I bought this shoe for an upcoming hiking trip to the Dolomites of northern Italy. This was the first time I have worn this model, but I have worn several other Salomon trail runner shoes in the past. I have a narrow foot with a low arch and these shoes fit me very well. I have owned three versions of the speedcross, which is a show I love to run in, but the tread of the speedcross is not the best for rocky or gravelly terrain, which is the terrain in the dolomites. I found the XA Pro 3D V8 to be perfect for the terrain and surface conditions. The grip is excellent on rock and gravel, the tread is more durable on rock and gravel, and the shoe is a little more stable and protective for those surfaces and ground types as well. This shoe is supportive and feels like a hybrid hiking shoe/running shoe. I have mostly hiked in it, but I have done a little running in it and it is comfortable to run in. I think if I was going to be running a long distance (10+ miles) I might go with something that has a little more of a rockered shape, to propel you forward.
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