The Salewa Pedroc 2 Mid is a waterproof mid-height hiking shoe that performs more like a hiking or approach shoe than a hiking boot. It has a rigid heel counter for excellent stability and a beefy front toe kick that will keep your toenails intact, no matter where you hike. The front toe box is moderately spacious, allowing your toes to splay and relax, providing excellent trail feel. The Pedroc 2’s outsole features multidirectional lugs that are delightfully sticky on rock, while providing good stiffness, making it a good option for hiking in mountainous terrain.

• Type: Mid-Height
• Gender: Men’s (Women’s available)
• Drop 10 mm
• Waterproof: Yes
• Single shoe Weight: 15.7 oz (445.1g) in a men’s size 10.5US
• Fit: true to size
• Wide sizes: no

Ankle Collar

The ankle collar is low and doesn’t completely cover my ankle.

Mids, short for mid-height hiking boots, were created to provide more ankle protection than hiking shoes with ankle collars that protect ankles from obstacles and prevent trail debris from entering your shoes, eliminating the need to wear hiking gaiters. With the introduction of lighter-weight fabrics and outsoles, they’ve also become a lighter-weight alternative to old-school leather hiking boots, and a quite popular one at that.

If you look across the mid category at products from different manufacturers, you’ll find that there are “low” mids, like the Salewa Pedroc 2, which act primarily like gaiters, and high mids, like the Altra Lone Peak WP Mid, with much higher collars, that provide much more impact and abrasion as well as proprioceptive feedback. From that perspective, the Pedroc 2 performs more like a hiking shoe or an approach shoe, with a soft ankle gaiter, because the collar only covers 3/4 of the ankle.

Rigid heel counter and extra protection provide great stability

Protection and Stability

The Pedroc 2 is a very stable shoe with a rigid heel counter and a slightly flared rear sole. The rigid material of the heel counter wraps around the heel bone, holding it securely within the shoe. By keeping the heel stable, the counter helps to control excess inward rolling of the foot, which can cause ankle sprains. The heel counter is a durable component that helps the shoe maintain its shape over time, ensuring it continues to provide support even after wear and tear. 

The front toe kicks provide fantastic toe protection.

Both the heel counter and the front toe kick provide solid protection for the heel and toes, an essential when hiking in mountainous terrain. Broken toenails or even toes will just ruin your day. I’ve experienced both in less well-protected trail runners, and I can’t recommend it, especially when autumn leaves are down and you can’t see obstacles on the ground.

Sticky Outsole

The Outsole of the Pedroc 2 has multi-directional lugs that provide excellent, even sticky, traction on rock, much like the sticky rubber you find on La Sportiva trail runners. The lugs are not deep, but they still provide good traction in everything except deep mud. The sole is quite rigid, like an approach shoe, but it has a curved rocker in front and under the heel, which makes the shoes walk on their own. The trail feel is also excellent, without excessive cushioning.

Multi-directional lugs provide good traction on rock

Recommendation

The Salewa Pedroc 2 Mid is a strong choice for hikers who want the agility of a shoe with a bit of added ankle coverage and waterproof protection. It shines on rocky, mixed mountain terrain thanks to its sticky, multidirectional outsole, rigid heel counter, and protective toe kick. The moderately roomy toe box and rockered sole deliver good trail feel without feeling mushy.

Buy it if:

• You hike on technical, rocky trails and want confident traction and forefoot protection.
• You prefer a secure rearfoot with a stable heel hold.
• You want waterproofing in a lighter mid-height package.

Skip it if:

• You need true wide sizing (not offered).
• You regularly hike in deep mud where you’d benefit from deeper lugs.
• You want a high-collar mid with more ankle coverage and structure.

Bottom line: A capable, waterproof mid that behaves like an approach-style hiker—stable, protective, and grippy, that is ideal for rugged routes.

Disclosure: Salewa donated Pedroc 2s for review

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