SALOMON SPEEDCROSS
3 FORCES
A
support to the ankle. Weighing in at a miserly 325g per
shoe in UK size 9 they are also truly feather light which
takes a lot of strain off the foot and the lower leg.
The Speedcross 3 Forces come in a subdued black/
grey colour combination which works very well with most
tactical gear, and are available in UK sizes 7-12, including
half sizes. They retail for UK£100.00 and for that you are
getting a lot of shoe for your money, that’s for sure. If you
fancy yourself as a bit of a “tactical athlete” or just want
a great pair of performance shoes then you really should
try the Speedcross 3 Forces model.
For more information on the Speedcross 3, along with
the other models in the Salomon Forces line then please
visit
http://online.edgarbrothers.com
ll too often I hear the phrase “tactical
athlete” bandied about and many of you
out there must be scratching your heads
and wondering what on earth this means!
In a nutshell it’s a catch all phrase that
encompasses the current trend for clothing,
footwear and gear to be lightweight,
dynamic and ergonomic; with their 50+
year heritage in making outdoor performance footwear
Salomon should know all about this!
I’ve mainly been looking at their full boots specifically
designed for military and tactical use, but there is always
a place in any manufacturers range for an out and out
“training” shoe, and the Speedcross 3 as a low cut design
fulfils this brief spectacularly well.
Developed from an already tried and tested design in
Salomon’s athletic line this iconic running shoe is what
brought hi-speed to the trails! Light, fast, and featuring a
super precise fit, the Speedcross 3 can provide the ultimate
grip in any conditions. Off road or “trail” shoes offer
increased outsole traction and uppers with toe bumpers
along with reinforced stitching for more durability. The foot
often sits in the shoe slightly lower to the ground than
usual for stability and responsiveness. “Trail” shoes also
usually have less cushioning than a road running shoe
because they’re designed for softer surfaces.
That’s not to say though that they are any less fully
featured as the Speedcross 3 is full of Salomon’s very latest
technology. An Ortholite sockliner combines a specific
foam insole with an EVA heel cup. Ortholite foam creates
a cooler, drier, healthier, better cushioned environment
under the foot. It will not break down or lose effectiveness
over time, and it features recycled tire content to protect
the environment. The EVA heel cups allows for better
heel support and added cushioning, and Salomon’s Sensifit
system works to cradle the foot providing a precise and
secure fit.
The Quicklace system offers a minimalistic and strong
lace for one-pull tightening, and this tucks away into its
own small tongue pocket to keep everything tidy and snag
free, these really are “easy-on, easy-off.” The outsole is
a mud and snow non-marking Contagrip unit which has
some very aggressive lugs; these give superb traction on
even the very loosest surface underfoot, and the anti-
debris mesh used throughout keeps the loose stuff out.
I’ve been wearing the Speedcross 3 shoes on a daily
basis for over a month now, and although they were
immediately comfortable straight from the box the fit and
feel has just got better and better as the Ortholite insole
has shaped to my foot. They’ve been run out in sand,
mud, wet clay and chalk, and gravel and have never felt
anything less than 100% positive; although they are a
“low cut” shoe the cuff is well padded and gives excellent
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