Salomon XA Forces Mid GTX Review: Are They Any Good?

The Salomon XA Forces Mid GORE-TEX EN boots are a boot specifically designed for Special Forces Operators who work in rigorous environments around the globe. These boots are built tough while providing a ton comfort. They are lightweight and have ample support, making them an ideal boot to wear when you demand a boot that will work. The outsole has really good traction for steep hills or slippery slopes. I love the lacing system on the XA Forces boots because I can quickly pull to tighten the boot and then tuck away the excess in the tongue pouch.

Salomon makes some of the highest quality boots for the tactical community. Their line of Forces boots are designed to meet the broad range of requirements for military and law enforcement personnel.

In my military career, I’ve worn many boots on my feet. I’ve used the standard issue boots that give you blisters within the first 500m of a ruck march. Then I used the Original SWAT boots, which felt like walking on clouds. And I’ve worn tactical boots from LOWA and GORUCK, which both have their purposes depending on the situation. The Salomon XA Forces Mid GTX boots have the rugged durability and support of the LOWA boots, yet also provides the lightness and comfort of the GORUCK MACV series of boots.

Specs

Weight: 540g
Color: Black, Coyote, Brown
Upper: Textile/Rubber
Outsole: Rubber
Drop: 10mm
Lacing: Speed Lacing
Lining: Textile
Waterproofness: Gore-Tex

Cost of the Salomon XA Forces

At the time of this article, the Salomon XA Forces Mid GTX boot costs $210 on Salomon’s website.

First Impression

My first thought of the Salomon XA Forces MID GTX boots was simply how awesome it looked! When I put them on I was equally as pleased at how comfortable yet lightweight they were on my feet. Each step felt very cushioned.

At first I wasn’t too sure about the lacing system on the boot, but I’ve grown to love it. It’s incredibly easy to tighten and loosen, and I really like how the remaining lace can be stored in the pouch on the front of the tongue. While wearing my military uniform, I would have to tuck the laces down the side of my boot which could cause discomfort occasionally.

The insole is a very nice Ortholite insole. I’ve worn many tactical boots where the insole is just a flimsy piece of cardboard it seems… but Salomon’s Ortholite insole is comfortable and has a softer material that curves upward around near the back of your foot. I went with a size 11 and they are definitely true-to-size.

The Salomon XA Forces MID boot has awesome traction and stability. I don’t have to worry about losing grip when trekking in the field. The wide outsole helps also when carrying heavy loads on my back to give me the balance I need. The Salomon XA Forces is an all-around fantastic boot for the military and tactical community.

Walkaround

Quality & Workmanship

The majority of the stitching around the Salomon XA Forces Mid is double stitching, with some triple stitch work around the toe of the boot. Inside the lace loops is hard plastic to prevent wear and tear. I didn’t notice any gaps between the upper and the outsole and there isn’t any excess glue showing.

The Salomon logo is nicely shown on the upper tongue, the upper near the toe, and the outsole on the toe as well. This is a very well done boot with high quality workmanship. I have no fear of it coming apart at all, which is what’s to be expected of a boot designed for Special Forces operators.

All the materials on the Salomon XA Forces Mid are high quality. If you’re going to be wearing a tactical boot every day, don’t cheap out and buy those knock-offs to save a few bucks.

Speed Lacing System

The Salomon XA Forces MID uses a speed lacing system that I’ve not seen on other tactical boots. I wasn’t the biggest fan of it at first, just because I wasn’t used to it, but I’ve found it to be very practical and easy to use.

There’s no bows you have to tie, or laces you have to loosen. You simply pull the tab down to tighten it and then pull the tab up to loosen. And you don’t need to loosen the laces down the boot to take it off either. Once that tab is pulled up, you can remove the boot right away.

What’s better about the speed lacing system is the pouch on the tongue of the boot to hide the laces. With traditional tactical boots, you would need to hide the laces on the side between the upper and your ankle.

Over time this could be very uncomfortable. What Salomon did with the XA Forces was they added a pouch for the speed laces to be tucked away in, which removed the need to tuck them around the side of the boot. This is an ingenious design.

Upper

The upper is constructed with a mix of textile, leather, and rubber material. The textile is very durable, and the leather provides good protection around the whole boot. On the toe and the inner side of the boot is solid rubber material to give you all the protection you need. The rubber on the inner face of the boot is excellent for rope repelling too.

Outsole

The outsole on the Salomon XA Forces Mid is absolutely solid! When flat on the ground, there’s probably 75% of the whole outsole surface contacting the ground. This is excellent for stability and balance when carrying heavy loads on long rucks and patrols.

In the middle of the outsole, at the most narrow point, there’s grooves which would be great for grip while rope repelling or even rope climbing. The heel of the outsole actually extends out a bit further to protect the heel of the boot from wearing down quickly, which extends the life of the boot. The toe of the outsole has teeth which is excellent for gripping up those steep hills.

In my opinion, the XA Forces Mid outsole is one of the best outsoles I’ve seen on a tactical boot.

Waterproofness (Gore-Tex)

The XA Forces Mid is waterproof with a Gore-Tex (GTX) lining. There’s no problem with trekking through swampy fields or deep puddles with these boots. If you’re going to be wearing them in the warmer months, be sure to use a lightweight sock. I’ve found that if you wear a thicker military sock then your feet get pretty hot. But that’s nothing a little foot powder can’t fix. But do yourself a favor and use thinner socks for the summer.

If you know you’ll be wearing these in warmer and dry climates, then there are non-GTX versions of the XA Forces Mid. If you opt for those, they’ll also breathe a lot better.

Durability

The Salomon XA Forces Mid GTX boot is built incredibly tough and durable. Their purpose is to be worn by Special Forces operators who require only the best footwear to go into harsh environments. Now, because it’s so durable, it will require a bit of time to break in and to get your boot formed to your feet. I found that initially there was a bit of discomfort but it soon went away as my feet molded into the insole.

There’s not much else I can say about this boot and how durable it truly is. If you want a boot that will be able to withstand whatever you throw at it for years to come, then the XA Forces Mid will do the job.

Functionality

When you wear a boot, especially in the military, you want a boot that is comfortable to wear but also offers protection for your feet. The Salomon XA Forces Mid boot is just that. My feet feel extremely protected and sturdy and like they have a ton of support with each step. Rucking for miles in these boots would be nothing. Like I mentioned earlier, there is a little spring in my step.

If you’re looking for a well rounded functional boot to wear in the military or just for hiking outdoors, the Salomon XA Forces will do great.

Conclusion

I am extremely pleased with the Salomon XA Forces Mid GTX boot. It is very comfortable on my feet while also offering all the protection and support I require. I know that whatever I throw at them they will be able to handle it, and for years to come. Everything from the outsole, to the upper, to the lacing system has been manufactured to the highest standards.

If you’re looking for an all-around comfortable, lightweight, durable tactical boot, then the Salomon XA Forces Mid boot is the boot you want. I couldn’t be happier with them.

Thanks for taking the time to read this article on the XA Forces tactical boot. If you have any questions, feel free to write a comment down below, or message me directly through the Contact Us page.