I was hesitant to write a review of these boots after only owning them a few weeks even though right out of the box they were the most comfortable boot I had ever worn. There was just very little, or as I like to call it--blister free break in. As such I have waited until I put some miles on them so I could give a real review that went beyond what every shoe has in common right out of the box. I am fat. When I started wearing these boots I weighed 370lbs. Hiking and backpacking are an important part of my weight loss strategy. I had thrashed a pair of hi-tec boots in a month and knew I needed to spend some money on a higher end boot.
I just finished a 20 mile backpacking trip in the Kolob Terrace section of Zion's National Park, bringing the tally of miles I have on these boots to over 150. Fifty of these miles are heavy backpacking miles. These boots have held up to my weight (I've lost 50lbs since I bought them) and all types of terrain. I've had them muddy, wet (more on that later), in light snow, sand, sharp rocks, slick rocks you name it. I'll break down some of the great things about them:
1Light but strong. These boots are light and breath well yet they are fascinatingly strong. The side grommets lock the laces to keep the your foot right where it needs to be. The materials have held up to serious and continuous beatings. The toe guard has held up well to rocky terrain.
2Ankle support. These boots provide excellent ankle support without an over zealous reduction of range of motion. This has saved my ankles time and time again as I've slipped or tripped on uneven terrain.
3Traction. Superb is all I can say. These boots grip when they have no business gripping. I've become accustomed to being able to climb and cross streams with total confidence. The lug pattern is so different on Salomon boots but they just work. Maybe this is some trickle down from their highly acclaimed ultra marathon/adventure running flagship shoe.
4 Water resistance. This is where I almost gave the boot 4 stars. In wet grass, rain, mud and even light snow they are great, keep me dry. My problem is crossing streams with hard flowing water or where wading above the lace line is necessary. In those conditions they let a little water through. Not much but enough to get the toes damp. I think this is the ONLY instance where a full leather heavy backpacking boot may have an advantage over these lighter boots. This however isn't a big enough problem to overcome just how well they excel in every other aspect.
I like to wear a medium weight merino wool sock with these and my feet stay cool and dry. One last thing: I love that the sizing is so consistent across the Salomon line. If you already own their shoes or boots the same size in this boot will fit you. After giving these boots a good inspection I'm convinced I'll get another 150 miles out of them before they have to be retired.
I bought them a year ago in preparation for the 77 km experience of the West Coast Trail in Vancouver BC (look it up, then find time on your calendar to hike it it's awesome!). I needed boots that were tough, waterproof, and agile/lightweight. These Salomon fit the bill. To break them in (which turns out to be completely unnecessary, as these things fit perfectly right out of the box), I took them on a few day hikes in the Cascades, a multi-day in the Sierra, and a multi-day in the Uintas. I figure I put less than 100 miles on them.
They lived up to the hype. Comfortable, incredibly light weight, excellent traction, and presumably waterproof (other than splashing through a couple of creeks rock-hopping across, they really didn't get tested).
Three weeks ago I started the West Coast Trail adventure. The first two days were fantastic. Long distances over fairly easy terrain and hard-packed sand. The boots allowed me to make good time. Day three brought more challenging terrain and lots of water crossings. I had my Salomons laced up tight, wearing full length water-resistant pants, with 100% waterproof knee-high gaiters. At the end of the third day, I was surprised that my socks were wet.
Day four brought more surprises, as I could actually feel and hear water inside my boots as I walked (all praise goes to SmartWool socks for making this tragedy bearable). I inspected them that night and saw that a hole had worn on the top of the boot where it creases as I step, allowing water to literally pour into the boot.
I dried the boots every night, but no sooner did I get water on the boots, the feet would be immediately soaked.
To say I was disappointed is an understatement. I ended up trekking 4 days in some of the roughest, most unforgiving terrain with completely soaked feet.
I did return them, and I dearly hope it was a simple manufacturing defect, because I love the boots so much that despite this terrible experience, I will be replacing them with another set of Salomons, probably the Cosmic 4D.
