JMT gear~Shoes

Before setting out on my JMT summer thru-hike, some of my gear needed replacing. I’d previously thought that my Merrell Continuum shoes would be fine, but upon closer inspection, the insole on one of the shoes had opened up where the uppers meet the sole. I think my last AT section put them through a thorough soaking, which contributed to them failing prematurely. Although I did like this pair of shoes, and most of Merrell’s stuff, I would probably not buy another pair that are similar to the Continuum line. They’re rather heavy shoes, especially after absorbing water. The leather uppers don’t allow these shoes to dry quickly.

What I opted for was a pair of Salomon XA Pro 3D Ultra 2GTX. I really enjoyed hiking in these shoes, though our time together wasn’t long. These shoes are ultra light, and the textile fabric used on the upper portion allows them to dry quickly. Good thing, as we crossed a number of rivers on the JMT. They didn’t feel water-logged & heavy, as did the Merrell’s. At the end of the day, there was a noticeable difference in how my legs felt. They just weren’t as tired. This of course is the reason why so many hikers of today opt for trail-running shoes. Less weight on the feet means less strain on the legs, allowing you to do more miles & experience less tiredness.

My Salomon XA Pros only lasted for 260 miles or so, most of which were on the JMT and side hikes we did in the days leading up to our start of the JMT. I’d worn them on a few day hikes before the trip. The Quicklace system is good, & I like the idea. Yet the lace on one of my shoes broke halfway through the JMT. On the other shoe, the lace near the toe section began cutting into the textile fabric. This I hope is something Salomon fixes on future models. I do see myself buying another pair of Salomon’s, yet maybe a different model.

Another thing I noticed on my shoes were the soles in the heel section. The midsole is comprised of what they call triple-density EVA. The support in these broke down rather quickly I think. After wearing the shoes for a couple weeks, I noticed a slight supination in my foot position. To a hiker & runner, the feet are everything, & I pride myself on taking care of my feet & how I walk. Because I’ve not seen this failure in any other shoes or boots I’ve owned, logic tells me that the foam material is simply not stiff enough to withstand pressure for a very long time. The terrain on the JMT was rocky, & no doubt tough on the shoes. Had I worn these on the Appalachian Trail, it’s possible they would’ve lasted for over 500 miles. Aside from any complaints, I should make a point that these shoes were picked up at an REI Garage Sale just a few weeks before leaving for the JMT. The price, $40. I feel that I got my $40 worth for sure!