Salomon shoes

[Roger Fleury]

I walked the Camino del Norte in June 18.
Like everybody, I enjoyed my experience. Walking 20-30KM a day/ getting lost regularly/blasting the rain and complaining about the heat... but overall a fantastic experience.
Like many pilgrims,I started my walk as a personal meditative experience and switch to a more spiritual discovery of oneself .
The only shadow on my walk were only the fact I wore the wrong shoes.
I had blisters on the first day and lost 2 toes nails after my walk.
Reasons?:I started walking on road surfaces with a pair of leather Colorado/ hard soles / tight fit( bad idea); then switched to soft Sketchers with very soft soles.( also a bad idea)
Half way on the trail,I bought some gel insoles for the Colorado which improved the comfort but squeeze my feet a lot more.
Over the pain now and I am already planing my next Camino Primitivo.
I noticed that a lot of pilgrims were wearing Salomon shoes so i decided to give them a go... but which one?
Low hiker:
-Salomon XA PRO 3D
-Salomon XA PRO 3D GTX
-Salomon Radian GTX
or
Mid Hiker:
-Salomon HillrockGTX
All seems to offer a comfortable fit with a good sole grip.
I would be oversizing them as I learn that your feet to "feel" larger after hours of walk carrying 8Kg .
Thank you to the Salomon fans on the forum..
Buen Camino to all pilgrims

 

[andywild]

I wore Salomon speedcross Vario 2 for my last Camino (sjpdp to Santiago).. I loved them apart from a few blisters on the heel.. i taped the seam between insole and side of shoe and that fixed the problem.. I've just bought another pair for my next Camino starting next week. I'm taping then properly before I go.
I find Salomon run a size small so even buying a size up only gets you back to a normal fit.. I don't go bigger as my feet don't tend to swell so it's fine for me.
I also like the fact that they are trail runners.. it's good to know that if I get attacked by wandering robbers or even a Camino bear I will be able to run away while all the other pilgrims clomp around in big boots possibly getting eaten.. (by the Bears not the robbers).

 

[Deleted member 12253]

Try them.its your choice but everybodys feet different

 

[sgbmom]

Left my first pair of Salomons in Ourense this past spring, as I had used them for 4 caminos! Just ordered another low rider pair that are labeled X Ultra 2 GTX. This brand runs a little large on me, so I continue to buy my regular shoe size, unlike in tennis shoes where I order one size up. I also add a heel insert for preventative reasons On my first camino, a young French woman suggested the Salomon brand, and I have been very satisfied with them...best part is no blisters ever.

 

[happymarkos]

I walked the Camino del Norte in June 18.
Like everybody, I enjoyed my experience. Walking 20-30KM a day/ getting lost regularly/blasting the rain and complaining about the heat... but overall a fantastic experience.
Like many pilgrims,I started my walk as a personal meditative experience and switch to a more spiritual discovery of oneself .
The only shadow on my walk were only the fact I wore the wrong shoes.
I had blisters on the first day and lost 2 toes nails after my walk.
Reasons?:I started walking on road surfaces with a pair of leather Colorado/ hard soles / tight fit( bad idea); then switched to soft Sketchers with very soft soles.( also a bad idea)
Half way on the trail,I bought some gel insoles for the Colorado which improved the comfort but squeeze my feet a lot more.
Over the pain now and I am already planing my next Camino Primitivo.
I noticed that a lot of pilgrims were wearing Salomon shoes so i decided to give them a go... but which one?
Low hiker:
-Salomon XA PRO 3D
-Salomon XA PRO 3D GTX
-Salomon Radian GTX
or
Mid Hiker:
-Salomon HillrockGTX
All seems to offer a comfortable fit with a good sole grip.
I would be oversizing them as I learn that your feet to "feel" larger after hours of walk carrying 8Kg .
Thank you to the Salomon fans on the forum..
Buen Camino to all pilgrims

It all depends on what fits your feet and to some extent the time of the year?
buying a brand as such can be the wrong approach. I find the light weight Salomon shoes are OK and walked my first Camino in them. They leaked after a while. Tried the Salomon footwear with ankle support and they are too narrow.
Currently wearing a pair of Hanwag low cut hiking shoes which are sturdy, light and better made than my current Salomon x-ultra. Hanwag can be completely re soled.
Keep looking,
Buen Camino
happymark

 

[Suzanne S.]

Well, I love my Salomon mid-hikers so much that, after my 2015 Camino Frances from SJPP to Finisterre, I bought another identical pair which I will use on my 2019 CDN. (I used Brooks trail runners last year on the Portuguese and was unhappy some of the time). That said, I agree with every comment that preceded mine: Your feet have to be happy. Try shoes that fit your feet. Train in them, assess fit/socks/tape/lotions, then decide. Buen Camino!!!

