From the website: A stable, cushioned midsole, an aggressive sole pattern, and protective toe and heel, the Salomon X Crest GTX Women's Shoes are built to take your travels well beyond the beaten path. With a full GORE-TEX membrane to give you complete weather protection and a durable upper with PU coated leather reinforcement these are built to stand up to the most rugged terrain. A protective toe cap and heel counter, with reinforcement around the foot, give you added protection from rocks and debris while the All Terrain Contagrip® sole is built to handle the widest possible variety of surfaces, giving you confidence on wet surfaces, hard surfaces, and loose soils. A gusseted tongue prevents debris from insinuating itself into your shoe from under the laces.. and for support you have an EVA foam for shock attenuation and an OrthoLite® insole provides superior cushioning, breathability and durability. A hiker with support and protection for women who prefer a low hiker to a mid or conventional boot for its lighter flexibility, this provides “boot protection” in a shoe style.