If you want to leave the race and run your own trail. Or if you want to go further and enjoy mountain wandering more freely. The best ones may not be lightweight, delicate race gear, or heavy mountain gear.
The XA ELEVATE the latest XA , has joined Salomon's running shoes in autumn and winter last year , and is designed to be the perfect solution for runners who want to go through a variety of hard routes, or for hikers who are starting to aim for faster and farther. the OUT PEAK 20 is a 20L backpack designed to be useful for speed hiking, where the contradictory functions of the lightness required in racing and the durability required in mountain climbing are simultaneously required. Combined with the two, the mountain trip will be a completely different scene for those who have previously enjoyed trail running and hiking in an orthodox style.
we will be reporting on how it feels to use them by checking the answers to the SALOMON based on impressions of actually driving these two gears with just enough luggage to actually stay overnight
table of contents
General features
XA ELEVATE
The XA series, which is named after the "XA" meaning cross adventure, is based on the concept of completing a variety of activities in the outdoor scene and reaching the goal as quickly as possible. Therefore, the XA series is not a model that targets trail running only, but its greatest feature is its high protection and mobility, which can be adapted to a variety of road and climate conditions.
XA ELEVATE, which continues this concept, seamlessly crimps TPU protection on the upper to protect your feet from protrusions, the midsole features Advanced chassis™, which provides high stability, a profile film that prevents thrusts from rugged ground, and the outsole uses Premium Wet Traction Contagrip®, which provides high grip even on wet roads, providing reliable protection not only for trails, but also for rocky, scuffy, muddy roads, and even for sloping off mountain trails. Of course, the outstanding fit is still maintained thanks to Salomon's unique SensiFit™ and QUICKLASE™. The lineup also includes GORE-TEX® models with improved waterproofness.
OUT PEAK 20
A backpack for speed hiking was created in the search for the best balance between a trail running pack that requires light weight and mobility, and a hiking pack that requires peace of mind, comfort, convenience and durability even when carried over for long periods of time. A fabric that is light and durable to act quickly in a tough environment. A back panel and shoulder strap with high breathability and fit. The abundant pockets placed throughout the main compartment, as well as the entire unit, provide better storage than the capacity display. The Sensi Fit™ (pack) allows for optimal fitting when carried on your back and the MotionFit™ trail that is resistant to violent vibrations, allowing you to operate stably and comfortably even with large luggage.
Main Specifications and ratings
XA ELEVATE
| item | Specifications and ratings |
|---|---|
| weight | 298g (27cm per foot measured) |
| Stack height | 25mm/17mm (8mm drop) |
| upper |
|
| Chassis |
|
| Outsole | Premium Wet Traction Contagrip® |
| Comfort | ★★★★☆ |
| weight | ★★★☆☆ |
| grip | ★★★★☆ |
| protection | ★★★★☆ |
| Stability | ★★★★★ |
| comprehensive evaluation | ★★★★☆ |
OUT PEAK 20
| item | Specifications and ratings |
|---|---|
| Official capacity (L) | 20 |
| Reference measured capacity *(L) | 27.5 |
| Official weight (g) | 514 |
| Actual weight (g) | 536 |
| Weight per 1L (g) | 19.5 |
| material | 100D Nylon Mini Ripstop, Waterproof 500mm 70D Nylon Double Ripstop, Waterproof 500mm |
| Rear system | MotionFit Trail SensiFit™ (Pack) |
|
|
| accessories | Emergency sheet |
| weight | ★★★★☆ |
| Comfort | ★★★☆☆ |
| Mobility | ★★★★★ |
| Storageability | ★★★★☆ |
| Functionality | ★★★☆☆ |
| comprehensive evaluation | ★★★★☆ |
*This is based on our unique measurement results, converting the number of ping-pong balls (40mm diameter) into liters, which is packed into the entire pack.
Detailed Review: XA ELEVATE
An excellent fit and protection upper
When I first met these shoes, what I thought was that they looked quite similar to the SENSE RIDE, which appeared around the same time. It is true that it is equipped with Salomon's unique fitting technology, SensiFit™ and shoelaces QUICKLACE™, and the mesh fabric has protection against protection. However, the feeling when I put my feet in was much different than I expected.
