Customer Reviews Ahnu Calaveras WP

I have narrow feet, high arches, and suffer from plantar fasciitis, so shoes are always tricky for me. Someone suggested I try Ahnu because of my need for a very supportive footbed. For hiking I like a low and light, but very structured shoe that doesn't rub my ankles (mostly I do light rocky trail hikes, short hikes on mountain terrain/hills, and occasional all-day hikes, but not multi-day climbs or backpacking trips). The fit on this style is fantastic; the entire shoe (footbed and sides) is very structured and supportive, which is really what I need for hiking. Interestingly, I tried another Ahnu style, the Sugarpine, that looked like it would fit very similarly, but it was completely different. So if you're interested in this brand, I suggest trying multiple styles before you judge. The Calaveras is very structured and lean with not too much padding, it's longer than the same-size Sugarpine so my toes have plenty of room even if I switch the included insole for my orthotic insole which takes up more space, and the cinch-type laces on the Calaveras make it quick and easy to get a really snug fit. The heel in the Calaveras seemed to be lower/lean back a tad more than the Sugarpine, which is good for me since I've got plantar fasciitis and need the extra room for the orthotic for longer wear. The Sugarpine is notably shorter, it hit my toes the moment I put it on and there was no hope of using my orthotic in place of the Ahnu insole. Also, Sugarpine was very padded, almost puffy, and the extra padding at the back rubbed my ankle a lot; the sides of the Sugarpine were softer and less supportive, so if you prefer a cushy hiker it might be better for you. Its heel was kind of higher and at a bit of a different angle than the Calaveras. Other than that, the arch support was pretty much the same on both shoes. Not enough for me, but probably plenty for someone who does not have ridiculously high arches. I maybe could do a half size larger in the Sugarpine to get the length I need, but then the padding on the heel would come up even higher, so I'm sticking with the Calaveras. I also tried two pairs of Merrell's that were completely lacking in support, and a Salomon that was good support, but a very bulky shoe by comparison. I'd say the Calaveras is one of the most streamlined and supportive hiking shoes I've ever tried on.

I wear a size 8 in regular shoes and a size 81/2 in sneakers. I ordered these in 81/2 and they fit fine. The Calaveras are comfortable, warm, and keep my feet dry. They make a great substitute for sneakers when it's cold and rainy. The laces do not cinch up and down easily, so I usually just slip in and out of them and only tighten when hiking on uneven terrain. I also have a pair of Ahnu Sugarpine WP and they are equally comfortable.

Waterproof, super supportive, nice & easy to cinch up snugly and comfortably. Didn't expect to be wearing them as much as I have, but every outdoors occasion from long hikes to yard work can be done in these shoes. Love 'em.

I really like these shoes. Wore them for a 4 1/2 plus mile walk right out of the box and they felt great! Fortunately they arrived with an extra set of laces - the regular kind, because they came with the sliding/slip laces. Although the sliding laces look nice and seem to work well, I have a feeling I will prefer the old fashioned kind where I can more easily adjust them to my feet. I also found out the only way to remove the sliding laces is to cut them - they can't be reused. That's the only negative that I can see. I find for serious walking - whether it's on sidewalks, rocky beaches or hiking trails that I need a substantial sole and good arch support. The material of these particular Ahnus is really supportive - and waterproof. I look forward to having many more miles on them. I wear from a 10 to 10 1/2 to 11 - in this style 11 fit me the best with enough room not to have my toes jammed when walking down hills. I've found Ahnu shoes, in general, to be excellent. I will say that certain styles seem to run a bit different in their sizing so it is a huge plus that Zappos is so great about their shipping and returns. I must say Zappos customer service folks are one of the best.

I love this shoe! Excellent for outdoors or city walking and all weather conditions. So comfortable and stylish. Good with all pants from jeans, track pants to black slacks.

Love this shoe! Light weight but also warm. Super comfortable right from the start. Worked beautifully for a Thanksgiving Northeast hike. Highly recommend.

No break in required. Waterproof. Cute. Love the ease of slip on and synch. I got them to replace a12 year old pair of Mephisto walking boots. I wear my shoes until they fail. I expect to love these for years to come.

