New for 2026, the Salewa Pedroc 2 Max is the max-cushion version of Salewa's lightest hiking shoe. After reviewing the regular Pedroc 2, I tested the Pedroc 2 Max on both moderate and difficult hiking trails in New Mexico's Sandia Mountains. My Salewa Pedroc 2 Max review digs into this shoe's support, weight, comfort, fit, weather protection, traction, and overall value.
Testing the new Salewa Pedroc 2 Max off the Tres Pistoles Trail
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Salewa Pedroc 2 Max Review
This first-hand review of the Salewa Pedroc 2 Max is based on test hikes on the Piedra Lisa, Pino, Tres Pistoles, and Domingo Baca trails outside Albuquerque. These trails are moderately steep with some traction challenges which help me determine shoes' pros and cons. As always, this is an independent review (not a sponsored post) based on my first-hand experience. You can trust my takes because I'm the former footwear manager at Appalachian Outdoors and test hiking footwear more than 1000 miles a year.
Testing the Salewa Pedroc 2 Max in the Sandia Mountains
Support
The Salewa Pedroc 2 Max prioritizes weight savings and cushioning over support. Even though it's built for speed, the shoe's extra-thick midsoles pair with an integrated stability shank to provide decent support for a lightweight hiking shoe. When I hiked mixed terrain, I felt some lateral support that made it tougher to turn over an ankle.
Likewise, the shoe doesn't flex as much as many lightweight hiking shoes. This moderate rigidity kept my feet fresher (because they weren't overflexing on steep, uneven terrain).
Overall, the Pedroc 2 Max has more support than the thinner Pedroc 2 but isn't nearly as burly as the Salewa Alp Trainer 2. If you want a lightweight hiking shoe that can handle more than light hiking, the Salewa Pedroc 2 Max is supportive enough for moderate terrain.
My Pedroc 2 Max weighs one pound per shoe (men's size 13)
Weight
Like the original Pedroc, the Pedroc 2 Max is a lightweight hiking shoe. Even in a men's size 13, my pair tips the scales at 2 pounds even. That's a few ounces less than the average hiking shoe in my size (and 2.5 ounces heavier than the non-max Pedroc 2). If you prefer a lightweight hiking shoe, this one should be on your list to check out.
A wide Salewa fit equals a standard US fit
Fit
As a general rule, Salewa hiking shoes run narrow, but the Pedroc 2 Max is an exception to the rule. It's a wide fit by Salewa standards, which translates to a standard fit by US standards. Please keep in mind that many people order Salewas too small. You probably need a bigger size than normal in this brand.
If you have wide feet (like me), you may (or may not) get enough width by sizing up one full size or more. Overall, though, this shoe is a better fit for hikers with regular-width fit.
Max cushion midsoles for more comfort
Comfort
The "Max" in the Pedroc 2 Max refers to this shoe's thick, max-cushion midsoles. If you prefer a lighter hiking shoe with extra cushion (and less trail feel), you'll probably find this shoe comfortable.
On my moderate-to-difficult test hikes, I found the Pedroc 2 Max more comfortable than the original Pedroc 2. The extra-cushioning softened each step. Plus, my feet felt fresher for longer because the shoe didn't flex as much. My hiking feet better after 8-mile hikes in the Pedroc 2 Max than they did after 5-mile hikes in the Pedroc 2, thanks to that thickness.
That said, comfort has a lot to do with fit and your hiking style. If you mostly hike gnarly trails, you may prefer a burlier hiking shoe. This is a speed-hiking shoe, so you're more likely to find it comfortable if you hike fast over mixed terrain. It's also a legit comfort pick for more casual hikers who prefer a hiking shoe with above-average cushioning.
I choose non-waterproof hiking shoes for desert hikes
Weather Protection
Salewa does not offer a waterproof version of the Pedroc 2 Max hiking shoe. Instead, it built this lightweight hiking shoe to wear cooler and dry faster.
If you're a desert hiker—like me—it's nice to have a legit, lightweight hiking shoe that's not waterproof. However, if you regularly hike wet grass, muddy trails, or wintry conditions, keep in mind that this shoe is not built for weather protection.
Testing the rock traction of the Pedroc 2 Max
Traction
The Pedroc 2 Max has the same soles as the regular Salewa Pedroc 2. Both shoes feature V-shaped climbing lugs in the forefoot and braking lugs under the heel.
First, the good news. This aggressive tread pattern has nice grip on the forest floor and climbs moderate switchbacks well. I had no traction troubles when I climbed into the aspens and pines at higher elevations. I slowed down slightly on steep descents, where the tread was more average.
Here's the bad news. I've had trouble with slips and falls in these outsoles on tougher mountain terrain, especially smooth rock and wet rock. On the Domingo Baca trail, I nearly broke my hand when my shoes slipped off the first foothold on a rock feature and sent me crashing into a boulder. Wet rocks felt slick in these shoes, too. When testing the same soles on the regular Pedroc 2, I slipped and fell twice on rocks—first on mixed terrain on the Nambe Lake Trail and then on the smooth granite boulders at the bottom of Embudito Canyon.
It's rare that I actually fall on my test hikes. I've had that happen four times in these soles when I hiked moderately difficult trails. Traction-wise, these shoes are a better match for fast-moving hikes on soft ground or mixed terrain that's not overly rocky.
The regular Pedroc 2 is lighter and less cushioned than the Pedroc 2 Max
Value
The Salewa Pedroc 2 Max has a MSRP of $170. With tariffs and inflation driving up the cost of hiking shoes, that's more or the less the average price for lightweight hiking shoes. However, most hiking shoes in this price bracket are waterproof. If you want a light and well-cushioned hiking shoe, the Pedroc 2 Max costs $10 less than the HOKA Anacapa 2 Low GTX, a similar (light, max cushion) hiking shoe that adds GORE-TEX waterproofing.
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Men's Pedroc 2 MAX
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Women's Pedroc 2 MAX
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Salewa Pedroc 2 Max: Pros and Cons
The Salewa Pedroc 2 Max is heavier, cushier, and more supportive than the original Pedroc 2. Here's a quick overview of the shoe's pros and cons:
Should you buy the Salewa Pedroc 2 Max hiking shoe?
The Salewa Pedroc 2 Max is a lightweight hiking shoe with extra cushioning that's a legit option for speed hikers and comfort-oriented day hikers. It's hard to find hiking shoes that are both lightweight and well cushioned (since brands often cut cushion to cut weight). This is one of the few that can claim both attributes. However, I've found the traction limited on rocky terrain. Plus, the Pedroc 2 Max is not waterproof, which narrows down its use. The key is to choose a hiking shoe that fits your feet and matches the hikes you do most of the time.
Personaly, I prefer this max-cushion version of the Pedroc 2 to the original because it's more supportive and comfortable. If you also like this shoe, I recommend sizing up at least half-size more than your normal hiking size to get the best fit in the Pedroc 2 Max. It has a more standard (less narrow) fit than most Salewas but also runs small, which has tripped up some buyers. (Pro Tip: Many people order Salewas too small)
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