I am a traditionalist when it comes to gear and prefer simplicity. However, I don't avoid modern technologies and an innovative approach either. When I got the chance to test one of the latest products from the French outdoor brand Salomon, the model Speed Force 2, I could not refuse. The first pieces started being shipped to Slovakia only a few months ago, so it is truly a hot new release.
A model packed with modern technologies
Speed Assault 2 is the second generation of the successful model of the same name. It is a truly versatile and sophisticated piece of footwear intended for active users. Whether it concerns your hobbies or professional use.
The SA2 is exceptionally lightweight, thanks to a blend of nylon in rip-stop and lycra. A size 42 shoe weighs only 305 grams. The rip-stop weave of the fabric, combined with nylon, provides high resistance to abrasion and tearing. Lycra, on the other hand, provides lightness and flexibility. 
Features that make up the Speed Assault 2
- Quicklace™ - The Speed Assault model does not have classic lacing. Instead, you tighten the shoe with a thin kevlar cord. This allows the shoe to be put on and taken off extremely quickly. Despite the thinness of the cord, there is no need to worry about it tearing. It is extremely durable and withstands even harsh handling, such as tripping over branches or abrasion from wading through loose gravel on slopes. The remaining cord tucks into a pocket at the top of the tongue. It is a fast, practical and discreet solution.
- Welded upper - The upper of the shoe is mostly made of a single piece of fabric. This reduced unnecessary stitching and created a glove-like fit. Thanks to this, the shoe hugs the foot well and personally, thanks to this, I have a more pleasant feeling during fast movement compared to regular hiking footwear. The upper smoothly connects to the reinforced rubberized toe cap.
- EnergyCell - A midsole made of high-performance EVA foam is used for shock absorption. EVA foam provides enough cushioning even during long runs or more demanding activities, while also ensuring comfort around the foot.
- OrthoLite® insole - The insole is anatomically shaped to perfectly follow the shape of the foot. It has an antibacterial treatment and cushions impacts. It absorbs moisture excellently while also ensuring increased ventilation.
- Contagrip® - The sole is one of the main reasons for this shoe's exceptional performance. The Contagrip system ensures excellent grip on slippery or loose surfaces. Thanks to deeply shaped lugs combined with grip, a versatile sole was created for harsher terrain as well as for tactical use.
How did they perform in practice?
The Speed Assault 2 is a versatile model. It is perhaps beyond my ability to test them in all the activities they are suited for. To give you an idea, my domain includes long marches through forests, wildlife observation, bushcraft and tactical shooting.
If we were to compare it with movie characters, I'm closer to the dwarf Gimli from Lord of the Rings than to Legolas (that is, if I disregard that I'm almost 190 cm tall. Otherwise similar fitness build. :) Instead of action running on trails, I'd rather choose unbeaten shortcuts through unmapped terrain. The environment and activities in which I tested the SA2 correspond to that.
The boot may not match the regular size you normally wear
The first thing you should do with Salomon is to properly measure your foot. I normally wear size 10.5 (EU 46), but I have a wide instep. Salomon has a narrow fit. In the end, I ended up with size 12. At first I had slight concerns that the boot would be loose around the heel, but they were unfounded, since it fits perfectly.
From the start I was surprised by the already mentioned lightness. The foot has constant stability and support, yet I feel as if I were wearing ordinary canvas shoes. The boot ventilates excellently, so even after long hours I don't feel unpleasant sweating or overheating.
The SA2 is ideal from spring or autumn. I've also had them in lower temperatures, so I can imagine them also during a dry winter. Of course, with sufficiently warm socks.
In general, the material is very pleasant. The Lycra is flexible so I don't feel any unpleasant chafing when putting them on or taking them off quickly. I broke the boots in quickly. After three days, I felt as if I had already had them for years.
They proved themselves at work and at the shooting range
I spend 14-16 hours a day on my feet. Given my weight of 110 kilos, footwear takes a beating at work too. On busier days, together with the commute to and from work, I easily walk 10-11 kilometers a day. That's why I decided to test mainly the behavior of the OrthoLite insole and breathability at work.
Walking in the Speed Assault 2 is comfortable even after long hours. In previous boots I felt relief after taking them off, since the foot finally got space, fresh air, and the pressure on the sole of the foot stopped. That was even in footwear that fit me well from the start.
The SA2 changed that. It doesn't matter whether I'm on my feet at work for 8 hours or it's a hectic day and I finally take my shoes off at half past ten in the evening after starting at 6 in the morning. In the evening my feet feel as if I had walked barefoot on sand all day. The insole cushions impacts perfectly even at my weight. The ventilation also works well, even after wearing them all day.
As I outlined above, it's better to wear warmer socks in cold weather. At low temperatures, the increased ventilation also cools the foot.
Enough walking, let's take it a bit more action-packed. Speedys are also used as duty footwear for police in urban environments or security services. I've already mentioned their properties during long walking a moment ago. Now it's time to test them at the shooting range.
