The Salewa Pedroc Air is a lightweight hiking shoe made for fast hikers with light packs. Salewa sells it as a speed hiking shoe, but I've also worn mine as a travel shoe and work-from-home shoe. Over the past month or two, I've evaluated the Pedroc on several test hikes in New Mexico and Wisconsin. It's not a sturdy hiking shoe. But the Pedroc's summit to sidewalk versatility is a definite plus. Learn more in my Salewa Pedroc Air review.
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Salewa Pedroc Air Review
My Salewa Pedroc Air Review is based on a month of test hikes that I picked to test this shoe's support, weight, fit, comfort, weather protection, traction, and overall value. I hiked 40 miles of easy to moderate trails, including some steep and rocky slogs up and down New Mexico's Sandia Mountains to test this shoe's support and traction. Since this is a speed-hiking shoe, I also hiked foothills trails on the edge of Albuquerque at 3.5+ mph. Plus, I tested this shoe's versatility by wearing it on a Wisconsin vacation that combined a mix of airports, cabins, trails, boats, and sidewalks.
As always, this is an independent review based on my first-hand experience testing the Salewa Pedroc. I was not paid to test and review this shoe, and no brand or PR agency influenced this original content in any way.
Testing the Salewa Pedroc Air at Devil's Lake, Wisconsin
Support
The Salewa Pedroc prioritizes weight savings over foot and ankle support. This ultralight flexes easily at the midfoot and also twists easily, which indicates limited foot support and lateral stability. A thin rubber rand wraps around the shoe, adding a little foot and toe protection for rocky footing. On my test hikes, I could feel my feet flexing over uneven terrain since the shoe's soles weren't as thick or as stiff as most hiking shoes I've tested and reviewed.
Salewa designed the Pedroc for speed hikes and everyday wear. Its stability and support fall well short of the typical hiking shoe. I didn't twist an ankle on my test hikes, but I wouldn't choose this lightweight hiking shoe if foot and ankle support are important for you.
Weight
However, weight is a clear plus for the Salewa Pedroc Air. Weighing 12.5 ounces per shoe (men's size 12.5), the Pedroc is one of the lightest hiking shoes I've tested. In fact, it's lighter than several trail running shoes I've tested and reviewed. When I was speed-hiking an 8-mile stretch of Bear Canyon Arroyo, I could tell this was one of the lightest trail shoes in my gear closet. If you prioritize weight savings over support, the Salewa Pedroc should be on your short list.
Salewas have a snug fit by American standards
Fit
Overall, the Pedroc Air runs smaller than US brands. I know from experience that Italian brands like Salewa have a snug fit, so I sized up a full-size from my everyday shoe size in the Pedroc Air. This gave me a better fit than I expected. It's slightly tighter than I'd prefer for my moderately wide feet—but not as narrow as I feared. Plus, my pair seemed to stretch out a bit after some test hikes, giving me more room in the forefoot.
Salewa also ships this shoe with a Multi Fit Footbed—which lets you combine or choose between two insoles for at least some customizability.
Comfort
Comfort has a lot to do with fit, your hiking style, and your personal preferences. Fit-wise, the Pedroc Air favors those with standard to narrow feet. It won't be as comfortable for wide-footed hikers (but might be okay if you size up extra).
Its ultralight build also favors speed hikers and casual hikes. I found this shoe comfortable on easier terrain but felt my feet fatiguing more quickly on steeper and rockier trails, such as the Embudito Trail. I appreciated the Pedroc's light build and well ventilated uppers when traveling and wearing my pair indoors.
It's not the most cushioned hiking shoe. However, it may be a comfortable one if you prefer an ultralight and flexible trail shoe to a sturdier hiking shoe.
The Salewa Pedroc's uppers and tongue are well ventilated
Weather Protection
The Salewa Pedroc Air is not waterproof—its brother/sister, the Pedroc PTX, features Salewa's proprietary Powertex (PTX) waterproofing. The "Air" also indicates that this shoe is well ventilated to keep your feet cooler and drier in hot weather. Testing mine in the high desert mountains of New Mexico, I could feel that my feet were slightly cooler than they were in sturdier, waterproof hiking shoes. I also appreciate that ventilation for travel and everyday wear. My feet don't get as sweaty in the Pedroc Air when I'm working from home or sitting on an airplane.
Weather-wise, this shoe will absorb water and snow quickly. Its weather protection is almost non-existent. However, its lightweight and ventilated build works well for desert hiking or for indoor use.
The Salewa Pedroc offers moderate tread for mixed use
Traction
The Salewa Pedroc's tread is made for trail to town wear. The softer rubber and moderate lugs do a decent job on solid rock, but they're not deep or aggressive enough for steep trails or muddy trails.
For example, these soles worked well on the rock steps of Wisconsin's Devil's Lake trail and the granite boulders at the bottom of New Mexico's Embudito Canyon. However, I slid around a bit on the scree sections of the Embudito and the sandy switchbacks of the Pino Trail. Plus, I've already noticed some wear on key lugs after a month of moderate use—which suggests that sidewalks, scree, and rocks will sand down that soft rubber relatively quickly.
Overall, this shoe's traction is better suited for well-groomed trails and more casual, outdoor lifetstyle wear.
The Salewa Pedroc comes in several colorways for men and women
Value
With a MSRP of $160, the Salewa Pedroc Air is $25 less than the Oboz Katabatic Wind—a premium speed-hiking shoe I like—but similar in price to most waterproof hiking shoes. In today's market, that's a little expensive for a non-waterproof hiking shoe but not too far out of line. Salewa is a solid brand, and this shoe's weight and ventilation stand out within the lightweight hiking shoe niche.
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Men's Pedroc Air
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Women's Pedroc Air
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Salewa Pedroc Air: Pros and Cons
Based on a month of test hikes, travel, and everday wear, here's my take on the pros and cons of the Salewa Pedroc Air:
Should you buy the Salewa Pedroc Air?
The Salewa Pedroc Air may be a good buy for men and women looking for an ultralight trail shoe for speed hiking, travel, or summit to sidewalk wear. It's one of the lightest hiking shoes you'll find, and its lightweight, agile, and well-ventilated build make it a good match for desert hikes, hot climates, and indoor wear. The Pedroc's lack of support and weather protection limit its appeal for those who mostly hike tough trails or live in cold or wet climates. However, I've added it to my list of the best lightweight hiking shoes and recommend it for fast hikes on well-groomed trails and everyday, outdoor lifestyle wear. Personally, I'll continue to wear my Salewa Pedroc Airs as work-from-home shoes, travel shoes, and lightweight hiking shoes for fast loops around the desert wash behind my Albuquerque home.
If you're looking for something sturdier, wider, or more weather-resistant, please see my top 10 hiking shoes or browse Hiking Feet's hiking shoe reviews. If you are feeling the Salewa Pedroc, please consider purchasing them through these affiliate links to Backcountry. That's FREE for you and may send a few dollars my way to keep Hiking Feet running. If this review helped you make up your mind, I'd appreciate you taking care of me, too. Cheers!
