Details
Brand
Salming
Heel To Toe Drop
5 mm
Breathability
7/10
Latest Version
No
Terrain
Road
Type
Lightweight
Key Features
• Breathable mesh upper• High abrasion RunLite• Extra cushioning increases comfort• Quality stability
Upper
The upper is primarily seamless, with the exception of the heel cup. This tremendously increases the comfort and breathability of this sneaker. Although the upper feels very light, it is designed with about three layers to increase the support and durability of the shoe. The lowest layer level is made with a soft mesh which truly exemplifies the meaning of breathability. The layer on top of the lowest layer is called the Exo Skeleton, which benefits the stability factor of this sneaker. Finally, the top layer of the upper is an exterior mesh that goes around the whole foot. The tongue is also made with a mesh-like material, soft and breathable. Being the “face” of the sneaker, this top layer is made very durable, so that it can withstand the rigors of the runner’s environment. The biggest difference between this upper and the upper of the Speed 3’s predecessors is that there is no longer an overlay over the big toe.
Midsole
The midsole of the Speed 3 is made with a signature technology called RunLite. This technology is a high abrasion EVA foam that adds a significant amount of cushioning without adding extra weight. Just by looking at the Salming Speed 3, you can tell that the thin midsole is soft and somewhat responsive. This version of the Salming Speed is better than previous versions because it has the EVA foam rather than the memory foam used in the past. The EVA makes a big difference in comparison, as it adds just a tad more responsiveness.
Outsole
While the outsole has blown rubber compound on the forefoot and outside heel for increased traction, it doesn’t seem like anything too advanced. The front of the outsole looks like it has some tread to it, but the midfoot and beyond look very flat, with grooves surrounding the outsole of the sneaker. There is a lot less coverage on this sneaker in comparison to other sneakers from the Salming brand. The heel of the sneaker is orange, and has “durable rubber” printed on across the heel. Towards the forefoot, the navy part of the outsole has “lite rubber” printed on that side.
Breathability
The breathability of the Salming Speed 3 is truly second to none. The combination of the inside layer and the outside layer provide a significant amount of airflow so that your feet are dry and cool throughout the entirety of your run. This is a great feature to have when running in a warm area that may cause you to sweat more frequently. With that being said, having such a superior level of breathability could be a double-edged sword. Since the Speed 3 allows so much air within the sneaker, it will also allow an equal amount of water, which could become extremely uncomfortable. While having a lot of breathability can potentially eliminate sweat, it becomes a lot more difficult with water that accumulates from running in puddles, or even snow. This isn’t something significantly detrimental to the Speed 3’s overall existence, but something to keep in mind when considering a new running sneaker.
Comfort
Comfort is one of the more popular pieces of feedback that have been received from testers of the Salming Speed 3. The cushioning that derives from the RunLite material produces an excellent amount of comfort for the underfoot, so runners can run freely and not worry about feeling pain with each step. These sneakers are so light, that you will likely forget that you are wearing sneakers at all. The seamless upper is great for runners because it doesn’t have stitching that can cause irritation, and can be worn comfortably without socks. With that being said, the Salming Speed 3 doesn’t feel completely comfortable until being broken in for several miles. Various testers have claimed that the Speed 3 can feel good for short-term miles, but will start to cause discomfort in the feet once you try for longer miles.
Style
The Salming Speed 3 is very appealing to the eye. Salming has generally been known to produce running sneakers with colors that stand out. The colors are very bright and loud, so runners who like attention will essentially thrive with the Speed 3. The most popular style is the Shock Orange, Neon Yellow, and Navy scheme. The Speed 3 has “Salming” printed across the midfoot, as well as “no-nonsense running” in the heel area. The midsole and outsole are very thin, which reinforces the fact that these sneakers are very low to the ground. The Swedish flag is proudly stitched on the top of the Speed 3’s tongue, so runners from all over the world will be able to acknowledge where this shoe got its start.
Durability
For a lightweight minimalist sneaker, the Salming Speed 3 has a reasonable amount of durability throughout the whole shoe. The outsole is laced with a heavy blown rubber compound on the heel and the forefoot, so the bottom of the Speed 3 lasts longer. This rubber acts as a shield between the midsole and the road, so you can run a high volume of miles and not need to worry about wearing out their shoes. You can easily run over 100 miles and show little to no wear on the Salming Speed 3.
