Salomon Running Shoes Explained: Everything You Need To Know

Salomon is one of the biggest names in trail running, with shoes designed for everything from muddy woodland paths to technical mountain terrain and ultramarathons. The French brand has also developed a much broader road running range in recent years, giving runners far more choice than its traditional off road reputation might suggest.

Salomon running shoes are known for grip, secure uppers and designs developed around different surfaces and conditions. The current range also includes highly cushioned road shoes, plated performance models and specialist racing footwear.

If you're wondering how Salomon running shoes fit, what makes them different or which current model might suit your running, here's everything about Salomon running shoes explained.

The History Of Salomon

Salomon was founded in Annecy in the French Alps in 1947. The company initially specialised in ski equipment and built an international reputation through products including bindings, boots and other equipment designed for mountain sports.

Its move into footwear eventually brought the company into hiking, adventure racing and trail running. Salomon's location in the Alps gave it an obvious environment in which to develop shoes for moving quickly over steep, loose and technically difficult terrain.

Models including the XA Pro and Speedcross helped establish Salomon as a major trail running brand during the 2000s. Speedcross in particular became one of the company's most recognisable shoes because of its distinctive appearance and aggressive grip for soft ground.

Trail running remains central to Salomon, but the company has steadily expanded its road range. Today's collection stretches from specialist mud and mountain shoes to cushioned daily trainers and carbon plated racing models.

What Makes Salomon Running Shoes Different?

Salomon's running shoe philosophy has been heavily influenced by the mountains. Grip, foot security, protection and control on uneven surfaces have traditionally been just as important as cushioning, which is one reason many of its best known shoes feel different from conventional road running shoes.

One of Salomon's biggest strengths is the degree of specialisation within its trail range. Rather than producing one general purpose trail shoe, the company develops shoes for mud, mixed trails, technical terrain, longer distance running and racing.

The range has also evolved considerably. Higher stack heights, softer and more responsive foams and plated constructions now appear across both road and trail shoes, giving modern Salomon footwear a much wider range of ride characteristics than the relatively firm shoes many runners may associate with the brand.

Salomon Running Shoe Technology

Salomon uses several recurring technologies across its shoes, although the exact combination varies according to the terrain and intended use.

Contagrip is Salomon's outsole technology. Different versions are used depending on the surface, with aggressive lug patterns for mud and softer ground and flatter configurations for mixed terrain or roads.

OptiFOAM is used across many current midsoles, with different formulations designed to balance cushioning, weight and responsiveness. More performance focused versions appear in Salomon's faster shoes.

EnergyBlade is the name given to the plate technology used in certain performance models. Depending on the shoe, the blade can use materials including fibreglass or carbon fibre and is designed to work with the geometry of the midsole to create a faster transition through toe off.

ActiveChassis adds structure and guidance. It appears in some trail shoes to improve control on uneven ground and in road models designed to provide additional support.

Many Salomon trail shoes also use Quicklace, a single pull lacing system that tightens across the foot without conventional laces and knots.

What Is Salomon S/LAB?

S/LAB is Salomon's premium performance range and is an important part of both its road and trail collections. Shoes carrying the S/LAB name are generally designed with racing in mind and use some of the company's lightest materials and most advanced technologies.

On the road, S/LAB includes high performance plated racing shoes. On the trails, the name is used across specialist models developed for different forms of competition and technical terrain.

An S/LAB shoe will not automatically be the best choice for every runner. The additional performance focus usually comes with a higher price, and conventional Salomon models may offer a better balance of comfort, durability and versatility for everyday training.

Do Salomon Running Shoes Have Gore-Tex Versions?

Salomon produces Gore-Tex versions of a number of its trail and outdoor running shoes, including models within some of its best known ranges. The waterproof membrane is designed to reduce water entering through the upper and can be useful in cold and wet conditions.

Waterproof running shoes are not automatically better for trail running, however. They are generally less breathable, and water entering over the top can be slower to escape, so some runners continue to prefer conventional breathable uppers.

Read about looking after your running shoes here.

Are Salomon Running Shoes Neutral Or Stability Shoes?

Most Salomon running shoes are best considered neutral, although many trail models contain features designed to increase stability on uneven surfaces.

