A couple of summers ago, I wrote an article for Advnture titled 'Can you go hiking in Vans?' You're welcome to read it, but if you just want to the Cliff notes, I quickly came to the conclusion that the classic skater shoe makes a terrible choice for rough trails due to the lack of traction, protection and support. Now, however, it looks like I may have to eat my words as the Anaheim-based footwear brand has revolutionized one of its most iconic styles.

The OTW Old Skool 36 Trail Vibram takes the classic Old Skool – that's the low-top lace-up that you probably begged for in junior high – and has reimagined it for the trails. If you're wondering, OTW stands for Off the Wall and it's the division of the company that's responsible for collaborations and innovations like this.

I do stand by my original statement: a classic pair of Old Skools won't do you much good on a slick or steep trail thanks to the lack of lugs on the rubber waffle outsoles, but the updated version features a reliably grippy Vibram sole. Though it's not the first time the brand has used the famous Italian soles (they feature on OTW Speed for example), this is the first time one of their shoes has featured a custom Vibram sole, said to be inspired by the company’s familiar checkerboard pattern.

They've also made some upgrades to account for the fact that you're likely to want to wear these for mile after mile and not just hanging out down at the skate park. If you've ever worn a pair of Vans, you'll know that the vulcanized rubber sole is pretty heavy for walking long distances, but the OTW version has replaced that heft with a light EVA foam like you'd typically find in trail running shoes and modern hikers, so even without trying these on, it's fair to say they'll be more comfortable in the long haul.

They've shaved off a few more ounces by replacing the hallmark canvas (which in addition to being heavy is also useless in wet weather) with Dyneema, a composite material often used in ultralight backpacking equipment like tents that claims to be even stronger than Kevflar, so these shoes should be able to hold up against roots, rocks and whatever else your favorite trail hurls at them.

Perhaps the only nod to classic Vans at all is that these shoes don't have laces – but don't let that detail fool you into thinking they aren't technical. In place of laces is a magnetic Fidlock lacing system, which operates like a BOA fastening and has already been embraced by cyclists on bike shoes. This makes it easier to get a secure fit and faster to adjust your shoes on the go if your feet start to swell.

Does it look like the original version? Hardly. But would I trust it on the trails? I'd certainly try it out based on specs alone. The OTW Old Skool 36 Trail Vibram will be available from November 1 in Olive Green and White for $165.

• The best hiking shoes: trail-friendly shoes for all seasons

A man had to be rescued this week after falling while hiking solo on Mount Washington without proper clothing and equipment. The hiker, who has been named as 23-year-old Joabe Barbosa from Kentucky, was alone when he accidentally left the trail and began descending into a drainage ravine instead.

While descending, Barbosa slipped, losing a sneaker and hitting his head and face, but he remained conscious and was able to call 911 for help. Dispatchers sent Barbosa's GPS location and details to conservation officers and a volunteer EMT, who embarked on a rescue mission.

The team eventually found Barbosa, now suffering hypothermia, in the ravine at around 10:30pm. They supplied him with proper boots, winter clothing, food and warm drink, and escorted him back down to safety. He received medical attention and was taken to a community hospital for further treatment. We wish him a speedy recovery.

Details of his condition haven't been released, but according to NBC Boston, officials from NH Fish and Game said he was "not properly prepared for the hike".

Second accident in a month

Barbosa's accident comes just weeks after another solo hiker was rescued from Mount Washington after making a series of "poor decisions". According to Fish and Game officials, 22-year-old Cole Matthes set out without "proper gear, equipment, weather planning, and or proper critical decisions in order to keep himself out of harm’s way and moving in the right direction on a dangerous mountain range."

After deciding to press ahead despite bad weather, Matthes twisted his ankle, leading to a 12-hour rescue operation in 90mph winds and -52F temperatures.

Most search and rescue operations in New Hampshire are carried out for free, but around a dozen each year result in a hefty bill for the hiker saved, and Matthes could be among them. His case is currently under review with the New Hampshire Attorney General's Office. 

“If they decide to charge me, I understand, and at the end of the day, I’m alive because of them," he told Seacoast Online. "I’m in no position to complain.”

• What makes Mount Washington so dangerous?

Helly Hansen Ahiga V4 HP Sneakers: first impressions

Comfortable straight out of the box, Helly Hansen Ahiga V4 HP Sneakers are handsome-looking deck sneakers that feel very light on the foot.

With a lightweight, quick-draining design, these shoes are ideal for wearing on yachts and other boats, as well as being versatile enough to be at home on the beach and at the bar. Besides looking great, they perform well when it matters – on rolling seas – and we rate them as some of the best water shoes around.

The mesh-dominated upper is highly breathable and lets water in and out like a sieve, but it dries very quickly, so the shoes are best worn sans socks (an antimicrobial treatment helps prevent the buildup of odor).

The EVA foam midsole supplies support to the underside of the foot in all the places where it matters, and the outsoles are impressively grippy on all sorts of surfaces. The lace eyelets extend right to the top of the tongue, so you can be sure to get a really secure and tight fit.

The Ahiga are marketed for men, and for some reason the closest women’s equivalent, the Skagen F-1 Offshore, which are very similar in terms of construction and design, are significantly more expensive. The Ahiga and Skagen are both PVC free, and they are made with a significant amount of recycled material.

Helly Hansen Ahiga V4 HP Sneakers: in the water

I first wet-tested the Helly Hansen Ahiga V4 HP Sneakers during a mid-winter, rain-lashed sailing trip, amidst a proper feisty storm. It was an extraordinary experience, on board a Figaro racing yacht with professional sailors, but the conditions could hardly have been much more challenging. From the moment we stepped aboard the yacht, high winds were picking up salty spray and hurling it on our faces, a rollicking rolling sea threw us around, and torrential rain pelted us from start to finish.

There seemed to be almost as much water in the air as there was in the sea at times, and the deck was drenched all day long. Moving around felt precarious, but the grippy Ahiga V4 HP sneakers enabled me to keep my footing throughout the adventure, including when we had to leap over the waves between the yacht and the RIB that took us out to meet the sailing boat on the seam of the Bristol Channel and the Celtic Sea.

I wore Merino socks during that adventure, which helped supply some extra warmth (because, on their own the sneakers aren’t especially thermally protective) but on subsequent escapades I’ve jettisoned the socks and gone barefoot in these shoes. With quick-draining mesh uppers and comfortable insoles, these shoes are best worn sans socks.

They wouldn’t be my first choice of shoes to wear kayaking or SUPing, but on boats (the environment they’re designed for), beaches and in bars, they’re brilliant. Since the dramatic day on the racing yacht, I’ve worn the Ahiga V4 HP Sneakers on mostly beach-based walks, rockpool scrambling shenanigans and small-boat adventures.

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