Loom Footwear 100% Waterproof Sneakers

Loom shoes are city-appropriate and designed with outdoor activities in mind. This wear-anywhere sneaker is meant to tackle any setting – rain, mud, snow, slush, dry pavement – you name it.

These sneakers are well-cushioned, impact-resistant, and have breathable upper material, making sure that your feet stay fresh and comfortable at all times.

The interior is made of high quality merino wool. This breathable surface is temperature-regulating, anti-odor, antibacterial, durable, and super comfortable, all at the same time. The upper is a 100% waterproof and breathable knit layer that will keep your feet nice and dry in all seasons. The proprietary Excelcast sole is designed to maximize energy return and absorb shock, and is non-marking.

Despite being waterproof, the material absorbs and releases moisture from the air to protect against rashes and bad foot odor, a different concept from most waterproof liners. This also makes them easy to wash.

Disclosure: I was contacted by a representative of Loom Footwear with an offer to receive a sample pair of shoes. They were provided at no cost to me. My only responsibility was an agreement to complete this review. I was not pressured in any way to make a positive endorsement.

 

My Thoughts

 

The first question I always ask about waterproof shoes is: Are they really? These Loom Footwear sneakers are indeed as advertised. I stepped in a creek for more than a minute and did not detect any moisture inside the shoes. Now obviously, if you cross a stream that is deeper than your ankles the water will come in from the top. But for shallow water crossings, rain or light snow, these sneakers will keep your socks and feet dry.

When they first arrived, upon opening the shoe box, there was a strange odor. Not unpleasant, it was nevertheless noticeable. However, after a few days of use, that original smell went away. Could just be something about rubber and wool in a hot delivery truck.

I will offer a warning about sizing. I wear a men’s size 8.5 medium width. For some reason, these Loom shoes do not come in half sizes, so I went up to a size 9. When putting the shoes on for the first time, they were just a bit snug. However, a size 10 would have definitely been too big. I learned later that these are measured on the European scale, so when ordering I recommend you go up a full size from your normal. No half sizes can be problematic.

Despite being snug, these sneakers are very comfortable. I wore them immediately for exercise walking around the neighborhood. There is no break-in period at all. They are ready to go right out of the box. Additionally, despite being waterproof, they are not hot. They breathe well, so I have yet to end up with sweaty or stinky feet after use.

Because these Loom Footwear sneakers are also street shoes, they do not have the traditional waffle pattern you find on the soles of hiking boots or trail runners. So I was somewhat skeptical about how they would perform on a rocky or rooty trail. I was particularly concerned about slippery granite because of the flat sole.

The concern is warranted because I did notice some slippage. But frankly sometimes even the best hiking footwear will slip on wet surfaces. Still, because the soles of these shoes are flexible, they may not provide equal protection and support as a solid traditional hiking sole when walking over jagged rocky areas. If you tend to hike only on well-maintained trails, these shoes will do just fine.

So what do I think. I like them. They are definitely comfortable, so they make a fine exercise walking shoe. They aren’t likely to be my all-purpose hiker’s, but I will certainly wear them for easy, smooth-grade trails. I chose the black color and they look nice, so I will also wear them out and about town. The Loom Footwear website describes the shoes as selling for $250, but are on sale for $99. That seems kind of hokey. I would not pay $250.

 

 

How to Get a Pair

 

Loom Footwear 100% waterproof sneakers are available from the Loom Footwear website. They come in white or black for both men and women. You can receive a 10% discount by entering code Jeff10 at purchase.

 

 

This post was created by Jeff Clark. Please feel free to use the sharing icons below, or add your thoughts to the comments. Pack it in, pack it out. Preserve the past. Respect other hikers. Let nature prevail. Leave no trace.

 

The following are paid links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.