7 Best Salomon Trail Running Shoes in 2024

Jovana Subic
Jovana Subic on
7 Best Salomon Trail Running Shoes in 2024

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If you want to venture into the great outdoors, it’s unquestioned - Salomon is THE brand for trail runners.

Salomon trail shoes are not only extremely durable — they’re ready to eat up the gnarly terrain. Whether it’s a grippy, waterproof, supportive, or protective shoe you’re after, these trail runners won’t disappoint you. 

Choosing out of the many Salomon trail shoes can take forever. And we literally owned the job to make everything easy-breezy for you. We have exhaustively tested trail running shoes from Salomon and evaluated which ones are worth your time and money. From different categories, we’ve handpicked shoes we’re confident can swallow miles on the trails.

How we test trail running shoes

Because we dislike marketing fluff so much, we buy the Salomon trail shoes we test with our own money. This allows us to be as transparent as possible. 

And because we like to nitpick so much, we also take the time to do the following: 

  • Run in each shoe for 30-50 miles. We take them to rail trails, hiking trails, backpacking trails, bridle paths, and others just to thoroughly assess the shoes in different settings.
  • Slice them into pieces in our own shoe testing lab. Not a single detail can hide from us. We gotta see all the components of the shoes, may they be large or tiny.
  • Measure them via 30 different parameters like flexibility, strength, breathability, etc. We then interpret the results in a simple and understandable manner, for the reader's easy consumption.

Best Salomon trail running shoes overall

What makes it the best?

Speedcross 6 ranked first among Salomon trail running shoes in our lab and actual trail runs because of its exceptional grip, supportive platform, and flexible build. It enhances our agility and stimulates fast-paced adventures. We find it very well-suited for muddy encounters and cold weather.

Starting from the bottom, Speedcross 6 has the highly-trusted Contagrip compound for its outsole. On foot, it feels very protective and durable as confirmed by our 93.9 HC durometer measurement. This is one of the highest readings we've recorded. To ensure traction, it has 5.8 mm deep lugs, widely spaced for shedding off dirt. This is 2.3 mm deeper than average, which gives a stronger bite on muddy terrains. 

The midsole feels firm, enhancing ground sensitivity. Our durometer registers a 34.4 HA measurement, 28.8% tougher than average. This improves our sense of balance by keeping us steady even on sharp turns. It flares out in the heel for extra support while the insole is curved so that our feet are inside the midsole, not on top of it.

Thankfully, the ride doesn’t feel rigid and uncomfortable. In our bend test, Speedcross stands 40.1% more flexible than average. This makes it comfortable enough for longer trail runs and even walks.

What feels uncomfortable is wearing this pair in warm weather. With its impenetrable upper, we gave it a low 1/5 on our lab breathability test. 

Pros

  • Superior traction on wet, technical trails
  • Ideal for heel strikers
  • Impressive durability
  • Quick mud shedding ability
  • Lightest Speedcross yet
  • Secure lockdown with QuickLace system
  • Enhanced ground feel in the forefoot
  • Agile and responsive in fast corners

Cons

  • Midsole feels like concrete
  • Extremely poor breathability
  • Not suitable for midfoot and forefoot strikers
Full review of Salomon Speedcross 6

Best Salomon trail shoes for daily running

What makes it the best?

The Salomon Pulsar Trail is a tremendously great all-around trail running shoe that’s capable of doing most, if not all, trail runs. We put it through a tonne of different distances and terrains and it was absolutely amazing. It is a grippy and durable, speedy and light trail shoe that sits at the top of the pile for the best Salomon trail running shoes for daily running.

The Salomon Pulsar Trail, with its Contagrip outsole, is extremely durable and grippy. It gave us confidence when running on trails, even when on more technical trails. We’ve run our fair share of trails in these shoes and it remains unscathed. In fact, these shoes are going strong with no signs of premature damage.

Running fast in the Pulsar Trail comes almost naturally. It is very energetic and we loved it because it did not turn out to be yet another dull trail shoe. We felt like we were being propelled forward, thanks to its rocker design.

Even with a firm but protective midsole, the Pulsar Trail remains lighter than we expected it to be. In fact, it feels almost weightless even on longer trail runs.

The Pulsar trail has a plush upper but it is not very breathable. Runners looking for a summer-ready trail shoe might want to look elsewhere.

Pros

  • Stable and protective ride
  • Versatile for occasional road use
  • Enhanced heel lockdown
  • Robust durability
  • Suitable for all footstrikes
  • Good breathability in the toebox
  • Fairly priced at $130

Cons

  • Not suitable for wet terrain
  • Slightly on the heavier side
Full review of Salomon Pulsar Trail

Best Salomon road-to-trail running shoes

What makes it the best?

