A classic multisport shoe that cuts a fine figure for light hikes, speed hiking, Nordic Walking routes, scrambles and light approaches – Bergzeit’s Corinna Trube takes to the great outdoors with the Salomon XA Wild GTX – here’s her review.
My first impression
At first glance, the shoes make a sleek yet robust impression. The main reason for the latter is the toe cap, which gives me reliable protection against rock contact. Also, the quick lacing, which is placed asymmetrically, catches my eye. So far I have not had any experience with this kind of lacing, so I’ m curious. The shoes have a small, practical tongue pocket for stowing the laces while you’re on the move.
Turn the XA Wild GTX over and you instantly notice a solid, biting treaded outsole. GTX stands for Gore-Tex® and in this case, the lining that protects your feet from getting wet in rain and particularly while you’re running through damp meadows or fields.
The Salomon XA Wild GTX in action
To put the shoe’s versatility to the test, I tried the multisport shoe out in different terrain: starting with a rather relaxed route in a local Bavarian trail, followed by a medium-level hike in the Bavarian foothills of the Alps and ending with a tour along the wildly romantic Würm valley.
What I immediately liked when I slipped into the shoes: They fitted like a glove! My regular shoe size is 40 (very rarely 41), my feet are rather slim. I ordered the Salomon in size UK 7. Next plus point: Less than 5 seconds later I was ready to go – thanks to the quick lacing and the practical loop at the heel! I will say this already: Not once did I have to readjust the lacing on any of the hikes I did wearing these shoes!
Over tree-rooted paths, meadows and forest trails
The first tour led me along an approx. 15 kilometres and moderate 435 metres of elevation. The round trip led me over tree-rooted paths, meadows and forest trails. This terrain presented no problem at all for the Salomon XA Wild GTX. There was always a good grip on the terrain underneath, nothing pinched or pulled.
The experience was similar on my final hike in the Würm valley, along the river of the same name, where I walked along forest and woodland trails. Comfort and good footing determined the mood of my feet.
Wet & slippery underfoot
The next route was a bit more demanding: I started out with a total of 600 metres elevation up ahead, the trails were much higher and more challenging which included rocky ground and some scrambles. A few friends warned me of the often wet and slippery trails. This is where the XA Wild GTX outsole steps up. Salomon professes that it offers “a secure hold on wet, dry, hard or loose surfaces”.
In fact, especially the tree-root and rocky passages up to both summits were still wet from the previous day’s rainfall. Except for one or two small slides, I felt very comfortable and sure-footed with the Salomon XA Wild GTX. Even on the short wire rope climbing sections the soles always gave me a feeling of solid grip and the toe caps gave me protection during rock contact.
Summary of the XA Wild GTX
On easy to intermediate hikes, this multisport shoe does a great job. They not only ensure easy handling when putting on and taking off the shoes, but also provide comfort, good stability and protection during the hike.
Comment: However, if you have (very) fragile ankles, you are advised to wear hiking boots at this point, as the high cuff around the ankle provides a better hold and protects against twisting, something that half shoes simply cannot do.
Unfortunately, I was not able to test the functionality of the Gore-Tex® membrane on my hikes. It should be noted, however, that GTX shoes can only keep your feet dry to a limited extent in rain or wet conditions. In contrast to ankle-high outdoor shoes, the water can, of course, penetrate more easily from above through the socks into the shoes.