Appears to be very well constructed, with very good lateral and arch support. Shoe easily accommodated my custom orthotics. The shoe also had very good original footbed, but I always use my custom orthotics and remove the original footbed. Love the option of the quick lace, although the shoe came with optional string-type laces that matched the merlot color I purchased. I am very excited to find a new brand of quality shoe that I can wear, given my foot problems!

Love these so far! I tried on six pairs looking for a touring shoe to wear on vacation, including another Ahnu and some Sorels. It has to be one pair of shoes for two weeks, and these seemed to fit the bill, though I'd been hoping to find a more stylish bootie that was still weatherproof and comfortable for my difficult feet. These are more like hiking shoes than the booties I'd been striving for, but waterproof and so comfortable that they won me over. Lots of support. I have difficult to fit feet. As one other reviewer did, I also tried the Sugarpines in the same size, and these fit while those did not. (Not that there's anything wrong with the Sugarpines, but I think my feet are shaped in a way that makes it hard to find shoes.)

I had to write a review on this pair of shoes! I have heel spurs and bought these anticipating a trip to NYC, which without doubt entailed walking non-stop. These were outstanding!!! I was able to walk miles/day. They are water repellant and have excellent arch support!! ð???ð??»ð???ð??»ð???

I love Ahnu for their excellent arch support. These are great walking shoes. Very pleased with purchase! :)

This shoe is super light weight and well structured. Walks like a dream and ready to wear first time on. Living in the state of WA waterproof is always a plus. I'm taking them on an upcoming trip where there will be a lot of walking and plan to take them with me. I always size 1/2 up when buying a walking/hiking shoe. These shoes are perfect.

Great shoes. Love these Ahnu's. Nice red that looks great in the rain and snow

Runs tight in the toe box and loose in the heel

These are great hiking shoes. The foot bed has a very nice cushioned sole. It is lightweight. I wear a 7N in a shoe so I ordered a 7.5 in this shoe. Usually a medium with in a shoe like this will work for me but this one was just too large all the way around. Unfortunately I had to return them.

These are great dog walking shoes! Comfy, supportive, and waterproof. Also, if you wiggle your foot just right, you can get them on without fussing with the laces. Bonus, they make my feet look really small. No break in required, and I have very sensitive skin on my feet. Not a single blister wearing these all day right out of the box!

I got these in the snazzy purple/burgundy color. I love them. Super supportive but not too heavy or clunky, water proof, and super cool bungee cord lacing. What's not to love?

I love these shoes...I bought them for day hikes up in the Santa Fe Ski Basin area and they were perfect out of the box....they are comfortable, I have a relatively wide foot with a high arch - the 8 medium was perfect - they are light-weight, great grip on loose gravel, & attractive - best walking/hiking shoe I’ve ever owned. I’m happy they are water-proof too...I cut off the sliding laces and put on the laces they include - much better fit & look!

These were comfortable right out of the box...they just seemed to run big. I've been taking a 10.5 in women's shoes and boots, but these seemed a half size bigger... and thus were too high at the back of my ankle, too. I might trying to size down and see how that size fits. The toe box is very generous.

I really wanted to like these shoes. I own other Ahnu shoes and have been pleased. These however, were much harder soled and stiffer. I do need foot support so the stiffness was ok, but the soles are very hard and the shoe tended to make the cladomp, cladomp sound when I walked. No cushion in the mid sole like in the sugarpine. Also, I thought they would be too hot to wear in mild weather as my feet felt clammy right off the bat while trying them on. On the up side, they are pretty decent looking for this type of shoe and do offer stiff support if you need that. You may not have the issue with the clammy feel, but I am just sensitive to that so that is why I mentioned it. I have the Sugarpine boot which has the same waterproof liner and those are too warm and clammy if you are inside and sitting. Outside while moving and walking they are better. I own shoes and boots with GoreTex linings and those are not clammy so I think it is just a matter of materials. I wanted a shoe for drizzly days and running errands, etc but these I fear would be left in the closet for the reasons stated. I returned them.