Salomon’s Sense Ride 5 delivers a seamless shift from the streets to beaten paths without ruining our momentum. It’s got the grip for moderate trails, a soft cushion for protection and a flexible platform that keeps us agile. This makes it our top road-to-trail shoe from Salomon’s trail lineup.

This hybrid shoe handles daily mileage to occasional speedwork with ease. Its Contagrip rubber outsole and 3.5 mm diamond-shaped lugs work wonders on slightly wet surfaces and moderate trails. We have no worries transitioning to a different pavement as SR5 keeps us steady.

Running many miles won’t be a problem with the protective foam, which our durometer measured to be 25.2% softer than the average trail shoe. It holds a below-average stack, keeping a low-to-the-ground profile, which is ideal for trail shoes. Combined with a flexible platform, we feel more in control as the unopposing midsole flows with our movements. Our flex test confirms the SR5 falls around the average of trail shoes.

The forefoot stack is 5.7 mm thinner than average, meaning there’s less foam to absorb the landing impact of midfoot-to-forefoot strikers.

Pros

  • Immaculate lockdown
  • Good responsiveness
  • Plenty of ground feel
  • Confident on moderate trails and steep downhills
  • Smooth and stable ride
  • Can hold its own for speedwork
  • Comfy and breathable upper
  • Best for daily miles, longer efforts, and even road runs!

Cons

  • Forget about hard trails
  • Thin under forefoot
  • Runs a little bit narrow
Full review of Salomon Sense Ride 5

Best Salomon trail shoes for running ultras

What makes it the best?

We glided through ultras in Salomon’s Ultra Glide 2. Its soft platform, light and flexible nature, and stable traction all work together to make endurance runs more bearable and enjoyable. Our lab and run testers agree this Salomon trail running shoe is best for ultras.

Running long hours on off the beaten paths isn't a problem with UG2’s cloud-like nature — soft and light. It oozes a heavenly sensation that protects our legs from fatigue. Our durometer measurement validates this: 34.3% softer than the average trail shoe. It’s lighter on the feet at 10.1 oz (286g) vs. the average 10.4 oz (296g). We could run fast without toppling over since its stack height sits below average, giving us a better ground feel.

Keeping us in control is its easy-to-manoeuvre midsole. We could move quickly on moderately technical trails as the shoe adapts to our movements. Counterchecking with our flex test, we confirm it’s 33.4% more flexible than average.

UG2 gives enough grip to perform well on different surfaces, performing best on dry surfaces and moderate trails. It has 2.8 mm lugs on its Contagrip rubber outsole, keeping our runs stable.

We recommend steering clear of hard, rocky terrains as the 1.6 mm outsole might not be thick and durable enough to protect our feet.

Pros

  • Breathable upper
  • One heck of a lockdown
  • Soft and protective cushioning
  • Good energy return
  • Very smooth, fun ride
  • Comfy for roads, good traction on moderately technical trails
  • Outstanding for daily miles and (very) long runs
  • Also works for faster efforts

Cons

  • Poor outsole durability
  • Using lace garage can get frustrating
  • Long tongue has a tendency to cause some rubbing
  • Maybe too narrow for some
Full review of Salomon Ultra Glide 2

Salomon trail running shoes with the best durability

What makes it the best?

The Salomon XA Pro 3D V9 has a robust and protective construction that can easily handle trail running, hiking, backpacking, and road running. Actual trail adventures and extensive lab tests show it has excellent defence all around, reliable grip, and sturdy support—making it our most durable Salomon trail running shoe.

The Contagrip outsole effortlessly dominates all types of surfaces. No need for tougher rubber and lug depth to enhance its performance. Despite having slightly below-average measurements of 83.1 HC and 2.8 mm, we had no issues with traction and premature wear on sand, snow, and rocks.

The firm midsole serves as another line of defence—shielding our feet from sharp debris and keeping the ride stable. Our durometer confirms it’s denser than the average trail shoe by 17.9%. The foam won't bottom out even if we’re loaded with heavy backpacks. The 3D chassis technology also protects us from excessive lateral movements that may lead to injuries.

The upper serves as our armour against both heat and debris. On our breathability test, it earned a remarkable 4/5, proving its ventilation. It also resisted impressively against our brutal Dremel, receiving a well-deserved 5/5.

Unfortunately, it was difficult to be fast and agile with its monstrous build. Tipping the scales to 12.2 oz (346g), it’s 1.8 oz (52g) heavier than the average trail shoe.