Trail stability is not the same as traditional road stability designed around pronation control. A chassis system, secure upper or broad platform may simply help keep the foot controlled when the ground becomes uneven.

For road runners looking for additional guidance, the DRX range is the more obvious part of the Salomon collection. ActiveChassis provides additional structure without relying on the traditional medial posts once common in stability shoes.

Salomon Road Running Shoes Explained

Salomon's road collection now covers everyday training, faster running and racing rather than simply sitting alongside its much larger trail range.

Aero Glide 4 is one of the main cushioned road shoes and is designed around comfortable everyday mileage. The Aero Blaze 4 is lighter and more versatile, making it suitable for runners who want a shoe capable of handling different types of training.

Spectur 3 moves further towards performance running and uses an EnergyBlade to provide additional propulsion. It sits between conventional daily trainers and Salomon's more specialised racing footwear.

At the faster end of the range, the S/LAB Phantasm 3 is Salomon's high performance road racing shoe and uses a carbon EnergyBlade together with a responsive PEBA based midsole.

DRX Bliss 2 offers a more supportive alternative for runners who prefer additional guidance while still wanting the feel of a modern cushioned road shoe.

Salomon Trail Running Shoes Explained

Trail running remains the heart of Salomon's footwear range and is where the company offers the greatest variety.

The Speedcross 6 remains one of the brand's best known models and is designed primarily for soft, loose and muddy terrain. Its aggressive outsole makes it a more specialised trail shoe rather than an obvious choice for every surface.

The Genesis range is aimed towards technical and varied terrain, combining grip, protection and stability for more demanding trails.

For runners covering longer distances, the Ultra Glide 4 places greater emphasis on cushioning and comfort. It is designed around longer trail runs and ultras rather than the deep mud conditions associated with Speedcross.

The Pulsar provides a more responsive trail option, combining cushioning with an emphasis on propulsion. It is designed to work across a variety of trail surfaces rather than being purely a specialist racing shoe.

Salomon's S/LAB trail shoes provide the more specialist performance options within the collection, with models developed around competition and different types of terrain.

Read about other running shoe brands here.

The legendary Speedcross

How Do Salomon Running Shoes Fit?

Salomon has traditionally had a reputation for a relatively close and secure fit, particularly through the midfoot. That remains important in many technical trail shoes because excessive movement inside the shoe can become a problem when descending or changing direction.

However, it is misleading to suggest that every Salomon shoe fits narrow. The shape varies between models, and wider versions are available within parts of the range.

Trail runners should also consider toe room carefully. Feet can swell during long runs, while repeated contact with the front of the shoe during steep descents can quickly become uncomfortable.

Trying Salomon shoes with your normal running socks is particularly worthwhile if you are moving from another brand or choosing between models intended for very different types of terrain.

Which Salomon Running Shoe Is Right For You?

For road running, the Aero Glide 4 is the main cushioned everyday option, while the Aero Blaze 4 provides a lighter and more versatile alternative. The Spectur 3 is aimed more towards faster running, while the S/LAB Phantasm 3 sits at the performance end of the range.

Trail runners should start with terrain rather than simply choosing Salomon's most famous model. The Speedcross 6 is designed for soft and muddy ground, while the Genesis range is more suited to technical and varied terrain.

For longer trail distances, the Ultra Glide 4 provides greater cushioning and comfort. Runners who prioritise a more responsive feel can look towards the Pulsar, while Salomon's specialist S/LAB models provide more race focused alternatives.

Are Salomon Running Shoes Worth Considering?

Salomon remains one of the most important brands in trail running, but its running footwear is now much broader than that reputation suggests. The company produces specialist shoes for mud, technical trails and ultramarathons alongside a growing collection of road training and racing shoes.

Its trail range remains the strongest part of the collection, particularly because Salomon designs shoes around very different surfaces rather than treating trail running as one category. Speedcross, Genesis and Ultra Glide may all be trail shoes, but they are intended for distinctly different conditions.

For road runners, the Aero range has made Salomon much more relevant for everyday training, while Spectur and S/LAB provide faster options. Salomon running shoes are therefore worth considering across a much wider range of running than the brand's traditional mountain reputation might suggest.