Salomon XA Pro 3D V9 GORE-TEX Review

Overview

The XA Pro 3D V9 GORE-TEX is Salomon’s long-running crossover: a low-cut shoe with the stiff, armored build of a light hiker and the Quicklace speed of a trail runner. It suits hikers on rocky, wet, or off-trail routes who want protection without stepping up to a boot. The trade-off is a firm, somewhat dated ride that is heavier and less cushioned than the foam-forward shoes most thru-hikers now favor.

Key Specs

Spec	Detail
Weight	360 g (12.7 oz) per shoe
Heel stack	28 mm
Forefoot stack	17 mm
Heel-to-toe drop	11 mm
Waterproofing	Gore-Tex membrane
Upper	Synthetic mesh/textile with welded overlays and rubber toe cap
Outsole	Contagrip, 2.8 mm lugs
Chassis	3D Advanced Chassis
Lacing	Quicklace
Price	$160

Performance

Protection and stability. This is the shoe’s reason for existing. Switchback Travel’s testers, who took the V9 into Chilean Patagonia, found it far less compromised on durability and protection than most trail runners, and well suited to fast-and-light hiking over technical ground. The 3D Advanced Chassis keeps the platform firm on talus and root-choked trail, and the rubber toe cap shrugs off stubbed rocks. Treeline Review’s testers reported that the toe bumper took several direct hits without scuffing through. RunRepeat’s lab abrasion test gave the V9’s toebox the top score of 5 out of 5, against a field average near 3.

Durability. Underfoot, the evidence is good. Treeline Review saw no sign of the firm midsole packing out in its first 100 miles. A separate tester logged roughly 200 miles with the lugs still looking close to new. The upper is the weak point: Treeline noted that the mesh snags in overgrown brush and looks likely to fail before the sole does. REI buyers raise a second concern. Several recent reviewers report that the plastic Quicklace latches broke, and one long-time XA Pro owner said a pair bought in 2025 was poorly made compared with earlier generations.

Comfort and ride. Opinions split, and the split follows what each wearer wants from the shoe. Switchback called it too bulky and stiff for most trail runners, and said it lacks the plush comfort of many favorites. Owners who want that stiffness, for rough hiking and long days on their feet, call it supportive and tireless. Others describe a ride with little ground feel. The 11 mm drop and 28 mm heel stack push the geometry toward a conventional hiker rather than a modern, low-drop trail shoe. Livefortheoutdoors’ tester said comfort improved with wear but reported some heel slippage.

Fit. Fit reports are inconsistent. Treeline’s testers found it true to size, with no break-in needed, and the toebox is roomy enough for toe splay. Some Zappos buyers recommend going up a half size in the Gore-Tex versions. Reddit owners of the V9 describe a narrower, slightly shorter build than the V8, and one wearer with orthopedic inserts returned a pair after the inserts cramped the toes. Anyone with a wide forefoot or custom orthotics should try the shoe on before committing.

Waterproofing and drying. Owners consistently credit the Gore-Tex liner with keeping feet dry in rain, wet grass, and shallow puddles. One reviewer said it outperformed a waterproof trail runner from a competing brand. The usual rule applies: water that comes in over the collar stays in, and the thicker materials and padding dry more slowly than a mesh runner. They still dry faster than a drenched full-leather boot, according to Reddit commenters. Reddit’s aggregate sentiment on the V9 is about 71 percent positive, with durability, grip, and dryness listed as strengths and excessive cushioning and fit inconsistency as the gripes.

Traction. The Contagrip outsole handles mixed terrain competently. Reviewers rate it as stable and reliable rather than class-leading, and the shoe may struggle on wet rock and deep mud. Vibram Megagrip-soled hikers grip better on slick stone.

Weight. At 360 g (12.7 oz) per shoe, the pair is about 720 g. That is roughly a pound and a half, noticeably more than a mesh trail runner and the main cost of the armored construction.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Firm, protective platform with a tough toe cap
• Gore-Tex keeps feet dry in rain and wet vegetation
• Midsole and outsole hold up well over the first hundreds of miles
• Quicklace system is fast to adjust and tuck away
• Roomy toebox with room for toe splay

Cons

• Heavier and stiffer than most trail runners
• Little ground feel or plush cushioning for high-mileage days
• Mesh upper can snag on brush
• Quicklace latches draw durability complaints from recent buyers
• Fit varies between pairs and from the V8, and the waterproof liner slows drying
• $160 is steep for a shoe some owners say wears out in the same spots

Who Should Buy This

This shoe is for the hiker who wants more protection than a trail runner gives and less bulk than a boot. That means rocky, wet, off-trail routes, shoulder-season trips, and heavier pack weights. It also suits day hikers and travelers who want one durable, waterproof shoe. Thru-hikers chasing minimal weight, fast drying, and a soft ride over thousands of miles should look at a lighter, non-waterproof trail runner instead. So should anyone with wide feet or orthotics who can’t try on a pair first.

Verdict

The XA Pro 3D V9 GTX does what Salomon says it does: it protects the foot, keeps it dry, and lasts underfoot. It is not the lightest, softest, or most modern choice, and the latch and fit complaints keep it from a higher score. Buy it for tough, wet terrain, and skip it if the goal is a lean, fast-drying long-distance kit.