The Best Salomon Running Shoes On and Off The Trail (2024)

Compared to other brands, Salomon is a relative newcomer to the running shoe industry. The French ski outfitter was founded in 1947, but didn’t release its first running shoe, the Raid Race, until 2001.

Despite 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. Salomon trail shoes are known for their grippy, durable outsole tread designs. 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.

Though trail remains its focus, Salomon’s lineup has expanded to include a wider range of running shoes in recent years. 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. Despite the brand's focused reputation, the best Salomon running shoes have something for all kinds of road and trail runners.

Best Saloman Running Shoes

• Best Overall: Sense Ride 5
• Best Value: Alphacross 4
• Best Daily Trainer: XA Pro 3D V8
• Best Trail Shoe: Pulsar Trail Pro 2
• Best for Speedwork: Aero Volt

Ready to Hit The Trail? Best Trail Running Shoes ● Best Trail Running Gear ● 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. 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. I first wrote this guide in 2018, and update it regularly as Salomon releases new shoes and running shoe tech.

What to Consider When Shopping for Salomon Running Shoes

If you like a plush and pillowy soft shoe, I’ll save you some time—look elsewhere. (Here’s a good place to start.) For the most part, Salomon shoes are firm, even when the company describes them as cushioned. 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. If you like shoes that feel nimble, fast, flexible, and lightweight, you are definitely in the right place.

How We Evaluated the Best Salomon Running Shoes

To select the best Salomon Running Shoes, I reviewed the company’s shoe lineup and talked with a brand rep to learn about its current models and shoe technology. I also reviewed data from Runner’s World reviews, considered RW editor feedback, and drew on my own testing experiences to choose the running shoes below. These models showcase Salomon’s best running shoe features, like Energy Foam and Energy Blade plates, with options for many kinds of runs, from trail racing to everyday training on pavement.

The Sense Ride 5 is Salomon’s do-it-all trail shoe, and a great representation of what the brand does best. Although its thin midsole serves up a firm ride, which isn’t every runner’s cup of tea, this flexible shoe gives you a good feel for the ground underfoot. On a mixed-terrain excursion to a nearby state park, the Sense Ride 5 created a smooth ride on the sidewalk and handled rolling, hard-packed paths without slippage.

The upper features soft padding around the ankle for a comfy, supportive fit—it helped my feet stay planted within the shoe when negotiating sloped, uneven ground—and the wide toe box has plenty of room for toes to splay. As long as you don’t need a ton of plush cushioning, the Sense Ride 5’s nimble feel, comfortable fit, and all-terrain versatility will take you just about anywhere you want to go.

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Trail shoes generally command a premium over their road-running counterparts, and high quality pavement shoes are already quite expensive. If you’ve been reeling from sticker shock, consider Salomon’s budget-friendly Alphacross 4. It’s a capable trail shoe that starts at around $100.

The Alphacross’ midsole is relatively thin, so don’t expect a plush ride (a soft interior liner adds some step-in comfort), but the thinner cushioning gives you a good feel for the ground and makes the shoe nimble and responsive. It’s designed to handle a variety of terrain, but works especially well on soft ground.

The mud Contagrip outsoles feature widely spaced 6.5mm lugs, which will bite into mucky terrain and shed mud quickly for optimum grip. The lugs also extend up onto the front of the shoe for improved traction on steep ascents. With its traditional lacing and versatile design, it’s a great intro to the Salomon lineup.

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One of Salomon’s most popular models, the XA Pro 3D V8 delivers a supportive, stable off-road ride. Weighing in at a hefty 12 ounces in men’s sizes, it’s not a great choice for speedwork, but the somewhat overbuilt design promises excellent durability. It features Salomon’s “3D chassis,” which adds a layer of extra-firm foam to the midsole that cradles and supports your foot to keep it aligned in the shoe as you run.

That’s in addition to a layer of EVA-based EnergyCell foam for reliable cushioning that takes the sting out of hard, rocky trails. (If that sounds cramped, don’t worry: The XA Pro 3D V8 comes in wide sizes.)

Want to slow down your pace? With its robust and supportive construction, the XA Pro 3D V8 also works well as a hiking shoe. You can upgrade its outdoor utility, too, by spending a little extra on a variant with a water-resistant Gore-Tex upper, which will keep you dry on rainy day runs.

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Picking a single “best trail shoe” from Salomon’s sprawling lineup is tough, but the Pulsar Trail Pro 2 stands out in a crowded field for its low weight and stellar performance. It features a relatively well-cushioned midsole made from responsive, lightweight Energy Foam, paired with a forked Energy Blade plate for smooth transitions and extra snap at toe-off.

During a test run on sidewalks and hard-packed dirt around my neighborhood, the shoe felt bouncy and propulsive, and the forefoot had great flexibility—impressive considering all the tech stuffed into the midsole. The all-terrain Contagrip outsole features relatively small 3.5mm lugs, which handled short stretches of pavement without issue. The upper has a built-in collar around the ankle to block out debris, and its streamlined design saves weight.

The Pulsar Trail Pro 2 isn’t perfect. It’s not very supportive, and the fit at midfoot was a bit too narrow for my liking. Even with those caveats, it’s a very capable trail shoe, especially for runners who want an agile, speedy feel.

