Tell me about Salomons....any good?

I wont spend a fortune, so have stuck with Merrell and Columbia. Currently have Merrell Moab, Moab2, Moab Vent...... gotta say not a fan of Merrell. Wide toe box just a bit too wide, outsole not near as grippy as Columbias(have probably 5 different pairs) and the Merrells feel like they just dont provide enough side support....im talking all lows here, no mids...but I find the Columbias much more "stiff" and supportive.

Columbias are, well, cheap. They dont last. Like I said, love the design of the outsoles, but they fall apart.

I need something with an outsole as aggressive as the one on the left, Goretex, good arch.....I hear Salomons are good, opinions?

BTW, these are all rarely worn. These particular ones, though I love the outsole on the left, hurt my feet on first hike so they sit.

Those Columbia Beartooth’s on the left are some of the best hiking shoes that I’ve ever had. I loved everything about em’, especially the soles. They were very comfortable to me, whether I was on rock (and those soles were grippy on rock) or whether I was doing rim to river to rim in Grand Canyon. Loved em’. I wish they still made em’. My Moab Vent’s are a piece of crap...for what I do, they’re not a good performer at all. The soles are soft and they’re not tacky at all...plus they hurt my feet, especially on long treks.

I got the salamon ultra and are good. I can go on a 16 mile hike and my feet feel pretty good afterwards. Salamon seem to make there shoes a shade bigger than most. There not bad for trail running arches dont hurt like in other shoes.

Only downside with goretex in any shoe is your feet feel clammy after awhile, you can change your socks to help.

Those on the left are actually Granite Ridge. Great outsole, pos overall though. The Beartooths actually have an outsole almost like the middle shoe.

I dont wear goretex once the temps hit mid 60s or so, they do "trap" moisture and ill end up with blisters. So I usually hve multiple pair for different seasons goretex/no goretex.

I had a pair of Salomon trail shoes. I wore them as everyday work shoes, but never hiked in them. They are made well and lasted me about 8 months before the soles were worn out. I would purchase again if the need arose.

Heres a pair on Moosejaw I was looking at...

https://www.moosejaw.com/product/salomon-men-s-x-ultra-3-gtx-shoe_10366965

Heard good things about the Salomon's other than they are Chinese mfg I believe.

Other than out of the box comfort, the Merrills did not hold up well for me and were squishy on the trail.

I’ve got two pair of Beartooth’s presently. One has the all leather upper, and the other has combination suede and cloth upper...both pair have soles exactly like the shoe on the left in the picture.

Barefoot?

Or moccasins work for me



All humor aside, I'm following this thread for interest in what might work for days I can't get by with my two favorite options.

Hmm, thats odd. Maybe not so...its Columbia. They seem to throw stuff together quick and change styles every month. Ive never seen the Beartooths in that config.

I do have a pair of Salomon hikers and a pair of Salomon trailer runners. They’re OK, but neither suited me like the Beartooth’s. The Moab Vent’s have been a disappointment.

That’s the shoe I had.

Salomon is what I see most of the AT thru hikers wearing. 4-5 pairs from Georgia to Maine IIRC.

Run the same shoe you run everywhere else.

I think Solomon are headquartered in France, they should know a thing or two about running shoes.

They call them “retreat shoes”.

No. Im not fond of injury or buying standard running shoes every 3 months.

OK

I have right-foot soreness at times.

I walk/hike in my Zamberlan boots about 35 miles per week, and my feet feel fine.

I have these Salomon hiking shoes:
https://www.salomon.com/en-us/shop/product/x-ultra-3-gtxr.html#color=10098

I can’t walk long distances in them without my right foot feeling like it’s broken. It’s probably because of the thinness of the sole. I even put a good extra insole in them, but that doesn’t help for some reason.

As an aside, a couple of hears ago, I started mostly going on long, 5-mile, hikes/walks everyday for lower-body exercise. Up until then, I loved the Salomon hiking boots, but they all start squeaking once I put over 60-90 miles on them or so. And that drives me crazy. So, I’ve already bought my last Salomon.

Wow that sucks! I was going to order them. Really dont wanna go over that price point tho. I might order them anyhow and keep searching. Im done with Merrell, definitely no Columbias unless for just around camp. Appreciate the info.

Pahick, if I didn't have some unknown to me condition that gives me right-root soreness, those shoes likely would would be fine. I don't know if they will start squeaking for you or not. My Salomon hiking boots were, by far, my favorites until they all eventually started squeaking.

I bought Keen Targhee EXP and have enjoyed them immensely. We do a lot of flat ground walking and some crusty terrain hiking. I’ve had very good luck w these. Wore Merrill’s for years but they’ve been in a downward spiral quality wise for me. Check them out.

Check out the Altra lone peaks.

Someone on here told me about them. They get good reviews.

They are a flat shoe. I forget their marketing term.

Zero drop or something.

They do t have a wide model. But the standard width has a wide toe area.

I wear 12ee and the 12’s fit me fine.

Thanks ill look them up.

I looked at them a bit ago. Theres a guy that has a store in Westminster, MD just over the border from where im at. Come to find out my buddy who owns a sports shop runs and bikes with him. He has a video on the Lone Peaks. Im not sure theyre for me, they dont seem as rugged as others ive looked at, but im gonna talk to my buddy and then stop down at Runmoore. Thanks!

If your forefoot is narrow, the Altras aren't for you. Also, it takes a while to transition to zero drop, many people complain of achilles pain when doing so. Another thing with Altra's is that in my experience, they don't last very long. The Salomon's will likely work for you. You might also check out the Topo line of shoes.

https://www.topoathletic.com/

Another altra vote.

I wear these at work, hunting, hiking, and even jogging. I have to use inserts because they are a little flat for my feet. But I have them in a couple heights. I wore a pair on duty for 3 years.

I wore Salomons for a long time but have switched to the Altra Lone Peaks. That webbed foot toe box works for me as does the zero drop. The Stoneguard works better than any shoe on rocky trails and the traction is excellent My running shoes become town shoes after 6 months and I have yet to experience a blowout in my Altras or Salomons. I would call the Lone Peaks a high volume shoe and their lace system allow me to wear a thin sock or a light wool sock depending on conditions. Great shoes for some but everyone is different.


mike r

Mike:

How many running miles do you get on the Lone Peaks before they become town shoes. I was on the Altra website and it looks as if they are closing out the 4.5. I'd like to try them, but will wait for the Lone Peaks 5. I've worn New Balance of one type or another for 40 years, but they no longer seem to suit my feet.

I am required to wear boots for work outdoors, which can mean anything from mid-height Merrell Moabs to mountaineering boots and mid-calf logger boots. I have had good luck with Moabs, although my last pair wore out much more quickly than previous ones. I know several guys who have had good luck with Salomons and they recommend them to me.

I like Moabs because they aren't that heavy and they are available without waterproofing/goretex, which just makes my feet sweaty. Waterproof Salomons make my feet sweat just trying them on in the store, but that goes for any shoe with a waterproof lining.

But if I could, I would just wear running shoes in the woods.

I average about 40 miles/week, 70% of which is hiking speed. I mostly run on the flats and downhills where the footing is decent. This old frame doesn't need another wreck. I have had 1 pair of 3.5s and am on my 2nd pair of 4.0s I hope they don't screw up the 5.0. I liked Salomons but every model seemed to get a narrower toe box, The Altras are truly a different type of shoe and they really suit me for most of what I do that does not involve deep snow.


mike r

I have been really pleased with the Salomon Speedcross series. In fact new pair of the Speedcross 5’s arrived at my hotel today