However, as a prerequisite, the basic fit is still as great as ever. It holds the entire instep from the bottom of the arch of the foot so that it wraps around the entire instep, preventing your feet from rampaging inside your shoes.
However, while SENSE RIDE has a soft feel that wraps around the entire body, XA ELEVATE has a slightly more rigid feel than that. The reason for this is that this model places more emphasis on protection functions, and is made of highly durable TPU material such as the toes and midfoot, which protects your feet from protrusions. If we are looking at hard courses, this level of trade-off should be welcomed.
Perhaps due to the difference in texture of the upper, the impression of the size is slightly different. Personally, I found the XA ELEVATE to be a bit tighter, so I felt that the 27.0cm mountain boots were more comfortable than the perfect size of 26.5cm.
Highly protected midsole to protect against ground thrusts
In this review, I carried a load of 5kg or less than 10kg on my back, chose a course with a huge difference in elevation, and was first surprised by how smooth the way I walked and the peace of mind when I placed my heel. Basically, it's made of running shoes, so it weighs 290g and the flexible midsole make it easy to walk (run) when viewed as a mountain climbing shoe, but the difference is that its lightness is designed with stability and protection functions everywhere, like hiking shoes.
The lightweight and highly functional Advanced Chassis™ around the heel provides excellent stability even against impacts that are stronger than normal trail runs.
Furthermore, the midsole has a lightweight, hard TPU film built into the PROFEEL FILM. This prevents rugged rocks from thrusts from the ground, so no damage will accumulate even when walking around the scuffing area for long periods of time.
Incidentally, since SENSE RIDE is based on trail running on a certain level of maintenance, even with the same Energy Cell+ high-rebound midsole, Vibe technology, it also features a very soft vibration-absorbing material OPAL, which provides a strong impact absorption when landing, and the feeling of this differs greatly. If you're greedy, it's best to have both high protection and Vibe technology, but it still seems like a luxury hope.
Outsole provides strong grip even on rough roads
Designed to allow easy rides on the worst possible road surfaces, this model naturally has a thorough outsole that is suitable for rough roads.
The material is Premium Wet Traction Contagrip®, which is resistant to wet roads, like the one used in the company's mountaineering models. By constructing this with a lug pattern similar to that of trekking shoes, it is not only easy to run, but also has the ability to feel traction when climbing (from toe to the outside), grip against strong impacts on descent (heel area), and difficulty slipping on wet or soft roads (medium foot area). This is also the reason why you can feel secure in being able to land vigorously on the ground on the descent.
when comparing it with OUTPATH hiking shoes, which use the same Premium Wet Traction Contagrip® the XA ELEVATE was slightly more slippery in grip performance on wet rocky areas. For this reason, no matter how resistant you are to bad roads, I also thought it would be best to recognize this with an annotation that it is only part of running shoes.
Things to be bothered
I've mentioned a bit about the fit, but although it has high basic performance as a trail running shoe, it is made with an emphasis on protection, so overall comfort and running feel (when looking at it as a running shoe) is definitely "hard." The sole is not thin, but it is not particularly made to absorb shocks. For this reason, when you drive on mild, well-maintained trails, it is slightly lower than shoes with flexible and cushioning, like the so-called SENSE RIDE. At the moment, you need to be careful as it depends on which one you place importance on.
Detailed Review: OUT PEAK 20
It is light and breathable, not typical for a backpack for mountain climbing.
When I picked it up, it was lighter than anything else. A typical 20L class daypack for mountaineering is around 800g, and even so-called ultra-light backpacks are not easily found at 500g. The fabric used for the main body is not extremely thin, and it seems that the parts to be thinned and the parts to maintain minimum strength are used in the right place.
Another factor is the foamed back panel and mesh fabric woven with cushioning, breathability and quick-drying throughout the back, and the cut waist belt are probably the reasons for its lightness. This is the part where the knowledge of trail running packs is well utilized.
Larger capacity than it looks, with easy storage capacity for easy access
The nominal pack capacity is approximately 20L, but the storage capacity of this pack is not that great. First, we'll check the storage area of this model.
