Tread Labs Dover Trail Shoe Review

Dover didn’t roll out on the trail whispering sweet nothings. It stomped in wearing clinical-grade arch support and a ‘let’s get real’ attitude. 

Slip them on, and the difference is immediate. This isn’t your average runner – it’s a shoe engineered to keep you upright, aligned, and ready for big terrain days. 

Engineered arch support that does the work

Powered by Tread Labs’ podiatrist-recommended Pace Insole, Dover offers strong arch support and noticeable stability underfoot. Unlike other shoe boxes, the Dovers come with an extended box opening that houses the shoes’ insoles, so they arrive without them inserted – a surprisingly nice touch. You get to inspect the insole first, get a feel for its firmness and contour, and then insert it yourself, making the whole setup feel a bit more custom right out of the box.

As someone who has suffered in the past from Plantar Fasciitis pain, I always wear insoles in my shoes to keep my body at peace, and this time, I didn’t have to make any adjustments while wearing the Dover. 

How sweet is suede

Moving on to the aesthetic, one of the first things you’ll notice with the shoe is its suede upper. It feels a bit strange for a trail shoe – suede and dirt usually aren’t the best of friends – but it absolutely works because it’s a water resistant suede. The material goes on to add structure, hugging the foot securely, and giving the shoe a durable, almost boot-like stability without feeling heavy or restrictive on technical ground. 

Stability that lets you lean in

Underfoot, the combination of a 36mm heel/28mm forefoot stack and the podiatrist-recommended Pace Insole delivers impressive support. The Dover handles rocky ridgelines, root networks and rough singletrack with the confidence of a shoe that knows exactly what it’s doing. 

Grip and outsole

Grip is handled by a Vibram EcoStep outsole that doesn’t mess around. Wet slab, loose grit, slippery clay – all the things that usually inspire defensive, Bambi-on-ice footwork – suddenly become far more manageable. I found myself leaning into descents I’d normally tiptoe, trusting the rubber to keep me upright. 

Another impressive feature of the Dover is the lugs and how well they handle changeable conditions. On the wet, they dig in enough to keep momentum without sliding, while on dry hardpack, they offer stability without feeling sharp or intrusive underfoot. The spacing between lugs sheds debris reasonably well, and my educated guess is that the lugs are about 4mm. For everyday Aussie and Kiwi terrain, the Dover feels totally dialled in as they are versatile and capable. On mixed terrain, the outsole feels planted and confident, helping the shoe transition smoothly from fire trail to roots and sharp rocky sections without hesitation. 

Who it’s really for

It’s worth nothing, however, that these trail shoes sit on the heavier side of the spectrum. This isn’t your fast-and-light race day pick, and you’ll feel it if you’re chasing pace or big vert. And yes, that suede can run hotter on super warm days, but where this shoe shines is in support, so we’re talking long days, technical terrain, or back-to-back outings where foot fatigue usually has the final say.

For trail runners who want a shoe that prioritises support over speed, the Dover delivers what it promises. Where stability matters more than shaving a few seconds off your splits, this is a shoe you can depend on. With its sturdy build, confident lug pattern and protective detailing, fellow trail crew will be asking you all sorts of questions once they see you wearing them. 

I’ll also put it out there that the colours are super earthy – for the women, it’s a gorgeous Fossil shade (dark brown) whilst the men get the shoe in a snazzy Granite grey.

And look, Tread Labs’ Dover Trail Shoe won’t appeal to minimalists, but if you’re after durability, comfort and support for those arches (like me), this is an absolute standout addition to the shoe rotation. It’s not trying to be the fastest shoe on the mountain – just the one that gets you to the end feeling stronger than when you started.  

The Low Down

Great For: Rugged mixed terrain, long hikes, all day comfort

Not So Great For: Fast and light runs, big vert days, mud-heavy routes

Ideal Foot Type: Neutral to mildly overpronated

Test Terrain: Fire trails, singletrack, pea gravel, compacted concrete

Vitals

RRP: $180.00 AUD 

Website: treadlabs.com 

Conditions: Shoes in Fossil provided for testing by Tread Labs

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