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45 of 47 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
The shoe is great. Running however? Running is for CRAZY people., October 4, 2009
This review is from: Salomon Men's XA Pro 3D Ultra Trail Running (Apparel)
I recently decided I'd take up running.
I keep looking back over that sentence in disbelief. See, for most of my life I'd regarded runners and the things they did to themselves with the same incredulous nature as I'd previously reserved for German adult film actors. Yet here I am. A runner. One of those people you see running in 40 degree weather and light snow. Yeah. Four years ago, had you told me this is what I'd be doing, I'd have laughed. Actually I'd have sputtered half a laugh before breaking down into a throaty smoker's hack, face turning red and tears welling around the edges of my eyes. The type of fit that would leave you uncertain as to if you should pat me reassuringly on the back or pick up a phone and dial "9-1" and just ... wait.
Anyway, here I am, a runner. Honestly, I lucked into buying these shoes. Reason I bought them? Thought they looked cool, and they weren't too cheap. See I figured I'd have a rough time getting into running. Why? BECAUSE IT'S FREAKING RUNNING. It's hell on your joints and about as fun as a kidney stone. So I thought the only way to force myself to give it a solid shot would be to buy somewhat not-cheap shoes so I wouldn't want the money to go to waste.
Lucky for me, my running friends tell me I made a good choice. I mean, as far as I can tell, I love them. Extremely comfy, rugged, but at the same time nice and light. One of my friends who was remarking at how sturdy the shoe looked was extremely surprised at its lightweight nature when she picked it up.
Oh! And it has this really nifty Kevlar lacing system. You just jam your foot in there, yank on the little tab thingie attached to the laces and the entire shoe just SUCKS itself onto your foot. Creepy, man. I have to admit I still haven't mastered using the little button release system to undo the laces. I mean I still manage to get the shoes off with no problem, yeah, but. Sometimes I do so a little awkwardly. I'd like to be a little smoother at it, just in case some hottie walks by while I'm doing so. So I can be all "Yeah baby, I know my way around some shoes." And throw down some serious fingergun/wink action. Gets the ladies every time.
I generally use the shoes on rocky trails just outside of town, but I've also done a bit of running around my neighborhood on pavement and sidewalks and such. Seemed pleasing for either environment. Oh and they seem to dry really quickly after stomping through puddles while yelling "SPLASH!" Probably without the yelling too, but I sure wouldn't know.
The only reason I'm giving this shoe 4 stars instead of 5 is that I, uh. I feel kind of presumptuous as a running newb giving anything 5 stars. That seems like just asking for terrible karma. Like, next thing you know I'd totally blow my knee out the next time I went out running. Yeah. And then I'd have to stay home playing Xbox instead of torturing myself out on the trails.
This. This clearly requires more thought.
Anyway. Nice shoes.
UPDATE: I just took said shoes out for a mud-running excursion in the middle of a heavy rainstorm. Holy CRAP. These things are awesome! There were several times where I thought I was going to slip and eat it in some fairly hardcore areas, but each time the shoe's traction totally saved my butt. I only had enough time to partially hurl an expletive like "HOLY G-" or "MOTHERD-" or "SAMMY HAG-" before the tread dug in and I was fine. Man. These things rule. If I ever have a kid, I'm naming it Salomon, no matter what the gender.
Okay, as you were.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
No more perfect shoe has ever been realized, January 31, 2011
This review is from: Salomon Men's XA Pro 3D Ultra Trail Running (Apparel)
I've burnt through nikes, reeboks, new balance, etc. All priced about the same: 75 bucks on average. In my mind: expensive. This one, is a bit expensive-er. Yet worth every penny. Why?
Well...it lasts 5x longer. Lasting 5x longer brings the cost of your shoewear down to roughly 1/3 the average. One would say, ok but does that mean all other shoe-related factors remain the same? No!
Style: 10. Look at it: it's awesome.
Lacing: 10. Nothing compares to the ease with which you can slide into this shoe. nothing. Velcro ain't got nothing on the pullcord lacing.
Weight: 10: compared to other shoes it's a featherweight! Salomon's XA pro weighs less than 1/2 normal shoes. How do they do it? Magic! Technology. Both! And yet, the fit is resilient and not flimsy whatsoever- this shoe is great for trail running or hiking even in colorado, where you need a consisten sure-step on uneven, sliding rocks.
Comfort: 10. I wear these every day to work. I'm a computer programmer living in Denver. I go hiking in them. I run across to the 16th st mall in rain, snow and ice.
Performance: 10. I hike up to red rocks in golden with them. They even went with me nearly 2mi above sea level to terrain that represented all of the aformentioned conditions on the same trail (4th of july trail@ nederland in fall), getting completely soaked through from tromping through 4 ft of icy, slushy snow without proper snowshoes, and then dried off within 1 hour as I continued to hike, never skipping a beat. These shoes. Are. Perfection.
Durability: 10. I went out and bought another pair on the off chance that the company solomon would do something stupid and discontinue something great, which is something companies do because young whipper snappers fresh out of business school think it's smart that a company change something that is already perfect. They ahve a rembrant in their possession and then they have to poop on it and call it a nike air jordan, a gaudy, tard-top moon boot of a shoe that keeps people from progressing in life, much to the chagrin of it's purpose and namesake. I digress.
The first pair i have been wearing for 3.5 yrs now, and it is still in good shape. The other one is newer and more stylish, so I keep it for special occasions. Like Wednesdays and Fridays and Saturdays.
written by : chris neglia.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Amazing Shoe, January 19, 2011
This review is from: Salomon Men's XA Pro 3D Ultra Trail Running (Apparel)
I just completed an over 600 mile track in Australia in these shoes going through dessert, swamp, beach, and road. Before that I wore a pair for 1000 miles of the Appalachian Trail. I am no slight man, 6'4", 200 lbs. carrying a 30 lbs. pack. These shoes were absolute champs, being more durable than most boots, lightweight, supportive, and best of all, very breathable, drying out in no time after full immersion. I will buy these shoes again and again. The only caveat I have is throw out the inserts and put in a good pair customized to your activity or needs.
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