Details
Brand
Salomon
Heel To Toe Drop
8mm
Breathability
7.5/10
Latest Version
Yes
Terrain
Road
Type
Racing
Key Features
• ProFeel film• Dual-density EVA cushioning• SensiFit and EndoFit technologies• Moisture-wicking nylon lining• Contagrip rubber outsole• Lightweight, durable and breathable upper• QuickLacing System
Upper
The SensiFit and EndoFit technology in the upper do a great job of wrapping around your foot, making for a secure fit. EndoFit is exclusive to Salomon and is the top part of the inner lining. It is sort of like a sleeve for your foot and enhances the responsive feeling of the shoe. The fit is highly customizable and adjustable with the QuickLace System. The upper is also stretchy so that it can comfortably fit any size foot. Toe box area is quite relaxed and wide, providing enough room for wider feet and natural toe splay.
Midsole
As with most racing shoes, the cushioning of this shoe is minimal. Dual-density EVA material is strategically placed to provide support and cushion while retaining the shoe’s flexibility. Flexibility and support for an efficient stride is the primary goal of this shoe.
Outsole
The Contagrip outsole makes this a good road to trail shoe. The sticky rubber of the outsole gives the shoe good grip on wet, smooth surfaces. There is no rock plate and not much cushion, so it’s not ideal for really technical trails, but it is perfect for urban trails. The outsole design also allows the shoe to be flexible, allowing more natural movement.;The midfoot area doesn’t have lugs but does use the 3D ProFeel film which makes for a smooth ride and a light shoe. Most of the outsole is made of soft rubber, but there is additional hard rubber near the back of the foot, giving you extra traction for going downhill.
Breathability
The upper made of open mesh is durable, yet keeps your feet cool and ventilated. This is ideal for racing scenarios where runners are looking to keep their feet cool without sacrificing a secure fit. This is a great shoe for summer climates and is a fast drying shoe in wet conditions.
Comfort
This shoe doesn’t have a ton of cushioning which might make it not ideal for heavier runners or runners who extra cushion for support. However, this shoe does fit very well. The mesh upper wraps around your foot, providing a solid fit. The quick-drying upper keeps you comfortable and the inside lining is soft. But the fit is really what makes this shoe very comfortable.
Style
This Salomon shoe is available in only one color. This features Salomon’s trademark racing red which is usually reserved for Salomon’s S-Lab Performance series. If you are familiar with Salomon’s brand or its sponsored athletes, you’ll know that this is the color of all of their high-performance shoes, and this shoe will definitely stand out on the trail.
Durability
This shoe has incomparable durability. Even though the mesh upper is highly breathable, the way it is tightly woven makes the upper very durable. However, some runners discovered premature wearing on the small lugs on the Contagrip outsole. Runners will get the best life out of the shoes if used on the terrain it is intended for.
Protection
This shoe doesn’t have a rock plate, but that is the case for most lightweight trail shoes, especially those designed for racing. The ProFeel Film does a good job of protecting the midfoot area while still being lightweight and providing great ground feel. The shoe also does a great job of hugging your foot in the right areas, allowing for natural foot movement while preventing blisters. The outsole provides good traction, which is important for keeping runners on their feet.
Responsiveness
This shoe is a performance shoe. That being said, Salomon claims it is more cushioned than other performance shoes. And while there is a good amount of EVA cushioning in the midsole, this shoe is more responsive shoe than it is a cushioned shoe. This makes it well suited for racing. Runners with an efficient stride or those looking for a fast, responsive shoe will definitely want to consider the S-Lab X-Series.
Support
This is not an incredibly supportive shoe. It is made for runners who already have mastered their stride and form. However, it does have a decent amount of midsole cushioning which provides some support. The great thing about this shoe not being terribly supportive is that it gives you a solid ground feel when running.
Terrain
This is Salomon’s first attempt at a hybrid shoe and luckily, it is a great road to trail shoe. The small lugs work well on the light trails. There is no rock plate and minimal cushioning which doesn’t make it suitable on tough, technical terrains. The Contagrip outsole and flexibility do a great job of sticking to wet, slippery surfaces.
Price
Originally priced at $160 USD, this is a pricey shoe, but consider the amount of technology and how durable the shoe is, it is definitely worth the price.
Drop
The drop of this shoe is 8mm from heel to toe. While this might seem like it’s boarding on stability or motion control, it isn’t in the least. However, the 8mm drop does allow for a little extra cushioning in the heel and in this case, there is the addition of the hard rubber in the heel. This is great for digging your heels in on those tough descents.
Stability
This is not a stability shoe. This is a neutral shoe. However, this shoe is very close to the ground and hugs the foot well, thus providing a great stable feeling.
Flexibility
This shoe was engineered for experienced runners with good foot strength. As such, the outsole and minimal cushioning were built to make the shoe very flexible. The flexibility will allow for natural movement and give the runner a fast, responsive ride. The forefoot flexibility is especially great for a nice solid toe off and adding to your overall speed.
Traction
For a trail shoe, there isn’t a ton of traction in this shoe. It won’t handle deep mud or snow very well but it provides great traction on roads, wet slippery surfaces, and light, buffed out trails. There is a section of hard rubber on the heel portion of the outsole, which provides additional traction when running steep downhill sections. Overall, this shoe offers the kind of traction you would expect from a road to trail shoe.
Bottom Line
This is Salomon’s first attempt at a road shoe and they came up with a great hybrid that works really well on the road to trail conditions or on light, buffed out trails. Although it’s not a super light shoe compared to traditional road racing shoes, it is a great light trail racing shoe. It’s also very durable and has a very flashy look that is commonly associated with Salomon’s elite runners. This is a superior shoe that has a nice peppy feeling and excels on roads and trails.
