Salomon 3D Fastpacker Shoe : It's Got Sole

I tested out my new Salomon Fastpackers a few weeks ago in Rocky Mountain National Park, when I hit up the classic Petit Grepon. The climb is a beautiful backcountry spire, but if you don't get on the trail early enough, you won't get off the climb before the afternoon thunderstorms arrive. A speedy approach is key, and the Salomon Fastpackers were the perfect shoe to take along.

The Fastpacker is a great multi-purpose outdoor shoe, best suited for lightweight approaches, uber-burly trail runs, adventure racing, or trekking. At less than a pound, it's plenty light, but it offers the stability of a far heavier boot thanks to its proprietary 3D chassis. 

As I hiked higher into the park, the trail became wetter and wetter. It had rained the day before, and there was a lot of mud. I appreciated the shoe's super aggressive Contagrip sole; the lugs don't stick down out of the shoe at a 90 degree angle, but instead are angled toward the back of the shoe. The end result is the lugs act more like ski treads or even barbed hooks, providing amazing traction in poor conditions.

Another thing I really like about the shoes is Salomon's quick-lace system. All I need to do is tug on a little cord and my shoes are laced. For good. I can't tell you how many pairs of outdoor shoes I've had with circular laces that always come undone (even from a double knot!) at the most inopportune times.

Once we got up to Sky Pond, we had to hike up a small slope to the base of the Petit. I noticed, when I finally got to the start of the climb, that I didn't have any dirt or rocks in my shoe. That's a first! It's because the Fastpacker's upper is made of a highly breathable mesh that actually keeps dirt at bay. The shoe also has a gusseted tongue that keeps sand and debris from falling into the shoe. Totally cool.

Other cool features: an antimicrobial footbed, to keep the stench away; a mud guard surrounding the base of the upper, so I can splash through puddles without getting my feet wet; and burly rubber toe and heel bumpers to protect my feet and the shoes from rocks. I'm going to be using these shoes on a lot of great outdoor adventures.

Available in men's and women's styles.

Bottom Line : Lightweight, all-purpose hikers that provide a lot of support and stability for most outdoor endeavors.--N.W. (Sept 08) 

Price: $98-110

Click to shop/purchase: ,

Manufacturer's Site:  www.salomon.com

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