Salomon Phantasm 2 review

The Salomon Phantasm 2 is a great choice for:

• Runners with wide feet who want a comfortable speed-training shoe capable of handling easy runs.
• Those who enjoy ground feel during tempo and interval sessions—this shoe steers clear of maximalist designs.
• Heel strikers seeking an interval shoe, willing to trade a bit of extra weight for comfort.

The Phantasm 2 has clear limitations, with the most notable being its price. For less than Salomon's MSRP, faster options like the Adidas Adizero EVO SL or ASICS Noosa Tri 16 are available.

We also believe runners seeking premium cushioning will find the midsole lacking. It falls short in stack height and responsiveness compared to top-tier speed trainers like the ASICS Superblast 2 or Puma Deviate Nitro 3.

Additionally, the outsole’s thin and less durable design significantly limits mileage for heavy rubber wearers. A better alternative is the Mizuno Neo Vista, boasting long-lasting, robust rubber.

The Phantasm 2 features generous heel cushioning with a 34.4 mm stack height, making it ideal for heel strikers seeking a well-padded yet non-maximalist design that provides ample rearfoot support for short, medium and long-distance runs.

The forefoot, on the other hand, is thinner than expected at 23.2 mm, even below the average running shoe. This design appeals to runners who love ground feel with each stride, making the Phantasm 2 particularly well-suited for lightweight runners, especially those landing primarily on the forefoot.

Salomon claims a 9-mm drop for the Phantasm 2, but we measured slightly more—precisely 11.2 mm. While not a dramatic difference, this measurement shifts the shoe firmly into heel-striker territory, as it surpasses the 10-mm threshold.

The photo we used here also highlights Salomon's unique approach to heel lockdown. Instead of the usual continuous padding design of most brands, they opted for strategically placed, cushioned pods. Interesting!

The midsole of the Phantasm 2 is crafted from Salomon's Energy Foam—a training-focused EVA compound. In our view, this is disappointing for a shoe approaching the $200 price point, as we believe it deserves at least an EVA+PEBA blend like the New Balance FuelCell Rebel v4, which also comes at a lower price.

However, for those not chasing peak energy return, the foam still delivers decent performance. At 20.8 HA, we found it to provide balanced, moderate softness underfoot, which makes sense given the thin forefoot design that wouldn’t suit a super-plush foam. However, from our perspective, Salomon should incorporate a premium foam to remain competitive with other leading brands.

In our testing, we found that Energy Foam's performance in cold conditions was far from impressive. After just 20 minutes in the freezer, it got 39% firmer.

The insole is unremarkable, a standard 4.1-mm EVA insert commonly seen in average daily trainers—nothing worth spending our time on.

Energy Blade is undeniably a super cool name. However, what Salomon provides is just a fiberglass plate that, while functional, offers modest stability and propulsion. In our experience, it avoids the overly stiff, uncomfortable feel of carbon plates, striking a balance that feels accessible for most runners.

Unlike popular speed-oriented shoes like the Endorphin Speed 4, this plate features a partial-length design, present only in the front section of the shoe.

While the midsole left us wanting more, the toebox stands out as one of Salomon’s greatest strengths. We've observed that it’s one of the few speed trainers offering a wide-feet-friendly design.

Indeed, we measured an impressive 100.7 mm at the widest point of the toebox—a generously roomy feature that enhances comfort for broader feet. However, this spacious design makes it less suitable for those with narrow feet, as it might feel overly loose in the forefoot.

While the upper is undeniably spacious horizontally, it’s worth noting the limited vertical room. In our experience, runners who tend to point their big toe upward may find the fit slightly restrictive. However, this snug fit aligns with what’s expected in a speed trainer, so we don't think it's a poor design choice.

Returning to the toebox width, we measured a generous 80.3 mm at the forefoot. Salomon maintained its wide design here, steering clear of any noticeable tapering.

Despite being a neutral running shoe with sleek, narrow dimensions, the Phantasm 2 delivers surprising stability. 

We found that this comes from the combination of the Energy Blade plate, subtle midsole sidewalls, and a relatively low 32.5 mm stack height, which positions your feet closer to the ground compared to many competitors. However, in our view, this design still doesn’t make it suitable for runners needing significant stability support.

The Energy Blade plate in the Phantasm 2 adds extreme stiffness—we could barely twist it beyond a few centimeters. Unsurprisingly, it earned a solid 5/5 in our torsional rigidity test.

We found that Salomon prioritized making the heel area ultra-comfortable, as the Phantasm 2 is tailored for heel strikers. It features generous padding and a moderately flexible counter, earning a balanced 3/5 rating from us.

From the very first mile, we discovered that this shoe delivers an agile ride—a refreshing break from the clunky feel of many modern maximalist trainers. This fun feeling stood out and was something we enjoyed.

