they would look pretty sweet with a pair of Khakis at the local brewpub!
Man…what wouldn’t I use a pair of these bad boys for? I guess I’d have to say I wouldn’t be using them quite as much for hiking, but they’d get some use on my trail runs and climbs. My balance is crap so if they could keep me from backsliding and/or sliding on downhills like a greased flipped over turtle then they’d be invaluable. As for not climbing a 5.12, I can’t do that anyway…not yet.
I’d definitely try these on some scrambles we’ve got up in the Austin area and see what all they could stand up to.
It’s about time a pair of light multi-use shoes was invented! Carrying extras around is a pain. Or maybe I’m just lazy.
I want one.
These Rovers look like excellent hikers for the White Mountains of NH.
I would use the shoe mostly for running (specifically Mud Hero races)!
Awesome looking shoe!
I’d use those shoes as a hiker…I wish I’d had them this summer scrambling up Sargent Mountain in Acadia Natl Park!