I’ve bought at least 5 pairs of Salomon Techamphibian shoes over the last few years. Love em, but there are some things to keep in mind.
Pros:
- Very lightweight. About 20 ounces for a men’s size 11. These are super-light.
- Dry quickly. Fastest drying shoes I’ve ever owned
- Breathability: you can literally feel the wind blowing through these shoes. It’s the closest thing to wearing sandals that I’ve worn.
Cons:
- Lack of support: These aren’t full blown running shoes, so don’t be looking for heavy padding or support. I use Superfeet insoles in mine, and that works well.
- Heel strap slips: That little strap on the heel slips almost constantly. No big deal to cinch back up, but it gets annoying after awhile. I usually just sew the strap in place with a few stitches and call it a day.
- Durability: I get more mileage out of regular trail runners. The laces can eventually wear out, and finding replacements can be a pain.
Overall, I really like these shoes. They’re great for weekend trips, especially if I know it’s going to be wet and sloppy. If I was palnning a thru-hike, I’d probably go with something with a little more support and padding though.
Weight: 20 oz
List Price: $80
Overall Rating: 4/5
I am looking at these as a possible solution to use for stream crossings and camp shoes. Being named ‘Techamphibian’ I would never expect them to be my thru-hike shoes. I would expect them to get me across a stream or bog without falling down and dry quickly hanging from the back of my pack as I went on down the trail. Of course I would find another shoe for my thru or even a weekender hike.
They’d be great for stream crossings, and you might be surprised about using these things for hiking. Adding the Superfeet really helps. Granted, I’m not a big fan of campshoes in general, and a thru-hiked in Chacos, so take this with a grain of salt.
I’m a fish farmer and enjoyed those shoes for a while. North Face has a similar version.
Both are very functional but highly overpriced and wear out quick.Poorly made to say the least.
I us a good old pair of Crocs these years.
I wouldn’t ever buy another pair of Salomons..
I don’t think the the Salomons or North Face shoes are going to be appropriate for the type of things your using them for. They’re made to dry out quickly, but not for staying wet all the time. I’m glad your Crocs are serving you well. Mine sure have.
John…weren’t we just talking about this the other day?
A co-worker of mine recently hiked the Foothills Trail (AKA: The Stair-Master) in a pair of TechAmphibs and loved them…the trick, like you said, would be Superfeet.
On a side note: If there are wide-footed Soloman fans out there, like me, there is now the XA Comp Ultra Plus. I have a 4E left foot, my right is a 3E and the Plus fits me just fine.