Last month I visited the Salomon Footwear headquarters in the French Alps and got a look at how they develop products as well as what’s in store for the Forces line in 2018. First off, they’ve updated the Speedcross 4 Wide Forces with new sizing. Salomon is also introducing unisex sizing for the Toundra CWSP boot which is great as more and more women join the military, law enforcment and first responder communities.
Long a trail running staple, the Speedcross 4 has been very popular with Forces cuatomers who prefer its light weight and Contragrip deep lugs in soft terrain. But, many North American customers have complained about the tight fit across the instep. Salomon has listened and is introducing a new last with wider toebox for the Speedcross 4 in 2018. I received a sample pair this Fall and can definitely tell the difference. You won’t have that tight feeling you’ve noticed with the existing last. From here on out, new footwear will incorporate this new last and as existing models are updates, they’ll be rolled out with this new fit as well. But interestingly, this Wide option will not be introduced to the commercial line. Turns out, North American and European feet are the same size. We are just used to a wider toe box here in the US. However, according to Salomon, that’s doesn’t mean everyone around the world shares the same footshape. Apparently, Asians actually do have wider feet.
Available in Black for both men and women, the Toundra is Salomon’s warmest winter boot for extreme environments. It will keep your feet warm when the temps drop down to -40°C/°F, at just 660 grams per pair (23.3oz for size 8.5UK/9US), it is by far the lightest boot in the extreme cold weather segment.
These products will be fully available after the first of the year. Contact your favorite Salomon Forces dealer for details, or visit www.salomon.com/us/men/collection-forces.
Tags: Salomon Forces
Oh man, this is great news. I’ve passed on Salomon’s repeatedly in the past cause I just couldn’t quite convince myself they fit my wide ass, Sasquatch like foot. I’ll happily give them another try now.
“This product is not sold on Salomon.com”
RIF
Now if they can just make a Speedcross version where the sole doesn’t melt when it touches concrete.
That is just what happens when you use a grippier rubber and have an aggressive tread. The shoe is designed for trail running and should generally only be used for that activity. The soles on most mid weight hiking boots these days have the same issues with pavement due to the type of rubber and aggressive tread and people just deal with it.
Consider buying a pair of road shoes for road use and switching as needed.
“It will keep your feet warm when the temps drop down to -40°C/°F”
Funny, I did not know those two were interchangeable like that.
At -40 they are.
Quick conversion/reference chart
F C
212 100
120 49
100 38
98.6 37
80 27
72 22
60 16
40 4
32 0
20 -7
0 -18
-20 -29
-40 -40
-60 -51
If you want formulae, C=(F-32)*5/9 and F=(C*5/9)+32. For quick estimates, C=(F-30)/2 and F=2C+30.
They are.
That remark Salomon made about feet sizing is just (excuse my French) utter bullocks.
Their shoes are one of the tightest on the market and luckily there are brands like inov8, vivobarefoot and vibram fivefingers that actually provide shoes that are shaped after the foot, instead of trying to mold feet into their design.
Nevertheless, I am curious about these!
Sorry Charley, but the reality is that even if they, and most European brands feature a narrow last, the European and North American foot is essentially the same. North Americans in particular are used to wearing shoes with more room in the instep. That’s just the way it is.
Late to this but a question, does “wider” imply both more volume vertically in the toe box AND broader horizontally? Problem for me with Salomons is not so much the volume of the mid foot and toe box but the lack of room for toe splay.
Are these just a preview to what they will release in ’18 or will introduce more at SHOT?
This is great news! Thanks SSD for putting out the good stuff as always!
Where can I order these? Are they in stock at retailers yet??