Genesis

Ultra glides are my vote for mixed use. The smaller lugs are nicer on road. I use the sense ride 5, ultra glide 2 and just finished a pair of the Genesis non-pro version and those were great for trail but I don’t think I would care for them on road.

Mine have 430 miles or so on them. I think they’re great if it’s dry, Salomon’s contagrip just isn’t great on anything wet in my experience. I made it. 84 miles of a 100 in them and they were very comfy. I prefer a slightly firmer shoe. Ran 7.5 miles in mine today still money

To further the discussion of what is the all around “BEST TRAVEL SHOE (closed toe)” here is something to add and discuss: When I was traveling in Brazil in March, I met soooo many European travelers. Most of them were wearing Salomon “trail runners” I believe they were. [Here is a link to the Salomon shoe ](https://www.zappos.com/p/womens-salomon-speedcross-6-mahogany-rose-hushed-violet-iced-aqua/product/9721367/color/1098468) I think the women were wearing. The men were mostly wearing it in Black. I did a lot of hiking in Brazil in my worn out Asics and wish I had a shoe with more tread. I 've been thinking about getting the Salomons but they really do scream "outdoors" and I don't know if they would be "cute" enough to do light walking in say, London or Paris or Rome... Are these SALOMONS really the all around best shoe for walking, trekking, etc in any type of climate? I know H[OKAs (especially Speedgoat 6)](https://www.zappos.com/p/womens-hoka-speedgoat-6-grey-skies-cosmic-grey/product/9920044/color/1108513?zlfid=191&ref=pd_detail-v2-2-c_v2p_p) are discussed often. I ended up giving in and buying a pair last Spring but I notice that the nubs / grip / lugs wear down pretty fast. (They are indeed very very comfortable, but also the colorways are intense and make me definitely stand out as a gringa. haha. ) I think the Salomons might be more durable? Furthermore, I know we all are looking for that UNICORN shoe that won’t look so Doofy when we are out walking and just browsing shopping in cute Italian towns…. but can also do some light hikes. And for those it seems the consensus are: Vessi OnCloud NewBalance [Altra ](https://www.zappos.com/search?term=altra%20shoes%20women)(zero drop) What are your ABSOLUTE go-to one-bag unicorn shoe (closed toe)?? I am going to be in Europe for a little bit, but later Mexico and maybe Brazil too. cheers! Oh, yeah, I forgot to point out an important thing. Bonus if **waterproof**, but I have noticed that mostly it doesn't matter because if shoes get wet with a huge downpour, they're going to get wet . I once bought a pair of Sorels waterproof sneakers and I hate them so much as they were really inflexible and uncomfortable. . I can't return them though. Thanks! EDIT: WOW ! So many valuable insights and responses. Thank you so much! Seems like a lot of you enjoy the Salomon XT6. it is definitely trending. My concern is that it might not feel comfortable as a street shoe for the other 50% of the time I'm walking around with it and not hiking because of the firm tread and the lack of cushion. I'm leaning toward TOPO and the best thing about REI is that I can get that shoe and try it on for a few days.!!

I got a pair of Topos to try but returning them - they are too frumpy. I don't actually like the Altra Wilds, they just feel a bit weird on the tongue and were irritating the entire 3 miles I wore them. They also do look a bit doofy. I also got these [Salomons ](https://www.zappos.com/p/womens-salomon-genesis-carbon/product/9939399/color/8914)and I'm glad I gave it a trial run of walking 4 miles in them because I got a giant blister on the bottom of my foot. Does that mean they are slightly too big? Either way, not great! (I like the silhoutte of the shoe and the colorway but if they're gonna give me blisters then nope!!). I think I still like the Hokas the best. I haven't gotten the oncloud because they are too expennsive! tldr: still don't have a favorite shoe.

hi! I got [Salomon Genesis ](https://www.zappos.com/kratos/p/womens-salomon-genesis-carbon/product/9939399/color/8914?ref=pd_vh)and I walked 3 miles on pavement = a bit oddly painful , like I can feel the pavement? and 3 miles on a trail = excellent. Is it because the sole is so sturdy that it does not have cushion for pavement? What is the MODEL of SALOMON you are using and since you love them so much, can you tell me about the cushion or feel when you walk on pavement with them? thanks!

I am very disappointed by version 3, it is a completely different shoe, with a very high stack height and ridiculously soft cushioning. I switched to the Salomon Genesis (not the S-lab version), which is much closer to the Ultra glide 2. I actually prefer it because the lugs are 4,5mm instead of 3,5mm which makes them better in mud.