 

[KinkyOne]

Choosing hiking boots/shoes is so very individual that I don't post in such threads at all but since I'm sworn Salomon user I felt I had to now

I had and walked in both low and mid cut. Low cut I even ware everyday when I have something to do out of the house. For me (my soles and feet) they are perfect. Also they are of great quality, both seams and durability of soles. Both have approx.1000km+ behind them and they are still ready to go.

I would recommend them but you have to try for yourself.

 

[Rover]

I walked the Camino del Norte in June 18.
Like everybody, I enjoyed my experience. Walking 20-30KM a day/ getting lost regularly/blasting the rain and complaining about the heat... but overall a fantastic experience.
Like many pilgrims,I started my walk as a personal meditative experience and switch to a more spiritual discovery of oneself .
The only shadow on my walk were only the fact I wore the wrong shoes.
I had blisters on the first day and lost 2 toes nails after my walk.
Reasons?:I started walking on road surfaces with a pair of leather Colorado/ hard soles / tight fit( bad idea); then switched to soft Sketchers with very soft soles.( also a bad idea)
Half way on the trail,I bought some gel insoles for the Colorado which improved the comfort but squeeze my feet a lot more.
Over the pain now and I am already planing my next Camino Primitivo.
I noticed that a lot of pilgrims were wearing Salomon shoes so i decided to give them a go... but which one?
Low hiker:
-Salomon XA PRO 3D
-Salomon XA PRO 3D GTX
-Salomon Radian GTX
or
Mid Hiker:
-Salomon HillrockGTX
All seems to offer a comfortable fit with a good sole grip.
I would be oversizing them as I learn that your feet to "feel" larger after hours of walk carrying 8Kg .
Thank you to the Salomon fans on the forum..
Buen Camino to all pilgrims

Roger, I took my Solomon Midtops on the Camino Francis and they performed perfectly. They provided solid but flexible support in all conditions and topography including rainy/colder climes. I did not have the customary blister issues that many pilgrims were dogged with . . . may have been the luck of the draw, great boots or preventative measures I took. Hope this helps. Rover

 

[Introibo]

The latest version of the Speedcross has a wide fit option. This could work well if
you've found Salomons to be a little narrow.

 

[Jože HOJAN]

It all depends on what fits your feet and to some extent the time of the year?
buying a brand as such can be the wrong approach. I find the light weight Salomon shoes are OK and walked my first Camino in them. They leaked after a while. Tried the Salomon footwear with ankle support and they are too narrow.
Currently wearing a pair of Hanwag low cut hiking shoes which are sturdy, light and better made than my current Salomon x-ultra. Hanwag can be completely re soled.
Keep looking,
Buen Camino
happymark

Hello,

First of all, sorry for my bad english.

Me and my Aunt were both with Salomon XA PRO 3D shoes on the way.
Wery good decision.
I had only two small blisters, and my Aunt come thru the Camino France without blisters.
They are soft and also dry wery quick after rain. We both buy bigger sizes as usualy. I buy 43 2/3 instead 42, and my Aunt 40 instead of 38.
GTX is not good because it does not breathe. We both also weare socks SMARTWOOL.


buen camino

 

[C clearly]

All seems to offer a comfortable fit

Are they all equally comfortable? Salomon is a good brand but there are many good brands. What matters most is what your feet think. Examine the comfort very critically, perhaps wearing a size smaller than you will ultimately buy, so you can really test out the design of the shoe for your foot. - are there any spots or pressure points at all that you notice? Seams hitting the wrong spot? If you can, wear them for a brisk walk around an indoor shopping mall, perhaps with different shoes and/or different sock combinations. Pick the best one. Then go a size bigger to see if it is do-able. Then try a size bigger. Stop and go back when it gets "too" big. The size differences are really quite small.

 

[Roger Fleury]

Thank you for all info's and tips .
These posts will help me how to choose my next pair of shoes.
I learnt the hard way that the wrong shoes can encumber your Camino experience
When in the shop, I will be spending a lot more time in trying and "testing " . Until now I would just try/pick and go in 5 mn.

 

[twh]

Most Important - The Fit (your foot is different than mine and everybody else's on this forum)
Less important - The Brand or Model

I used Salomon Quest 4D3 GTX for 90% of my 500 mile Camino and XA Pro 3D GTX for 10%.
I had one blister on my trip.

I wore the boots because they were more comfortable on the bottom of my feet. I had a very heavy pack and plantar fasciitis so the boots were much more comfortable than the trail runners. I loved the boots.

