Product · Hanwag
Hanwag Blueridge Low ES: suede, breathable
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The Blueridge Low ES is the suede option in our hill path walking shoe guide, and it is the shoe with the thinnest listing. Amazon gives a suede leather upper, a block heel, an all-season rating and special features of breathable and waterproof, but names no membrane, lining or outsole. That makes it a shoe for walkers who already know Hanwag's fit and want a simple suede walking shoe, rather than for anyone choosing on specifications.
- Upper
- Suede leather
- Membrane
- Not stated
- Outsole
- Not stated
- Cushioning (listed)
- Not stated
In its favour
- The listing names breathable and waterproof as special features.
- A suede leather upper is stated, more robust than mesh on stony ground.
- Listed for all seasons as a hiking shoe.
Good to know
- The listing does not name a membrane, so the waterproofing method is not clear.
- The sole is listed as plastic, so check the outsole details on Hanwag's site.
Our take
What the listing does and does not say
The outer is leather and the material field narrows it to suede. The sole material field reads plastic, which most likely describes part of the sole unit rather than the tread itself. The item weight is 1.3 kg, without saying whether that covers one shoe or the pair, and the country of origin field shows United Kingdom, which may be the seller rather than the factory.
Waterproof is listed as a special feature and as the water resistance level, yet there is no Gore-Tex or other membrane in the title or the model name. ES in the name is not explained. If a membrane matters to you, confirm it with Hanwag before ordering.
Suede in everyday walking
Suede is soft from new, needs little breaking in, and breathes better than smooth leather. On dry chalk downs, forest tracks and summer hill paths, a breathable suede shoe can feel cooler than a membrane shoe. It does need proofing to cope with rain, and it marks more easily than nubuck.
Brush off dry mud rather than scrubbing wet suede, let the shoes dry naturally, and use a suede proofing spray before the wet months.
Blueridge Low against the Cyrus 2 GTX and Torsby Low
The Scarpa Cyrus 2 GTX is a nubuck shoe with Gore-Tex in its name and a named Scarpa Presa sole. For walkers who want to know exactly what they are buying, it is the clearer choice.
Hanwag's own Torsby Low SF Extra GTX names Gore-Tex and a roomy last. Walkers with broad feet will lean that way. The Blueridge suits those who want a plainer suede shoe.
Who should look elsewhere
Anyone who walks mainly in wet weather, crosses boggy ground often, or wants a named sole should pick one of the other shoes in our guide. The Blueridge is best treated as a fair-weather path shoe until the listing details are confirmed.
Verdict
The Blueridge Low ES suits walkers who want a soft suede walking shoe for dry paths and already trust Hanwag's fit. If you want a named membrane and sole, the Scarpa Cyrus 2 GTX is the safer pick, and walkers with wide feet should look at the Hanwag Torsby Low SF Extra GTX instead.
Compared with alternatives in: Best walking shoes for hill paths
Amazon listing title: Hanwag Men's Blueridge Low ES Shoes