And Wander’s Salomon XA PRO 3D Is an Absolute Unit
The Salomon models commanding the most attention right now are technically technical, but they aren’t the most robust outdoor sneakers on the market. Both the XT-6 and XT-Wings 2 have been around for at least a decade, enough time for several rounds of “new and improved” to hit the market. They’re still the hottest Salomons among the sneakerhead and fashion crowd, which is totally fine because they tend to be more interested in the appearance of gorp than the actual benefits.
The Salomon XA Pro 3D, though, is a certified beast. It’s very much for the “wear outdoor sneakers to do outdoor things” demo, and it’s getting a stylistic upgrade courtesy of And Wander, one of several esoteric outdoors brands generating buzz out of Japan.
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And Wander’s take on the XA Pro 3D Gore-Tex utilizes a brown and block color combo that should help remove any fears of getting it dirty. The long and thin tongue tag then appears in its always-welcomed primary color trio with “And Wander” branding added. On the insole is the only other place you’ll find another And Wander signifier, which helps emphasize that this is a utilitarian sneaker that just so happens to be sexy, too.
Beside the Gore-Tex waterproofing, the XA Pro 3D’s bonafides include a significant toe cap for protection, a Contagrip outsole specifically tailored to maintain grip in wet conditions, and a weight of only 380 grams per shoe. It’s top-of-the-line stuff, but still won’t stop some from wearing it in everyday life as an exercise in intentional overkill.
The And Wander x Salomon XA Pro 3D is available now for pre-order through the Japanese brand’s website for approximately $225, with delivery slated to begin in late September. Going that route will require enlisting a proxy service for delivery to the states but also brings the peace of mind in knowing you’ll get a pair. If you want to go the easier route in exchange for more risk, select retailers will also put the shoe up for sale Sept. 6.
About the Author:
Ian Servantes is a Senior Trending News Editor for Footwear News specializing in sneaker coverage. He’s previously reported on streetwear and sneakers at Input and Highsnobiety after beginning his career on the pop culture beat. He subscribes to the idea that “ball is life” and doesn’t fuss over his kicks getting dirty.