Word to the wise, if you do buy this boot, keep the box and packaging and the receipt. And then hope you never need to return them.
Right out of the box they felt like perfection on my feet. But this was a short lived sensation. Soon after, I started noticing pressure points and sore spots while walking around doing errands, etc. Especially on the left foot. I persevered and told myself they just needed to be broken in. I really wanted to love these boots.
I had waited on a review until after my first substantial hike which was this weekend. (About 30 miles alltogether)
On the first day I had noticeably sore spots on my heels, sides of my feel and the sides of my big toes. I thought they were blisters, but as I later noticed they were actually developing calluses from the extreme nature of the trail. I was involved in some muddy and very wet work on the trail to which at one point led to all of the orange on the boots becoming not visible. They had been submerged in water, doused with mud, and scraped against sharp rocks.
These boots held up perfectly. They are quite waterproof, but not 100%. It would take an extreme amount of water to make your feet wet. My suggestion is to not remain underwater, but to quickly cross creeks and streams as accurately as possible. On the hike down it was just pouring down hard with rain and this is the only time my feet got wet, but it was due to extreme amounts of water wicking down from my pants. (lack of gaiters) The materials are amazing and probably the best feature of the boots. They will not wear out easily.
The other thing I noticed about these boots is how nice the tread is. With these boots I was able to step and climb up onto surfaces like wet rock, mud slides, and wet tree roots and not have the danger of slipping. The grip is incredible and I would buy these boots almost for this point alone.
Another thing I'd like to point out is the ankle support. I might have twisted an ankle several times if it weren't for the ankle support. After a few days of hiking and trail work with these boots they no longer feel sore in areas, but I will be getting some superfeet for better arch support.
Bottom line is that these nice looking boots are very durable with excellent materials, pretty damn waterproof, excellent traction and ankle support, and I picked up a pair from amazon for about 175 which is 75 off of retail. Took off one star for being less comfy than I would prefer. And yes, these fit true to size.
I just finished a 20 mile backpacking trip in the Kolob Terrace section of Zion's National Park, bringing the tally of miles I have on these boots to over 150. Fifty of these miles are heavy backpacking miles. These boots have held up to my weight (I've lost 50lbs since I bought them) and all types of terrain. I've had them muddy, wet (more on that later), in light snow, sand, sharp rocks, slick rocks you name it. I'll break down some of the great things about them:
1Light but strong. These boots are light and breath well yet they are fascinatingly strong. The side grommets lock the laces to keep the your foot right where it needs to be. The materials have held up to serious and continuous beatings. The toe guard has held up well to rocky terrain.
2Ankle support. These boots provide excellent ankle support without an over zealous reduction of range of motion. This has saved my ankles time and time again as I've slipped or tripped on uneven terrain.
3Traction. Superb is all I can say. These boots grip when they have no business gripping. I've become accustomed to being able to climb and cross streams with total confidence. The lug pattern is so different on Salomon boots but they just work. Maybe this is some trickle down from their highly acclaimed ultra marathon/adventure running flagship shoe.
4 Water resistance. This is where I almost gave the boot 4 stars. In wet grass, rain, mud and even light snow they are great, keep me dry. My problem is crossing streams with hard flowing water or where wading above the lace line is necessary. In those conditions they let a little water through. Not much but enough to get the toes damp. I think this is the ONLY instance where a full leather heavy backpacking boot may have an advantage over these lighter boots. This however isn't a big enough problem to overcome just how well they excel in every other aspect.
I like to wear a medium weight merino wool sock with these and my feet stay cool and dry. One last thing: I love that the sizing is so consistent across the Salomon line. If you already own their shoes or boots the same size in this boot will fit you. After giving these boots a good inspection I'm convinced I'll get another 150 miles out of them before they have to be retired.
