The fit and finish on this shoe highlight Saucony's reputation for outstanding quality.

I haven't tested the water resistance on this shoe yet as it doesn't rain too often in this part of the country, but I have confidence in the materials that it would do the job just fine. The water resistance material does result in a warmer shoe which you'll notice after a few hours of wear. However, it is breathable fabric and your feet don't get waterlogged after removing them. Plus, it's a nice-looking shoe.

I have a pair of Saucony Progrid Triumph 4s that fit great in a 9 and this shoe is very snug in comparison--I usually wear men's 9 in running, but could have gone a 9.5 for this pair. If you like more wiggle room, you might want to go a half size larger than usual. I've done some light jogging in these shoes and they're very light and springy while providing a reassuring base with each stride. Despite its very snug fit, I trust this shoe would perform well on the trail and through rough weather.

Bottom line:
These trail runners are a very well-built pair of Saucony's that I would feel comfortable backpacking the great outdoors with and don't hesitate to recommend.

I plan to update this review in a future post as I break them in through rough trail-running.

UPDATE 12/1/11:
These shoes repel water just fine. I used them during my trip into the Grand Canyon and trekked down to Skeleton Point and back in dry comfort and style. They kept out the water and snow and kept my feet toasty without being too hot. Great shoes and makes for excellent trail hikes or runs.