SALOMON XA PRO 3D GTX FORCES REVIEW
From the Salomon website they states that this “shoe is an adventure shoe you can rely on” and that got my attention since I am always going on adventures. Earlier in the day I was hiking in Laguna Beach and now here at Crystal Cove to check out the Tide Pools. While I’m here I will snap some pictures of the shoes since I have been wearing them for about a year and got some miles on them.
Quick Specs:
Weight: 15.67 oz. per shoe
Low-cut profile
Single-layer mesh and nylon upper
Non-marking Contagrip rubber outsole and nonreflective
Compressed and injected dual-density EVA foam midsole
OrthoLite EVA foam insole
Anti-debris mesh with Mud Guard protection
Seam-sealed GORE-TEX membrane for a Waterproof bootie
Gusseted tongue
Quicklace lacing system with Sensifit with Lace Pocket
Heel foam for shock absorption
Removable OrthoLite insole with EVA foam
Protective rubber toe caps with Soft Toe
Salomon XA Pro 3D GTX Forces goes for around $169.95.
The thread of the Salomon is pretty good but not perfect. It will not be a one shoe for them all but it just about does everything I need it for. I have walked on Ice, Mud, Rocks(jagged and smooth), Sand, Tree Bark, Tile and much more. Nice and grippy and no squeaks on tile which is good. The one thing this show does not work and most of my other hiking boots fail on is slick river rocks that are wet or underwater. This is because of algae making the rock surface slippery and prone to slipping. I just walk around the rocks or walk on the river bed bottom and I’m fine. Just have to let you know what I found. But these shoes grip onto all the other surfaces I have covered and come across and I like the comfort of knowing I have secure footing while on the trail.
The laces are not like a regular shoe and more like a snowboarder boot and lashing. Pull the center tab to tighten the laces and then tuck in the extra cordage into the top of the tongue. No more laces coming undone while on the go. I have never had them loose in all the days, weeks, months and miles using these shoes.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
I like the light weight shoe and I don’t feel weighted down by them.
Easy to put on and sturdy heel straps.
Cool design and not too flashy.
Quiet on tile floors; wet or dry.
The list can go on and I would wear them every day it seems.
Cons:
Hard to clean and get back to the original black color.
The lace locking unit has drifted to the side on one shoe: causing slack on one side and short cord on the other.
Hard to slip off at the end of the day with other foot.
Overall
The Salomon XA Pro 3D GTX Forces shoes that I have been using for the last couple months work great for me. I will keep you posted on my future blogs and note the footwear in case you are concerned about the longevity.
Written by Brian Holt
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