The Sonoran Desert. 120,000 square miles that range from a sun-blasted wasteland, to jagged peaks and expanses of vegetation so thick that it’s nearly impossible to see over, much less walk through. In other words, it was the perfect place for our crew to put the V-Lite Sphike through the paces.
On Performance and Design…
Even if you never plan on trekking through the Sonoran Desert, you can understand the importance of support and breathability in the rugged, rocky terrain of North America’s largest desert. Lucky for you the V-Lite Sphike offers plenty of both.
The first Hi-Tec shoe in the sport hiking category, our crew found the V-Lite Sphike to be reinforced in all the right places, including the toe and heel. A lightweight mesh/synthetic upper is breathable enough to withstand wicked desert heat, while also adding structure to the shoe.
Not only does rain fall in the Sonoran Desert, but it can hit in epic proportions transforming a sun-blasted plain of death into a landscape of rushing waters and overflowing washes. And that’s where the V-Lite Sphike’s waterproof bootie construction came into play. Whether crossing a stream, or caught in the middle of a monsoon, our feet remained high, dry and protected from the elements.
A cushioned Ortholite footbed provides superior comfort, breathability and provides anti-microbial function all in a lightweight package. As we noted in our review of the Hi-Tec Hurricane, the Ortholite insert is more than a creature comfort feature. The unique open cell structure of OrthoLite creates a moisture management system inside the shoe by moving moisture away from the foot leaving feet drier. That means less chance of blistering, and greater comfort over the course of extended miles on the trail.
And when you’re knocking out extended miles tracing lengthy stretches of desert pavement and scrambling to the top of the Superstition Mountain Range, quality durable traction is mandatory. Towards those ends, the V-Lite Sphike’s Vibram rubber outsole delivered solid comfort and durability. And while the Vibram rubber took a serious beating in the Sonoran Desert, our tester did note that the more sparsely laid out lug pattern coupled with a shallow depth didn’t always deliver more serious traction in lose terrain.
Notes from the Trail…
After nearly 100 miles of use and abuse, the V-Lite Sphike earned overall high marks from our desert marauder. The only issue encountered by our crew arose from the mid-rise cuff which dug into the achilles region of our testers leg during steep descents.
Bottom Line…
You deserve to enjoy your hiking experience. So whether you’re a speed-oriented hiker who values support, or a weekend plodder looking for lightweight protection from the elements, the Hi-Tec V-Lite Sphike Mid WP Hiking Boot helps you keep a steady, strong pace without a burdensome weight penalty.
*Gumption Gear Review received a product sample of the item featured in this review from Hi-Tec USA at no cost, and receives no monetary compensation for this or any related review. The item featured was provided solely in return for our honest views and opinions.