Details
Brand
Salomon
Heel To Toe Drop
12mm
Breathability
6.9/10
Latest Version
Speedcross 4
Terrain
Trail
Type
Neutral
Key Features
• Sensifit technology and quick lace system give the shoe a secure fit.• Toe cap protects the forefoot area• Moisture-wicking lining to keep feet dry• Ortholite insole is antimicrobial and absorbs shock• Dual-density EVA foam is responsive and comfortable• Contagrip rubber outsole with large lugs provides excellent traction.
Upper
This highly durable upper does a great job of locking the foot comfortably and keeping debris out. The upper is made of Anti-Debris Mesh and wraps around the foot using a quick lace system which is great for adjusting the fit on the go. The laces connect directly to an overlay system which wraps securely around the foot and heel while still giving space for the toes to move around. The heel cup snugly attaches to your foot which is great for keeping debris out and increasing the feeling of agility as you move quickly over the trails.
Midsole
The midsole of this shoe offers some nice cushioning without being bulky as well as some light stability. The dual-density EVA cushion is placed strategically throughout the midsole to help with pronation control and there is additional cushioning in the heel to help with impact-related injuries. While there is cushioning where you need it most, it does have a very minimalist feeling. The forefoot area is quite flexible, great for toeing off and also sticking to difficult terrain.
Outsole
This outsole is built to take on the toughest trails. It provides excellent grip, allowing you to bite into the trails. There is no rock plate, but this allows for more flexibility throughout the shoe. The outsole pattern is large chevron shaped lugs that have lots of sharp edges that really allow you to dig into softer trails. Because of the way these shoes are designed, the large lugs actually help with shock absorption, providing a smooth ride. Salomon calls this outsole the Contagrip and it is designed to be sticky, durable and somewhat flexible in order to offer better traction.
Breathability
The non Gore-Tex version of the Salomon Speedcross 2 features the Anti-Debris Mesh and the Sensifit technology helps the shoe to fit snugly around the foot. This tightly woven mesh is quite breathable and thin and does a good job of letting air pass over the foot.
Comfort
Despite the minimal feeling of this shoe, it offers good shock absorption with the midsole and outsole design. The inner lining is designed to be soft to the touch while also wicking away moisture and keeping your feet dry. Some runners might find the toe box to be a little narrow. However, the lacing design does allow your toes a little bit of wiggle room. There is also an Ortholite insole which enhances shock absorption and has antimicrobial properties that prevent odor.
Style
This shoe comes in some really nice color variations. The midsole and outsole have an almost seamless design which makes the shoe look slick. This is not a shoe for everyday use. The style does a good job of portraying the type of trail this shoe is used on – muddy, rugged terrain.
Durability
Salomon makes some of the most durable shoes on the market. They are built for tough conditions and extreme outdoors, and this shoe is no exception. The durable upper attaches seamlessly to the midsole and outsole. The full-length outsole is built from durable Contrigrip rubber, and even after several hundred miles, the outsole is still in great shape. For the most part, the shoe has no visible signs of wear except for the slight wearing down of the large lugs. In order to get the best life out of these shoes, avoid using them on road and pavement.
Protection
While being minimally cushioned, the midsole and outsole work great together to provide great impact protection. The mesh is high quality and will protect you from anything underfoot on the trail. This shoe also features a protective toe cap, great for keeping your toes safe from bumps and rocks. Because the shoe has such a great secure fit, it sticks to you and moves well with your feet, making it great for tackling gnarly trails.
Responsiveness
The minimal cushioning makes this shoe highly responsive. The large lugs and the cushion work together to give you just enough ground feel and while still providing comfort. This is a very responsive shoe, and it will get you on your toes and pushing off quickly. This shoe is a great mix between a training shoe and a trail racing shoe.
Support
The cushioning works well to keep you comfortable on the trails and it also works to prevent you from overpronating. There is ample stabilizing cushion in the heel to help dissipate impact and ward off impact-related injuries. The fact that it sticks so well to your foot while navigating difficult terrain makes this a very supportive shoe. This is a great shoe for people who are new to the trails and need a little extra support. It’s also a great shoe to run your fastest 50-mile trail race in.
Terrain
This is an excellent shoe for soft muddy trails. The lugs work wonders at digging and giving you a great secure ride on difficult to navigate trails. The responsive yet stable ride is great for making you feel secure on almost any trail surface. The Contigrip is a soft rubber, great for sticking to wet surfaces. The flexibility in the forefoot also helps you to grip hard to handle surfaces. This is a great shoe for a variety of trail terrains, but note that it’s not an ideal road to trail shoe.
Price
There have been a couple of updates since this shoe was released. It was originally priced at $120 USD which is a very reasonable price for a shoe of this quality. Now with the number of updates this shoe has had, you might be able to find it on sale. Over the years there have only been minor updates, so if you can find the Speedcross 2 on sale, you really will be getting this for a steal.
Drop
The offset from heel to toe on this shoe is 12mm, a drop that is usually reserved for a more motion control design. However, this drop allows for a ton of extra cushioning in the heel and surprisingly, the shoe doesn’t feel like a motion control shoe. Because of its sleek design, it doesn’t feel like you’re dragging your heels in this shoe either. The extra heel cushioning is great for leaning into and providing extra traction on those tough downhill sections.
Stability
This is a shoe that makes you feel secure throughout your run. It features some motion control in the sole which discourages runners from overpronating. Although the lugs are high, the way that this shoe sticks to your foot gives you a great stable feeling throughout the run.
Flexibility
With the minimal cushioning and the strategic lug placement on the bottom of the shoe, this shoe has a lot of flexibility, especially in the forefoot, making for a great toe off. Because of the flexibility throughout the shoe, it does a great job of “hugging” all types of trail terrain.
Traction
The outsole offers great traction on any trail surface, the Contrgrip is great at digging into the trail and offering great traction on even the most challenging of terrains. The stickiness of the rubber is great for wet surfaces as well. If you encounter a little bit of road while running in these shoes, you will know right away that this is not a road shoe. The traction does best on trail surfaces.
Bottom Line
This is a well-built shoe. If you are an avid trail runner, this shoe deserves a place in your closet. The great design means that it is both a durable trainer and a great trail racing shoe. The stability features and great traction make this an ideal shoe for runners who are new to the trails or people looking for a shoe that’s going to support them through ultrarunning distances. The grip provided by the Contagrip outsole means that it is best suited for the technical trail. However, this is not an ideal shoe for a road to trail. Although the Salomon Speedcross 2 is the first edition in this line of shoes, they haven’t changed a whole lot through the different releases because the designers got it right from the beginning. If you are going to tackle some rugged terrain and want to be comfortable doing it, this is the shoe for you.
