Decathlon Quechua Hiking Shoes Review
If you're contemplating whether to invest in hiking shoes from Decathlon and wondering if they are any good, this article might provide valuable insights. Join me as I share my personal experience of wearing Quechua shoes for the past 9 years!
These Quechua Forclaz Flex 3 hiking shoes marked the beginning of my journey, and they've proven to be incredibly durable. A gift received in 2015, they have endured the test of time. Lacking rubber protective sides, I reserved them for lighter hikes to avoid rugged terrains. Overall, I appreciate them, but they offer minimal protection against moisture—walking through wet grass leaves your feet instantly damp. They are no longer on sale!
Quechua Forclaz Flex 3
Quechua Forclaz 500
Next in line were my second pair of Quechua Forclaz 500 hiking shoes, a vintage and somewhat militaristic-looking pair with sturdy performance. Unfortunately, the rubber toe shield deteriorated quickly, in particular cracks appeared, signaling the beginning of the end. In later models, it seems like Quechua improved the rubber quality and the rubber shield lasts longer, for example in case of MH100. I wore them for 3 years and all in all I am satisfied with them. I miss these discontinued shoes and wish they were still available in stores.
Quechua Arpenaz 500 Revival
The Quechua Arpenaz 500 Revival is another pair in my collection, though I didn't wear them much due to sizing issues. Ending at size 46 while I usually wear 47, they caused ankle discomfort. Despite this, the soft and springy outsole provided a pleasant walking experience. They are still on sale and larger sizes are already available!
Quechua Forclaz Trek 100
Unfortunately, the next pair (Quechua Forclaz Trek 100), while visually appealing, fell short in terms of fit. The narrow design around the feet and smaller size compared to the MH100 model caused discomfort during hikes. So 47 which usually fits me well, fell short! The waterproofing was not that good (you can't expect much from boots of this price range) but they seem to be durable overall. For hikes in a dry season these can be perfect budget boots!
Quechua MH900
The Quechua MH900 pair turned out to be a disappointment, as the rubber toe protector quickly tore away from the leather. Moreover during a summer hike, while attempting to ascend a snowy slope, I began creating ladders by hitting the snow, and the outsole also started to rip off. Despite being comfortable and offering freedom of movement (it also fit well), their lack of waterproofing (like on the level of Forclaz Trek 100 although Trek 100 is way more durable) and poor quality ultimately led me to send them into a garbage can.
Quechua MH 100
MH 100 hiking shoes was not only narrow but also too small. A size 47 fit poorly, causing pain in my thumbs when navigating slopes. Nowadays, I reserve them for casual walks in the park due to their lack of water protection (or no protection at all).
Quechua MH100
Finally, the MH100 has become my favorite among the Quechua lineup. I own several pairs in different colors, and they stand out for their price, comfort, and durability. While the outer insole can wear out from extensive use, the shoes can still hold up well. The waterproofing is satisfactory (similar to the Forclaz Trek 100 level), making them reliable for walks in wet grass or light rain. If Quechua could enhance these shoes by adding a rubber band for additional protection on the sides, they would truly become the perfect hiking shoes considering their price and quality. I strongly recommend them!
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