Deckers X Lab Enduro Max Mid GTX
The Deckers X Lab Enduro Max Mid GTX are a new entrant among mid-height shoes that combine the high ankle support of boots with the low weight and flexibility of trail runners. The carbon fiber plates embedded in the midsoles give the Enduro Max a bounce on rocks and hard trails.
Mid Enduro Max Specs
MSRP: $249
Lining: GORE-TEX
Outsole: Vibram Litebase
Stack Height: 32 mm
About the Enduro Max
The Enduro Max combine a thick midsole cushion with a lightweight GORE-TEX upper that’s water resistant and supportive. The Vibram Litebase provides good traction on rocks, mud, and dry trail while cutting the weight of the outsole by 30 percent.
Enduro Max Features
Performance: The mid-height Enduro Max combine the support of trail boots with the lightweight and springy feel of trail runners.
Plush Out of the Box: The Enduro Max are super cushy, with a PORON Pad and carbon fiber plates in the midsole that together give the shoes their thick padding and bounce. I found the thick cushion comfortable while still giving me a feel for the trail.
PORON Technology: PORON is known for its shock absorption, durability, and flexibility. It’s also used for moisture absorption, helping to keep sweaty feet dry.
Carbon Fiber Plates: The technology was first use in racing shoes, and has increasingly shown up in trail runners. The plates produce a spring-like effect, which means less energy to push off from the ground, but on the downside the technology is costly and raises the price of shoes. Shoes with carbon fiber plates also can be less durable than traditional shoes.
Good Grip: The Vibram Litebase technology is lighter while maintaining Vibram’s solid grip, traction, and durability. The outsole has 3mm lugs that rest on larger individual raised sections to provide a solid grip on rocks and deep penetration in mud. It’s like having lugs on lugs.
Moisture Management: The E-TPEE sock liners wicked sweat away from my feet and the Gore-Tex lining helped keep water out. The sock liners are crucial because Gore-Tex mid-height trail runners can get hot inside on warm days.
Standout Colors: The bright colors ensure the Enduro Max stand out on the trail.
A Big Legacy: The Enduro Max draw inspiration from Jean-Luc Diard, who helped design the shoe at Deckers X-Lab, and who is a co-founder of HOKA. So it’s no surprise that the Enduro Max have the look and feel of HOKA shoes.
Fit: The size 12 Enduro Max are a spot on fit for my size 12 feet. The toe box has extra room and the width was generous for my narrow feet, but didn’t feel sloppy.
Stack Height: The 32mm stack height provides a lot of cushion for my feet. I bounced along rocky trails without feeling a thud in my feet.
GORE-TEX Lining: A GORE-TEX inner lining is good at keeping water out of shoes, but the inner sheath takes longer to dry when water gets in over the tops.
Low-Cut Enduro Max: The Enduro Max also come in a low-cut trail runner without a GORE-TEX lining. The stack height is the same, but at $199 the low cuts are less expensive.
Manufactured: China.
Warranty: Deckers X Lab’s one-year warranty applies to defective materials and workmanship. After one year problems will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
Enduro Max Pros
Grip: Solid traction through rocks, mud, and dry trail.
Weight: Lightweight for a mid-cut shoe.
Stack Height: The 32mm stack height is a lot of padding under my feet, but I didn’t feel disconnected from the trail. And because I walk with with my heel striking first I appreciate the thick cushion in the heel.
GORE-TEX: My feet stayed dry through mud and water.
Big Heel Loop: I like the large loop at the back end of the shoe that makes it easy to pull the Enduro onto my feet.
Enduro Max Cons
The Downside of GORE-TEX: GORE-TEX is good for keeping water out, which it did in the Enduro Max. But once water gets inside the inner boot takes longer to dry than a trail runner without GORE-TEX.
Overall Value
The Enduro Max are a solid mid-height trail runner that provides good grip, high ankle support, and thick cushion under my feet. But the Enduro Max price is steep: $249 compared with a sub-$200 price for comparable shoes. The higher price may be due to the added cost of the carbon fiber plates. I do know the Enduro Max feel bouncier and cushier than the similar mid-height HOKA Anacapa and Salomon Cross Hike 2, both of which I’ve worn and reviewed.
Similar Hiking Shoes
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Salomon Cross Hike 2 Mid Gore-Tex
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This product was donated for purpose of review.
