Summary
We spent 5.8 hours reading reviews from experts and users. In summary, this is what hikers think:
6 reasons to buy
- Nearly everyone who has purchased the Lems Mesa agrees that it is indeed a delightfully comfortable hiking shoe.
- A majority of wearers find the lightness of this footgear to be outstanding.
- According to a handful of customers, the breathability of this Lems offering is remarkable.
- A bunch of adventurers declares that it virtually has no break-in period.
- The Mesa’s outsole is sufficiently grippy, say a couple of purchasers.
- A minority of outdoor lovers appreciate how easy it is to store this shoe because of its compressibility.
3 reasons not to buy
- Based on several buyer reviews, the Lems Mesa’s laces easily untangle when used outdoors.
- Some owners mention that the knit mesh upper is prone to abrasion.
- A few users state that they need more arch support from this shoe.
Bottom line
Outdoor enthusiasts may find a lot to love in the Mesa, especially to those who value comfort and lightness. It is also a remarkably breathable shoe that offers grip and a non-existent break-in period.
However, there are those who say that its laces cannot stay tied down during a hike. All in all, the Lems Mesa remains a likable option to those who are in need of its qualities, granted they find a way to overcome its lacing issue.
Facts
| Use: | Urban hiking |
|---|---|
| Cut: | Low cut |
| Price: | $125 |
| Features: | Lightweight | Breathable | Orthotic friendly |
| Weight: | Men: 9.8oz | Women: 8.4oz |
| Width: | Men: Normal | Women: Normal |
| Brand: | Lems |
| Construction: | Minimalist |
| Material: | Vegan, Knit upper, Rubber sole, Mesh upper |
Expert Reviews
Experts are hikers, who post reviews at youtube, directly at RunRepeat or at their own websites. Each expert is categorized from level 1 to level 5 based on expertise. See stats on expert reviews and how we calculate scores here.
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90 / 100 based on 5 expert reviews
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It is light for a hiker (8.4 ounces for a women’s size 9), as well as flexible.
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Since getting the Lems Mesa, they’ve become my go-to shoe for hikes, walks around the block, and all the little things in between.
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The Lems Mesa shoes feel more like a sock than most of the mis-matched socks in your drawer, making them great for trail running.
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With all that functionality, the Mesa has quickly become my favorite everyday summer shoe.
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Other than these durability issues, we’ve loved testing the Lems Mesa. It’s nice to have a pair that works for everything.
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-The Lems Mesa is a hiking shoe armed with features that provide performance for both urban environments and outdoor trails. Its vegan-friendly knit upper is crafted with an emphasis on comfort and lightness.
-Users get a cushioned ride, thanks to the Mesa’s ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) midsole. The shoe’s rubber outsole is specifically built to render traction on both pavement and trail conditions.
The Mesa is a low-top hiking shoe from Lems which caters to men and women. Its knit upper is engineered to stretch, giving wearers a sock-like fit. The footgear’s traditional lacing system enables wearers to achieve a secure and customized lockdown.
This lightweight hiking shoe from Mesa comes with a rubber outsole to help users stay stable on both outdoor and urban terrain. Its profile is filled with a pattern of irregular-shaped lugs to render traction on most types of surfaces. Its heel area contains a few ridges, which help wearers slow down when going downhill. The outsole’s front tip reaches upward to deliver added protection from accidental bumps.
The Lems Mesa features a midsole made of lightweight EVA foam. It is engineered to give cushioning, shock absorbency, and rebound. The midsole is paired with a 4.5mm molded polyurethane (PU) footbed. Its sturdy construction offer arch support, underfoot comfort, and breathability.
The Lems Mesa is equipped with a minimalist upper made of a vegan-friendly knit mesh material. It is crafted to stretch and adapt to the user’s foot. The upper is reinforced with thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) overlays for added support and sturdiness. Its toe box houses a cap to provide extra protection from trail dangers.
The Mesa employs a flat lace and a series of eyelets to help the wearer adjust its fit. A molded counter is found at the rearfoot section for extra heel support. Its collar and tongue stretch to give users easy on and off.
Like the Mesa, the Merrell MQM Flex is a low-top shoe that’s built primarily for comfort and flexibility. These products are also designed with an emphasis on lightness. Shown below are some of the qualities they share and the elements that set them apart.
Upper. The Merrell MQM Flex sports a below-the-ankle upper made of mesh fabric. This material reduces the overall weight of the shoe while allowing air to circulate inside it. It is reinforced with TPU overlays to add structure and support to the upper. Its rearfoot region houses a counter called Hyperlock, supplying the wearer with added heel support and security. Moreover, the shoe’s conventional lacing system grants a personalized fit. On the other hand, the Lems Mesa uses an upper made of vegan-friendly knit and mesh materials for flexibility and lightness.
Midsole. Wearers of the MQM Flex are supplied with a cushioned ride, thanks to its dual-directional flex groove midsole. It is made of lightweight EVA foam to reduce impact while delivering energy return. The midsole’s heel zone is furnished with Merrell’s patented Air Cushion technology to absorb shock while traversing uneven ground conditions. It also has a removable EVA footbed for extra cushioning and underfoot comfort. Meanwhile, the Lems Mesa uses both an EVA midsole and a molded PU footbed to deliver these trail-centric benefits to users.
Outsole. The Merrell MQM Flex is equipped with the brand’s patented M-Select Grip outsole. Its profile comes with a pattern of aggressive 3.mm-deep lugs that bite into virtually all types of terrain. These lugs are also self-cleaning to optimize grip on both wet and dry surfaces. It also features TrailProtect technology, a pad that improves the protection and support of the shoe. Its front end extends upward to render added protection from trail dangers. The Lems Mesa’s rubber outsole offers the same qualities to outdoor enthusiasts via its network of multidirectional lugs.
- Outdoor lovers in need of a sturdier pair that can withstand a multi-day trip may explore the benefits offered by backpacking boots. Among the options that may be considered are the Salomon Quest 4D 3 GTX and the Lowa Tibet GTX.
- Those who require an insulated pair for cold weather conditions may want to check out the Keen Durand Polar Waterproof.