Podiatrist Recommended Trail Running Shoe - Salomon XA Pro.

Salomon XA PRO 3D CS WP 

Trail-Running Shoes

The Salomon XA Pro is an excellent trail running shoe. I'm not a trail runner, so I have been wearing this shoe for hiking, exercising at the gym and as a general walking shoe. I also like the fact that it is waterproof and has excellent gripping action on the bottom of the sole, which helps with hiking and running on rocky trails. 

What makes this shoe so good is that it meets the four criteria that a shoe must have to be comfortable:

1. A thick, rigid, non-flexible sole. It is crucial that shoes have a thick, rigid and non-flexible sole because less motion and flexing through foot joints allows for less inflammation, less damage, and less pain. If you are recovering from a foot fracture or injury, it is important that you protect those bones and joints with a thick, rigid and non-flexible sole, so that you don't reinjure your foot. 

2. Wide toebox. It's important to wear a shoe with a wide and preferably soft toe box so that there is less pressure on toes, which will stop or slow the progression of bunions, hammertoes, corns, and calluses.

3. Rearfoot control. Rearfoot control is important because it helps to biomechanically control the rearfoot, which means that there is less mechanical strain to tendons, ligaments, and joints. It also helps to decrease tired leg syndrome as well as decrease knee, hip and lower back strain. 

4. Arch support. Not everyone needs arch support. In fact, about ten percent of patients cannot tolerate arch support. The other ninety percent of patients do benefit from arch support, which helps to place the foot in a biomechanically, neutral position. Doing this helps to stop or slow the progression of forefoot issues such as bunions and hammertoes. It also is important if you are recovering from any foot or ankle injuries, particularly a Lisfranc joint injury. Arch support also helps with knee, hip and lower back pain.  

This shoe is recommended for people with:

*Plantar Fasciitis (heel pain)

*Metatarsalgia

*Morton's Neuroma

*Capsulitis

*Hallux Rigidus (no motion through the 1st toe joint)

*Hallux Limitus (limited range of motion through the 1st toe joint with no weight bearing)

*Functional Hallux Limitus (limited range of motion through the 1st toe joint while weight bearing)

*Bunions

*Hammertoes

*Achilles Tendonitis 

*Peroneal & Posterior Tibial Tendonitis

*Previous Lisfranc's Injury (check with your podiatrist if needed)

*Corns & Calluses

*Sesamoiditis

*Ingrown toenails

*History of Ankle Sprains

*Hypermobility

*Ligament Laxity

*Over-Pronation

*Pes Cavus (high arches)

*Pes Planus (flat feet)

Check with your podiatrist to see if this shoe is right for you if you have:

*Diabetes

*Peripheral Neuropathy (nerve damage)

*Peripheral Arterial Disease (poor circulation)

*Drop Foot

*Charcot-Marie Tooth Disease

This shoe is not recommended for people with:

*Charcot Foot

*History of Ulcerations

*Lymphedema (excessive swelling) 

For more information on proper shoes, check out these articles from my blog:

Shoe recommendations for patients recovering from Lisfranc's Injuries.

http://podiatryshoereview.blogspot.com/2012/04/podiatrist-shoe-recommendations-for.html

My feet hurt! Top 10 things to relieve foot pain today.

http://podiatryshoereview.blogspot.com/2012/05/my-feet-hurt-top-ten-things-relieve.html

I hope this was helpful!

Dr. Cathleen A. McCarthy

:)