Over the past week, my neighborhood has received over a foot of snow. A few days later, temperatures reached the mid-sixties — good ol' springtime in Colorado. Unfortunately, the result was a slushy, muddy mess on my favorite neighborhood walking trails. Not one to be deterred by a little inclement weather, I threw on my go-to winter shoes, the Salomon Speedcross 5 GTX, and walked without issue, thanks to the grippy lugs on the soles and Gore-Tex (i.e., GTX) outer layer, which kept me and my feet high and dry. They won't hurt your wallet either — especially right now when they're $45 off.
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5mm lugs keep your feet firmly planted on the ground, while the lace system tightens these up with one simple pull.
Why are these a good deal? ????
They say you should never skimp on the products that separate you from the ground — car tires, a good mattress and your shoes. Those first two can cost you a grand on a good day; luckily you don't have to go into debt to score a pair of quality shoes, especially when they're $45 off like these.
Why do I need these? ????
Slip and fall once on a snowy, slushy, muddy mess and you'll rethink your winter footwear choices real quick. That's why for most of the winter I wear the Salomon Speedcross 5 GTX — they're like snow tires for your feet. With 5mm lugs and a soft, grippy rubber outsole, these shoes dig into soft ground, keeping you upright when the terrain is doing its best to take you down.
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Whether you're walking on a sloppy spring trail or just trying to survive your icy driveway long enough to pick up the mail, these shoes have your back (and your feet). The Gore-Tex keeps water out while still letting your feet breathe — because nobody wants cold, soggy socks. They're perfect for wet and cold conditions, though if you're running in a heatwave, you'll probably want something a little breezier.
My favorite feature? Salomon's Quicklace system, which keeps your foot snug with one tug — no more finger-abrading double-knotting. Also worth noting: The fit is on the narrow side, especially for wider feet. Personally, I find that locked-in feel is a dream on steep descents and technical terrain, but FYI...
Hankering for a hike? Great, but remember that the winter thaw means muddy trails, all the more reason to have these 5mm lugs help you get a grip (Amazon)
What reviewers say ????
Fans (including this guy) love these shoes, which have amassed over 1,500 glowing reviews.
Pros ????
I was beyond impressed with these shoes!" praised one intrepid trekker. "They have "aggressive" treads on them. We did some hiking in rain/mud going over rocks and up and down hills. These shoes performed excellently. I never slipped. Speaking of wet and mud, I got pretty deep in some areas. In spite of the rain, my feet stayed dry and I was astonished that after nearly burying my foot in mud, after a quick walk through tall grass on the way back to the car there was virtually no mud on my shoes."
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This happy hoofer offered a cold-weather tip: "These are, by far, the best pair of shoes I have ever purchased. I went a full size bigger to accommodate thick socks, and they will be perfect. You may want to go a half size bigger. Especially if you will be using these in the winter," they recommended. "These are slightly on the narrow side, so keep that in mind."
"This is my second pair and I may buy another so I can always have a pair for many years to come!" said this big spender. "Well worth the $200 price tag!" Imagine how many pairs they'd buy at this sale price!
Cons ????
One four-star reviewer had a GTX-related gripe. "I ordered both this [GTX] version and regular Speedcross version, and they fit very differently, even though they were the same size," they said. "This was way smaller/narrower than the regular version of this shoe in the same size."
Said this lead foot: "My only beef is that I can feel the rocks through the shoe at the ball of the foot, which becomes painful over time. Reminds me of wearing moccasins as a kid. I might try a different insert and see if this improves."
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The Gore-Tex membrane will keep your feet dry, while still remaining breathable.
If you have Amazon Prime, you'll get free shipping, of course. Not yet a member? No problem. You can sign up for your free 30-day trial here. (And by the way, those without Prime still get free shipping on orders of $35 or more.)
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The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.
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