10Shoe
Lems · hiking
Pulse 8.7/10 4 of 8 sources Too few hiking shoes to rank

Lems Trailhead Review

The Lems Trailhead is rugged enough for a trail, but also just as capable at the corner coffee shop. It's hard to go wrong with this durable and stylish lifestyle shoe.

Lems Trailhead Shoe
lems trailhead upper lacing lems trailhead sole traction lems trailhead instep lems trailhead toe lems trailhead minimalist shoe lems trailhead heel

Specifications

Heel stack
21 mm
Forefoot stack
17 mm
Heel-to-toe drop
4 mm
Weight
11.07 oz
Cushion
Regular
Arch support
Neutral
Pronation
Neutral Pronation
Widths
Standard
Available in
Mens, Womens

Where to buy

Mens on Lems › Womens on Lems ›

Retail links may earn us a commission — it never touches the score. How scoring works.

How this score was built

  • runrepeat.com Independent review 8.7
  • rei.com Retailer customers 8.0 → 8.1
  • ruinyourknees.com Independent review 9.8 → 9.1
  • huckberry.com Retailer customers 9.4 → 9.1

Each source is re-centred against its own historical average, then weighted by tier and type. Full methodology.

What people like

  • Stylish and fun looks
  • Low 4mm heel-to-toe drop
  • Highly durable materials
  • Gum sole
  • Go anywhere versatility

What people don't

  • Runs more narrow than other barefoot style shoes
  • Not much ground feel, sole is thick

How it performs

Comfort and fit

Runs wider than some average shoes, but not as wide as many barefoot shoes. The sole is firm and sturdy so the shoe feels rugged and strong but "roll-up" flexible like other Lems shoes such as the Primal 2. The upper has a breathable mesh which works well.

Durability

A very durable shoe, made of quality materials. The shoes hold up much better than many competitors.

Traction

The gum soles are sticky and grippy in dry conditions, but possibly suspect in wet and, primarily, icy conditions. Under dry conditions, traction across all surfaces is good.

Flexibility and responsiveness

Considering how durable the Lems Trailheads are, they are reasonably flexible. However, the flexibility is nowhere near the typical barefoot or minimalist style shoe — the sole and insole are simply chunkier. Responsiveness is good since the shoe is firm, with almost no ground feel.

Style

Lems makes great looking shoes, and the Trailhead is an especially fun option with some retro looks as well as more traditional color options. These shoes are at home on the trail and in the office. A great travel shoe, appropriate for most settings.

Video reviews

Sources consulted (5)

Carried over from the previous methodology. Ratings shown are historical and do not contribute to a current pulse score.