I met a guy on the trail hiking up to El Perdon. He had the exact same boots and loved them for alpine trekking and HATED them for the Camino because they were too hot and sweaty. His feet were in terrible condition requiring two hospital visits during the whole camino. He had a heavy pack and was walking 40 km/day. He got rid of the boots part way thru. Replaced with something new, tried unsuccessfully to break them in with raw damaged feet and wished for the old boots back. His strategy to do 25 mile days every day backfired.

There was a lot of rain on my Camino 5/13/18 to 6/18/18. My feet were damp with sweat everyday regardless of air temperatures and falling rain but not damp/wet enough to cause my feet problems.

Look up Davebugg, a member of this community. He is the authority with tons of information on foot wear and foot care. I'm intrigued by a brand he likes and may try them in the future. Hoka - one one Bondi 5 or 6.

Good luck with your search, try to ignore the outer package (the looks) and pay close attention to the fit. Bring the socks you will hike in when fitting the shoes. Find Davebugg.

 

[Sixwheeler]

I have loved Salomon in the past but they were always made on a fairly narrow last. Now my feet have just got too wide for them at all. I do urge you to check with as well as length when buying, go to a reputable outdoors supplier that stocks a good range of makers. Take your own socks and allow plenty of time. And finally, make sure that the salesperson is trained in footwear fitting and not just bu6one manufacturer. Good Luck.

 

[KinkyOne]

I have loved Salomon in the past but they were always made on a fairly narrow last. Now my feet have just got too wide for them at all. I do urge you to check with as well as length when buying, go to a reputable outdoors supplier that stocks a good range of makers. Take your own socks and allow plenty of time. And finally, make sure that the salesperson is trained in footwear fitting and not just bu6one manufacturer. Good Luck.

And always go buying hiking shoes/boots at the days end when your feet are a bit swelled! Because that's exactly what will happen on the Camino after day by day walking with a backpack. Or at least try them on with double socks.

 

[Pieces]

I have worn the speedcross on my 2 previous caminos (a pair only lasts for one) and then, obviously, bought a new pair for this years. But they have made a new model and after 2000 km in my old shoes with no blisters this new model gave me 2 after only 4 km. They were small though (or could have been had I tended to them properly) so I will still bring my speedcross also because the soles are really soft but next time I may try something new...

 

[Roger Fleury]

Most Important - The Fit (your foot is different than mine and everybody else's on this forum)
Less important - The Brand or Model

I used Salomon Quest 4D3 GTX for 90% of my 500 mile Camino and XA Pro 3D GTX for 10%.
I had one blister on my trip.

I wore the boots because they were more comfortable on the bottom of my feet. I had a very heavy pack and plantar fasciitis so the boots were much more comfortable than the trail runners. I loved the boots.

I met a guy on the trail hiking up to El Perdon. He had the exact same boots and loved them for alpine trekking and HATED them for the Camino because they were too hot and sweaty. His feet were in terrible condition requiring two hospital visits during the whole camino. He had a heavy pack and was walking 40 km/day. He got rid of the boots part way thru. Replaced with something new, tried unsuccessfully to break them in with raw damaged feet and wished for the old boots back. His strategy to do 25 mile days every day backfired.

There was a lot of rain on my Camino 5/13/18 to 6/18/18. My feet were damp with sweat everyday regardless of air temperatures and falling rain but not damp/wet enough to cause my feet problems.

Look up Davebugg, a member of this community. He is the authority with tons of information on foot wear and foot care. I'm intrigued by a brand he likes and may try them in the future. Hoka - one one Bondi 5 or 6.

Good luck with your search, try to ignore the outer package (the looks) and pay close attention to the fit. Bring the socks you will hike in when fitting the shoes. Find Davebugg.

Will look up Davebugg.. Thank you for your advice.

 

[Roger Fleury]

And always go buying hiking shoes/boots at the days end when your feet are a bit swelled! Because that's exactly what will happen on the Camino after day by day walking with a backpack. Or at least try them on with double socks.

Good advice , thank you.

 

[Roger Fleury]

I have worn the speedcross on my 2 previous caminos (a pair only lasts for one) and then, obviously, bought a new pair for this years. But they have made a new model and after 2000 km in my old shoes with no blisters this new model gave me 2 after only 4 km. They were small though (or could have been had I tended to them properly) so I will still bring my speedcross also because the soles are really soft but next time I may try something new...

The problem I had was due to the leather shoes being to narrow and they had a thick hard sole. Lots of asphalte on the Camino del Norte.I will be looking for a wider fit, flexible and soft soles with some grip.
Thank you for your answer.