The Dynafit Traverse 2 is a great hiker, but can you run in it?

Introduction to the Dynafit Traverse 2

SAM: The invasion of the hiking space by trail running shoes is nearly at its apex. Distance hikers have all but abandoned boots, and even Wirecutter in The New York Times is putting out articles recommending trail runners over boots. As shoe companies capitalize on this trend, we’re seeing more and more shoes built like trail runners but that are slightly bulked up and stabilized for hiking.

Dynafit has taken nearly 50 years of mountain footwear experience and pumped it into its summer footwear, and one of its newest options is the Traverse 2. A low-top mountaineering shoe with the DNA of a trail runner, the Traverse 2 is explicitly a hiking shoe. It has a mesh upper that’s reinforced with a lot of protection around the toes and midfoot. A running-inspired midsole is packed with a plate for stability, and a Pomoca outsole with 6mm lugs. 

We’ve seen plenty of shoes like the Traverse 2, and often they don’t separate themselves from other trail runners as much as we’d like. Can Dynafit’s second take at the Traverse set itself apart?

What we like about the Dynafit Traverse 2

SAM: The Dynafit Traverse 2 is as close as I’ve ever come to a shoe that feels like a European mountaineering boot made with trail running ingredients. I can tell you, as someone who actually tried to run in shoes like this, that this recipe makes for a bad time running. 

It is, however, very solid when you aren’t picking up the pace. That is, if you want that same kind of stiff protection underfoot that a boot offers. The Traverse 2 is not as stiff as some boots I’ve had, but it’s firm underfoot. There’s not much trail feel at all, but plenty of stability.

The upper and very protective overlays do a good job of keeping your foot secured on top of that boot-like midsole. The toebox is relatively roomy, especially compared to some older Dynafit models I’ve run in. It’s comparable to the toebox in the Dynafit Ultra 100 v3. 

Overall, the Traverse 2 fits true to size and has enough room that you can throw on a pair of thick socks, but not so much that the fit ever feels loose when hiking. The shoe is equipped with a quicklace system to make getting it on and off easy. It holds well, and I didn’t experience much slipping at all in my test miles.

I’m also impressed by the full-coverage Pomoca outsole. It’s very aggressive, and the 6mm lugs grip into whatever you find yourself on top of. Pomoca is a rubber company that manufactures mainly skins for skis, and its experience in wet environments definitely shows in stream crossings and when conditions get muddy.

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What we don't like about the Dynafit Traverse 2

SAM: My issues with the Traverse 2 lie more in its limited use case than how well it does what it’s supposed to. This is a hiking shoe that’s made explicitly for hiking. It’s lighter than a boot and has less bulk than a boot, but it feels and hikes very much like a boot. It’s bottom-heavy and stiff. It’s also pretty firm underfoot, and I think the vast majority of hikers would find this uncomfortable over long miles.

The price point is also steep for something most people will use for day hikes. I can get any number of excellent trail runners for less than $170, and I can find many of them even cheaper on sale.

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Final thoughts on the Dynafit Traverse 2

SAM: I think if you want a hiking shoe with a firm midsole that can tackle the whole catalog of terrain, you can do much worse than the Dynafit Traverse 2. I think it’s a little off the mark compared to the very flexible, high-trail-feel shoes that are popular with thru-hikers now, and it might have some distance limitations based on how much cushion the wearer needs, but in terms of construction and fit, this is a great hiker. 

While the price point might hold some people back, this is a quality shoe that should hold up for a while.

You can pick up the Dynafit Traverse 2 now for $169 at Dynafit by using the shop link below.

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