Your adventure bucket list isn’t just big, it’s epic and spans the gamut from early morning trail runs to the crag to mountain biking through the canyon, and boarding to your buddy’s backyard BBQ. Wouldn’t it be nice if there was one shoe capable of checking off every item on that list? Enter the Rover, Patagonia’s new a lightweight versatile shoe offering the stability, comfort, and sure traction you need for a day of romping through the rocky outcrops.
On Performance and Design…
Take a quick look around on the internet and you’ll see an array of descriptions for Patagonia’s Rover. Approach shoe, trail runner, a light hiker, boulder hopper… trust us, it’s a rather extensive list and there’s good reason for that. Patagonia’s goal with the Rover was to create a hybrid trail shoe that blurred the lines between prototypical running, climbing, and hiking shoes, packaging all three into one versatile shoe. Spoiler Alert: They succeeded.
From the moment we unleashed the Rover from their cage, they offered a comfortable fit from dawn till dusk on their very first outing. And really, that’s the entire premise of the Rover design. One shoe that offers everything you need for a full day in the mountains.
The 4mm drop and flexible outsole offers the responsive feel of a minimalist minded trail runner, and unlike other approach minded shoes, the Rover offers a slightly wider toe-box. When you get deeper into the backcountry and the road underfoot gets sketchy, an ESS forefoot plate keeps rogue rocks or roots from punishing your feet which means we never had to break stride, and could attack each and every obstacle with confidence. Patagonia’s integrated warp-around toe cap also helps save the Rover from destruction as you forge your own path less traveled.
And when your run turns vertical, the Rover’s extra sticky rubber outsole lays down serious traction with its lugged design, cruising over fields of scree, and lengthy granite slabs. And for the moments you come across the irresistible boulder on your journey, the climbing focussed toe area is adept at edging and smearing.
What the outdoor multi-tasker will truly appreciate is Patagonia’s variable lacing system. Patagonia’s variable lacing system securely wraps around your foot to eliminate slipping and pressure points for a high-performance, blister-free outing. The lacing system is also wide enough so your toes can splay more naturally on the days that require long runs along technical trails leading to your favorite climbing wall. Once you arrive at the crag, lace them up tight for that more traditional climbing shoe feel.
Bottom Line…
A world of adventure awaits. Lace up the Patagonia Rover and let your adventurous curiosity wander unleashed.
Gumption Gear Review received the product samples featured in this review from Patagonia. The items featured were provided solely in exchange for testing the products and providing our honest views and opinions. We received no other form of compensation for this or any related review.