Breathability
By the time I switched to the Ambler, my feet were sweaty from the previous shoe I was testing and blisters were just beginning to form, so the breathability of the Ambler was a welcome change. This breathable mesh construction also makes the Ambler very lightweight. The moisture wicking lining also helps keep feet dry and blister-free.

Support & Stability
Even compared to other low-cuts, this shoe isn’t designed to provide much stability. It’s still a soft shoe with no shank, so there sole is comfortable but twisty and bendable in mixed terrain. Although this is not an appropriate hiker for very rocky or unstable terrain, it is perfect for short day hikes on-trail. The Ambler uses a blend of polyurethane, cork, and memory foam that the company claims will “contour” to your foot, eliminating uncomfortable pressure points. We didn’t test it long enough to notice that effect, but regardless—the comfort rating on these shoes is at the top of the charts.

The padding in the sidewalls and the toe bumper gives these a touch more protection than your average trail running shoe.

Weatherproofing
Technically, these are not waterproof shoes, but they are quite water resistant (exhibit A: stumbling into a low stream, no penetration). Although not built for wet weather, they will withstand some dampness.

Value
For the price ($95) the Ambler is a phenomenal value  for an all-around summer outdoor shoe—not one that’s ready for off-trail or load-bearing backpacking, but one that’s perfect for those mellow adventures where a trail running shoe is not protective enough.

Durability
The all-mesh construction make these nicely breathable, though there’s going to be some sacrifice in durability. The fat rubber toe rand helps somewhat, but the mesh upper is not going to withstand many seasons of sidewall scraping.