Salomon Fastpacker

I was very intrigued by these shoes, so I bought some. I cannot give you any input based on field experience yet, but I can give you some general info.

First off, I am not sure if you are talking about the mid (the ones that look like boots with the Gore Tex liner) or the lows. Irregardless, I have tried on both versions. They both have a similar fit. I read a review somewhere on the net where the guy compares the fit to the XA Pro 3D running shoes. I also have a pair of these, and I have to agree that the Fastpackers feel similar. Salomon bills them as a having "the base of a running shoe", and that's pretty much what they feel like. The soles are a little more substantial and stiffer than those on the XA Pro 3D running shoes, but still have more of a feel of a running shoe than an actual hiking boot.

The shoes are very light. I weighed a mid, and it was <20 oz for a size 13. That's about the lightest mid height hiking shoe I have ever encountered. Not sure what the low weighs as I forgot to weigh one.

At any rate, those are my first impressions. Note that I like to wear light weight "boots" as trail runners have never really worked well for me when I am carrying a pack. I like something with a slightly more substantial sole than a trail runner, but not as beefy and rigid as one on an actual hiking boot (like a Vibram sole). Also, Salomon shoes seem to fit me well, and the fit is the most important thing when looking for a shoe.

Haven't even seen them, but Salomon makes the most comfortable, best fitting shoes in the world. To me. And who else matters?

Any more comments on these shoes (the mid in particular)? I may pull the trigger at EMS, they have 20% off any item. Thanks.