Salomon

Cross Hike Mid GTX Boot - Men's

Could be so much better

Familiarity:

I've used it several times

Per the recurring theme in the reviews, the lacing system is the worse aspect of these boots. The lacing constantly loosens, so the rim of the boots "flower" causing lots of debris to make their way in thus forcing me to stop every now and then to clean up. If Salomon wants to immediately improve upon these, revert to a regular lacing system. Otherwise, I've put some Danners and Lowas through the ringer, but these have been the most comfortable boots out on the trails -- especially on longer hikes. Due to their lighter design and materials, these are built more for speed hiking / day hikes on less technical terrain.

Lacing difficulty

Familiarity:

I returned this product before using it

I wanted this boot to work, but laces tighten at top, yet are difficult to tighten evenly over the middle tongue of the boot. So the boot feels loose. Boot flares out over the top lace, allowing pebbles to fall into the the boot. Other than that, very comfortable and light.

Runs small, and slip at the heel

I am a big fan of Solomon hiking, skiing, and running footwear. I have a high instep and wide foot and often have difficulty with boots/shoes. I am virtually always a size 12 (or 47), and these ran small. Even so, I still had considerable heel slip with them as well. I do not think that sizing up will fix the latter problem. I returned them.

Comfortable. But

Boots are very comfortable to wear. But the lacing does not get them or keep them tight

Excellente, best boot ever

Familiarity:

I've put it through the wringer

I picked these boots up a day before a trip to BCNP in the winter. They didn't need to be broken in and were ready to go. While hiking I was in places with shin high snow though my feet were warm and toasty the whole time. Lacing up was a breeze, super easy and packed away in the tongue nicely. Light weight and true to fit, there was no sloshing around in the boot, Lastly they gripped like none other! No complaints here.

"Best Work Boots Ever"

Familiarity:

I gave it as a gift but have feedback to share

I bought these for my partner who is currently working as a maintenance manager for a ski resort. He said "they are the best work boots ever because they are waterproof, comfortable and have great traction". Now he's asking me to get him another pair to wear on our commercial salmon troller next summer!

Cross Hike Mid GTX

I like the boot generally, good grip in all conditions, light, comfortable, a good lacing system and good looking. However, there is a distinct lack of under foot protection with you feeling every pebble on the ground pushing up through the sole of the boot. Probably good for standing on the sideline watching the kids play footy but no good for day plus hiking adventures. This boot has off road traction but not off road protection.

Best shoes in the store

Familiarity:

I've used it once or twice and have initial impressions

I spent hours trying on every hiking boot and running shoe in REI. This is by far the most comfortable. I wish there were more sizes available for the all black color.

Great Tri-Star Contagrip GETS 5 Eyelets

Familiarity:

I've put it through the wringer

These are a hot mess and I luv 'em! Been wearing for about 6 months and they are the bomb. Not long after wearing these I noticed they were delaminating around the edges. Not a good sign. I called Salomon and they issued a credit for something else Salomon. But I stuck with these since Salomon didn't want them back. The tongue flopped out front and was like a big scoop for trail debris. So like a crazed Salomon fanboy, I dropped in a set of brass eyelets. Ya, they look a little odd, but the fit now is crazy good! Salomon, if you're listening, you are so close. Fix the delaminating problem (easy, right?) and add another set of eyelets and you've got a real winner here! Fit is a little wider than my Speedcross 5s, but went with 10 as I usually do with Salomon.

Love these boots

Familiarity:

I've put it through the wringer

I am writing this after a week of non-stop wear on an Alaskan trip, which include hours in the airport, sitting in a car, walking through the cities (Anchorage, Fairbanks), and hiking to glacier lake in Kachemak Bay State Park, and to the Exit Glacier near Seward. I can tell you that I am now a big fan. These boots are amazingly comfortable, very grippy, and keeps my feet dry while walking through mud and some water. Many people have commented on the minimal ankle support and I slightly agree. Yes, they don't constrict around the ankles like my old Vasque boots do (the leather ones), but they do the job fine on reasonably difficult trails. I wouldn't climb Mt. Everest with these, but for general hiking, they will do fine. One more thing, I am now a fan of the speed lace system. At first, they seem like a sell out to style over function (to make it like snowboarding type boots), but now I am a believer. When i wear them around town, the speed lace allow the boot to be kept loose, so I can slip in and out easily. Also, imagine going through TSA with these and easily slipping the boots on and off. Fabulous! Finally, go for the Goji Red ones, they look great and pop out in pics that you can post on your IG page, if you are into those things.