Salomon Glide Max TR 3rd pair- 200 miles - Distance on buffed out nontechnical trail.
Salomon Thundercross 2nd pair - 50 miles - Winter with screws
Salomon Genesis 2nd pair - 180 miles - Do anything shoe at casual pace
Merrell Agility Peak 5 - 112 miles - Technical trail, foot protection, but untrustworthy at speed.
Salomon Genesis S/Lab - 354 miles - Do anything at speed, nearing end of life. Replacement pair waiting in the closet.
Hoka Clifton 9 - 304 miles - Pavement
Yea. Bought the thundercross thinking they would be a similar fit with a broader range of use case scenarios, and within 3 months was back to my Speedcross
You love them, but I guess you haven't try them before right? The Salomon is a especific terrain tool (muddy terrain), the Merrell will mach way better as a do it all shoe.
If you like the Salomon fit have a look at the genesis or maybe thundercross if you are not running very long and in somehow muddish terrain.
Salmon contragrip is above average. 4mm lugs. My only complaint about the shoe is it doesn’t breathe well and can be warm, but for cooler seasons it’s great.
I'm impressed they lasted that long. XT6's now are for fashion. I had a pair 3 years ago and the tips started tearing after 80 miles. I complained to Salomon. They sent me a credit for new shoes, but said that these shoes are their sports style line and not made for hiking/running. I used the credit on a pair of Thundercross and haven't looked back.
As far as your shoes go if the midsole foam is good and you aren't slipping because of the lugs being worn down. Keep wearing them. If your legs are hurting more than they should after long hikes it probably means the foam is toast and it's time for a new pair
Salomon Thundercross. Same outsole as the Speed, but with waaay more midsole foam. They make a GTX version if you want that, I just wear warmer socks and embrace the wet.
Have you tried the Akasha 2? I personally prefer it over the Bushido. I prefer the extra cushion a bit more, but they are a little heavier. My go-to for the Cascades.
XT 6"s were great for trail running a decade ago when they came out. Salomon moved them to their Sports Style line which is fashion. The materials aren't made for trail running anymore and will get destroyed quickly. Ask me how I know.
I used a pair for hiking and they developed holes in less than 199 miles. I filed a warranty complaint with Salomon. They gave me a credit, but in the email specifically said that their intended purpose is for daily wear and fashion. Not running or hiking. And suggested different models that were made for their intended purpose.
If you have enough shoes you aren't wearing them that much. That's fashion in general. Half of Gorpcore is stuff that wouldn't work for shit in the outdoors, but looks cool. The other half does and was picked up by trendy folks.
Oh their actual trail shoes are awesome. The ultra glide 4 is in my top 5 of all time best trail shoes ever. I use the Thundercross as my hiking shoe.
I think a big part is just being an informed consumer. It's partially why I respond here on Reddit. I want people to be happy with what they get and don't think a brand is crap because they bought an inappropriate shoe for what they need.
I think what hurt them the most is when they got sold, same with their sister brand arteryx, the larger corporation that controls them wants to make more money, so like you said cheaper materials higher prices. Big corporations doing what they do.
So I think it goes back to knowing what is good vs what is crap, but also getting what you need. Kinda the right tool for the job situation.
AniviaPls
