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View Full Version : Salomon XA's (review with pics)



F-Trooper05
06-18-2011, 12:51 AM
I've been looking for a new pair of running shoes for a while, and on Monday I picked up a pair of Salomon XA's ("XA Pro 3D Ultra II" to be precise). I got them based largely on Kyle Defoor's recommendation from his blog. I've been running at least 3 miles a day in them all week, and they've been awesome so far. So I wanted to see how they would hold up during an Alaska day hike. Long story short, they were outstanding.

The pair I got are the low-top, non-Gortex model. If I was looking for a pair of dedicated hikers, I would probably opt for the hi-top, Gortex ones, because my feet did get a little wet on the way up, and I would have had a little more peace of mind had I had a little more ankle support. Nevertheless, they were insanely comfortable and had an incredible amount of grip when walking on loose rocks and uneven trails.

I was hiking at a place called Angel Rock, which is about 50 miles east of Fairbanks, Alaska. The trail is about an 8.5 mile loop, with the highest peak being 1,750 ft.

If anyone is looking for a new pair of running/every day shoes, I would highly recommend these:


http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k40/millert12005/DSCN0240.jpg


A sample of the terrain:

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k40/millert12005/DSCN0217.jpg

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k40/millert12005/DSCN0252.jpg

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k40/millert12005/DSCN0235.jpg


A cave near the peak:

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k40/millert12005/DSCN0234.jpg

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k40/millert12005/DSCN0206.jpg

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k40/millert12005/DSCN0221.jpg


The greatest day-pack ever invented:

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k40/millert12005/DSCN0248-1.jpg


Lunch:

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k40/millert12005/DSCN0244.jpg


Hippie repellent:

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k40/millert12005/DSCN0218.jpg

WDW
06-18-2011, 03:08 AM
Very Cool:cool: I've only been to Alaska once, and it was by accident. My plane had to make an emergency landing there, very beautiful place though. Nice review on the shoes. They look like some great trail shoes.

JM Campbell
06-18-2011, 05:25 AM
Great review, been looking for a new set of rubber. Going to have to try these out.

One question, I'm in 104F heat and they look breathable....are they?

SLG
06-18-2011, 09:50 AM
Been using these shoes for years. Best runners/ruckers I've ever used. Not for heel strikers though.

Kyle Reese
06-18-2011, 10:02 AM
Thank you for the excellent review and pictures! I'm actually going shoe shopping today and will give these serious consideration.

John Ralston
06-18-2011, 12:56 PM
Been using these shoes for years. Best runners/ruckers I've ever used. Not for heel strikers though.

What's a heel striker?

JM Campbell
06-18-2011, 03:20 PM
What's a heel striker?


Heel contacts ground first I presume? Like drags?

DonovanM
06-18-2011, 03:55 PM
Heel contacts ground first I presume? Like drags?

Yeah, someone who runs that way. It's less efficient, but pretty much everyone starts out running that way until they naturally assume a different form.

F-Trooper05
06-18-2011, 04:48 PM
What's a heel striker?

http://www.kyledefoor.com/2009/10/running-back-to-basics.html

Chuck Haggard
06-19-2011, 06:31 PM
I assume these shoes are made for folks who run with a ball of the foot strike?

John Ralston
06-19-2011, 08:04 PM
http://www.kyledefoor.com/2009/10/running-back-to-basics.html

Got it - thanks for the link. Luckily I have a car and leave the running to the kids.

t1tan
01-28-2012, 02:02 AM
Without making a new thread I figured I'd ask here.

Zappos has the XA's on sale and I want a new pair of running shoes and I'm split between the regular and the mids. Anybody have any reason to go with one over the other? Preference leads me towards the regular, but I'd like to do more offroad running given the chance and thought the mids may be beneficial. In warmer temperatures I usually run 3-5 miles outside, mostly road. Generally in winter time, snow and ice keeps me indoors on a treadmill with Sauconys, but given the tread on the Salomons outdoors may be an option.

Also it seems the consensus on the GTX models are genially too hot, given my indoor/outdoor year round use would it be wise to avoid GTX?

F-Trooper05
01-28-2012, 02:13 AM
Without making a new thread I figured I'd ask here.

Zappos has the XA's on sale and I want a new pair of running shoes and I'm split between the regular and the mids. Anybody have any reason to go with one over the other? Preference leads me towards the regular, but I'd like to do more offroad running given the chance and thought the mids may be beneficial. In warmer temperatures I usually run 3-5 miles outside, mostly road. Generally in winter time, snow and ice keeps me indoors on a treadmill with Sauconys, but given the tread on the Salomons outdoors may be an option.

Also it seems the consensus on the GTX models are genially too hot, given my indoor/outdoor year round use would it be wise to avoid GTX?

I have the low top GTX as well, and I don't like them nearly as much as the non GTX. Way too hot, and for some reason they aren't as comfortable (for me). I only wear them because it's the only way I can run here in the winter, but if I was anywhere else other than Alaska I would only wear the non GTX. As for wearing hi-tops for PT, all I can say is no thanks (and I do trail running almost exclusively). YMMV.

t1tan
01-28-2012, 02:38 PM
I have the low top GTX as well, and I don't like them nearly as much as the non GTX. Way too hot, and for some reason they aren't as comfortable (for me). I only wear them because it's the only way I can run here in the winter, but if I was anywhere else other than Alaska I would only wear the non GTX. As for wearing hi-tops for PT, all I can say is no thanks (and I do trail running almost exclusively). YMMV.

Thanks, ordered the non-GTX regulars.

Are they quick to break in? I have a physical test coming up soon and I know it's going to be on an ice covered track like the one I took last month and keeping pace almost killed me to make the time requirements with the amount I was slipping with my Sauconys.

F-Trooper05
01-28-2012, 02:46 PM
No break-in at all really. Awesome shoes. Have you thought about ordering a pair of Yaktrax (http://www.google.com/products/catalog?client=safari&rls=en&q=yaktrax&oe=UTF-8&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=5350314285070259854&sa=X&ei=eU8kT7P2NamRiALN-IjqBw&ved=0CJMBEPMCMAc#ps-sellers) or Microspikes (http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=microspikes&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=14498670181626281532&sa=X&ei=RFAkT4DhIsHWiAL2_bTEBw&ved=0CHUQ8wIwAQ#ps-sellers) for your PFT?

t1tan
01-28-2012, 02:50 PM
oooooooo I had not, but I will now. Thanks

Any preference of one over the other?

F-Trooper05
01-28-2012, 02:59 PM
Yaktrax don't hold up very well, but they're a lot lighter and less noticeable when running. Microspikes will last forever, but they're sort of heavy and clunky, and if your going to be transitioning from ice to pavement several times during the course of your run they might slow you down. If you only plan on using them once a month and you're not on a real nasty trail, I'd opt for the Yaktrax.

SLG
01-28-2012, 04:08 PM
FWIW, I have been running on ice and snow for the last two months in my xa pros. No issue. Nonetheless, I recenntly started experimenting with some cross country spikes. They cost $10, and had free shipping. Very light, very little padding, lowest cost runners I've ever used. Seem to work pretty well for a dedicated POSE runner. http://www.firsttothefinish.com/items.asp?Cc=fw_foot_CC&Sort=2

They will never replace my XA's, but they seem to have a place as well.