View Full Version : Salomon synapse or mission?
For years, I have happily hiked in Keen shoes of some sort. I love Keen! Unfortunately, I have developed problems with illiotibial band pain, and the stiffness of the Keen sole tends to aggravate the problem. I need a more flexible sole.
Last spring, I picked up a pair of Merrell Proterra sports. I was able to hike all over the place without knee problems. BUT the shoes were destroyed (seams coming apart type stuff) after only 30 miles on the trail. According to Merrell customer service, these shoes are not intended for carrying more than 15 pounds. Customer service was fabulous; they replaced the shoes with the Grasshoppers. These shoes have a weird feeling in the Achilles area. Maybe it's too high? Or too tight?
Anyhow, I've been looking at Salomon - both the Mission & Synapse. Does anyone have experience with either of these shoes? I've tried them on at REI, but I just don't know about durability and lasting comfort. I don't want to spend $100+ on shoes that are going to fall apart or become too uncomfortable after a day or two on the trail.
Thanks in advance!!
Valley Girl
12-21-2013, 00:41
REI will take the shoes back if they fall apart too soon, that is a great piece of mind when deciding on the right shoe. Take them home, use them on a treadmill, go for a hike and see how they feel. If you do not like them or getting hot spot right away, try another pair.
I am going with La Sportiva. I brought home 6 pairs over a years time before settling on mine.
Nicb0069
12-24-2013, 18:20
I've owned many pairs of Salomon shoes (wearing one now) because I like the way they look, feel, and the lacing system. I HATE how horrible the soles are. In my experiences they wear out very fast and the glue comes loose and the soles start to peal. This also happens with the North Face shoes. They are not worth paying full price for. I am currently looking for a better alternative and I have heard that the Adidas, Salewa, and Scarpa are all pretty good, so I'll be looking into those.
On another note, REI has changed their return policy and will not take back products that were purchased more than a year ago. They use to be really good about taking ANYTHING back and people started returning old nasty shoes that were several years old. REI had enough and changed the policy to prevent people from abusing the system so much. I wouldn't suggest returning shoes after using them, most stores don't take back shoes once worn outside.
REI will take the shoes back if they fall apart too soon, that is a great piece of mind when deciding on the right shoe. Take them home, use them on a treadmill, go for a hike and see how they feel. If you do not like them or getting hot spot right away, try another pair.
I am going with La Sportiva. I brought home 6 pairs over a years time before settling on mine.
"REI will take the shoes back if they fall apart too soon..."
DON'T COUNT ON IT!
"...that is a great piece of mind when deciding on the right shoe."
NOT ANYMORE!
...On another note, REI has changed their return policy and will not take back products that were purchased more than a year ago. They use to be really good about taking ANYTHING back and people started returning old nasty shoes that were several years old. REI had enough and changed the policy to prevent people from abusing the system so much. I wouldn't suggest returning shoes after using them, most stores don't take back shoes once worn outside.
As of June 2013 REI has DEFINITELY narrowed down and tightened up their once liberal return policy, without notice to me, which WAS one of the BEST in the Outdoors Industry. It was one of the reasons why many, including myself, ONCE shopped there so frequently. No more returns without a receipt/proof of purchase(NO RETURNS/NOT ONE WITHOUT A RECEIPT) even if in NEW unused condition with the REI Price Tags still attached, NOT EVEN FOR AN EVEN EXCHANGE FOR A DIFFERENT SIZE! Most merchandise sold at REI now only has a 90 day possible return window. This is DEFINITELY a NARROWING of REI's Return Policy and it affects CUSTOMERS AND MOST IMPORTANTLY INCREASES REI's PROFITS DESPITE HOW REI MARKETING MIGHT SPIN IT! This is what can happen when new management takes over. Sally Jewell, the former CEO of REI left/was named to become Secretary of the Interior around April 2013. This new HARD LINE Return Policy went into effect June 2013. New management have incentives, OFTEN PERSONALLY FINANCIALLY CONTRACTUALLY RELATED, to make a company more profitable than previous Management. I think that is the situation with REI!
