Quote Originally Posted by MOUNTAIN MAN View Post
I would be interested to know how the XT Wings handle things regarding cushioning, stability and grip. I really like Salomon because their narrow fit suits my feet and still leaves room in the toebox for steep descents. The downside is the grip. I first used some on the UTMB and found them really comfortable - the grip is not a big a problem if you are not going that quickly.
Tony, off thread maybe but a quick report on the shoes.

I too have narrow feet. Early in the year I was using Roclite 295s, but the truth of the matter for me was that they weren't giving me the comfort I needed.

I have had XA Pros for walking and used the Speedcross a lot over the years, so I know the Salomon last fits my foot pretty well.

I decided to have a go with the S Labs without ever having a pair of the Wings; but I have been very impressed with them, and have been running pretty much all my terrain in them these last couple of months.

I think the key is in the chassis (as they call it) which seems to hold the foot a deal closer than the XA Pro and means that it can cope with most terrain with ease. They aren't great on tussocky grass, but you wouldn't expect a trail shoe to cope that well. The stability has been really very good, better than I expected. And as ever, the more you tighten the lacing system, the better the stability.

I have managed to do away with my orthotics too, which I could never do with an Inov8. There is a gentle arch post in the S Labs which does the trick for my flat feet.

Comfort-wise I have found them exceptional; even better with the Salomon foot bed which I can now use having left the orthotic out.

I only had one bad moment grip-wise yesterday, coming off Gable. We took the racing line and I guess some of the rock is way less worn than on the main path. No damage done. On dry rock, the grip is simply outstanding, all that rubber acting like a road shoe. It's not bad on wet rock either. And the surprising thing is the grip on steep (wet) grass which is way better than you might expect.

The sole is so flat that it never bites back. The S Lab 4 has a an option of a softground sole which is more lugged, but the hardground sole is the one I have on the 3s and on Alpine terrain it is great. I wore these on a 2 day recce of the CCC course at the end of June with no problem of any sort, even on a wet second day.

I've been impressed. They aren't cheap but I think they do a very good job. I wouldn't have imagined a few months ago doing the CT in a pair of trail shoes, but they coped perfectly well.