GoLite Storm Dragon Trail Running Shoe - Men's - 2007 BCS

Hands-down the most comfortable trail shoe I've ever run in. I know many people have complained about defects, but I have yet to experience any after numerous 15-mile weekend backpacking trips and a dozen or so seven-to-ten mile trail runs. I have had nothing but happy feet at the end. The inside of the shoe has a soft fleecy lining and the softshell material thwarts cold wind. The best part is the wide toe-box and swappable inserts which, when dialed in, make for a perfect fit and no blisters (even after 12 mile, hill runs). Like any softshell material, it isn't downpour-proof. But they do well with moderate moisture. The huge lugs do make the shoes somewhat unstable in rocky areas, and slippery on wet rocks. The shoe does come with gaiters, which I haven't found necessary yet but fit comfortably. With that in mind, I wouldn't fork out $130 for these (or any shoe for that matter). Running shoes are only designed to be used for a few months of solid use anyway. And solid running you'll have with these super-light trail-eaters. At $65, they are worth risking the quality issues for their unsurpassed comfort.

Difficult to rate properly here; the shoes are really comfortable, and work really well in all conditions - road, trail, hardpack, soft and really muddy terrain. loads of grip, and the gaiter system keeps the major crud out of your feet. OK so they're not waterproof, but the absence of any mesh is a big help in keeping bits of trail out of your toes. A 5 star rating for function.

But.....there is a fundamental design flaw in the shoe. The plastic plate that protects your foot from rocks, thorns and hard stuff just isn't flexible enough. It does the job of protecting the foot well, but after a few miles I noticed a small crack developing in the plate where it sits on the edge of the shoe on the inside of the ball of the foot - where the most flexing takes place. This has steadily got worse over the miles, and has made a weakspot right across the sole where the lugs of the grip poke through. All of the lugs across this section have now almost completely detached from the shoe. Exactly the same on both shoes, so I think this is a design flaw, not a manufacturing fault. To be fair, this hasn't affected how well the shoe performed, but I'd give it a 1-2 star for form.

I've done a lot of training + a 50 mile race in tough UK winter conditions in these shoes, despite the problem above, and I still like them! But they are expensive given that in the current design they have a limited lifespan. I will be asking for my money back I'm afraid!

ASs posted on backpackinglight.com
"My first impression was not good. Received them on Friday pm and put them on Saturday morning straight from their box for a 30 km walk at Wilsons Promotory.........formed tracks, broadwalks, rocky steps, some muddy track, some beach walking and a creek crossing.
Before I left the car park when putting the shoes on I managed to pull the lace on one shoe thru an eyelet and then when fitting the gaiters, one of the side slides pulled away...........it was glued but not sewn into place as the other slides were. A disappointing start to the day.
With regard to fit I found these to be the most comfortable shoes I have backpacked in. The toe box is wide and suits my foot, there could slightly more arch in the sole. The sole lugs definitely cushion the foot form ground impact. I had one creek crossing with total immersion of both feet and found the shoes very efficiently expelled what water did ingress. Combined with Injinji socks after 30 kms and 7 hours no blisters or hot spots on my feet. On the foot on which the gaiter was intact there was no ingress of mud, sand or debris......my white Injinji sock on that foot was still white.
The following weekend and a 20km 4.5 hours beach (sand, rock and creek crossings) sees me still happy with foot comfort apart from wishing for slightly more arch support. Whilst I didn't slip on the wet rocks, I had an apprehension that these shoes could slip.
Externally there is now evidence of wear on the undersole lugs and the upper sole where the toes flex looks like there is some fabric wear after only 50kms of use.
I have noted in the BPL Forums comments re GoLoites new range of shoes and that the 2007 or 2008 models have been improved and will monitor BPL awaiting updates from other users as for me this shoe is SO COMFORTABLE but I want a shoes that will last a couple of hundred kilometers. I would be prepared to pay more for better quality.perhaps Golite should make them in the USA rather than China.
As I live in Australia and purchased the shoes over the internet, haven't bothered with the effort to return them to Golite....no doubt they monitor this website and will see my comments that they need to improve the quality of their product as I think the sizing and theory is great, but sorry only a 2..just"

This shoe has awesome grip on wet, rooty and rocky trails. Excellent grip on steep grade...you'll fly on the downhill. Build quality was fine...I don't know what other reviewer ran into. The fit... rubs on my ankle bones where gaitors slide into sides but others shoes do the same. If New Balance fits you fine (not for me) you'll be good. Outer lug design seems rugged enough but not a lot of "roll" support. Overall rating of this shoe... the best grip ever, gaitors work great, midfoot stays snug and fit system is nice. I would highly recommend this shoe... as long as you'll ankle bone if far enough back.