Great fit, great grip from Brasher's Traklite cross terrain shoe built with running shoe technology, but it does have some limitations
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Brasher Quantum Traklite
Shoe
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Price:
£65.00
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Weight: 860 grammes (men's 43
pair)
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Features: sprung
lasts in whole and half sizes, water-resistant, breathable
Nubuck upper panels, sandwich mesh lining, 1.5mm
Polypropolene insole, EVA cushion midsole, Traklite
anti-clogging rubber outsole with lambs feet cleat grip,
colours: slate or stone.
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The Brasher Quantums may not have the slick, 'adrenaline-charged'
looks of some multi-activity shoes on the market, but used in the
right conditions they are excellent. We say 'the right conditions'
because they're better suited to softer ground - low or high - than
rockier terrain.
The design, like all Brashers, harks back to running shoes, with a
shock absorbing EVA mid-sole combined with a running shoe-type sprung
last for lightness and fore and aft flexibility. Combined with
lightweight nubuck/mesh combination uppers and a soft, rubber heel
cup, the result was instant, slipper-like comfort for the
OUTDOORSmagic test foot straight out of the box. Cut is 'typical
British' medium volume, medium width, so no surprises there then.
Great Grip
In use the Quantums work well, particularly for such a light shoe.
The star of the show is undoubtedly the Traklite sole. The design,
which is apparently based on the shape of lambs' feet, doesn't clog
and the widely spread, smallish 'studs' gave superb grip on soft
ground. Brasher ear mark them for lowland use, but they also worked
brilliantly on high moorland like Kinder Scout.
They do have limitations though. The mesh is great for
breathability, but not so hot when the going gets moist. On harder
ground the cushioning of the EVA mid-sole is welcome, but while the
soft rubber compound used for the sole grips well, it also wears
faster than most, with the smallish studs meaning that there's less
rubber on the ground at any one time to absorb abrasion.
On rocky ground too, they do feel a little flimsy. If you
habitually dash about in fell shoes, you won't care, but if you like
a little more support, you'll want a more substantial shoe or
lightweight boot for more mountainous terrain.
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Verdict: If you walk mainly in
lowland areas or soft-surfaced moorland, the Quantum is an
exceptionally comfortable, lightweight walking shoe with a
feel like a lightweight running shoe coupled to excellent
grip from the Traklite sole. On harder, rocky ground you may
want more stability from your shoe - the Quantums can feel
flimsy when the going gets bouldery, despite good build
quality - and the soft rubber combined with the sole pattern
means faster than average wear to the outside. In time the
EVA cushioning will collapse as well, though walking is less
stressful than running, so they should be better in this
respect than running shoes. Our only other proviso is that
the mesh element to the uppers means they're not
particularly water resistant when puddles attack.
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Performance
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Value
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Pushed for time:
Great on soft ground high or low when the Traklite sole
is excellent, lightweight instant comfort straight out of
the box too, though they're less happy on rocky terrain when
the rubber of the sole tends to wear faster than average
too. Not as macho looking as some, but hey, it's about the
go not the show.
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