Hi-Tec V-Lite Hurricane eVent

Great traction, whether on muddy trail or rocky river banks. Triple density sole to provide pronation control and shock absorption on the ball of the feet. The eVent waterproof is much more breathable then Gore-Tex, but the tongue separates from the top halfway up, so water will seep in once water level goes halfway up the shoe.

But the biggest problem is the sole started to come unglued after only one weekend trip, less than 20km trek. The sole is in two pieces, separated by a V-shaped torsion plate. The two sides beside the V-shaped torsion plate are already peeling off. That area would undergo a lot of sheer force when going down hill, but the area of contact with the midsole is really small. Seems like a weak point to me.

My email to Hi-Tec has not been answered after several days. I'm bringing it back to the shop and hope I can exchange it.

Update: July 31, 2007

Just an update. The retailer repaired the shoe, although I really didn't want it back. But I took it anyway for a short trek. I only wore it for less than 6 hrs, very slow trek as we were bring newbies up a waterfall trek. would you believe it, the sole started peeling off again! I have sent it back to the retailer, and exchanged it for another shoe.

WATERPROOF FAILURE

There is an old saying in health care business: use new stuff when it gets old and tested.

I think this may apply either to eVent or to the Hi-tec Hurricane shoes. I run 5 to 15 miles a week on light to moderate trails (that's light running) but I am an all-weather runner. I had on waterproof gaiters, and rain and mud water seeped thru from the bottom.

Maybe it is the shoe. Maybe it is eVent fabric not made to take running abuse compared to jacket use. Either way, I have this shoe for only 6 to 12 months. I had No waterproof failure with Montrail Java GTX, TNF shoes GTX XCR, Solamon XCR Comp2, Adidas Sympatex shoe and Tecnica Tech-dry (all used for abuse of trail-running).

Buyer beware.