Salomon XA Pro 3D

It’s clear that the outsole was designed for durability. The shoe’s outsole is made of Contagrip rubber, with lugs attached for added grip on technical and challenging trails. The lugs considered “self-cleaning,” as they are intelligently designed with enough space between each on to prevent med from clinging to the shoe and adding more weight. The XA Pro 3D’s outsole will provide you with the best possible protection, flexibility, traction, and responsiveness.

The shoe's outsole is what customers rave about the most. Runners are shocked to discover just how well the grip of the shoe is. It performs well on any kind surface, in both wet and dry conditions. The outsole of the XA Pro 3D is one of the most well-designed on the market.

The Salomon XA Pro 3D has a dual-density EVA foam insert which provides full-length cushioning. The fact that the EVA is dual-density adds to the shoe’s overall comfort and support, ensuring your foot receives the proper amount of cushioning in all the right places. The heel cup, which Salomon calls the 3D Advanced Chassis, is extremely flexible while still maintaining its durability. It’s made of shock-absorbent foam that’s designed to comfortably cradle the heel and keep it locked securely in place. The midsole's rock plate is sturdy and inflexible, providing you with excellent protection.

This shoe’s upper is designed for superior breathability. The primary materials used in the upper’s construction are synthetic leather and quick-drying mesh. The lightweight mesh woven with nylon means an incredibly lightweight yet durable construction. Sensifit, Salomon’s own branded technology, cradles the foot to provide you with an extremely customized and precise fit. Most people find that even when running in very hot temperatures in this shoe, their feet don't get excessively hot or sweaty. The mesh is water-resistant, so no need to worry about running through rain or puddles. However, although the exterior is resistant to water, some runners say that if water gets on the inside, it takes a very long time to dry.

Additionally, an Ortholite sockliner with anti-bacterial and anti-sweat properties lines the inside of the upper. This is a great feature for any running shoe to have, as it helps to maintain a clean and healthy environment inside the shoe. The tongue is covered, so pebbles and debris don’t stand a chance of entering the shoe. Salomon uses the minimalistic QuickLace technology on the XA Pro 3D, meaning simple one-pull tightening for easy-on and easy-off. Finally, a rubber toe cap on the forefoot acts as an extra protective barrier.

Weighing 32.4 ounces per pair for a size 11, these shoes aren’t exactly the lightest on the market. But usually with heavy-duty, durable trail shoes comes a little extra weight. While some runners who prefer lighter weight shoes may find the XA Pro 3D to be too heavy, most find that the shoe doesn’t feel bulky or restrictive in any way. In contrast to a shoe with a minimalist style, it's not going to feel weightless, but it's still not excessively heavy as some other trail running shoes can be.

With an upper constructed mainly of mesh, this shoe scores excellently when it comes to breathability. You’ll feel comfortable running in the XA Pro 3D in even the most extreme heat without having to worry about your feet becoming excessively hot or sweaty. Not only is the material breathable, but it’s moisture-wicking and quick-drying as well. This means even when running in the rain, you don't have to worry about your shoes absorbing water and becoming weighed down.

Most runners find this shoe to be very comfortable. A variety of features have been added to the XA Pro 3D solely for comfort. The Endofit sock liner gives the shoe a softer feel, and the quick-lace system is great for securing the foot comfortably and firmly into place. Traditional laces can at times feel constrictive, but with this shoe’s lacing system you can achieve the perfect secure fit without having to over-tighten laces. The toe box is a bit wider than average, which many runners enjoy as your toes won’t feel smashed together and your foot won’t feel restricted. This is also a great quality to have when mid-run swelling may be an issue.

The added arch support is a quality that many welcome but your personal comfort level in this shoe depends heavily on whether or not you like the feel of that added support. Many runners have commented about the incredible amount of comfort in the heel area especially. Blisters will be a thing of the past with this shoe. This shoe is also available in men’s wide-width sizes to accommodate different foot shapes. As with any running shoe, the XA Pro 3D does need to be broken in.

This shoe has a modern look to it, especially due to the quick-lace system. While it’s not overly bulky, it does have a bit of a thicker, more heavy-duty look. It’s available in a variety of colors, including blue and green, blue and red, gray and green, gray and blue, gray and orange, black and red, and all-black.

