Addnature Tests:Salomon Outline GTX Shoes and Jacket
First Impressions
For this trip, I needed a lightweight outdoor shoe with which I could comfortably hike light trails, walk around cities and also use for cycling. The Salomon Outline seemed the perfect choice. I chose one size bigger (38 2/3 instead of 38) to be able to wear thicker socks in colder conditions and to have enough room for steep downhill passages. Even after taking the first few steps in the shoes, I knew I’d made the right choice. I also decided to order one size bigger for the Salomon Outline rain jacket (L instead of M) to have enough space underneath for a few extra layers - if it turned out to be colder than expected - and for more freedom of movement on the bike. As expected, the sleeves were a bit longer, but the jacket fit better at the waist than I thought it would. Overall, I thought the jacket looked stylish and felt very soft and light.
The practical test: with bike and tent through Moldova and Ukraine
The weather was very varied on the trip, giving the Salomon products plenty of opportunity to prove themselves. I wore the Outline jacket hiking in the Carpathians, while walking around Chissinau and regularly on my bike on colder mornings as well as when it was rainy or windy. No matter how heavy the rain, I stayed dry. On the bike, the jacket offered great freedom of movement and body coverage and protected me well from the wind. In addition, the breathable jacket kept me nice and warm, while the well-fitting hood provided extra protection. The Outline jacket is also easy to clean, but unfortunately only by hand washing at max. 30 degrees. The Salomon Outline all-round shoes with their GORE-TEX membrane and Contagrip outsole also offered convincing performance in both wet and dry conditions. Not only did they look great, but they also felt comfortable and fit perfectly, although I did choose a slightly larger shoe than usual. Due to the low weight of almost 580g per pair they were the perfect companions on our extended walks through some cities.
My Conclusion
The Salomon Outline shoes and jacket were the perfect companions for my journey through Ukraine and Moldova, and both products exceeded my expectations. The shoes were so comfortable and light that I wore them every day – I definitely wasn't expecting that. They offered good grip, kept my feet dry and caused no pain or discomfort - not even on the first wear. I think it was a good decision to order the shoes a little bigger, otherwise they would have been too small. The Outline jacket protected me very well in rain, wind and cold. Other big advantages were the low weight and small packing size. I recommend this more expensive rain jacket to anyone who values style and function, especially for moderately strenuous activities and temperatures.
Facts about Marthe's tour:
Photos of Marthe's journey through Ukraine and Moldova: