Boreal Lynx

Marketed for all-around performance, the Lynx is a comfy trad shoe with a little sass. The last is slightly asymmetric and ever-so-slightly downturned, which adds an element of performance to an otherwise average shoe. Unlined leather uppers and a padded mesh tongue make it comfortable to wear all day if you size them generously. (A tighter fit will take advantage of the last shape, transforming the Lynx into a shoe that can handle overhangs.) Laces cinch the top of the shoe but don’t extend far enough down to fine-tune the fit of the toe. That said, the Lynx fits slightly narrower in the toe box than most Boreals, so a snug fit is guaranteed for all but the narrowest feet. The most conspicuous quirk of this shoe is its thick outsole (5mm to 5.5mm Zenith rubber, depending on shoe size), which makes the Lynx feel clunky at first. Over time, the rubber wears down to become more sensitive, and the thicker sole provides more rubber longevity and protection for cracks, broken terrain, and walk-downs from long climbs.