Salewa  Pedroc 2 Leather Mid Powertex Hiking Boots - Men's

This is my first experience with Salewa footwear. I’ve owned several pieces of their technical apparel and have always been impressed, but this is my first pair of boots from the brand. Comfort was immediately noticeable straight out of the box. Paired with medium-padded Smartwool hiking socks, my usual size 13 initially felt slightly roomy, but after wearing them around the house and comparing them back-to-back with the Hoka Kaha GTX, the fit proved ideal. The extra space should be beneficial for foot swelling on long days or when switching to thicker socks. The Hoka Kaha GTX is widely regarded as one of the best-reviewed hiking boots of 2025, earning top or near-perfect scores across many outlets. While they perform well, I found the toe box somewhat restrictive. Switching directly between the two made the Salewa Pedroc feel noticeably more plush, agile, and refined by comparison. These boots will be put to the test on a series of extended treks in Peru, spanning multiple ecosystems—from the Amazon rainforest and Machu Picchu to high-altitude routes in the Andes—along with time spent in urban environments such as Lima and Caracas. They’ll be my sole pair of boots for the trip, as weight and packing efficiency are critical. I plan to update this review after returning at the end of May with longer-term performance feedback. First impressions are excellent, and I’m confident these boots will handle everything I throw at them. With the right supporting gear, this trip should be an ideal proving ground—whether that ends up being a full Salewa setup or a mixed kit remains to be seen.

I got these boots on a Thursday and took them back packing the next day. They did not disappoint at all. Great ankle support for all 16 miles on uneven terrain. Super waterproof which was great for trekking through over flowing rivers.