Salomon Speedcross 2 GTX Trail Running Shoe - Backcountry Exclusive - Men's - 2011 BCS

I am a huge fan of my Salomons! I have had 4 different pairs of Salomon trail running shoes and I have loved them all. These are no different for me. I took these on a run where the trail was wet,muddy and there was some snow. I had great traction all the way through and the shoe stayed stable, even on the down hill (I tend to twist my ankle, so the heal support on this shoe kept me solid the whole way). And people definatly make comments, but who can blame them, its a sweet looking shoe!

One of the best running shoes I have had to date! I run mostly in the desert which is almost like running on concrete and they performed well. Great cushioning, good support, and great grip... be it concrete, rocks, or dirt. These are far better than the XTS Lab 3's with much better overall support.
the sole is so grippy that i use them for sports as well, as I am an avid Lacrosse player and coach.
The color rocks! The first night out just walking around with them I received many compliments and still do today. I am getting ready to purchase another pair just for hanging out... :-).

So I have been hiking either with normal street shoes or with my "barefoot" running shoes. Neither of which are comfortable or feel safe on gravel/dirt steep trails. I started doing research and stopped by Backcountry's retail store. After trying on about 10 different pairs and talking to the people at the retail store I settled on this pair. Not even 30 minutes later I was hiking a local mountain trail which is very steep and fairly rocky. These shoes are amazingly comfortable and have great traction. The Goretex does make them a good bit less breathable than others but I don't ever plan on hiking in weather over mid 70s like it was the night I got them and I was fine on the hour long hike.

Going up hill I noticed a major difference in comfort but it was going down hill that was significantly better. Not only were they much more comfortable but they also inspired a lot more confidence in slippery loose inclines. I'm no expert in trail running or the shoes required but I can say that these are worlds better than any hiking boots I've owned and certainly better than street shoes and regular running shoes.

I was so sold that my girlfriend bought the equivalent woman's pair (without goretex) the very next day to replace her "bare foot" running shoes as her hiking shoes. We're so excited we're going hiking again as soon as she gets them delivered.

Oh, last note: the color on these looks great once they are covered in dirt/sand/mud/etc.

I have only had my shoes for about a month...so far they have performed VERY WELL!! I have had them out in mud and rain, feet stay dry and the soles are super grippy. I will say they are a little stiff in the beginning and need a couple break in runs. I also believe they are a seasonal runner, fall and spring and those rainy summer days. Probably to much shoe for hot summer days.

This shoes are amazing!!!. I bought it weeks ago for a trekking to the Roraima Tepuy in Venezuela and they were incredible helpful. They have a sick grip, its almost impossible you slip. It works in all types of weather and they dry immediately. One night we have this terrible weather, it rains for 10 hours and the temperature was aprox. 10 Celsius this guys keep me dry and warm in my feets. Also they are extremely comfortable forget about blisters, we walk around 6 hours a day during 6 days and my feets are in perfect shape. I recommend it 100%. I also use it for trail running and there the best. Before the trekking, i run a 12k race in a Mountain called "El Avila" in Caracas Venezuela and its amazing how they feels on rocky surfaces, forget about twisting your ankle or feeling pain on the knees. This are the guys you should be looking if your into this activities!.

Best shoe salmon has made totally waterproof buy them