Forget about standing in a booth and shooting at a paper target, that doesn't do much for me. I'm an advocate of defensive shooting. That means simulations of real events that an ordinary person may encounter on the street or at home. This involves short sprints, unusual positions on the ground or kneeling, and a quick change of stance. For all of this, you need to have a firm support in your legs, even in ground positions. The last thing you need during fast instinctive shooting is slipping or a wobbling ankle while holding a loaded weapon in your hands.
The Speedys performed well. During sprints and sharp braking, the quality of the Contagrip sole was evident. Thanks to good grip, pushing off or stopping on the spot was immediate, without straining the ankle.
The deep lugs provided stability even on a pile of scattered cartridge cases on the ground or on a loose carpet. To give an idea of the tread depth and lug width, a 9mm caliber cartridge case got stuck in the sole so much that I only noticed it when stepping on concrete. However, apart from the sound, I didn't feel it at all, and it didn't interfere with walking or running until it was removed. From my point of view, the SA2 is also suitable for law enforcement units.
On the plus side is also the reinforced toe of the boot, which I also tested thanks to my clumsiness. On my toes, I hardly felt the stumble and no marks remained on the surface despite the fact that I quite decently „danced“ .
For an urban environment, I give 9/10 points. The only thing I would see as negative is the weaker insulation at lower temperatures, which can be solved with suitable socks, and the occasional catching of thicker pebbles in the sole lugs. However, I wouldn't rate any of this as a major negative. Rather as minor details that need to be taken into account and are caused by specific properties of the footwear, which are far outweighed by their positives. 
Also suitable for less demanding terrain in nature
We had the urban testing done, so I took them into the wild.
Since the autumn owl migration has begun, I'm helping my wife with monitoring. Nocturnal birds of prey are not active during the day, so trapping is only possible at night. This comes with specific conditions such as reduced visibility, ground frost, or a damp environment caused by dew. We often move around with only headlamps, and during a full moon even without them.
These conditions are demanding on footwear. It must withstand uneven terrain that destabilizes the ankle, while at the same time you need to have a feel in your foot so that even in low light you can distinguish overgrown pits from stable ground while walking. Add to that partially frozen stones and a quick move to the trapping sites. During this, you try to be as quiet and inconspicuous as possible.
I was curious how the SA2 would hold up in this role too, as this is neither ordinary hiking nor conditions found on hiking trails. So I put on waterproof shin gaiters and got to work.
The gaiters came in handy, as the boots only have a raised ankle and without modification, they are not suitable for tall grass.
The membrane gets dirty with mud more easily. Mud was more of a minor issue for me, which was easy to wash off, and the shoes looked like new again. Here I would recommend a Nanotextile spray. It increases water repellency and similar dirt sticks to the textile much less easily. 
The Contagrip sole performed great on wet grass and slippery rocks. It seemed nothing bothered it. Traction was good on any surface, and on smoother surfaces the sole didn't squeakwhich was important for our activity. Unusual sounds can scare off predators.
The shoes were constantly brushed by young blackberry shoots or branches fallen on the ground. I had some concerns about the lacing cord and the toe. However, the Kevlar seemed unbothered by anything. The nylon in the rip-stop held up just as well, and after checking at home on the reinforced toe I didn't find a single scratch.
For this test I again give 9/10. The lower ankle bothered me compared to high-top footwear. I would also add that the textile gets dirty more easily. However, it cleans easily, and I must note that for the activities I took them on, a differently, design-oriented model would have been more suitable.
From skiers to mountain running
The originally French company Salomon is no newcomer. It was founded in 1947 by François Salomon, his wife, and son Georges, in the town of Annecy at the foot of the French Alps.
Salomon has come a long way to reach its current range. Its beginnings were in footwear, and later also equipment for skiers. Thanks to honest work and excellent quality, it earned a good name among professional athletes and everyday enthusiasts alike.
As the company grew over time, it also focused on other sports. In its current range we can find footwear, clothing but also accessories for everyday hikers, professional athletes, and adrenaline fanatics snowboarding, mountain trail running, or ultramarathons. It seems that Salomon's limits are set only by the courage of the users of their products.
Salomon is of course also no stranger to the needs of armed forcesfor example, the Guardian or Quest 4D GXT models are currently defending the eastern Ukrainian border.
Final assessment
For the Salomon Speed Assault 2, I give two thumbs up. It's a piece of honest work done sensibly. It's perfect for sports, hiking trails, or for armed forces. For the price, in my opinion it's a good choice, when I compare it to the benefit I get from it.
It might seem that there are too many superlatives here. SA2 however, does honor to the Salomon name and is a worthy successor to its predecessor. Some may not like the cut, others the ankle height. But there's no need to worry, since the Salomon brand's portfolio offers plenty of choice. Everyone can thus find their dream model.
