ProView – Astral Women’s Nosobo Review

The Astral Nosobo hiking shoes are a nice change from the heavy hiking boots I typically wear on the trails. The outsoles are just as sturdy but these shoes are a little more lightweight and breathable. The Nosobos still gave me a pain point in wearing them on one hike, but I appreciate the features it provides.

My Nosobos took their maiden voyage on the Ouzel Falls trail from the Wild Basin Trailhead in the southern section of Rocky Mountain National Park. It is one of my partner & I’s favorite trails because of the many cascades and waterfalls, so we headed out on a late summer weekend morning so I could try out the shoes.

Fit

I had originally ordered a pair of Astral Nosobo hiking shoes in a women’s size 8, since that is what I almost always wear in hiking boots and sneakers, sometimes maybe a 7 ½ in sandals or shoes that run large. So I was surprised when I received them, and they were way too long and wide all around. I learned that some customers have sizing issues with Astral while others find the fit to be perfect. I exchanged the size 8’s with a women’s size 6.5 and those fit great! 

When I first put on the well-fitting pair of Nosobos, I noticed the good arch support and solid, flat soles. I laced them up, then noticed the short tongues put a little pressure on the front of my ankles. I wore thick wool socks on the trail, hoping they would relieve the pressure. After a little over six miles on the hike, I had a lot of pain in the front of my ankles where the tongues were digging in, and red lines across each ankle to prove it.

Nosobos are advertised to thru-hikers but I don’t know how my ankles would survive that. I may need to significantly loosen up the laces next time and see if they feel better, although when I tried that the shoes felt too loose on my feet. 

Comfort

I didn’t have as much toe pain as I normally do on the downhill. The wide toe box and flat sole provided a more natural foot position that I found to be more comfortable than I expected. I had previously thought that a wide toe box was more suitable for a wider foot than mine, but it turned out to be a welcome feature. 

Function

Although there is a lot of water on this hike, I didn’t get the shoes wet so I wasn’t able to test out how fast they dry. I could tell that they were very breathable, though, since my feet felt cool even on a hot day. The treads gripped well as I climbed over rocks on the trail and logs in the stream. These shoes may be heavier than lightweight trail runners, but since I am used to hiking boots I found them to be nicely light on my feet but still solid enough to not let me feel any small rocks I stepped on. 

Style & Durability

I chose the Lunar Grey color, which is a blue-ish light grey, and I love how they look. They matched the rocks and flowing water perfectly. More color options would be nice, though, since there are only three options of two pretty neutral light colors and one that is bright neon green.

Time will tell how durable these shoes really are, but I have faith in the construction since the outsoles are stitched to the rest of the shoe. I am also happy to know that Nosobos are advertised as “rechargeable,” which means I can switch out the midsoles for fresh ones which should extend the lifespan of these shoes.

Friendliness to the Earth

Astral Nosobo hiking shoes are made with 85% recycled rPET (plastic) upper and laces. I loved learning that because it makes good use of plastic resources that already exist, rather than creating more plastic. I also think that being able to replace the “rechargeable” midsoles will make the shoes last longer, keeping them out of a landfill longer than if I had to replace the shoes completely when the midsoles wear out.

Astral is mostly known for its products for water activities, such as shoes and PFDs, so they have a section of their website describing the ways they try to protect the soil and water of the Earth. They state that “95% of our footwear is free of PFAS” and they even have a recycled footwear collection. I appreciate when a company that profits from outdoor activities actually does what they can to protect the environment.

The Final Word

The Astral Nosobo hiking shoe is a good alternative to heavy hiking boots or trail runners because the zero-drop construction and wide toe box provide a more natural foot position and comfortable support. They are lightweight and breathable for a long day on the trail. The biggest problem for me was the short but stiff tongue that pushed against my ankles. I will continue to wear these shoes and figure out how they can work better for me on a long hike, so I can get the maximum use out of these shoes and someday recharge them with new midsoles.

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