Over the years I have used many excellent trail running shoes but I have never looked forward to reviewing a pair as much as the Salomon XA Enduro. Salomon XA Enduro have many great features but the ones that stand out the most for me and sets them apart from their competitors, are the extremely practical and stylish built in gaiter and the full length profeel film rock protection, both of which make running the trails a very enjoyable experience no matter what the terrain or weather.
I am a UK9.5 and true to size the Salomon XA Enduro were a perfect fit. One of the key features of the XA Enduro is Sensifit, this aids the runner that holds the foot from the midsole up to the lacking system allowing for a secure and snug fit around your foot. This really adds to the sense of security even on the toughest trails. The Quicklace system is a great addition to the XA Enduro allowing you to put on or take off your trails shoes with a quick pull on the clasp to tighten or loosen the laces so no stopping to tie your laces or tripping over your laces running down hill.
As I mentioned earlier one of the key features for me is the Protective Stretch Gaiter. I have never used a pair of runners with an inbuilt Gaiter so did not know what to expect from the XA Enduro. The first time I used them I found the opening of the gaiter to be tight but once on they felt and looked great and after using them a few times I really got the hang of them, and a loose pair of gaiters flopping about would be very irritating while running the trails. The Gaiter is made of a breathable mesh and I have found It to be very breathable. I have used the Salomon XA Enduro with ankle, mid and high socks and the Gaiter did not cause any irritation or chafing. I found the toe box to be pretty wide, it has a welded overlay that comes up over the toe that gives you the added protection you need when running downhill.
The XA Enduro has a 9mm drop, with 26mm in the heel and 17mm in the forefoot. The are very light weighing only 300 grams.The mid sole comes with Dual Density EVA this allows for an extreme cushioning and a stable , secure run on the mountain fire road, rocky and muddy terrain. The grip on the sole of the XA Enduro consists of the new Premium Wet Traction Contragrip this is used in a variety of other shoes in the Salomon range. It’s designed to be different depending on the activity, your running shoes are designed for from road to mountain running. The lugs on the XA Enduro are spaced wider than other products in the Salomon range to allow for added protection in rocky terrain. The grip you get from the XA Enduro is second to none and allow you to concentrate on what is ahead of you rather than watching your feet for dangerous slippy surfaces.
The Salomon XA Enduro come in two shades Black and lime and Blue and Orange. If your looking for a great pair of trail shoes with lots of protection and amazing stability look no further than the XA Enduro, you wont be disappointed.
To purchase the Salomon XA Enduro please visit Ellis Brigham:
Additional information on the Salomon XA Enduro can be found at :
http://www.salomon.com/uk/product/xa-enduro.html?article=392407
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