Salomon Authentic 7 Classic
By Steve Mann

Salomon introduced the Authentic 7 Classic in 1998 as a straight forward, almost retro, hiking boot. Indeed, the boot has the look of boots from 10, perhaps even 20 years ago, although the technology under that classic exterior is nothing but the latest.

The Classic uses Salomon's Contagrip outsole, designed to work in conjunction with the foot's natural movement, rolling from the outside back of the foot to the inside front. Peripheral lugs enhance traction on the sides of the outsole, helping traction especially on traverses.

The insole consists of a Clima-Dry lining, a moisture and shock absorbing insole intended to keep the foot dry and increase comfort. The lining also dries quickly when wet. A heel shock absorber further enhances comfort by cushioning the foot.

Our field testers found the Authentic 7 Classic to be one of the more comfortable boots we've tried. The soft leather upper and flexible outsole required little, if any, break-in time. None of the testers ever reported any blistering, even on longer, steep mountainous trails, which usually bring out the worst in a boot. Diane and Charlotte tested the women's model and both concurred that the Classic was one of the most comfortable boots they have worn.

An anatomical cuff, just above the ankle, is padded for comfort and gives additional support for the ankle. The exterior full-grain leather upper is tough, and rebounds well from scuffs and scrapes. The shiny exterior of the leather loses its sheen after a few good scuffs, but treatments with leather conditioner adequately protect and restore the leather.

Salomon's one-pull lacing system, built with glide through eyelets, makes tightening and adjusting the laces simple.

After a couple of easy day hiking trips, the leather's softness and comfort suggested less ankle support. We suspected that the pliable leather would give under heavy loads, so we headed for the Under the Rim Trail in Utah's Bryce Canyon National Park to test our theory. This three-day backpack involves lots of ups and downs on well-established trails. Our packs weighed about 45 to 50 pounds.

To our surprise, the Classic held up well under the stress of the load. Darren, in particular, found the boot to be stable, while maintaining the comfort he had come to expect on prior frequent day hikes in the boot.

If the Classic has a weakness, it is on less-established rocky trails or cross-country trips over rough ground. In these situations, I would prefer a stiffer leather boot to prevent ankle twists when slipping off rocks or traversing uneven ground.

After Under the Rim I found myself still using my old favorite boot for most of my day hikes and normal backpacking trips, but almost unconsciously reaching for the Authentic 7 when my feet were sore or blistered from a prior trip, or when attacking established steep mountain trails.

The Authentic 7 Classic comes in Men's sizes 7-13 and Women's sizes 5 to 10. The boots has a suggested retail price of $185.

Summary
If you are interested in a comfortable hiking and backpacking boot, and aren't concerned about making a high-tech fashion statement, the Authentic 7 Classic bears consideration. I wouldn't recommend the Authentic 7 over other less expensive boots exclusively for day hiking. However, if your looking for a cross-over boot than day hikes well, and is comfortable for backpacking on established trials, the Authentic 7 is worth its $185 price tag. Also, if you have trouble with sore feet or blisters with other boots, give the Salomon a try.

Steve Mann is a contributing editor at GearReview.com, and admitted gear fanatic. He specializes in tents, backpacks, and trips to Southern Utah's slickrock, slot canyons, and remote backcountry.

For more information, contact:
Salomon
877-272-5666