I'm 210lbs. Always a Salomon user. Very good results with many of their models, last years the Ultra glide 2, now changing to the Genesis model. (I don't like the Ultra glide 3, much higher and with a ridiculous amount of cushion) I don't do that many miles on them because I tend to wear out the thread early (technical terrain) but the soles always hold up very very well.

I agree. The Genesis are best choice. Stable and good grip. Ultra glide 3, I have a pair, but stupid amount of cushioning, and way too high stack height. Anyway I would not change shoes now so close to the race, unless you really have problems.

Peregrine or Salomon genesis (non slab) and ultra glide 3 (non slab) are often discounted and are a good option for what you are describing. I would recommend against the pulsar slab and the la sportiva. They look cool but they are racing shoes which won't hold up very well and won't be comfortable or stable on easy runq

Okay, so based on how you describe these issues, i think you have a pretty narrow foot, but i'm confused by the fact that you like the Hierro - this is pretty wide fitting and "plush" cushioned. SO maybe i have that wrong. But the best fitting shoes in the industry come from VJ. They have an amazing fitlock system which is peak stability. They have brilliant outsole rubber for technical trails, roots and wet rocks. They are epic for OCRs and orienteering. However, the midsole is usually a bit firm and numb, so they're not fit for road-to-trail. I've run in Ultra3 and Sparks, and if you're a lighter, smaller runner they will probably be fine. Alternatively, look at Salomon - the S/Lab Speed, Ultra, Genesis, etc are all narrow but have great lockdown. You have to persist with the lace system - sometimes you have to play with the lockdown 2-3 times before it all sits right, but I've loved running in the CDW Genesis for the last year.

Agree, it really depends on how fast, how far, the ratio of road to trail etc. my Saucony Tempus are pretty good on park run trails and “fire track” style roads. Puma shoes with their Puma Grip are great in the rain or on slightly uneven terrain. Then you have what some call Commuter shoes - road to trail shoes with lower lug depth and softer midsole. Hoka’s Challenger ATR isn’t bad, and the Tecton X and X2 had proper gravel lugs that worked well, along with shows like the Saucony Xodus Ultra, Nike Terra Kiger or Pegasus Trail. Personally I’ve just run in road shoes if it’s dry, and I trust my trail shoes (currently Salomon Genesis and Hoka Mafate 5) in the wet or more technical terrain.

Hoka Mafate 5 is comfy and fun. Mafate Speed 4 is still good but a little narrower and not quite so bouncy. I used to run in Speedgoats a lot but think the 5 & 6 are missing some comfort and the foam isn’t returning the energy of newer shoes. Salomon Genesis or Ultra Glide are both good if you can accommodate a narrower fit. I prefer the protection of the Genesis over the Ultra Glide. Prodigio Pro is also fun and bouncy, but much lighter, less protection around the ankle and so a bit more stripped back. Everyone I know loves them though. Hoka Tecton X 3 is a similar proposition to the Prodigio but both are spendy. Hoka is slightly more stable and bouncy but there is very little in it. If you want the best outsole rubber money can buy, look at the VJ Ultra 3. Seriously, the lugs and rubber is like glue. Finally, the Saucony Xodus Ultra is a good shoe for distances like this. It’s also comfy and protective. Just avoid the 2 or 3 and go for the latest version 4.

Oh I use “shoe rotation” as a regular excuse to buy more shoes, but in the real world I have: - shoe for trails and ultras (Salomon Genesis currently) - shoe for technical and short trails (Hoka Zinal 2) - shoe for gravel / road to trail (Hoka Tecton X) - shoe for deep or thick mud (Inov8 X-Talon Ultra) - shoe for OCR racing (VJ Spark)

As many people have said here, the SG6 is too firm and has lost some of its “fun”. The Merrell Agility Peak 5 is a good option. The Saucony Xodus Ultra 1 / 2 are great. Miss version 3. Version 4 is supposed to be a return to form. Salomon Genesis is a good shoe I’ve run 200km in but runs narrow. I am loving the Mafate 5 but it’s a marmite shoe for this community I’ve noticed. La Sportiva Prodigeo Pro has a lot of fans but the midsole is less stable, more bouncy and it’s not cheap. The North Face Vectiv Series are decent now - there’s a lot to choose from. Final option if you want great outsole grip is the VJ Ultra 3. Fab lockdown too.