Salomon shoes are renowned for their traction, which they achieve thanks to the company’s proprietary Contagrip rubber outsole. It’ll soften your footfalls and provide more energy return for a comfortable, peppy feel on hard ground. For hard-packed surfaces and pavement, Energy Foam is definitely the better choice. Shoes with Energ圜ell and Energ圜ell+ cushioning are good picks if you primarily run on dirt trails and soft, mucky terrain: The ground itself will absorb some impact forces, so you don’t need a thick wedge of plush cushioning under your feet to feel comfortable. If you like shoes with plenty of energy return, this is the foam to look for. While still somewhat firm, it softens impacts and creates a springy, energetic ride. It appears in a variety of Salomon shoes for both road and trail, including the Aero Volt speed shoe and the Sense Ride 5, our best overall pick. Made from a combination of EVA and olefin block copolymers (OBC), Energy Foam offers lower weight, higher energy return, better vibration dampening, and a softer feel than traditional foam. Salomon reserves that extra performance for its Speedcross mud-running shoe.Įnergy Foam, formerly known as Energy Surge, is Salomon’s newest cushioning material. It still provides reliable cushioning, but with a bit of added bounce to help you get more energy return in each stride and pick up the pace. It isn’t a super bouncy material, but it softens the blow of impact forces on the trail.Įnerg圜ell+ is also EVA-based, but it’s formulated with added polyolefin elastomers for better responsiveness than the standard Energ圜ell cushion. It’s used in shoes like the Alphacross and XA Pro 3D. Salomon relies on three proprietary midsole cushioning foams to cushion its shoes.Įnerg圜ell, made of ethyl vinyl acetate (EVA), provides strong shock absorption. If you like shoes that feel nimble, fast, flexible, and lightweight, you are definitely in the right place. That doesn’t mean they fall short on performance: For both trail and road running, Salomon running shoes serve up a responsive ride that gives you a good feel for the ground. ( Here’s a good place to start.) For the most part, Salomon shoes are firm, even when the company describes them as cushioned. If you like a plush and pillowy soft shoe, I’ll save you some time-look elsewhere.

What to Consider When Shopping for Salomon Running Shoes I first wrote this guide in 2018, and update it regularly as Salomon releases new shoes and running shoe tech. I’ve written more about running shoes than any other category, and have firsthand experience running in models from a range of brands, including Salomon. Best Running Backpacks The Expert: I have tested running and outdoor gear for years, both as an editor at Runner’s World and as a freelance reviewer for InsideHook, Men’s Journal, and other outlets.Ready to Hit The Trail? Best Trail Running Shoes Despite the brand's focused reputation, the best Salomon running shoes have something for all kinds of road and trail runners. Its roading running designs, like the Aero Volt and Aero Glide, run the gamut from lean, peppy shoes for speed training to more cushioned models for longer runs. Though trail remains its focus, Salomon’s lineup has expanded to include a wider range of running shoes in recent years. Its flagship models, such as the XA Pro 3D and Sense Ride 5, provide the firm and responsive support you need to negotiate tricky terrain. Salomon trail shoes are known for their grippy, durable outsole tread designs. The French ski outfitter was founded in 1947, but didn’t release its first running shoe, the Raid Race, until 2001.ĭespite its late start, Salomon has rapidly risen to become a well-respected name in trail running, buoyed by its rugged trail shoes and the support of world-renowned athletes like Kilian Jornet and Courtney Dauwalter. Compared to other brands, Salomon is a relative newcomer to the running shoe industry.

Salomon xwave 7.9