I’ve already done a review of the shoe here, so if you’d like to read that instead of this mileage update, click here!
Initial impressions of a shoe can vary based on the amount of time the shoe is worn, that’s why I like to get at least 50-100 miles on a shoe in varying conditions before writing a full review. Having done that for the XA Pro 3D, I’d now like to share some additional updates as this pair hits 400 miles.
Upper:
The upper of the XA Pro shows very little sign of wear given that they’ve seen a very harsh 400 miles, including, rain, mud, snow, ice, granite, and ash. The Sensi-fit cage is completely intact, even after some tough scrambling action up to Mt. Gould from Kearsarge Pass the other week. The mesh shows no signs of tearing or vulnerability to it’s structural integrity. One of the major signs of durability comes in the heel of this shoe. Many times the heel will wear out for me in shoes once they hit 400 miles, as this is a major point of friction for hiking uphill. As you can see, the shoe is an all around beast, with only superficial markings to signify it’s use.
Midsole:
The midsole of the XA Pro is running short of life after 400 miles. On the positive side, the plastic 3D chassis helps maintain stability, whereas solid foam outsole shoes can create dangerous instability as they break down. A lot of the push through protection in the forefoot of this shoe is provided by a dual density EVA. As this has broken down, I can feel quite a bit more of the trail poking though. That being said, I have been very tough on these shoes. Almost all of my hiking occurs on uneven rocky terrain, which has destroyed many shoes before their 300th mile. I feel I could easily put another 100 miles on these before they really start to feel flat.
Outsole:
The reason it’s time to retire the XA Pro at 400 miles is because of the outsole. It’s a bit strange, my left shoe looks more-or-less unblemished, just the standard wear of 400 miles…but my right shoe has completely disintegrated. I should note, Solomon’s warranty department has been absolutely stellar about this, and have replaced the shoes at no cost, as it appears to be a manufacturers defect. This is my 12th pair of Salomon shoes (and I have plenty of their clothes), so I knew this wasn’t quite normal. Almost every other pair of Salomon shoes I’ve owned has made it to 400 miles looking pretty good. I tried repairing this pair of XA Pros with ShoeGoo, but because the outsole was pulling away from the 3D Chassis, there was no way to get a good foundational bond. Nonetheless, I have another pair ready to go, and I have no doubts they’ll be making it past the 400 mile mark before spring. I also have a GTX pair on the way for some of the days with more snow, so a review will be coming for those this winter when I have a chance to log a few trips.
Here are some pictures of the XA Pro 3D on their farewell voyage!
Howdy! Came across your site while searching for Mt. Baldy hikes. I live in LA but new to hiking. After reading this review I think I’m ready to pull the trigger on a pair of XA Pro 3Ds 🙂 You should set up some affiliate links so you get kick back from Amazon. Anyway, Keep up the great work with the site. Good reading!
Best,
Fred
Hello Fred,
Thanks for the message. LA is a great area for hiking. We have so much to do within an hour drive. Mt. Baldy and the San Gabriels are a great place to start. The backside with Baden Powell and PCT are a lot of fun too. The XA Pro 3Ds will be a great choice, as they’ll handle all of the local terrain and are very comfortable.
I’ve been meaning to set up the Amazon affiliate account, but I’m still using wordpress.com free hosting, which doesn’t allow for any affiliate advertising. I need to start paying for my own hosting and get that set up. Thanks for the motivation!
Best, Drew
Hi Drew
I’ve got a pair of these shoes myself as well, used mostly for urban walking and trail (Alps when I’m down there), and so far I loved them. However, after 2 years they’ve become quite worn out, and I’m considering a replacement. In your opinion, should I stick with more of the same, or is there anything else you think I might enjoy?
(As a side note, I don’t particularly like shoes with flashy colours…)
thanks!
Fabrizio
Thanks for the message, Fabrizio. If you really liked the XA Pro 3D, you might want to stick with them. When it comes to protection and support, there are few shoes like the XA Pro 3d. I loved the support, but the hard rubber toe cap was a little to rigid when my feet began to swell on hot 20+ miles days. That’s the reason I switched over to the Nike Wildhorse 3, New Balance Leadville v3, and recently the Saucony Peregrine.
Hi Drew. That’s an interesting point. If it’s hot and your feet swell, indeed it’s not going to be comfy… So are those other shoes more accommodating for feet in this sense? Thanks!
Hi,
I really like what you mentioned in regards to the internal TPU midsole chassis that they use with the XA pro, I like that there could still be stability even after the cushioning themselves have gone away. In addition it is quite lightweight compared to heavier TPU support systems in heavier hiking shoes. This seems to allow it to be a good in between a hiking shoe yet still get with trail running (or is it the other way, whatever… doesn’t matter).
However, the shoe simply doesn’t fit me. I notice that while the forefoot seems large, the midfoot is really small. I overall shape just doesn’t fit me.
I was wondering if you could recommend some alternatives with this same level of support/protection. I have already considered the ultraraptors, however, they don’t fit me as well.
The stability and support are what sold me on the XA Pro 3d from the beginning. I don’t wear them any more though for the exact reason you mentioned. The fit is just not very good. I got to spend a long time with them this summer on the John Muir Trail. The hard rubber toebox was too tight, and the midfoot wrap was painful on longer days when my feet began to swell. I now just add Superfeet Carbon to my trail shoes when hiking with a pack. These inserts offer a similar amount of structure and support. They’re not as rigid as the XA Pro 3D, but I’ve found them to be pretty solid. Right now, I’d look at the Wildhorse 3, Leadville v3, Peregrine 6, and Cascadia 11. If you pair them with a Superfeet Carbon/Black/Blue, it might work for you.