Details
Brand
Salming
Heel To Toe Drop
5 mm
Breathability
8/10
Latest Version
Yes
Terrain
Trail
Type
Stability
Key Features
• Ripstop Nylon material of the upper is a great improvement and gives the shoe nice airflow and breathability• Toe shield found in the upper protects the foot from rocks, roots, and other unexpected trail elements• Heel cup to reduce friction and movement in the heel.
Upper
One of the strongest attributes of the T1 model was the durability of the upper. Salming kept that durability in the T2 by using a ripstop nylon material. This ensures that the foot stays protected against trail debris and moisture. In the previous model, an issue was that the shoe lacked breathability, but the T2 made some key improvements to the upper to improve airflow and breathability. Additionally, the upper is covered in felt overlays to keep the foot secure and stable on runs. You can also look forward to seeing two different elements to enhance comfort and protection: The heel cup and the toe guard. The tongue is slim and not overly enhanced for an easy, comfortable fit.
Midsole
Expect to find limited cushioning in this shoe. If you are a runner who appreciates a firmer fit midsole, this is a good match for you. Although the midsole is firmer and the outsole is slightly thicker, this doesn’t reduce the responsiveness you feel in the Trail T2. They still feel like fast shoes for the trail runner who wants to pick up the pace. Although these shoes are suggested for the neutral runner, they do offer a decent level of stability and support.
Outsole
The outsole offers reasonably good traction and grip, even without an aggressive lug system. Don’t get me wrong, the bottom of the shoe offers rounded lugs across the entire underfoot, but they do better on less aggressive terrains than some other trail shoes on the market. However, this model is great for slippery conditions and the outsole is clearly designed to improve traction on wet, uneven surfaces. The outsole of this shoe is a very durable, and the powerful rubber keeps the foot protected from the elements. Runners reported that even after logging an excessive amount of miles, the outsole on these shoes never wore down or showed signs of deterioration.
Breathability
Breathability is one of the biggest improvement from the Salming Trail T1. The original model’s upper kept the shoes from inviting in air flow. The newer model took this into consideration and was able to keep the durable of the upper, but included a huge improvement to the breathability. In the T2, runners reported that their feet were able to stay cool and dry even on hot, long runs because of the improvements to the upper. Even ultra marathoners raved about the improvements to the breathability.
Comfort
These shoes tend to be for the runner who considers firm to be comfortable. This is a matter of preference of course. In addition to the firmer midsole, the Trail T2 does a thoughtful job of incorporating technology into the shoe to keep the foot protected, thus, comfortable. In addition to the improvement in breathability, the shoe offers a heel cup and a toe guard to keep your foot safe and thus, comfortable.
Style
If you are like me, you love a brightly colored, eye-catching trail running shoe. These shoes will fulfill all of your color needs. They come in a variety of bold, bright, fun color combinations. Don’t worry about getting lost in the pack (or on the trails) with the Trail T2.
Durability
One of the shining attributes of this shoe is its long-lasting durability. Not only is the e outsole of this shoe made from a reliable, durable rubber that won’t easily break down, the upper is constructed from a nylon material to ensure maximum durability. These shoes will not quit, even after excessive miles.
Protection
This shoe does a great job of providing protection to the runner. Any seasoned trail runner know that staying safe on the trail has to be a primary concern. The upper of this shoe gives you all the support and protection you need to keep you safe against the elements of the trail. The upper is covered in felt overlays to keep the foot secure on uneven terrain. The toe of the shoe also provides protection by way of a toe guard to keep you from stubbing your toes on roots, rocks, or other trail debris. Finally, the heel of the shoe comes equipped with a heel cup the keeps the foot snug and secure and element the risk of blisters and irritation.
Responsiveness
A firmer midsole and a thicker outsole leave this shoe with a decent amount of responsiveness. The shoe manages to feel fast and even light given its weight and thicker elements. For the runner looking for a speedy companion on the trails, this is a good choice.
Support
The outsole of these shoes is thicker and slightly wider than some other models. This affords the runner extra support. The upper, with its laced overlays, tries to give the runner a more supported ride but comes up slightly short because of the excessive width of the shoe. Runners reported that they actually had to make new holes in the shoe in order to tie the laces tight enough to give them a secure, fully supported, feeling.
Terrain
Mountains? Groomed trails? Steep hills? Jagged rocks? This shoe can take whatever terrain you dish out. They pride themselves on being a shoe that can go the distance and can safely and comfortably take you across some of the tougher terrains, and they aren’t lying.
Price
There aren’t many items that you need to buy to be a runner, but a good pair of shoes is an unavoidable expense. While there are many great pairs for the athlete who is really watching their budget, the Salming Trail T2 isn’t that shoe. Prepare to spend close to one hundred and fifty dollars for this pair of shoes. The good news? They are extra durable, and even after intense mileage, they do not break down easily. This could justify the cost because you won’t need to replace them as often as some other brands.
Drop
The heel drop on these shoes is five millimeter. This puts them just a smidge outside what most consider a minimalist shoe, but you still get the same feel and benefits. It has been suggested that if you are looking to switch to a minimalist shoe, but you are accustomed to the more tradition heel drop of ten to twelve, it is a good idea to wean down slowly. This could be a good option on your way to a zero drop shoe if that is your ultimate goal.
Stability
These are shoes that are suggested for the neutral runner. If you an athlete who is looking for help with arch support or looking to improve your over or under pronation, this might not be the best shoe for you. However, the base of the Trail T2 is thicker and sturdier than some other trail shoes we’ve found, so you will get some stability and support there.
Flexibility
The outsole of the T2 is pretty thick, and the midsole is specifically designed to offer a firmer level of comfort. This works really well for some runners, and it really is a matter of personal preference, however, the firmer midsole combined with a thicker outsole drastically lower the flexibility of these shoes. Overall, these are solid shoes, but runners did seem to have complaints about their lack of flexibility.
Traction
One of the main reasons why this shoe claims to be such a great companion for your more adventurous trail runs is because of it’s grade A traction. The outsole of the T2 offers a lugged bottom that helps make them grippy and able to keep you safe in varying weather conditions and on varying terrains.
Bottom Line
The Salming brand is a brand to keep an eye on. They are newer to American runners, but they are making quite a name for themselves. These shoes excel in durability, protection, and style, but they are not great for the runner who is looking for a flexible shoe, or a shoe with a higher heel drop (these guys have a five-millimeter heel drop). Runners reported that the fit wasn’t as snug as they would like, but overall, the firmer midsole and thicker outsole give these shoes good support.