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These shoes made it 1360 miles on the a.t.through winter and spring. I retired them from normal wear and tear from the magnitude of the endeavor, some ripping along the top where my toes bend, and the contra grip just started to wear down. I rate this shoe 5 star for the obvious reasonthey made what i though was impossible possible for meand they were my wings.Best Deals on Salomon Men's Wings Sky GTX 2 Hiking Boot
I loved, loved, LOVED these boots until they inexplicably gave up the ghost at the worst possible moment.I bought them a year ago in preparation for the 77 km experience of the West Coast Trail in Vancouver BC (look it up, then find time on your calendar to hike it it's awesome!). I needed boots that were tough, waterproof, and agile/lightweight. These Salomon fit the bill. To break them in (which turns out to be completely unnecessary, as these things fit perfectly right out of the box), I took them on a few day hikes in the Cascades, a multi-day in the Sierra, and a multi-day in the Uintas. I figure I put less than 100 miles on them.
They lived up to the hype. Comfortable, incredibly light weight, excellent traction, and presumably waterproof (other than splashing through a couple of creeks rock-hopping across, they really didn't get tested).
Three weeks ago I started the West Coast Trail adventure. The first two days were fantastic. Long distances over fairly easy terrain and hard-packed sand. The boots allowed me to make good time. Day three brought more challenging terrain and lots of water crossings. I had my Salomons laced up tight, wearing full length water-resistant pants, with 100% waterproof knee-high gaiters. At the end of the third day, I was surprised that my socks were wet.
Day four brought more surprises, as I could actually feel and hear water inside my boots as I walked (all praise goes to SmartWool socks for making this tragedy bearable). I inspected them that night and saw that a hole had worn on the top of the boot where it creases as I step, allowing water to literally pour into the boot.
I dried the boots every night, but no sooner did I get water on the boots, the feet would be immediately soaked.
To say I was disappointed is an understatement. I ended up trekking 4 days in some of the roughest, most unforgiving terrain with completely soaked feet.
I did return them, and I dearly hope it was a simple manufacturing defect, because I love the boots so much that despite this terrible experience, I will be replacing them with another set of Salomons, probably the Cosmic 4D.
Word to the wise, if you do buy this boot, keep the box and packaging and the receipt. And then hope you never need to return them.
Honest reviews on Salomon Men's Wings Sky GTX 2 Hiking Boot
For some reason I always wanted to get a pair of Salomons. So I decided that I like these the best and ordered them.Right out of the box they felt like perfection on my feet. But this was a short lived sensation. Soon after, I started noticing pressure points and sore spots while walking around doing errands, etc. Especially on the left foot. I persevered and told myself they just needed to be broken in. I really wanted to love these boots.
I had waited on a review until after my first substantial hike which was this weekend. (About 30 miles alltogether)
On the first day I had noticeably sore spots on my heels, sides of my feel and the sides of my big toes. I thought they were blisters, but as I later noticed they were actually developing calluses from the extreme nature of the trail. I was involved in some muddy and very wet work on the trail to which at one point led to all of the orange on the boots becoming not visible. They had been submerged in water, doused with mud, and scraped against sharp rocks.
These boots held up perfectly. They are quite waterproof, but not 100%. It would take an extreme amount of water to make your feet wet. My suggestion is to not remain underwater, but to quickly cross creeks and streams as accurately as possible. On the hike down it was just pouring down hard with rain and this is the only time my feet got wet, but it was due to extreme amounts of water wicking down from my pants. (lack of gaiters) The materials are amazing and probably the best feature of the boots. They will not wear out easily.
The other thing I noticed about these boots is how nice the tread is. With these boots I was able to step and climb up onto surfaces like wet rock, mud slides, and wet tree roots and not have the danger of slipping. The grip is incredible and I would buy these boots almost for this point alone.
Another thing I'd like to point out is the ankle support. I might have twisted an ankle several times if it weren't for the ankle support. After a few days of hiking and trail work with these boots they no longer feel sore in areas, but I will be getting some superfeet for better arch support.
Bottom line is that these nice looking boots are very durable with excellent materials, pretty damn waterproof, excellent traction and ankle support, and I picked up a pair from amazon for about 175 which is 75 off of retail. Took off one star for being less comfy than I would prefer. And yes, these fit true to size.