First of all, the main compartment has a wider base area as the higher it goes, so it seems to fit more than it looks. Access is made from the vertically arranged double zipper, making it easy to put in and take out. Although waterproofness is inferior to the roll-top opening, this one is definitely better in terms of convenience.
There is a wide variety of bottles (flask) holders on the left and right (top left of the bottom photo), two large zipper pockets that can hold a 5-inch smartphone (bottom left and right), and two mesh tablet storage zipper pockets (top right of the bottom photo).
There are also mesh pockets on the sides, making it easy to store bottles, poles, etc.
With such a large amount of storage, is it really 20L? As a test, like when I previously compared lightweight backpacks on this site, I put a ping pong ball with a diameter of 4mm inside the pack and measured the approximate actual capacity.
So what do you think? Approximately 20L is the main compartment, and we found that if you include other side and front pockets, it can fit approximately 27L. Unlike climbing backpacks, which often lack front bottle holders and pockets, this pack has a good and effective overall storage capacity, and we found that it can store a lot of luggage unexpectedly. For example, as shown in the photo below, it is not impossible to cut the tent down to the limit by using an ultra-light shelter and a quilted sleeping bag.
Its storage capacity is one of my favorite parts of this pack, which is hard to imagine from its lightness and compactness.
It fits reliably on your body while standing, and has high mobility that won't shake even when running
What I found to be a very unique and useful feature was the fitting function called the "Pack version of SensiFit." A compression cord is stretched from the sides of this pack to the head, and when you pull it from the shoulders while carrying the pack on your back, the entire pack is compressed and fits it onto your back. As you can see from the actual test, you can tighten it with a posture that allows you to fit firmly and adjust it to your body.
Furthermore, the sternum strap on the chest uses three joints, a total of six rows of flat elastic, allowing you to adjust the tension slightly.
Of course, an adjustment belt is also located on the sides, so you can hold it tightly against your body and carry it firmly on your back. The pack's center of gravity is located at the top, and this exquisite fitting and fixation significantly reduces the pack's shaking even with intense shaking. I found this one to be far less blurry than the ULTIMATE DIRECTION FASTPACK 30 I used before
Things that bother me because it is innovative
This unique pack, which solves various issues using original technology, is not yet complete.
First, there is the Sternum strap on the front (chest). The hook is designed to hook onto the loop of the string, but it is very narrow and difficult to attach. Also, adjusting the tension is a bit inconvenient to make it even.
The SensiFit™ (pack) function that allows you to fit while standing is basically great, but the parts are complicated, and the extended strings can be bothersome and loosen up after tightening. I was also in trouble when the string that had passed through my shoulder fell out. Because it is an interesting feature, I hope it will be even more user-friendly.
Additionally, the outside of the shoulder harness has mesh fabric edges sewn together, but this one is slightly stiff and raised, so I was concerned about the rubbing when I was working with heavy luggage (at the time was 8kg). This is also something I hope will be improved.
Summary: Recommended for people like this
I felt that running shoes and backpacks, which combine moderate lightness and durability, were the best balance for trail runners like my own who are not a race-centric trail runners, or, in other words, hikers who walk at speeds of around 60 to 70% of course time. Although the backpack is 20L, the storage is distributed throughout the pack, and the compression is good, so even if you have fewer luggage on a day trip, it is highly versatile and won't be uncomfortable. In that sense, it may seem like a half-hearted size, but can be used widely for day trips, staying at a hut, or for mountain hiking in a UL style for several days.
Also, assuming that you are mainly running with ultra-light luggage, I think this lightness and protection is more than just the company's X ULTRA hiking shoes, which are as safe as possible, making it less tiring and less tiring. As mentioned at the beginning, this is a great choice for runners who have left the race and started exploring their own routes, or for hikers who want to go even further and greedily gain distance even at the same time. On the other hand, there are some aspects of this model's concept, but since it is designed with the combined activities of running and hiking in mind, if you are conscious of racing, it is important to determine that. Another option is possible, especially if speed is required on a course with a certain level of ground level. Also, if you have large luggage or weight and your body weight is heavy, you will need more stable climbing boots, as long as you don't have very strong legs, so it's a good idea to keep this in mind.
For product details and inquiries, please also check the SALOMON official website