AKU-USA Stone Multi-Terrain Shoes (For Men)

Loved the look and the durable construction. A bit tight and needs to be broken in first.

buy it a half size large and you will love this shoe

This shoe was built to be an approach shoe first and formost. It is purposefully made snug with no wiggle room just like a climbing shoe. It has a thin sole yet stiff sole of sticky rubber that affords good smearing and edgeing. It also has a generous rand covering the forefoot and toe area of sticky rubber as well not the wanabee rubber that some shoes use. The lacing incorporates heel locks for a snug no lift fit. The tongue and area surrounding the ankle are padded. Overall the shoe is extremely well made and comfortable for the purpose for which it was intended. If worn as a hiking shoe, you will notice the thin sole offers great feel but little protection against sharp and rocky terrain. Also expect bruised toes for long descents. If you plan to wear these for everyday, buy in a half size larger so your toes will not be cramped.

I've found this shoe to be very comfortable and sure footed on asphalt, cement, and rocks with very little movement of the heel. The shoe feels slightly smaller than other AKU's, but in comparing the insoles I found no difference in length or width. The shoe is much snugger than most shoes which is consistent with it being an "approach" shoe. The lacing system is excellent and the heel lock really works. I now own five different models of AKU's and the more I wear them the more appreciation I have for them. They are extremely functional shoes and the workmanship is spot on.

Purchased as everyday wear for my son. Full rubber to rand and bombproof construction. Needs some wear to break-in.