Salomon
XA PRO 3D V9 GORE-TEX

Salomon
Salomon

Salomon

Salomon XA Pro WIDE. The best ever. love them 7 pair later. Shoes are totally subjective but I’m a big guy with big wide feet and I love them
what's your pick at the moment? I had v9 gtx Salomon's and will change to Norma 001 (gtx again probably)
The last year it was Salomon XA v9s and this next year it will be norda run 001s
The downside of trail runners to me (Solomans) was I would sometimes get foot bruises on sharp rocky ground. I switched to hiking shoes (Merrell's) and I feel it's a better compromise between trail runners and boots. Pretty light and more comfortable.
My Solomans had a rock plate (thank you for pointing out my omission), but I feel a big difference with my Murrell Moab's. To each there own, I know trail runners are the favorite, the Moab works better for me (I have dainty feet, I guess).
Both Asics gortex and Salomon gortex Ive found to be the best I've used. I get probably 2-3000km out of them? Say 8km a day of sandstone gravel fire trails and rocky escarpments for a year. I would get 12-18 months out of them. Sometimes I just wear out heel rubber and foam is still good so I build it back up using Sikaflex or something to go another 6 month lol
The only time I have ever switched out of my Salmon XA Pro 3d trail runners was the last day to summit Kilimanjaro. I switched to some mid ankle hiking boots. If I had to do it again, I would keep the trail runners on.
I'm a trail runner turned full time hiker. The past 10+ years I've been partial to Solomon Speedcrosses, XA Pros and La Sportiva Bushidos. The terrain in Arizona tears up shoes and I can get about 4-500 miles a pair. Once I've found a pair that I like, I pay attention to close out deals and can often find $140 shoes for $80-$90. Especially if they are an ugly color. Then I'll stock up and buy 2-3 pair to last me the next year.
The Salomon XA Pro 3D V9 GTX are my personal favourites
What do you want to do? I love my Solomon trail runners but if I'm sliding down shale I'll take the Keens all day long. Both are good brands in my experience.
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