Salomon - S-Lab Sense 3 Ultra

Here’s my contribution. I haven’t done controlled tests like you did, but I run a lot of rocky vertical terrain and have put lots of miles in all these shoes. Trying to focus here on wet rock grip from the outsole and ignore other shoe attributes (fit, lock down, flexibility/stiffness, weight, cushion, etc) that also come into play with their overall ability to do the job on wet rock 5: VJ Maxx 1&2 VJ Spark Arcteryx Norvan VT (limited mileage) 4. Arcteryx Norvan SL 1, 2, &3 Salomon s/Lab Sense 7&8 Nnormal Kjeraq 3. La Sportiva Helios SR La Sportiva Vertical K & VK INOV-8 F-Lite 195 2. Whole bunch of older inov-8 x-talon and RocLite models NB minimus Salomon s/lab ultra 3 Salomon s/lab sense 7SG 1. Old Nike Terra kiger Salomon s/lab sense 1, 2, 3 For spiked shoes, I actually think they suffer quite a bit on rock because they don’t stick instantly like pure rubber soles. 4. VJ Devil 4 3. VJ bold race, VJ ice hero, INOV-8 ORoc 280

Contragrip wet traction was the best - it was on the XA Alpine and XA Elevate and the Sense Ultra, Sense 6. But since then it has gotten worse. The Ultraglide 1s were pretty terrible.

I use my old trail running shoes for hiking and grocery shopping. I don’t see why you couldn’t combine all that into one pair. What you’re describing can easily be done with something like the Salomon Sense or Genesis.

I used the Salmon Sense, maybe ride it was? Anyway I’ve used it for big hikes in Hawaii, both volcanic, rocky and muddy. Phenomenal shoes

I have used Zamberlain, Solomon Ultras, La Sportiva Prodigios, Arc'teryx Norvan, Topo Ultraventure, Altra Lone Peak, and I am currently using Kailas Fuga EX. Zamberlain - sole delaminated La Sportiva Prodigios - most comfortable yet not durable Solomon Ultras - too hot, heavy, fit was bit sloppy. Decent traction Topo Ultraventure - good toe box but not durable Altra Lone Peak - not for me Kailas Fuga EX - Best Grip, most durable, one of the lightest, took a bit of break-in and is now very comfortable (La Sportiva still is most comfortable), great on mud yet durable on pavement, runs narrow but they have a wide model with plenty of room. https://preview.redd.it/6l8apbqae0gg1.jpeg?width=500&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e3631376751409ad88a8d3d4b91bc11f1133c8e6 sum of the attributes make it my current favorite I am a westerner living in Asia so availability may matter depending on your location. Most use cases are softer trails or mud with roots. Some pavement. Have used them in Southeast Asia and Nepal.

I've tried a few S Lab shoes that didn't work for me due to my wide feet. There might be some hope here with Brooks!

You’ll have a much larger selection of shoes using gaiters. As for shoes like Saucony, I do all my road running in Endorphins all my trail running is Salomon, especially their SLab models. Good luck. Another option is LaSportiva. All three fit similarly.

As someone who has run in Kinvaras for a decade, this is what many people think but it’s wrong. Salomon S lab shoes is the answer. Peregrines suck. 

Peregrines have poor trail feel and simply don’t fit the same as ANY other saucony shoe. I have worn dozens of Saauocny road shoes, currently own five, but the peregrine caused instant heel rub that couldn’t be stopped with any lacing tricks. The S Labs feel like a kinvara on the trail. Good minimal cushion with great ground feel and lateral stability. Perhaps I’m an outlier but I have heard a few other Saucony people say something similar. My foot is slightly narrow so that might have something to do with my impression of the peregrine 

New S/labs size down. I’m my actual street shoe size in those, a US 6, when I’m a 6.5 in every other Salomon model. I was fine with my usual 38 in the PP.

I don't have these problems and I'm super happy with narrow Salomon SLAB but my wife loves Altra just because they are like duck feet (my joking about this), and she says they are best fitting shoes ever. So for wide feet, I would definitely say go and try Altra.

I wore Salomon S/Lab and my partner wore Hoka Speedgoat 5. All shoes have their own pros and cons, so if you have a fav trail running shoes, it’s best to stick with that one. We were comfortable in our shoes. Even on the trails where you inevitably get wet, it was refreshing to have the shoes soak up the cold, streaming water while we hiked to cool down. They dried quickly.