Pros

  • Tank-like foot protection
  • Incredibly stable and supportive ride
  • Excellent traction on mixed or rocky trails
  • Great hiking/backpacking companion
  • Relatively flexible despite 3D chassis
  • Effectively dampens landings
  • Generously padded and comfortable
  • No chance of lace bite
  • Durable and high-quality construction
  • Eye-catching design

Cons

  • A little heavy
  • Stiff upper needs breaking in
  • Cushioning on the firm side
  • Not nimble enough for technical trails
Full review of Salomon XA Pro 3D v9

Best Salomon trail running shoes with Gore-Tex

What makes it the best?

Our excursions reveal the XA Pro 3D v9 GTX is Salomon’s top Gore-Tex trail runner, and our lab results agree! It’s a well-designed and functional waterproof shoe offering steadfast all-around protection and unmatched stability through its 3D chassis.

Wrapped in the trusty Gore-Tex membrane, it has exceptional waterproofing. Our permeability test in the lab shows the smoke barely passed through—even the light was blocked out! In our trail runs, we had no troubles with rain, cold weather, and below-the-ankle river crossings.

This trail master also acts as a shield from various threats and obstacles. Aside from the solid upper, it has a robust toe bumper that acts as a rock plate. Underfoot, the firm midsole protects us from sharp rocks and roots and maintains our balance on uneven terrains. Further reinforcing stability is the 3D chassis that resists unwanted ankle twists and excessive lateral movements.

The ‘Contagrip’ outsole, along with the 2.8 mm deep lugs, deliver the defence and traction we need on most surfaces. It grips even wet rocks and loose sand thanks to its lug pattern.

Due to the protection it brings, this beefy monster is a hefty trail shoe. It rides like a hiking shoe, dragging us down during speedier runs. Our scales reveal its 12.7 oz (359g) weight is 22.1% heavier than average.

Pros

  • Incredibly protective
  • Extremely stable and supportive
  • Great traction even on wet surfaces
  • Watertight Gore-Tex upper
  • Flexible and forgiving on the foot
  • Makes a great hiking companion
  • Effectively dampens landings
  • Generously padded from heel to tongue
  • No lace bite whatsoever
  • Durable, high-quality construction
  • Simple yet snazzy design

Cons

  • Could be lighter
  • Rather firm cushioning
  • Upper needs breaking in
  • Lacks the agility for technical trails
Full review of Salomon XA Pro 3D v9 GTX

Salomon trail running shoes with the best versatility

Salomon Genesis
93
Superb!

What makes it the best?

Salomon Genesis is all about ensuring comfort mile after mile with its premium MATRYX upper, balanced cushioning, and stable ride. Given its light and loose build, it’s a trail workhorse that effortlessly handles quick easy runs to brutal ultra-distances. Among Salomon’s trail roster in our lab, Genesis excels in versatility.

The in-shoe experience feels comfortably cushioned without feeling bulky. The heel boasts a 33.5 mm stack, balancing plushness with agility. Because of this, Genesis weighs satisfyingly below the 10-oz mark at 9.95 oz (282g). Adding to our nimbleness is its fluid midsole that bends freely to our demands. As our flex test confirms, it’s 26.4% more adaptive than average.

Conquering long miles felt like a breeze since the shoe’s support system prevented the early onset of leg fatigue. Salomon’s Active Chassis technology comes to life, serving as our guide by placing two rigid plastic pieces on each side of the shoe’s exterior. Further boosting our control over our footwork is the 4.0 mm multi-shaped lugs, effectively braking and turning as we please.

What keeps the Genesis a cosy space is the well-ventilated and durable MATRYX upper, scoring a high 4/5 on both our breathability and Dremel tests—a remarkable and rare achievement.

However, the outsole falls short on durability. We recommend avoiding rocky and harsh terrains to prevent premature wear.

Pros

  • Premium MATRYX upper
  • Great for summer adventures
  • Comfortable for long distances
  • Perfect for heel strikers
  • Reasonably priced
  • Smooth and flexible ride
  • Super stable

Cons

  • Missing reflective elements
  • Outsole wears quickly
  • Drop too high for some
Full review of Salomon Genesis
Author
Jovana Subic
Jovana Subic
Whether it's a vertical kilometre or an ultra, climbing in the Alps or exploring local mountains, Jovana uses every opportunity to trade walls and concrete for forests and trails. She logs at least 10h/week on trails, with no off-season, and 4x more on research on running and running shoes. With a background in physics and engineering management, she prefers her running spiced with data.