I was finally able to put this shoe to the test. I put 20 or so kilometers on them before I ran a 1/2 marathon "trail" and I have to say, they ROCK! The conditions were: Asphalt "dry & wet", sandy trail, at times flooded like small streams due to the run off from thunderstorms, rocky streams, clay loamy soil agriculture, wet asphalt with slimy moss and of course straight uphill mud! The shoes never faltered, never hesitated to just keep going. The tread is amazing, it does not hold matter, but does grab it and release it. Im a heavy person, 110kg and am hard on gear, this shoe didn't give way at all. As far as water, the shoe was under water or subjected to rain the entire run, and got rid of it quickly. I wore Thorlo socks, and had some signs of immersion foot, but is was not too bad, quick recovery. The speed cross tightening system didn't falter or slip at all. Thanks much,