Salomon XA Forces 8" GTX EN

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After a couple of weeks of use, these are great shoes. The overall feel of the shoes is very tight. The shoe feels like it's licking your foot from almost every direction and for a while I considered changing them to a larger size. However, I believe I made the right decision when I wore these because despite the tight feeling, the shoes haven't rubbed anywhere, which would indicate that the size is just right. I wouldn't wear anything thicker than regular socks with these, though. It's possible that I wouldn't even be able to fit my feet in them with wool socks. I have slightly flat feet and these shoes apparently have some kind of support insoles built in. I don't know if they're the right kind, but after a couple of weeks of use, I'd say that the support is a really nice thing. My previous shoes didn't have any design in the insoles, which is why these were a bit of a shock at first. In the first few days, the shoes even caused a little pain and aching in the soles of the feet, but now either the feet or the shoes have adapted to each other. Assuming that the design of the insoles is properly supportive of the foot, I would say that the support provided by the shoes is only a plus. Of course, you can always get loose support insoles, but not all shoes fit them. And even if you do, they may not stay in place properly (especially half-insoles). In that sense, good built-in support insoles are a good addition. The only real minus I would give the shoes is the tongue in the front, which I think is too narrow at the top. When you put the shoes on and tie the laces, there is a clear air gap on both sides of the upper part between the tongue and the actual shaft of the shoes. I don't know if it's intended for ventilation of the feet or for some other reason, but I think the end result looks really strange. Fortunately, that doesn't matter in the end because the shafts of the shoes usually stay hidden under the legs of the pants. Maybe if you ever step into a deeper puddle, water will get into the shoes more easily because of that. Of course, these are not intended as rubber boots. The laces that come standard with the shoes are controversial. The laces are somewhat flexible, which makes them a bit strange to use, and I think the flexibility makes them difficult to tie. However, I do appreciate the small pockets at the top of the laces, where you can stuff the laces after they have been tied. First of all, the pockets make the end result look neater, and they also help the laces stay tied. A really successful detail, and I would like to see a lace pocket like that in all my other shoes. I can't say anything about the durability of the shoes yet, because that will only become clear with time. These are clearly assembled with glue, which is the basic bulk stuff that shoes are made with these days. However, the overall impression is high-quality and I think the shoes will last me for years. I recommend the shoes unless you like to have a little air inside the shoes for example for wool socks. These shoes feel quite narrow and they are clearly made to be very tight and supportive of the foot. These are good things but not everyone will like them.

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Based on the first bite of a month, it's a pretty decent shoe for daily use, in urban environments and a little outside of them. The water has stayed out, and the socks haven't been wet from sweat. It's fine in mild frosts, but in harder frosts I think the toes can get cold. Despite the length of the shaft, the support for the ankles is not exceptional, although the primary purpose of these is probably not hiking. The grip of the sole in wet conditions seems to be decent. I personally found the shoe to fit my foot best one size larger than usual, and there's plenty of room for a slightly thicker sock.

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Great shoes but durability is not guaranteed if used a lot

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An idea lighter and colder in the winter, as well as slightly more uncomfortable than 4d high, but I like the look better.

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Works well in the Finnish army!

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Great shoes for walking! Quite narrow in the calves, but it doesn't bother me. Toes sweat quite easily in the goretex material, maybe more so in summer shoes!

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Incredibly comfortable. Gore-tex works well. Not very durable sole, starts to come loose/break after 6 months of use.

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Top product. They fit perfectly on the foot and are light and strong. I wear them every day, I have my third pair. Maximum satisfaction.

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Also works well as a winter shoe due to the high upper!

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Absoulte the best pair of shoes I own.