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The Aero Volt is a speed-focused trainer that’s built to disappear on your feet so you can focus on your pace. At just 7.5 oz in men’s sizes and 6.7 oz in women’s, it’s incredibly lightweight—on par with many brands’ elite racing shoes.

The Volt’s relatively high drop (the difference in height between the heel and forefoot on the footbed) and toe spring (where the sole curves upward at the front of the shoe) will help you make quick transitions. The Energy Foam cushioning offers a springy sensation that’s well-suited for speed.

On top, the shoe features a mesh upper with lots of open pores at the forefoot and midfoot, so you’ll get excellent breathability and temperature regulation, even in hot weather. Salomon describes the Aero Volt as a “wild child all-urban runner,” and it’s perfect for sprinters, or anyone looking for a little more pep in their step.

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Heading out for a long, rambling trail run? The Glide Max TR is the shoe you want on your feet. This highly cushioned trail shoe has a hefty wedge of Energy Foam in the midsole–the men’s heel stack height measures a tall 38mm–which soaks up impact forces and keeps your feet comfortable through high-mileage efforts.

It’s also very padded and ready for rough terrain. Aside from a cutout on the bottom, it’s covered almost completely in Contagrip rubber. A toe bumper overlay protects your toes from scrapes against rocks, roots, and other trail hazards. Its 3.5mm lugs deliver reliable grip on hard-packed surfaces.

Even with all that foam and rubber, the shoe doesn’t feel clunky, though. At just over 10 ounces in men’s and about nine in women’s, it’s relatively lightweight for a cushioned trail shoe. The sole’s subtle rocker shape promotes smooth strides. Padding around the ankle and at the top of the tongue ensure a comfy fit. No matter what mile count you’re shooting for, the Glide Max TR will make going long feel good.

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Unless you live right next to a park with a trail system, getting onto the dirt usually involves tackling some pavement first. That can pose a footwear problem, since many trail shoes feel uncomfortable on the road or sidewalk. Fortunately, the Ultra Glide 2 isn’t one of them.

Thanks to its cushioned and flexible midsole and shallow lugs, it feels right at home on concrete and on a trail. Ultra Glide 2 utilizes Energy Foam for a soft-yet-bouncy ride. The sole has a subtle rocker shape to help you roll smoothly onto your toes.

I tried this shoe on a brief test run, and I really enjoyed its soft feel and excellent forefoot flexibility—the shoe felt smooth and comfy on pavement and dirt. The generous toe box gave my toes plenty of wiggle room, and its wide footbed left me unconstricted at midfoot. The upper is another highlight: Soft padding around the ankle creates a comfy fit, but it’s stiff enough to provide some support. For runs that involve a mix of pavement and dirt, the Ultra Glide 2 is the model you want on your feet.

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With its plush cushioning, massive midsole, and pavement-ready outsole, it’s almost hard to believe the Aero Glide is a Salomon shoe. This new design offers a cushioned experience for road runners in a relatively lightweight package. Its beefy Energy Foam midsole creates plenty of shock absorption and delivers good energy return, so the shoe doesn’t feel dead or clunky underfoot.

The rocker sole helps you roll through each stride, and Salomon added some creature comforts to the upper, including a padded tongue and ankle collar to create a soft, pliable wrap around your foot. With a smooth, comfy ride and lightweight design, the Aero Glide will help you get in the zone and blow through your training miles.

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Salomon’s Speedcross line is beloved among Salomon fans with a surprising history in the world of high fashion. Runway success aside, it has always been a seriously capable trail shoe. The current model, Speedcross 6, is made for tackling gnarly, muddy paths.

The mud Contagrip outsole is the key highlight. Salomon developed its unique layout, with its well-spaced, chevron-shaped lugs, specifically to grip soft ground and shed mud while your foot is in the air. (Many trail shoes lose their traction when mud gets stuck between the lugs, filling in the textured outsole.)

An EVA-based midsole provides a moderate amount of cushion, though you won’t need much shock absorption on the soft ground this shoe was designed for. Up top, a Quicklace system helps you dial in a snug, comfortable wrap around your foot. For confident footing on wet, mucky terrain, the Speedcross 6 is the shoe to go with.

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With its thick midsole, protective upper, and low weight, the S/Lab Genesis is designed to take on challenging long-distance trail races. Courtney Dauwalter wore a pair while setting a new course record at the 2023 Western States 100, proving they can enable incredible performance.

“The Genesis shoes were perfect through the snow and through all the trail sections,” Dauwalter said in a Salomon press release after her record-breaking Western States race.

The Genesis features a relatively thick wedge of Energy Foam in the midsole, giving the shoe plenty of cushioning to protect your feet from sharp rocks and keep them comfortable on long runs. The highly durable upper, made from Kevlar fibers, can stand up to repeated scrapes.

The reinforced medial side of the shoe adds support and protection from sticks, roots, and other debris. On the outsole, widely spaced 4.5mm lugs generate lockdown grip on all kinds of terrain, so you can run confidently wherever the trail takes you.

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Q+A With Running Shoe Expert Michael Charboneau