Protection
The Salming Speed 3 has average protection. The EVA foam in the midsole provides a soft platform for the underfoot to use, keeping the foot comfortable and away from the shock that happens throughout each foot strike. The only issue with the midsole is that it is fairly thin, so it barely provides the protection needed to completely shield the underfoot from any pain. As far as the upper is concerned, it has a lightweight feeling to it but isn’t necessarily thin. This is a good thing if you are concerned about protecting your feet from random objects such as a high curb or a tree stump that is in the way of your path.
Responsiveness
The midsole makes the Speed 3 feel firm but simultaneously responsive. It may not provide the most energy with each step, but the Salming Speed 3 provides just enough for a fast ride with the perfect amount of force to go on long-mile runs. The Speed 3 might feel odd under slow speeds, but will go into high gear when you start to run a bit faster. The cushioning under the foot is soft enough that the foot slightly sinks in when it lands on the ground, so it takes a little more effort to get off onto a quick start.
Support
As a minimalist shoe with a low drop, there isn’t much arch support available. Unlike stability shoes, the Salming Speed 3 doesn’t have any extra support that can help overpronators or those with flat feet. The thin sole below the underfoot doesn’t support the feet with anything more than some extra cushioning, so runners looking for a support shoe should look elsewhere.
Terrain
Runners should be aware of the terrain they are running in when using the Speed 3. Since half of the outsole is fairly flat, it makes the most sense to utilize this running sneaker in the road terrain. This includes but not limited to: track, light gravel, cement, and road pavement. The Salming Speed 3 might be useful in other terrains, but could be more likely to wear down faster in rough environments. This shoe excels best on smooth surfaces, especially the treadmill. The foam used in this running sneaker is very soft and gives you an accurate feeling of the ground below you, which is an ideal reason why the Salming Speed 3 isn’t the best footwear to use on trails.
Price
The original price of the Salming Speed 3 was somewhat expensive, but the current price is a lot more reasonable. Originally, the Speed 3 was priced at over $120, and now it is well under $75. This low price range will help runners looking for an affordable shoe with enhanced breathability. There are no exclusive features that swing the price pendulum one way or the other, but runners who are looking for a breathable shoe at a low price will be excited about the Salming Speed 3.
Drop
The Salming Speed 3 running sneaker has a minimal heel-to-toe drop, measured at about 5 millimeters. The average trainer measures at about 10-13 millimeters, so this measurement clearly indicates that the Speed 3 is very low to the ground. If you’re used to sneakers with higher drops, your calves will likely experience consistent strain as you primarily use your midfoot to land and push off.
Stability
Stability is one of the strong points of this sneaker. One of the best parts of the entire shoe is Salming’s TGS 62/75 principle. This means that the sole is designed so that 62% of the sneaker (the heel to the midfoot) offers stability up until the ballet line, which is a 75-degree line before the flexible forefoot. The middle layer of the upper, otherwise known as the Exo Skeleton, contains a high amount of stability. The Exo Skeleton has certain materials that are used to stabilize the foot in lateral movements. This layer also does a great job at relieving the pressure off the Metatarsophalangeal joints.
Flexibility
The Salming Speed 3 has a solid toe off thanks to the added flexibility in the forefoot. The fairly thin midsole doesn’t take much effort to bend, so runners should have no problem in striking their feet in whichever motion they feel most comfortable. The fabric in the upper gives enough room where the foot can bend at its natural running motion without feeling as though they are being held back. Originally giving a stiff feel, the Salming Speed 3 becomes moderately flexible once it gets broken in.
Traction
Traction is decent with the Salming Speed 3, but nowhere near enough to do well on rough surfaces. Just by looking at the outsole, you can tell that the Speed 3 doesn’t have much room to grip onto unstable surfaces. A majority of the traction in this sneaker comes from the blown rubber compound. This rubber is made to provide serious traction, and was considered a great addition by testers when running on hills or severely crushed gravel. The lack of lugs on the outsole should deter runners from a mountainous environment, as the Salming Speed 3 doesn’t have the tools needed to grip onto the unstable surface.
Bottom Line
The Salming Speed 3 is a great minimalist shoe that has the ability to last long miles while keeping the feet cool and dry. This sneaker can be great for a racing shoe, but also has characteristics that are best fit for a daily running shoe. Those who value breathability, stability and comfort will be willing to invest in this sneaker and take it out for a spin. This flashy set of sneakers will keep the runner visible while they’re out on the road logging in a quality run. Being a big hit in European countries, there is a lot of potential for the Salming Speed 3 to make noise in the United States. With some subtle fixes here and there, the Salming Speed line can help runners feel light on their feet, dry, and ready to move at a fast pace!
