Video review by Michael "Cookie" Cooke, LEGEAR National Business Development Manager, Australian Army Reservist, and Tactical Equipment Expert
I'll be straight with you: if I could wear the Salomon Genesis Forces Mid Boot every single day, I probably would. That's not marketing. That's just where I've landed after putting these through their paces.
What Is It?
Look at these boots as if the XA Forces Mid and the Speed Assault 2 had a child.
The XA Forces Mid sits at one end: heavier, more rigid, built to be worn under heavy loads in arduous terrain. On the opposite end, the Speed Assault 2: super lightweight, designed for speed, mobility, getting in and out fast.
The Genesis sits right in the middle. And that's not a compromise. Salomon has taken what works from both and built something that can do more, for more people, across more environments than either boot can alone.
The Midsole: Where It All Starts
This is arguably the most unique feature about these boots, so pay attention here.
The Optifam midsole isn't built from scratch for the tactical market. It's the same platform developed for the Salomon Genesis trail running shoe, purpose-built for ultra marathons, where athletes are covering 100-plus kilometres on their feet. Battle-proven at distance, now brought directly into the tactical space.
In practice, that means genuine cushioning. Real shock absorption. A boot that reduces foot fatigue over a long shift or a pack march rather than just tolerating your feet being inside it.
For me personally, foot pain is something I deal with regularly. Having a boot this cushioned without sacrificing structure and support in a tactical environment is genuinely significant.
Traction You Can Rely On
Underfoot, you'll find the all-terrain Contagrip outsole, the same tread pattern you'll recognise from the Speedcross and Speed Assault lines. If you've trusted those in slippery, unpredictable conditions, you already know what this sole can do.
The 4.5mm lug depth and multi-directional pattern give you maximum traction across dirt, loose rock, mud, and mixed surfaces regardless of what the weather's doing.
Ankle Comfort and Mobility
Towards the rear of the boot there's a neoprene-padded section that does two things well.
It eliminates friction and hot spots, the kind that develop over time and turn a long shift into something you're just trying to survive. And it increases ankle mobility. Walking uphill, navigating uneven ground, the boot doesn't fight you. It doesn't feel restrictive or heavy or uncomfortable. That freedom of movement makes a real difference across an extended day.
Who Should Be Wearing These?
Pretty much anybody working in the tactical field.
But if you're in law enforcement, this boot was made for your day. General duties, walking the beat, in and out of vehicles across a ten or twelve-hour shift, the Optifam midsole is doing real work for you there. Reduced foot fatigue, better comfort underfoot. One less thing to worry about over a long shift.
If you're working rural or regional, the Contagrip sole earns its place fast. Loose ground, wet grass, unpredictable terrain. It handles all of it with no dramas.
And for those in specialist roles, dog squads, response teams, anyone where the job can go anywhere without warning, you've got a boot that can keep up.
Cookie's Verdict
If I could wear these boots all the time, I probably would.
That's where I land after putting these through their paces. The Optifam midsole alone is worth the conversation: battle-proven technology brought straight from the ultra-marathon world into a tactical boot, and you feel the difference immediately underfoot. Add the Contagrip outsole, a comfortable ankle collar that doesn't fight you on inclines, and the choice of Gore-Tex or non-Gore-Tex depending on your environment, and you've got a boot that can do anything and go anywhere.
Check out the Salomon Genesis Forces Mid Boot at LEGEAR today.
Key Features at a Glance
- Optifam midsole, borrowed from Salomon's ultra-marathon trail running platform for maximum cushioning and shock absorption
- All-terrain Contagrip outsole with 4.5mm lug depth for reliable grip across mixed, wet, and loose terrain
- Neoprene-padded ankle collar, reduces friction, eliminates hot spots, and increases ankle mobility
- Mid-cut construction with ActiveChassis technology for stable foot placement under load
- Ripstop fabric upper for lightweight durability and abrasion resistance
- 8mm drop, 425g per boot
- RRP: $329.99 AUD