Back in the lab, we tested to validate our impressions. The first measurement, taken in the forefoot, came in at 113.7 mm—a slightly below-average width that aligns with the shoe's streamlined design.

The second measurement truly caught our attention at 85.8 mm—that's noticeably narrow! This is why we don’t recommend this shoe to anyone other than neutral runners, as the platform lacks the width needed for proper stability in this area.

In our 90-degree bend test, we measured 23.1N—a result typical of a running shoe without a plate. Why? Fiberglass plates, unlike their more rigid carbon-fiber counterparts, add only minimal longitudinal stiffness. And we proved it!

At 9.2 oz or 261g, the Phantasm 2 falls within an average weight range but feels undeniably heavy for a speed-training shoe. 

While it's true that this added heft comes with perks like a cozy heel and a well-padded tongue, we think that for most runners, the trade-off isn’t worth it, as this shoe is part of a category that thrives on lightweight designs.

Salomon's engineered mesh on the Phantasm 2 immediately catches the eye with its sleek design. It’s not only visually appealing but also feels comfortable—so naturally, we put it through our breathability test to confirm its performance.

Using our smoke-pumping machine, we found that the upper delivers excellent airflow, earning a solid 4/5 score. This ensures proper ventilation even during summer runs, a crucial feature for performance-oriented shoes like this one.

We further examined the upper by moving it over a light source, revealing how Salomon prioritized ventilation in the toebox and midfoot.

Under our microscope, we observed a precise engineered mesh featuring evenly spaced openings every few millimeters.

These tiny gaps are the secret to the shoe's impressive ventilation, expelling heat and moisture effectively during runs.

Additionally, the upper includes robust yet lightweight reinforcements—likely inspired by Salomon’s trail heritage—that add extra stability and structure.

During our testing, we found that the Phantasm 2's upper offers great ventilation and comfort. However, this combination often comes at the expense of durability—a trend we've observed through hundreds of lab tests.

Unfortunately, this was confirmed during our assessment with the Dremel. The upper developed a full-blown hole, highlighting its fragility under strain, and we had to assign it a disappointing 1/5 for durability.

We found that the heel area excelled with a solid 4/5 rating, largely due to Salomon’s clever design featuring pillow-like pads positioned lower than average—an innovation that enhanced both comfort and durability in this key area.

When evaluating the outsole, we observed another area where Salomon’s trail expertise shines. In our experience, the familiar Contagrip rubber, often seen in models like the Genesis, adds dependable traction and reliability.

Our first measurement revealed surprisingly soft rubber at 72.5 HC—a flexible-soft compound that raised some eyebrows in the lab. Before testing with the Dremel, we noted its impressive grip performance, delivering exactly the level of confidence we expected from Salomon.

We approached the outsole durability of this shoe with skepticism. To evaluate it, we fired up the Dremel again and conducted our final assessment.

The result was disappointing. We discovered a substantial 1.8 mm indentation—nearly double the depth of what we typically observe. This marked a concerning outcome, highlighting a lack of durability compared to the average wear resistance we’ve tested in similar shoes.

To compound our concerns, the outsole thickness measured an ultra-thin 1.5 mm—roughly half the average. Paired with less durable rubber, this design choice could significantly restrict the shoe’s lifespan and overall mileage potential.

We think Salomon needs to address this in version 3. Either the rubber’s resilience must improve, or the outsole requires more thickness to enhance durability. If we had to choose, we’d go with the first option, as a thinner rubber layer creates a more engaging and less muted ride experience.

The Phantasm 2 is undeniably stylish and well-crafted, but in our view, its pricing feels higher than expected for the features offered.

In our experience, runners prioritize energy return and running economy in speed trainers, and this is where the Phantasm 2 falls short. Its EVA-based foam and moderately high weight hold it back, especially compared to similarly priced options like Nike’s Pegasus Plus, which offers the ultra-responsive ZoomX foam in a lighter, more agile package.

We didn’t find any reflective elements on the Phantasm 2 upper, which isn’t ideal for safety but doesn’t feel like a dealbreaker either.

We appreciated the simple, functional lacing system on the Phantasm 2. It features punched eyelets with flat laces and an additional eyelet for a runner's knot—no weird designs or unnecessary innovations.

Salomon chose comfort over weight savings by incorporating a 5.0-mm tongue. This cushioned tongue protects the instep from discomfort, making it a standout feature compared to the paper-thin designs often found in speed-training shoes.

The tongue is not gusseted, which we think is a significant oversight in a $170 shoe designed for fast-paced running. In our view, this feature should be addressed in version 3.

There's no heel tab, but Salomon included generous cushioning to enhance Achilles tendon comfort and make the heel easier to grab when needed. This design choice highlights why the shoe falls short of being as lightweight as its competitors.

The insole is removable, allowing you to easily swap it for your favorite sockliner. However, this would mean sacrificing ventilation, as the included perforated insole offers a rare and valuable bonus.