***Of course, there was return abuse in REI's system(it happens in ALL stores) but REI decided to amend to a VERY hard line Return Policy approach that wasn't necessary IF it had been more concerned about customer service rather than the bottom line! REI could easily have limited annual Returns to say three per yr as WalMart and many other companies have. Numerous others(I have heard of at least a dozen) and myself have been rudely treated at the Customer Service Desk attempting to make an even fair exchange on new REI merchandise. Two REI Customer Service Reps as well as two REI MNGRS even suggested what I was seeking to exchange could have been stolen. They made me feel like I was doing something unethical by wanting an even exchange to a larger size on one their shirts I was given as a gift and had no receipt for. This occurred in two different REI stores. I don't know about anyone else but this is not how I will allow myself to be treated by Customer Service by any company. I used to be a BIG fan and long time loyal REI Member and customer. NO MORE!
I'm taking my gear biz to companies that still understand the need for the highest level of customer service, specializing in the needs of long distance hikers.
River Runner
01-06-2014, 02:10
For years, I have happily hiked in Keen shoes of some sort. I love Keen! Unfortunately, I have developed problems with illiotibial band pain, and the stiffness of the Keen sole tends to aggravate the problem. I need a more flexible sole.
According to Merrell customer service, these shoes are not intended for carrying more than 15 pounds.
That strike me as very odd. Body weight between people can vary greatly, certainly more than 15 pounds.
Lucy Lulu
01-06-2014, 08:22
I've not used the two brands you listed above, but I have tried numerous brands over the years, and now ONLY use Salomons. I love the way these trail runners fit my feet, and I've not had any problems with them holding up on any of the trails I've hiked. I even bought five pairs of one year's style because I liked them so much. Just my two cents....
That strike me as very odd. Body weight between people can vary greatly, certainly more than 15 pounds.
I thought so, too. Especially since it doesn't say that anywhere in the product description. They were very comfy. It's a shame they couldn't last a little longer.
I've not used the two brands you listed above, but I have tried numerous brands over the years, and now ONLY use Salomons. I love the way these trail runners fit my feet, and I've not had any problems with them holding up on any of the trails I've hiked. I even bought five pairs of one year's style because I liked them so much. Just my two cents....
I went with the missions, and they are super comfortable. Love them!!
I passed on the Salomon Synapse. I have a pr of the Men's Salomon Missions though. They have a quite flexible sole if that's what you were looking for. I don't think they are very durable though and I personally wasn't willing to pay $120 for them when they first hit the market. I bought mine at REI on sale on a color pattern closeout/discontinued style for about $65.
Keen, which I like for the tootsie room across the forefoot, recently introduced several new Women's models that definitely have more flexible less rigid soles, are lighter wt., and geared to light wt hiking and trail running. They also have a NO HASSLE RETURN POLICY.
http://www.keenfootwear.com/us/en/wall/shoes/women/na/16,1450
Keen makes my knees hurt. I don't know if it is the rigidity of the sole or something else, but it kills me! Normally, I wouldn't pay the $120 for the Salomons, but hubby gave me a gift card to Title 9, and I couldn't resist.
Minda, are you sure, by a MDs diagnosis specializing in running related issues, that it's an IT band issue and not something else or and something else? After some adjustment time to more minimalist shoes(say two pr) IF your IT band isn't better, assuming it is just the ITB, then it could be telling you that others things are involved like your hiking style, musculoskeletal alignment, orthotics, etc and MAY not just be the shoe. Good luck. Let us know after awhile if the switch to the Missions helped the ITB/knee issue.
I haven't gone to a specialist, just my GP. He suggested trying different shoes to see if it helped & gave me some exercises to do. Eventually, I'll probably end up at a specialist.
Switching to minimalist shoes has helped immensely, Dogwood. I was surprised by how much. When we sectioned last year & I was wearing the merrell proterras, I didn't have any knee pain. At all. After they tore to pieces, I tried going back to the Keens for a weekend hike, which wasn't a good idea. I wound up hiking out in minimalist sandals - no more pain.
Thanks for your suggestions. Hopefully these shoes will work better. I'm going to try them on a local trail in a few weeks.
HikerMom58
01-07-2014, 07:54
Wow... that amazing!
I have Keen hiking shoes that I love... so far no prob. for me. The minimalist shoes gave my daughter knee problems while running everyday. I'm glad they helped you! :) Everyone is so different.