Last fall I was prepping for a late-season loop through a stretch of Glacier's lower-elevation trails, the kind of morning where the ground shifts from frosted hardpack to muddy creek crossings within a quarter mile. I'd worn through two pairs of budget trail shoes that season and was tired of second-guessing my footing. That's when I started looking seriously at the Saucony Men's Excursion TR16 in Flint/Metal. Waterproofing and actual traction, not just marketing copy about traction. I wanted both.
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Out of the box
Right away, the Flint/Metal colorway reads as a neutral, no-nonsense gray. It won't clash with anything and it won't attract attention, which is honestly how I like my trail footwear. The mesh upper feels structured without being stiff, and the GORE-TEX lining is built in rather than slapped on as an afterthought, you can feel the difference when you flex the shoe.
The lugs are visibly beefy. At 4.5mm, they're not the deepest I've seen on a trail shoe, but they've got good spacing between them, which matters when you're shedding mud instead of packing it in. The sole feels grippy even dry, straight out of the box. Sizing felt true to my usual 11.5, with a toe box that gives a bit of room without slopping around.
One thing I noticed immediately: the cushioning stack feels substantial. The VERSARUN midsole has a softer, more forgiving feel than I expected from a trail-specific shoe. That's a plus for long mileage days. Check current availability on Amazon if you're considering a pair before a trip.
What works
The GORE-TEX waterproofing is the real selling point here, and it delivers. On wet grass, shallow stream crossings, and damp pack-out trails, my feet stayed dry in conditions where I'd normally be squishing by mile three. GORE-TEX has a reputation for good reason, and Saucony didn't cut corners on the integration.
Traction is solid on loose gravel, damp root networks, and the kind of soft trail surface you get after a week of afternoon thunderstorms in the Rockies. The lugs bite without catching awkwardly on flat hardpack. I didn't feel like I was clomping around a parking lot when the trail ended, which can be an issue with more aggressive lug patterns.
The VERSARUN cushioning makes a real difference on longer days. Covering eight or ten miles on mixed terrain with a light daypack, I felt noticeably less beat up in my knees and heels than I did in older, flatter trail shoes. For casual to moderate hikers who log serious daily mileage in the parks, that adds up fast.
Here's my honest criticism, though: the durable mesh upper is adequate, but it's not bomber. On routes with heavy brush or sharp shale scrambles, the kind of terrain you'd find on some of Yosemite's off-trail approaches, I'd want something with a more reinforced toe cap and overlays. The TR16 isn't that shoe. It's built for trail running and casual hiking, not technical scrambling, and Saucony seems to know that. As long as you do too, you'll be fine.
Who this is for
This shoe makes the most sense for the hiker who's doing well-maintained national park trails and wants genuine waterproofing without stepping up to a heavy leather boot. Think: valley floor loops in the Smokies, most of the paved and gravel paths in Acadia, or the kind of multi-mile day hikes in Zion where you're covering a lot of ground but not doing anything technical.
It's also a strong pick if you're splitting time between short hikes and walking around park visitor centers or gateway towns. The cushioning makes it comfortable enough for that dual use in a way that a stiffer boot usually isn't.
If you're deep into backpacking, need ankle support, or are planning anything with serious elevation change and loose rock, I'd look elsewhere. But for the outdoor traveler doing three-to-eight mile day hikes across parks with variable weather? The Excursion TR16 on Amazon is worth a hard look.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| GORE-TEX waterproofing that actually keeps feet dry | Mesh upper won't hold up to heavy brush or sharp rock scrambles |
| 4.5mm lugs grip well on wet and loose trail surfaces | Not enough ankle structure for technical or steep off-trail terrain |
| VERSARUN cushioning reduces fatigue on long mileage days | Price not publicly listed, check Amazon for current cost |
| Versatile enough for trails and casual town walking | Lug pattern is moderate, serious mud may pack in on aggressive terrain |
| True to size with a comfortable toe box |
I'm not going to tell you this is the only trail shoe worth buying. There are a lot of decent options out there. But the combination of GORE-TEX waterproofing, real-world traction, and all-day cushioning in a shoe that doesn't weigh down your foot is harder to find than it should be. If your national park itinerary involves any chance of rain, creek crossings, or morning dew-soaked meadows, the TR16 makes a strong case for itself. Pack smart, check the forecast, and pick the right tool for your terrain., Jenna
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