7 Best Salomon Running Shoes in 2026

How we test Salomon running shoes

After years of on-the-road (or off-the-road) testing and research in the lab, we have developed a methodology that makes finding the best picks quite easy: 

• We buy all Salomon trail running shoes with our own money to ensure the integrity of our reviews.
• As a team of dedicated testers and runners, we spend hours on field testing the shoes to experience their fit, comfort, grip, durability, and breathability.
• We cut the shoe into pieces and measure every little detail. We use different tools, including durometers, callipers, and smoke machines, to quantitatively describe flexibility, breathability, shock absorption, and other features.
• We publish our in-depth reviews along with all the lab data. It's super easy to find the energy return, outsole hardness, or outsole/upper durability, and to compare different shoes by these features. 

From widely recognised Speedcross models that bite mud like pros, which they are, to shoes like the XA Pro 3D that have become a sort of fashion statement, Salomon covers it all. We’re here to help you choose the right pair, not by its name or popularity, but by what it has to offer: the features that match your needs and your needs only. 

Features Salomon is known for

There are a few features that are recognisable in Salomon running shoes: Quicklace lacing system, Contragrip outsole, Matryx lightweight mesh that combines Kevlar and polyamide, Advanced Chassis midsole support plate that stabilises lateral movements, Sensyfit system, and grip found in Speedcross models. 

Quicklace lacing system 

Patented design that allows you to tighten or loosen the laces quickly and then tuck the end into a lace garage (in many models). Zero worries about laces loosening along the way or having to do a runner's knot. 

Contagrip outsole

If Salomon is known for something, it has to be the grip, and their Contagrip rubber compound delivers on many fronts. All the Salomon shoes we’ve tested so far have scored high on the traction test (checked at the moment of writing this guide). Notice the little red triangle marking the outsole as Contagrip.

Matryx upper 

Matryx upper is engineered mesh (which uses Kevlar!) that is very breathable based on our lab data (scoring 4/5), lightweight, and comfortable. 

Here's a snapshot of Matryx textile under the microscope. 

Advanced Chassis 

This feature is Advanced Chassis is a stiff TPU brace that runs from the midfoot around the heel and stabilises the midfoot and the heel at the highest level. It is super useful for overpronators whose heels tend to collapse inwards and also runners and hikers in general who enjoy the extra stability at the rearfoot. Below, we can see the 3D Chassis stabilising lateral movement.

Sensifit system

Salomon’s Sensifit system secures a good lockdown by connecting the midsole to the reinforced upper and it feels like a secure wrap. No sliding, no unwanted movement, so the shoes also feel more responsive. 

Speedcross outsole design 

Speedcross shoes are known for their insane grip. They work best on soft, wet ground: mud and snow. The lugs have a unique shape, orientation, and placement on the outsole. They are quite spaced apart with a lot of room in between them, which allows the mud to shed and not clog the lugs. 

How do Salomon running shoes fit?

Snug, in many cases. It’s not just about how we felt while running in Salomon running shoes, but also what the lab data tells us. Let’s have a look. 

In order to be able to quantify the fit, we make a gel of the shoe’s interiors, and then measure its width (where the shoe is the widest) and toebox width (at the big toe). 

Given that many runners suffer from bleeding or black toenails, we have to address the vertical clearance as well. We cut the gel mould in half lengthwise and measure the height of the toebox. 

Knowing these numbers now, it’s easy to look for a Salomon running shoe that offers more or less room exactly where you need it. Given that the snug fit is usually the biggest concern, we will sort running shoes below starting from the widest: 

If you’re not sure about the sizing, head over to the Salomon size chart.

Traction in Salomon running shoes 

Many other shoe features become irrelevant when grip fails you mid-run. Especially on the trails. This is why we started testing traction in our shoe lab. 

This test follows SATRA TM144 methodology, which means we use a force of 500N to press the shoe against the wet surface at a 7-degree angle. The result is a dynamic coefficient of friction; the higher it is, the better the traction. 

For context, a dynamic coefficient of friction higher than 0.80 is considered high, between 0.70 and 0.80 moderate, and lower than 0.70 slippery both on wet and dry surfaces. So far, all the Salomon shoes we’ve tested scored high in traction!

