salomon xa pro 3d mid gtx

adesmar123 · Apr 17, 2012

Hello,

I am getting ready to buy a pair of Salomon xa pro 3d mid gtx. Does anyone have experience with them, or comments? all are welcome.

Buen Camino

Alan

JohnnieWalker · Apr 17, 2012

Hola Alan

I've used Salomon Mid Goretex shoes for years and I love them. I've looked at this particular model and decided against it as I felt the lacing arrangement wasn't sufficiently robust. This is only my opinion and there are lots of other models to choose from.

Best wishes

John

DesertRain · Apr 17, 2012

I have not used that specific Salomon, but I do use the Solomon Quest 4D GTX (http://www.rei.com/product/780681/salom ... boots-mens). I absolutely love them. Even though they look fairly hefty, they are actually quite light and built with a last similar to a trail running shoe.

But shoes are such a personal thing. The only advice that applies to everyone IMHO is that you should always try them on and wear them for a few long walks before you begin your Camino. I would also suggest that you get them at a place that allows for exchanges in case what feels good in the store doesn't work for you on the trail (REI is one such place in the U.S.). I originally purchased Asolo boots –- a very high quality, Italian-made boot. As much as I wanted to love them (and have friends who swear by them), they simply did not work well on my feet. Fortunately, I was able to exchange them for the Salomons.

Devika · Apr 17, 2012

Hi, have been training with them for about six weeks now. Love them but have to dmit tht i exchanged the insole (which is removable) with a hiking type for more support. Buen camino!

julie · Apr 17, 2012

Hi Alan,

I love Salomon boots and wear their Fastpacker mids. The style you've chosen is a bit lighter. I really tried to love them as much as the Fastpackers and actually went as far as buying a pair. Took them home, put one on and then put one of my usual boots on the other foot. The XA Pro just didn't feel supportive enough and wearing them for an hour around the house didn't change my mind so they went back to the shop.

Pieces · Apr 17, 2012

ive used their speedcross, same laces, I wouldnt worry, they are way more robust than one would think, and makes it so easy to rearrange the tightness og the shoe (and thus avoid blisters)

robventures · Apr 18, 2012

I walked from Roncesvalles in 2009 with the low, non-goretex version, and can't recommend them enough. (Unfortunately they got stolen at the big municipal albergue in Burgos, but I was able to pick up an exact replacement at the Decathlon sports chain.) I also picked up the low, goretex version when I was back home and alternated between the two for town and country walking for a couple of years after.

The lacing system is just incredibly good and surprisingly robust, but all four shoes did eventually fail (the plastic clip went brittle and cracked in each case). However, this was all after pretty heavy ab/use, and the shoes were close to worn out anyway, so rather than picking up spare laces on ebay, I happily tossed them and have bought a fresh low, non-goretex pair to walk from Seville this year.

I bought the low pair because this isn't bouldering, this is walking over nicely graded paths and tracks, and you (or at least I) don't need any extra ankle support. The extra weight and cost of the mid are real disadvantages, along with the reduced ventilation.

I bought the non-goretex pair because the ventilation is really good (the goretex ones are noticeably warmer), and cool feet are happy feet. I also have some sealskinz waterproof socks for when it rains hard, and this combo worked well last time for the typical alternating weeks of scorching sun and driving rain.

If you're buying blind over the internet, note that I have had to buy the size up for all my Salomon shoes, although they do fit extremely well after. (I have weird feet, though -- my second toe is ~5mm longer than my "big" toe.)