First impressions from a non-expert

Let me start by saying – I’m no shoe expert. For me, the main thing is that a shoe fits. If it does, I’ll usually find a way to make it work across my mix of walking, trail running, and tramping on all sorts of terrain. What I also look for in footwear is good tread, softness underfoot, and overall comfort.

At first glance, the Salomon Speedcross struck me as a great balance between a soft, lightweight shoe and one with serious grip. But the real test for me is always: how long will they last?

1300 km later…

According to my Strava log, I’ve done over 1300 km in my Salomon Speedcross – and I have to say, I’m impressed. They’re light, comfortable, and surprisingly soft for a shoe with such an aggressive grip. That grip really shines on muddy forest tracks, gravelly riverbeds, and slippery alpine tussock.

What stood out the most was the traction. These shoes bite into soft ground like crampons on ice. They feel reassuringly stable in the wet – which is crucial here in New Zealand, where trampers often end up with wet feet within minutes of leaving the carpark! I actually saw some complaints online about the waterproofness of the shoes. In New Zealand, the environment is so wet that many trampers – myself included – actually prefer non-waterproof shoes. The idea is that water comes in easily, but it also drains out just as easily!

When I bought them, I noticed the rubber toe cap was already peeling slightly from the fabric upper. I probably should have returned them, but life got in the way and I kept them. What seemed like a manufacturing flaw actually became an interesting long-term test: Would it get worse? It did – but only slightly. And that’s despite wearing them through some pretty rough terrain over more than two years. Honestly, I think that’s quite impressive.

After 1300 km, there are definitely some signs of wear and tear, but the shoes haven’t fallen apart like many of my others did once they hit the 700-1000 km mark.

Oh, and I love the Quicklace system – I don’t understand how something that looks so fragile can be so secure and easy to use. Well done, Salomon.

To sum up, I’d definitely buy these shoes again, and I have no complaints.

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