Details
Brand
Salomon
Heel To Toe Drop
12mm
Breathability
6/10
Latest Version
Speedcross 4 GTX
Terrain
Trail
Type
Racing
Key Features
• Breathable construction• Snug, yet comfortable fit• Highly durable• Moisture and odor fighting• Offers stability and traction
Upper
This is the Gore-tex version of the Speedcross 2 and designers do a great job of incorporating this waterproof mesh into the design of their shoe. The Gore-tex upper still has the same look as the original, with the tightly woven anti-debris mesh making up the majority of the shoe. The synthetic leather overlays do a good job of wrapping the foot, making the shoe fit securely and comfortably. The quick lace system, along with the Sensifit design, are excellent at providing a snug fit in the midfoot and heel area while not hugging the forefoot and toe box area too tightly. This allows for minimal movement in this forefoot area, great for providing a strong toe-off.
Midsole
The midsole of this shoe is built really well. With the shock absorbing qualities of the outsole, the midsole was built with minimal cushioning while still maintaining its place as a comfortable long-distance runner. Because the dual density EVA foam is so minimal, this shoe offers great flexibility, especially in the mid to forefoot area. The placement of the EVA material is also designed to discourage runners from overpronating. Salomon wanted to design a lightweight shoe that could really stand up to the gnarliest trail while still being sufficiently cushioned for long distance running.
Outsole
The outsole is constructed of one rubber unit containing Contigrip technology. This is a slightly sticky rubber that works great to keep you upright even n the most difficult terrain. The large chevron shaped lugs and somewhat flexible outsole really work to dig into the trail and hug the different types of terrain. The Contigrip is used in a variety of Salomon shoe,s but it really stands out on a shoe like this with such aggressive lugs. Without this soft grippy rubber of the Contigrip, this shoe would really suffer on flat terrain.;The design is also great for shock absorption, meaning it doesn’t need as much midsole cushioning and can be a lighter, more flexible shoe. The outsole also directly attaches to the Gore-tex upper with a section of synthetic leather upper material. This further enhances the protective, waterproofing properties of the shoe as a whole. Without any space between the outsole and the upper, there is no space for moisture to enter the shoe.
Breathability
The anti-debris mesh hugs tightly to the foot and lets air pass throughout the shoe even with the waterproof membrane. Although it is slightly less breathable than the original, this is still a great all weather shoe. This is a great shoe for muddy trails and even winter trail running. Overall, a great all weather shoe but it really performs well in the colder shoulder seasons.
Comfort
This is a very lightweight shoe with lots of flexibility built throughout. I was really impressed with how well the cushion from the midsole, along with the shock absorbing qualities of the outsole, work together at making this a comfortable shoe. The cushion is strategically placed to make a smooth and comfortable ride. The inner lining is soft and moisture wicking, great for keeping your feet dry and comfortable. The Ortholite insole is comfortable and shock absorbing. The Gore-tex upper also makes the shoe waterproof, so no matter what the trail conditions are, your feet will feel dry and comfortable. This is exceptional for long runs in cold weather and wet muddy trails.
Style
The Gore-tex mesh does somewhat limit the colors you can buy this shoe in but it is still a very stylish, rugged looking shoe. The black design with white highlights is great for hiding dirt from those muddy trails and makes the shoe easy to clean.
Durability
I’m always impressed by the durability of Salomon shoes. They are built to last and they are highly comfortable. This shoe, in particular, is built for rugged terrain and the single unit outsole means there is no tearing or peeling of the rubber. Extended use on hard surfaces will wear down the outsole prematurely, but even that is not too significant. The synthetic leather overlay and the way it attaches to the outsole makes for a very durable upper. The Ortholite also features antimicrobial fibers that keep your shoes smelling somewhat fresh even after long days on the trails.
Protection
The Salomon Speedcross 2 GTX is great at protecting your foot from the elements even with its minimalist design. The waterproofing keeps your foot dry, even in the muddiest conditions and is great at preventing blisters or other injuries related to feet being wet for an extended period of time. The lugs provide great traction, even on the most difficult terrains, keeping you upright and ready for whatever the trail has to throw at you. There is a protective toe cap which keeps some distance between your feet and trail debris, making this shoe great for rocky terrain.
Responsiveness
This is a very responsive shoe because of the minimal cushioning and the way it hugs your feet. You can expect a nice snappy feeling and a great toe off because of the flexible, responsive forefoot. This shoe does a great job of feeling responsive without a ton of ground feel. We can thank the shock absorbing outsole for that. Overall, it is a great responsive shoe without sacrificing comfort or cushioning.
Support
Even with its amount of minimal cushioning, this shoe does a good job of supporting the foot and providing a smooth consistent stride. The midsole cushioning encourages runners to lean forward and get a nice strong toe off while also discouraging pronation. Despite the minimal feeling, this shoe has some nice support features.
Terrain
This shoe is ideal on soft muddy trails, especially because of the waterproof outsole. It also does well on soft snow, and even though you don’t have to worry about getting your feet wet, you might want to pair this shoe with warmer socks in the winter. The outsole is built for rugged terrain and with the Gore-tex mesh, the upper is too. The large lugs, however, make this a poor choice for a road to trail shoe.
Price
Like many Salomon running shoes, the Speedcross 2 GTX is priced a little higher than your average shoe. However, with the number of features this shoe offers, the price is worth it. There have been a few updates to this shoe, so you might manage to get it on sale. It is also important to keep in mind that you can get hundreds of miles out of a Salomon shoe, also helping to justify the price tag.
Drop
This shoe has a heel to toe offset of 12mm, perfect for providing a little extra cushion in the heel and for warding off impact-related injuries. This 12mm offset is usually reserved for shoes that have more motion control features. While this shoe does do a good job of controlling your stride, it is not overpowering and still gives you a lot of freedom on your run. The drop also does a good job of supporting your foot, which is great for runners who are new to the trails or ultra runners looking to go the distance.
Stability
This is a shoe that offers a stable ride. The stability features are not overwhelming, but it does do a good job of encouraging good form and dissuading runners from pronating. The shoe does a great job of being snug to your foot and giving you a nice secure feeling ride.
Flexibility
While still offering lots of support with the strategic cushioning, this is a nice flexible shoe, especially in the mid to forefoot area. The strategic lug placing and lack of rock plate gives this shoe a nice flexible feeling. The flexibility also means that this shoe has some bend so it can hug any type of terrain.
Traction
The traction is great, especially on muddy surfaces. The outsole does a great job of digging into soft terrain, giving you full traction on difficult to navigate trails. The large lugs are especially good for providing traction on steep uphills and downhills. With this shoe, you can feel confident on nearly any trail surface.
Bottom Line
The Salomon Speedcross was originally built with soft muddy trails, tackling a snow run, or other challenging terrains in mind. Now, the GTX version is even better for tackling difficult terrain. The Gore-tex keeps moisture out so that you can go ultra running distances in wet terrain without worrying about blisters or other moisture-related injuries. This is a durable shoe that will last hundred of miles and is a great addition to any avid trail runner’s closet. It was designed as an everyday trail running trainer or a trail racing shoe. With it’s minimal cushioning it does a great job of balancing these 2 purposes. Whatever gnarly trail you want to tackle, this is a shoe that can do the job.
