Snowcross CS... also from Salomon

Die Liebe zum Detail ..... the love or even a sort of obsession for details is my kind of being. I do not have much money, but I spend big amounts of money for things made due to this rule: paid attention to every and smallest detail! Such of things you have it for your life long, if you pay attention and take a little bit of care about them. 

We all know - or should know - that the mass production of products killed the entire originality and specificity of values. When you find a fine product nowadays, don't take it for granted, because real fine things made by human hands are more seldom to be seen.

This jacket is also a good example (click here), this race bike is a different good example and the list doesn't stop here.

Now, these winter trail running shoes from Salomon are made first for my eyes, then for my soul and, finally, for my feet and senses. 

I've ordered and get delivered this very beautiful shoes at the same time with these one and unfortunately I have the same big issue about the right size.

As you can see, the shoes are very beautiful. And very special indeed. 

I had big, big thoughts about if I should risk to buy these shoes. They are pretty expensive, far away from what I can afford at this end of a new pathetic year - financially speaking -.

 The first problem about them it was finding them only as men option. Searching for something affordable for running in very cold and wet weather, I always was linked to this model. Looking to them on internet and reading about the product as a "new wonder for trail runners", I had the image of a big, strong, aggressive shoe for men only. The real stuff is not so "dangerous" as it seems to be. As I was told here in Romania that the model is unisex, I was very surprised. As already described in previous material about the other pair of running shoes, the professional advice in order to buy a pair was missing. 

 The most important dilemma for me, after the price, was the right size. Having the Speedcross 3 in size 6,5 UK and feeling them a little bit too big for my feet, I finally decided to order 6,5 UK. Wrong decision (!!) and here Salomon manufacturer should pay much more attention. Speaking about sizing this model, something is quite strange with it. I can say this after wearing it at the office, with two different type of socks, for 2 days now. They are too tight in the middle vs. the front side of the shoe. I am still so undecided about these shoes: are they just extraordinary as performance and design or not?

I cannot comment now about the performance, as I couldn't test them on trail and I am not decided if I should do it or not. I mean .... if I run with them once, I cannot return them.

 The structure is interesting.

There is an inner shoe and over it a special high protection with zip.

The Snowcross CS is a water-resistant minimum feature, moderate neutral trail shoe designed for racing and daily training in the winter.

CUSHIONING

• Injected EVA runs the length of the shoe for underfoot cushion.
• Molded EVA midsole provides underfoot cushioning.

MIDSOLE

• Injected EVA runs the length of the shoe for underfoot cushion.
• Molded EVA midsole provides underfoot cushioning.
• LT Muscle is a lightweight EVA cushioning compound that helps absorb impact forces.

UPPER

• Quicklace is a lace system made from durable Kevlar fibers for easy shoe entry and exit.

Anti-Debris Mesh is a breathable mesh upper that keeps debris out of the shoe. Sensifit overlays on the upper wrap the foot for a close, secure fit.

• Zip Gaiter keeps rocks, debris, and water out of the shoe.
• ClimaShield is a lightweight, breathable and quick drying waterproof membrane that covers the foot area for added protection.
• Lace Pocket keeps laces tucked up and out of the way.
• 2nd Skin Construction is a seamless upper that delivers ideal comfort.
• OrthoLite Sockliner is composed of anti-bacterial material and is designed to reduce odor and moisture while adding cushion directly underfoot.
• Protective Ankle Pads keep lower legs safe from debris and ice.
• Strategically Placed Overlays help secure the foot in place and provide increased durability.

OUTSOLE

• Mud and Snow Contagrip has an aggressive lug pattern designed to dig in deep on softer ground for excellent traction.
• Includes 9 metal spike pins.

Anyway, the ideal winter trail running shoe seems to be invented and available for everybody could afford it, the price starts from about 160 EURO.
+ points:
very beautiful
incredible light
- points:
problematic by choosing the right size
still don't know  ....
First run with it filled me with full pain. I've run only 9 km on trail, through the forest, on autumn cover of dead leaves. A huge blister and a deep pain inside the right feet just in the middle where never in my life I had a blister - did my run not a pleasant experience, but I could finish the run. So, second impression about these shoes: not a happy choice. 
I will now more when I'll use them on ice and in cold weather, maybe it is a good choice after all. Hopefully. For the time being I am quite disappointed.
Update 12th of December:
Perfect day and perfect ground for this running shoe offered me the chance to test it again. Not on trail path, but in the Capital City, after a long snow fall and frozen temperatures. So, the asphalt was entirely covered by thick ice as I enjoyed in January in Tromso. So, I have run the 7 km from home to the office, in the early morning, than back in the evening. Thicker socks. Great feeling. The shoes seem to be on the right ground and the runner feels more secure. But I maintain what I said about the form. The shoe´s form is not normal. To run with it I have to ignore the laces. I use only the zipp. This is not OK at all. The length of the shoe is good for the feet, but the shoe itself does not offer enough place for the entire foot. It is very strange and .... it is a winter shoe, why should the producer let less space inside the shoe?! I have a real big problem with this. People from Salomon, hey, I hope you read this and have something to say maybe?
Update 23th of December, 2012:
16 km running on icy snow. One hour running, then about 2 hours walking and stopping for taking pictures. So, after almost 3 hours outdoor, at about minus 8 degrees C, cloudy day, I felt some cold to the toes.
No complains today, good shoes :-)
Updated 14.01.2013:

 After 56 km running with these shoes I can say that I run on a path to ... happiness :-)) I report after a longer run. The longest was for only 16 km, pretty OK, could be better.

Updated 31.01.2018: 

I finally live and run in a place where these shoes deserve to be active! Real winter, high snow and frozen roads or paths are the best friends of these shoes. I still appreciate them at being the best model for cold winters and even my pair is still almost new due to lack of proper opportunities to run it out, I think about buying the 2nd pair in size 7 UK, of course (left foot 25,5 cm long, right foot 25 cm long. UK Size 6,5 ist a bit small).

S-Lab Sense