As a backcountry nordic skiier, I frequent ungroomed technical terrain. I have skis that are wider than typical nordic skis and have features like metal edges. I have been backcountry nordic skiing for around 15 years both in track and out, and for the the last 4 I have owned and used the Salomon X-ADV 5 backcountry ski boots.
I initially bought these boots to replace an old pair of Karhu boots which I loved but had simply fallen apart. Having the SNS (Salomon) X-ADV bindings already installed on my skis, I had only one choice when it was time to upgrade: The Salomon X Adventure 5's. Salomon has always had a special place in my closet with numerous running shoe and race cross country ski boots in my collection.
When I first bought the boots, I loved their beefy grip on the bottom, allowing me to transition to using the boots when winter camping or even a ski to snowshoe transition. They were warm and comfortable and I generally enjoyed using them.
I initially bought these boots to replace an old pair of Karhu boots which I loved but had simply fallen apart. Having the SNS (Salomon) X-ADV bindings already installed on my skis, I had only one choice when it was time to upgrade: The Salomon X Adventure 5's. Salomon has always had a special place in my closet with numerous running shoe and race cross country ski boots in my collection.
When I first bought the boots, I loved their beefy grip on the bottom, allowing me to transition to using the boots when winter camping or even a ski to snowshoe transition. They were warm and comfortable and I generally enjoyed using them.
After only one year of use, my opinion started to sway. The grey coloured fabric on the sides of the over cuff started to shred with use track skiing. I thought it was just mine, but it happened to my husband's pair as well, and my retired neighbour who uses them almost everyday was also affected on multiple pairs. This was disappointing for me as I had always had top notch quality when it came to Salomon.
My boot beginning to rip
Secondly, to tighten the boot, you need to pull the laces and tie them up as you would many shoes or boots. That said, Salomon has been using a pull tab system of cinching the laces of their boots and running shoes which I have on every other Salomon footwear product except this one. This affects the ability of the boot to feel snug with your foot. As time passed and the boot insulation packed out, the boot feel became very sloppy which does not help when skiing down technical slops on nordic gear! Even to the point of being unsafe!
My husband's boot shredded
Knowing 3 unsatisfied customers with this product, all with the same issues, I knew there had to be more. In the fall of 2014, Salomon came out with a new boot to replace the X-ADV 5, which they call the X-ADV Escape. I was elated that they had discontinued the 5, and had addressed the issues that I had concerns about. The new boot has the pull tab system, new fabric, and even an ankle support bracing. Perfect right?! Nope. Salomon has made their new backcountry X-ADV Escape boot to only fit the Salomon Pilot Classic Binding meaning that they are not compatible with my X-ADV binding system!! How ridiculous. Salomon-you have made a big mistake.
So my choices moving forward are: Buy the Salomon Backountry X-ADV 6 or 8 boots that would still be compatible with my bindings (but are more boot than I need), or to buy a new NNN binding ($90) and NNN compatible boot from either Rossignol, Fischer or Alpina ($200). What??!! That's crazy! It will cost me $400 to upgrade (2 sets of bindings for my 2 sets of skis and 1 set of boots). As a business decision, I have to question why Salomon would go in this direction. You have lost a customer Salomon and I know of at least 2 more. I would NOT RECOMMEND buying these boots, and if you do get them, it will be costly to replace!
UPDATE: I have since bought the Rossignol Women's X6 boots and are completely in love. They difference between the two are night and day! Ankle support! Durable material construction! Pull tab tightening! The boots and two sets of NNN Rottefella Manual Bindings later cost me $270 on sale. Still upset about having to pay for this, but am happy to have moved on.
So my choices moving forward are: Buy the Salomon Backountry X-ADV 6 or 8 boots that would still be compatible with my bindings (but are more boot than I need), or to buy a new NNN binding ($90) and NNN compatible boot from either Rossignol, Fischer or Alpina ($200). What??!! That's crazy! It will cost me $400 to upgrade (2 sets of bindings for my 2 sets of skis and 1 set of boots). As a business decision, I have to question why Salomon would go in this direction. You have lost a customer Salomon and I know of at least 2 more. I would NOT RECOMMEND buying these boots, and if you do get them, it will be costly to replace!
UPDATE: I have since bought the Rossignol Women's X6 boots and are completely in love. They difference between the two are night and day! Ankle support! Durable material construction! Pull tab tightening! The boots and two sets of NNN Rottefella Manual Bindings later cost me $270 on sale. Still upset about having to pay for this, but am happy to have moved on.
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