Salewa Ramble GTX Women's model
It's been a long time since I first started to understand the importance of quality shoes while travelling long-term. It's not just about comfort and durability but also about finding footwear that can be adaptable to your needs, chameleonic in the way that you can count on a single pair of shoes for multiple purposes. Testing the Salewa Ramble GTX women's model, I became enthusiastic to write this review.
Trying the Salewa Ramble GTX WS on sloping landI was more than happy to receive the new prototype WS Ramble GTX travel shoes from Salewa, which have all the features I was asking for. They are also the first shoes to use Gore-Tex Surround Technology, the reason why Salewa was awarded recently Best New Gear at Outdoor Retailer by Gear Institute. I didn't have the opportunity to properly test them on long-travels yet, but so far they have the potential of becoming my ideal reliable shoes for long-day walks and occasional hikes. That's why I'm more than motivated to review them.
Front view of The Salewa Ramble GTX WSThe Salewa's WS Ramble GTX characteristics:
Upper part: suede
Lining: Gore-Tex extended confort
Outsole: Gore-Tex® SurroundTM
Kevlar mesh
TPU Anti-slip (for durability)
Weight: 703 grams ( size 5)
Color: Blue (available also dark brown)
Pros and Cons of the new Salewa Ramble GTX Women's
View of the sole of Salewa Ramble GTX WSTalking about comfort, these shoes are really compact on my feet, they feel flexible and can maintain a cozy temperature inside because the air ventilates through the Kevlar mesh while keeping the feet dry thanks to the Gore-Tex membrane. The sole seems durable with a design that offers enough grip against slipping. I tried them on an inclined land, on grass and earth as well as concrete, and I felt comfortable every time. I measured their weight and my scale shows 703 grams. More importantly they are 100% waterproof since the new Gore-Tex Surround Technology offers protection 360 degrees, having the Gore-Tex membrane covering completely the inside and the sole of the shoe.
The clear, cool design came in as a very nice surprise due to the precise finishing but also blend of materials. The shoes are made in European Union (Romania) and one can see from a first glance the attention for details and the focus on high quality. They seem sporty but casual, mountain inspired but multi-purpose. The thing that didn't satisfy me completely is the intense color blue. Being a very specific color, it's not easy to adapt to all outfits. 
The small lump of leather on my shoes that loosen up after a while The shoes will be in stores starting with this Spring's collection and for women there will be available also in dark brown which I think can suit more widely the needs of a long-term travelers, since usually you try to limit as much as posibile the weight of your backpack and adapt 1 or maximum 2 pairs of shoes to meet your needs for all year long. My pair had a small issue, a bit more leather on a side of one foot, that formed a small lump which was uncomfortable for a while. Now it got loose and I feel perfect.
The back view of the Salewa Ramble GTX WS
My review In a nutshell: the Salewa WS Ramble GTX shoes are the reliable travel shoes that all people will be happy to have.
Otilia Lefter
