Salomon Boots- Non GTX

[Nuts]

I was browsing for a new pair of lightweight boots, the salewa runners* were really nice but one pair came apart quickly, I suspect our mud! the others are in the FS basket.

Salomon Mids? Can't imagine they'd last long v leather boots but some here seem to like them... they do look comfortable, and reasonably light. Eventually found models made for US pongos, no gore, mesh and breathable.


Anyhow.. in browsing I seem to have attracted this pesky advertising pop-up:
http://www.us-elitegear.com/brands/salo ... vQodKCQAjQ


* viewtopic.php?f=15&t=8312&hilit=salewa

[JohnStrider]

I know the title of the thread said non-GTX, but if we are referring just to the Salomon brand I think they're pretty good. I have a pair of the Quest 4Ds and while they look big and clunky, they are almost like a pair of runners they are that lightweight. I know a few others who have had a pair of no-GTX's and they really like them too.

Try Activ Instinct as well, Nuts.

[photohiker]

If they fit your foot, Salomon are hard to go past.

Try some Salomon X-Ultra Mids if you can stomach goretex.

Also, the Synapse range comes goretex free, available as shoes and mids.

I tried their more traditional boots (Comet) and found them stiff and hard underfoot compared to the above.

[Nuts]

I really don't mind goretex (often cool weather walking), it just doesn't last long (anyway) so end up with a heavy damp boot never drying. Thanks for the link John, I was looking at this X Tracks model mainly because they were cheaper than the X-Ultras and looked kinda slick, all the stitching breaks have been a fail on other boots. It sounded like these were generally similar life span wize
They (Salomon) must have new styles each year, so many models kickin around.
Synapse Mid

[photohiker]

They (Salomon) must have new styles each year, so many models kickin around.
Synapse Mid

My review of the Synapse Mid and Synapse Mid WP here: viewtopic.php?f=15&t=11227&p=171193

Not new, but they routinely move the colours around. I picked up a nice pair of the low Synapse shoes OS in Grey/Black/Red. Haven't seen that or most of the other colours available OS here.

[wayno]

I find salomons can be hit and miss, I've had some with synthetic seuide leather uppers and it just fell apart, lightweight mid boots. older model
but some of their later designs I've had less trouble with... generally last well but I end up with gore tex usually they are the only ones I've found that have the tread depth I need for mud... they are lighteweight boots so not the most robust around butcosmic, good hard rubber that is lasting well and plenty in contact with the ground... x ultras good tread depth but soft rubber that doesn't last on hard ground and rock..

[Nuts]

hmmm Cosmic look sturdy but approaching the weight of leather (though they may not be such heavy sods when wet). Also approaching the price.

I'm gathering that the runner style /soft sole will be a lot like some merells mids I tried, very comfortable but 3/4 weeks with 20+kg and they were like slippers with squashed midsole. It's a trade off, leather boots scarpa/zamberlan etc can handle 20/30 weeks of that on tracks, runners seem to go quickly squishy or just fall apart (especially when constantly damp).

Good review ph, it sounds like you are generally traveling very lightly.

[Nuts]

You are right about the hit and miss Wayno. Went with the cheaper X Tracks mentioned. I'd recommend at least full size larger. Mine are US 12 to = AU 10.5, even then they don't have much of a inner sole, adding something useful could work better with US 12.5.

[slparker]

You are right about the hit and miss Wayno. Went with the cheaper X Tracks mentioned. I'd recommend at least full size larger. Mine are US 12 to = AU 10.5, even then they don't have much of a inner sole, adding something useful could work better with US 12.5.

I've had a few salomon shoe and boots and always get 1/2 a size larger. I'm currently using the salomon synapse mids - took them up Ben Lomond (Tas) on monday and tuesday and surprised how good they were for a very lightweight pair of boots.

[JohnStrider]

You are right about the hit and miss Wayno. Went with the cheaper X Tracks mentioned. I'd recommend at least full size larger. Mine are US 12 to = AU 10.5, even then they don't have much of a inner sole, adding something useful could work better with US 12.5.

I've had a few salomon shoe and boots and always get 1/2 a size larger. I'm currently using the salomon synapse mids - took them up Ben Lomond (Tas) on monday and tuesday and surprised how good they were for a very lightweight pair of boots.

Did the same with mine. I wear a US 11 usually so I got a 11.5 for my hiking boot. I also saved $125 in the process by buying online rather than in-store in Australia.

[slparker]

You are right about the hit and miss Wayno. Went with the cheaper X Tracks mentioned. I'd recommend at least full size larger. Mine are US 12 to = AU 10.5, even then they don't have much of a inner sole, adding something useful could work better with US 12.5.

