All too often, adventurous feet are beat up feet. The outdoors has a way of being pretty mean to your tootsies. Damned by nature to be bipeds, we humans are forced to seek shelter in the form of sturdy footwear. However, saving your arches can sometimes break the bank. If you are looking for a well priced but worthy adventure shoe, the Hi-Tec Coyote WP may be what your feet are dreaming of. I’ve been wearing a pair of these heel helpers since the spring thaw, and have a few insights into their performance in the elements.
The “WP” in Coyote WP stands for waterproof. And let me tell you, they certainly are. I mashed these shoes through spring snow, mud, and chilly streams to test their limits. Number of times my feet got wet: zero. The Coyote WPs didn’t spring a leak even after slogging through water for long distances, and rainstorms were no match for the protection they provided. However, not getting wet is sometimes second to traction in conditions like these, and I can tell you that the Coyotes aced that test as well. With a Vibram outsole and beefy (by shoe standards) tread pattern, I felt as sure footed as a Dall sheep while scrambling around Utah’s mountains. Best of all, Hi-Tec managed to pull off function without sacrificing comfort.
The Coyote WP shoes feature compression molded EVA midsoles, which went a long way towards keeping my feet feeling good. Additionally, Hi-Tec’s choice of Ortholite sockliners makes for happy hooves. Alliteration aside, these are truly comfortable shoes. My feet were fully supported no matter what terrain I traveled over: dirt, gravel and boulders couldn’t bring me down. I didn’t just wear the Coyotes for hiking, either. They logged plenty of miles on singletrack as I deemed them my early season mountain biking footwear (go ahead and make your clipless jokes now). The Vibram soles didn’t get shredded on my ancient bear trap pedals, and the suede/mesh uppers handled the dust, mud and loose rock without too many battle scars. It’s not all cupcakes and unicorns, though. The Coyote WP shoes did have a few drawbacks.
My biggest “nope” about these shoes is the overbuilt look they have about them. Yes, I realize a fully waterproof shoe will be more bulky than a normal trail shoe, but these are pretty big shoes. They have a puffed-up quality about them that made me self conscious. It’s hard to recreate properly when I keep looking down and wondering if people are calling me “clown shoes” behind my back (they probably are anyway). Also, I feel that Hi-Tec’s footwear sizing is inconsistent. I previously tested Hi-Tec boots in a size 8, which felt just a touch small. I tested the Coyote WP trail shoes in a size 8.5 and my feet are swimming in them. Nothing a thick pair of socks couldn’t cure, but these are certainly shoes that you will want to try on before you buy.
Overall I give the Hi-Tec Coyote Waterproof shoes a thumbs up. They are certainly burly enough to use for shoulder season mountain pursuits, and would be a great choice for wet summer adventures as well. They have enough traction to keep you moving over any terrain, and the comfort to keep your feet from becoming a horror show. Plus, they won’t max out your credit card to do all this; the Coyote WPs can be scooped up for $100 or less. Now that (yes, I’m going to do it)…is something to howl about.
The Good: Coyote WP shoes are comfortable, waterproof, and have great traction.
The Bad: Shoes look overbuilt; don’t buy them without trying a pair on first.
The Verdict: If you’re looking for a sturdy, capable trail shoe to keep your feet dry and your bankroll fat, check out the Hi-Tec Coyote WP shoes.