Chunky hiking boots have ruled the trails for a long time now, and I’m tired of them. Those are big words coming from a Pacific-Northwesterner, where we wear such boots for just about any occasion because, as Jim Gaffigan put it, “You never know when a hike might break out.”

In any case, I’m sick of overbuilt hiking boots, and that’s why I was interested in testing out the Lems Trail Blazers. Relatively fresh to the footwear game, Lems has spent the past decade making minimalist shoes and boots that emphasize flexibility and a wide, roomy toebox.

The Trail Blazer is the wider, zero-drop version of the company’s Trailheads, which were already great hiking shoes, but I found that the more spacious, flatter ride of the Blazers make for a supremely comfortable day in the woods. Combined with their lightweight, flexible design, they’re one of the best hiking shoes out there.

The Expert: Hailing from the Pacific Northwest, I’ve been traversing trails of every type for more than 30 years. This firsthand experience has been vital to my work as an outdoor gear reviewer, and I have tested products from all of the leading brands for top publications like Popular Mechanics, Runner’s World, Popular Science, Thrillist, U.S. News & World Report, and many more. Having once suffered a severe foot and ankle injury, I now have a particular interest in exploring footwear that supports my endeavors in the great outdoors.