I've had a few salomon shoe and boots and always get 1/2 a size larger. I'm currently using the salomon synapse mids - took them up Ben Lomond (Tas) on monday and tuesday and surprised how good they were for a very lightweight pair of boots.

Did the same with mine. I wear a US 11 usually so I got a 11.5 for my hiking boot. I also saved $125 in the process by buying online rather than in-store in Australia.

I got mine for $US80 on amazon last year - worked out to be around $AUD100.... should have bought 2 pair. I'm quite amazed at how robust they are, the dolerite rockhopping on BL deeply scored a pair of leather boots when i was up there some years ago... the synapses look barely scratched. They weigh less than my runners!

[Nuts]

That is cheap. The Xtracks were $130, i really didn't want to pay more, previous runners have had a short life.
I do have some Salomon mesh shoes size 12. It may be just this model (Xtracks) but 11.5 would have been a very tight squeeze.

[slparker]

Are those x- tracks non- goretex?

[JohnStrider]

Just to clarify mine were Quest 4Ds. They are GoreTex.

[Nuts]

Are those x- tracks non- goretex?

They are non-goretex. I think they have the liner michael mentioned, extra stinky!
By all reports, while the boots are great, the liner leaks, going on the typical amazon reviewer it must happen sooner than gore. Maybe i'll rip it out, they seem like they will be a warm boot even without the liner.

[Nuts]

Report 1
Use= 6 days on a dry ( ) track

In short, I like them, the footbed is sturdy and solid through the sole and shank and holds well into the lower boot. I expect this may hold the general shape much better than some (Merrell mids come to mind). The soft rubber gives as good grip as various vibram soles from modern boots, no dramas there (although they already have a few cuts and divets). I like the lacing system, quick and never a loose lace (I suspect why they seem oddly popular on motorbike blogs).

Some downside:
1. They reek!! The boots have their own smell, though mixed with the usual foot odour the result really is something else.
2. The lace sheath broke on day two:

3. The lacing may not hold tight enough (in the right places) for some people, iv'e seen this mentioned. Good enough for me though I did roll an ankle at one stage.
4. Admittedly a test to destruction given the weight, the soft rubber grips well and in the midsole is very well cushioned (ie. they feel cushioned from the first steps). Unfortunately too soft for a heavier load and the 'fade to slipper' has started already with a crushing of the midsole rubber (note wrinkles):

None of the glued sections have peeled away yet (Salewa style) but then it was a dry week.

[photohiker]

2. The lace sheath broke on day two:

You can get replacements, standard laces don't fit!
If you bought them locally, after 6 days I'd expect warranty would be honoured. I have had that problem, but only after extensive use, what were you doing?

The inner white strands (kevlar, I think) are the strength of the lace, the sheath will turn into a small drama after a while because it clogs up the speedlace device.

I have had stinky salomons, but only when they are non-goretex and waterproof. I think there is just not enough ventilation. My non-waterproof, and my goretex Salomons have not sufferred from stink.

[horsecat]

Was curios about the stinky issue so just shoved my nose in my Salomon XA Pro 3D (I think) runners. No stink at all, so I assume it is a ventilation issue as mine are non-waterproof. One thing I noticed is their soles have worn down really quick though (even faster than Vibram). I like the lacing system and haven't had any issues with them breaking in the four or so months I've had them - not sure how they would be on boots when giving them a yank to tighten them though but will go for that lacing system on my runners in the future

[Nuts]

It might be the Ortholite insole or the proprietary WP liner. The smell is more a mix of their own chemical /with added foot odour. Extraordinary, much like strong Parmesan (which I like but..)

The lace broke first at the metal eyelet, maybe just pulled too tightly or something, might have to just find a source of thin kevlar cord rather than buying a lace kit regularly, then maybe it was a 'one-off'. Bought from 'active instinct' so warranty possible I guess.

I'm interested to see how they hold up to mud, the real test. A few months (in use) would be good enough. It's also a bit of a test, the cheapest model first, some of the others sound like they'd avoid the smell problem.

[photohiker]

What size are you, I have some stinkies I can let you have for a song!

The other thing I found with the stinkies was that my socks (apart from also stinking) dried stiff. I took to rinsing them each day and using the spare pair.

[slparker]

I've had the laces on my running shoes last for years but I always carry a spare lacing kit when I walk in salomons..... just in case. You can get them tight enough by tugging on the lower (toe) end of the laces to tension over the toes, then pulling the speedlace tab on the upper.
The ortholite innersoles are terrible IMHO. When wet they absorb water like a sponge and then bunch up underfoot.

[Nuts]

I'm wondering why we can't just use (say) 2mm kevlar paracord, the cigar shaped top tab just slides aside. The cord is spliced though i'm not sure that matters.(again, lace blow-outs sound likely another of my own unique concerns here.. lol)