The XA Pro 3D is essentially designed for durability. Salomon reports that huge improvements were made to this shoe in terms of durability compared to their previous version. Because it’s technically a trail shoe, it’s extremely heavy-duty and resistant to the elements and hazards such as rocks. The slight amount of weight that’s added for the extra durability is a small price to pay when you take into account how many miles you can get out of this shoe.

Many customers rave about the shoe holding up even after miles and miles of running. With many other running shoes that use lugs for traction, a frequent complaint is that the lugs quickly become damaged or break off. With the XA Pro 3D, you won’t have to worry about this. The high-quality outsole and traction system are so well built that durability issues will be a non-concern.

The XA Pro 3D’s protection is second to none. This shoe utilizes Mud Guard Technology. This means that a barrier surrounds the entire shoe, protecting you from mud and, pebbles, and other unwanted materials. An optimized protective toe cap is designed to protect the toes from injury. Additionally, the tongue of the shoe is specially designed to prevent debris from entering the shoe.

With the XA Pro 3D, you can be confident when tackling a huge variety of surfaces. The Contagrip rubber outsole is enhanced with non-slip properties. This shoe still enables your feet to feel natural on the ground while running, yet it still provides excellent protection and grip. The amount of cushioning hits the sweet spot; it’s neither too much nor too little.

The XA Pro 3D provides excellent support to the foot in all the right places. This shoe can greatly help those with pronation, as they’re incredibly stable and well-cushioned. The added arch support is a great feature for runners with feet that are on the flatter side of the scale. The amount of support this shoe provides is incredible considering that it’s still relatively lightweight. The XA Pro 3D offers great support not only while running but while wearing as a casual walking shoe or everyday shoe as well.

If you’re looking for a shoe that’s multifunctional across all kinds of terrains, the XA Pro 3D is a great choice. Due to the excellent traction, you can feel comfortable running in these shoes on the trail, track, offroad, and everything in between. Runners who frequent tricky and technical terrain will be especially impressed with the feeling of stability these shoes provide. With this shoe, you can really expand your horizons and try running on types of terrain you may not have tried before. The feeling of confidence you’ll have knowing that your shoes can tackle any terrain is invaluable.

The Salomon XA Pro 3D running shoe is priced in the moderate to high range. Compared to other trail shoes, in particular, the XA Pro 3D is priced quite averagely. Considering the shoe’s high-quality construction, durability, and comfort, it is well worth its price.

Traction is probably the number one factor to consider while deciding whether or not a trail shoe is worth your time and money. The XA Pro 3D is designed for excellent traction, thanks to its Contagrip outsole and lugs. The shoe’s lugs do a great job of digging down into the ground, even in snowy or muddy conditions, for a stable, confident ride.

This shoe is relatively flexible for a heavy-duty trail shoe. Its Contagrip rubber outsole enables the shoe to bend and flex freely. The lightweight mesh upper moves with you and doesn’t restrict movement. Some runners may have an image in their heads portraying durable trail shoes as inflexible and stiff. This is not the case at all with the Salomon XA Pro 3D.

The XA Pro 3D contains “stability control” in the midsole. The shoe’s heel cup provides excellent stability as well, even during rough trail runs. Additionally, the quick-lace system does a great job of tightening the shoe comfortably around your foot, holding it firmly in place. The sole on the heel is wider than the upper shoe, which also assists with stability. A high level of stability is present throughout the whole shoe, making it the perfect choice for any runner looking to achieve better balance. Having a greater sense of balance while running means you’ll achieve a better push-off with every stride.

This shoe has a 10mm heel to toe drop in both men’s’ and women’s’ sizes. Most runners find that this is a sufficient and comfortable drop and it’s great for support on rough terrain.

• Contagrip outsole.
• Lugs for added traction.
• Quick-lace system.
• Added arch support.
• Protective toe cap.
• Sensifit technology for a customized fit.
• Endofit sock liner.
• Dual-density EVA foam insert in the midsole.
• Mud-guard technology.

This shoe is one of the most versatile on the market, as it performs well across all types of terrains. There's no question about it, Salomon definitely knows what they're doing. Smooth pavement or rough trails, wet or dry, you can count on the XA Pro 3D to comfortably carry you through your run with great traction. With its high-quality construction some of the newest, most impressive technologies, you can be sure that you’re getting exactly what you paid for, if not more. We definitely recommend the Salomon XA Pro 3D to trail runners and outdoor enthusiasts.