PMCI September 2015 | Page 19

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 pmcimagazine.com