When Lems announced the Trail Blazer (men’s and women’s), I was curious. The Lems Trailhead has been a favorite or mine, a versatile shoe that looks good around town while handling some trails and travel without complaint. But some people found the Trailhead too narrow (I wear a 2E and they worked for me). The Trail Blazer is Lems’ answer to the Trailhead’s narrowness: same versatile DNA, wider toe box. The biggest difference is the toe box, and it’s noticeable immediately.
After wearing these for hikes and everyday use, I like the Lems Trail Blazer more than the Trailhead, and I thought the Trailhead was a great shoe, if a little stiff.
The Lems Trail Blazer is wider and more comfortable out of the box than the Lems Trailhead
Slipping the Trail Blazer on for the first time, they felt more comfortable brand new than my well-worn Trailheads do now. Some shoes feel very thin and flexible on first wear because they simply have a thin sole. The Trail Blazers don’t feel flexible in the sense of being thin, they just feel nice! They are fairly rugged compared to other zero drop options, but not overly stiff either. That balance makes for instant comfort without a break-in period.
This is a true zero drop shoe (flat from toe to heel), with a 14mm stack height. Weight comes in around 11.9 oz for a men’s size 10.
The outsole situation
Lems borrowed the lugs from the discontinued Primal Pursuit, which was a smart move. It’s a sticky, gum-sole style that looks good and grips well on dry terrain. One caveat: in cold or wet conditions, the rubber can firm up and get a bit slippery. On a normal day though, no complaints.
The Lems Trail Blazer is a do-it-all shoe, but not a specialist
Would I use the Trail Blazer as a dedicated trail running shoe? No.
Would it be possible to run in the Trail Blazer? Yes, and they are surprisingly comfy when I have run in them.
Would I grab these for serious technical terrain? No.
Would it be possible to navigate serious terrain in the Trail Blazer? Yes, and I’ve scrambled some steep rock in the gum soles.
Would I wear the Lems Trail Blazer for hiking, travel, casual office days, dinner out, and basically everything else? Absolutely! This is a generalist workhorse.
Versatility is where the Trail Blazer shines. The upper combines breathable mesh with durable microfiber, and the thicker tongue gives it a more traditional shoe feel — which also means these will last. They’re vegan-friendly too, except for the Safari colorway.
Minimal Cons
These won’t deliver the ground feel of true minimalist barefoot shoes. If you’re looking for that stripped-down experience, look at Xero Shoes. But as an entry point to zero drop — a transition shoe that lets you feel more grounded without going full barefoot — the Trail Blazer hits a nice sweet spot.
How it compares to the Trail Thrasher
Lems also recently released the Trail Thrasher, which is a beefier option — heavier, more built up, more rigid. If you need something more rugged, have a look, but it feels narrower to my foot. The Trail Blazer is the more refined everyday pick.
Lems shoes are superior quality
Lems makes quality. My uncle worked at a Red Wing store his whole life; he’d approve of how these are put together. The little details like speckle effects on the sole, quality materials throughout, and the pride in craftsmanship add up to a great shoe experience.
Lems Trail Blazer, well done.
The Lems Trail Blazer are comfortable, well-made, versatile, and even better than the Trailhead in my experience. Shoes keep getting more expensive, but with the Lems Trail Blazer (men’s and women’s) you’re getting a lot of shoe for the money, and should be able to expect durability.