Durability of Salomon running shoes

People running on trails (in which case we recommend a guide on Best Salomon trail shoes) usually focus on the durability of the outsole (lugs) and the upper. Road runners may prioritise any of these: the outsole, toebox, or heel padding. So, we cover all 3. Durability tests are performed using a Dremel. The smaller the damage, the better, naturally. 

Once the Dremel test is done, we look at the depth of the dent. We then use a tyre tread gauge to measure the depth of the dent with a 0.1 mm precision. Shallower dents = more durable outsoles, of course. The toebox below scored 1/5 because the Dremel ate through it, making a hole.

Then, we move onto the durability of the toebox. The time spent on destroying the upper (or trying to), the force, and the RPMs, these are all standardised, so all Salomon shoes are given the identical treatment. When the test is done, we assess the damage on a 1-5 scale, where 5/5 is kept for the best toebox durability and 1/5 for the worst. The heel padding below scored 4/5.

This area is either very important to runners or they wonder why are we even doing the test. Runners who don’t use shoe horns and/or who have a protruding heel or Haglund’s deformity want this area to be very durable so that their heels don't end up rubbing the harsh materials inside the heel. Again, we assign a 1-5 durability rating based on the damage size and depth. 

When looking at the durability of the outsole, you may also want to consider the outsole thickness (or lug thickness), because it may mean that you’ll end up running on exposed midsole or flat rubber sooner rather than later. 

Best shock absorption in Salomon running shoes 

Shock absorption or shock attenuation might be a mouthful for beginner runners but it surely matters, especially for mid- and long distances. It basically tells us how protective the midsole is because it is a measure of how much force the midsole is capable of absorbing. The better it does this job, the less stress is sent to the runner’s legs so, naturally, we want it to be on the higher end. 

However, there are shoes with lower shock attenuation, and they are mostly focused on slower paces and shorter distances. 

We usually focus on shock absorption at the heel because the majority of runners land on the heel. However, we measure it at the forefoot as well. For context, keep in mind that there’s high shock absorption (above 130 SA), moderate (110-130 SA), and low (lower than 110 SA). 

If you want to learn more about the type of foams Salomon is using, we recommend heading over to our Ultimate guide on running shoe foams and reading about Salomon Energy Foam (EVA + OBC), Salomon Energy Foam EVO (eTPU), and Salomon optiFOAM (EVA + OBC). 

Most responsive Salomon running shoes (energy return lab data)

What’s the ride like? Lively and peppy? Dull? Does the shoe feel like it’s pushing you forward or slowing you down? We answer this by looking at the energy return lab data. 

We test energy return at the same time as shock absorption. Energy return tells us how much energy is returned and not dissipated or lost as heat. The highest energy return is found in premium race shoes which are usually lighter, less durable, but wildly responsive and used for shaving off a few seconds/minutes from your PB. 

There are 3 levels of energy return: high (65% or more), moderate (55-65%), and low (less than 55%). If speed is your priority, look fo a higher energy return. If you plan to use Salomon running shoes for daily walks/hikes or jogs, moderate energy return is OK. 

Pay attention to the high heel-to-toe-drop 

Heel to toe drop tells us how big the difference in height is between the forefoot and the heel. Think of extremes: going barefoot (zero heel drop) and high heels (very high heel drop). In running shoes, we’re seeing everything from 0 mm to 16 mm. 

Heel drop is important because which leg muscles will be utilised the most. Zero drop asks for the activation of your foot muscles and ankles the most, while a high drop (9 mm and higher) uses higher leg muscles (when switching from a low to a high drop, you can sometimes feel your hip muscles working). 

Depending on where you’re currently at, form-wise and injury-wise, you may want to take heel drop into account and not blindly go into too big a change. We consider any heel drop change of 4 mm and higher to be aggressive. Such changes need an adaptation period and taking it easy. 

The average heel drop for all running shoes is 8.3 mm, while for Salomon it sits at 9.7 mm (with more than 50% them, which were tested in our lab, with a heel drop of 9 mm or higher). 

To learn more about the importance of heel to toe drop, we recommend heading over to the Heel to Toe Drop: The Ultimate Guide immediately!