Salomon - S/Lab Genesis

Trail: \- Hoka Tecton X 3 \- Salomon S/Lab Genesis CDW \- Hoka Mafate 5 \- VJ Spark (for OCRs) \- Inov8 X-Ultra for fells/mud Road: \- Hoka Skyward recovery \- Saucony Tempus 2 daily \- Hoka Mach X 2 tempo \- Hoka Cielo X 1 race

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.

Yes. Actually i was out in my S/Lab Genesis this morning for my long run. They are a bit wider than normal Salomon, but if you find you have wider feet i'd say you should avoid. The last is no wider than a Speedcross, but with the foam of the Ultraglide and more lateral stability. Don't get me wrong, I love them, but the outsole rubber doesn't last very long - i've usually worn away some of the lugs after 250km. Maybe this will help: My current running rotation is: \- Saucony Tempus 2 / Hoka Mach X 2 / Hoka Ceilo X for road \- Inov8 TrailFly / Salomon S-Lab Genesis / Brooks Catamount 3 / Hoka TectonX 3 for gravel \- Inov8 X-Talon Ultra / VJ Sparks for mud and obstacles I'm looking at add a pair of iRock+ for obstacle racing as I've heard great things about the updated, wider last + toe box, new foam. AMA :)

Hello. I come from the same issue. I had major issues with Plantar Fasciitis after running in the Speedcross and S/Lab Speed for many years. My first shoe was the Hoka Speedgoat Evo. That was an epic shoe, but sold out everywhere so quickly I only ever ran in one pair. Since then I’ve tried many similar shoes, looking for great grip, soft and bouncy ride, but good stability as I over-pronate, plus I recently developed osteoarthritisin my big toes. So, I really rate the following: - Hoka Mafate Speed 4. Good all rounder - Salomon S/lab genesis. A little narrow and unstable but speedy and shed mud quickly - La Sportiva Prodigeo Pro - great foam and good grip, lightweight. - Saucony Xodus Ultra - 1 and 3 are pretty good, ignore the 2. - Hoka Tecton X 3 - my go-to race shoe for hard packed trails and gravel I like the Speedgoat, Catamount, Fuji Lite, Ultra Glide too but they all have compromises that the shoes above don’t have in the same way.

Hoka is my go-to for this sort of thing. Mafate 5 is super plush, bouncy and fun. Tecton X3 is great for gravel and works well in the technical stuff too. Anything else you look at will be heavy or narrow. I like Salomon a lot, but the S/Lab Genesis is a little too narrow for more than 25km, and the Ultra Glide doesn’t seem to have the real bounce conpared to the Hokas. Saucony Xodus Ultra is great over the distance, but I felt it was a little clunky and heavy - for some reason the Mafate felt more agile. Speaking of which - Merrell Agility Peak 5 would be a good choice. I hate to say it but I really dont rate many of the Asics trail shoes. Fuji Lite is fine for a daily but not for a race day shoe.

I have issues with overpronation and plantar fasciitis so I think I can empathise. I tried trail running for years with insoles but I’ve found that if you get proper orthotics (which you should) they are useful for road shoes and walking shoes, but they are not need when running cross country / trails. To a degree it depends on the trails you run. I do a lot of running on soft ground, mud, fields etc. so i look for a good stable neutral shoe. If I’m running on “fire tracks” or well worn, hard packed paths, with no technical requirements, then I usually go for a stable shoe and maybe use my orthotics if it’s the summer. My personal recommendations: - Hoka Mafate 5 - soft and bouncy but the platform is stable and it rewards you getting up on your toes - Salomon S/Lab Genesis - more narrow and nimble but still fine for the harder paths - Merrel Agility Peak 5 - moved to this off the Speedgoat as it’s still stable but more fun and comfy - VJ Ultra 3 - the midsole broke down quicker than I would have liked but the lockdown and outsole make it worth it for really tricky terrain.

I think I am I’m the only person on Reddit who likes the Hoka Mafate 5. But the S/Lab Genesis is also a solid shoe. Finally, Nnormal or Norda are both very robust.

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.

Hello. As a lot of people say, a good road shoe will be good on the hard packed trails as well. But if you want a bit more traction and security, go with something that has a good foam and a smaller lugs. Options I’ve run in and like include: - Hoka Mafate Speed 4 / Tecton X - Salomon Genesis / Ultra Glide - La Sportiva Prodigio Pro - Merrell Agility Peak 5 - Brooks Catamount 4 - Saucony Xodus Ultra 1 / 2 (avoid the 3) For reference I am 85kg and usually run 30km / week.

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.

Yeah the 4 with the Vibram looks promising. How nimble are the 3? My area is a lot of single track with roots, and my Peregrine 13 perform well there but are due for replacement. I'm also doing longer trail days, so would like a bit more cushion, but not sure how well a higher stack shoe might perform when I'm tap dancing around roots. The Peregrine 15 are a little more cushioned than 13, so might be good. I've also tried on Salomon Genesis and liked them but my local store didn't have any XUs. I've been enjoying high stack road shoes so kind of leaning that way for trail comfort just need to stay a bit agile

I'm currently looking to replace my aging Peregrine 13, plus get a bit more cushion. I liked the extra cushion on the 15s, thought they felt nice in store Salomon Genesis (the standard model, not s/lab) has a pretty similar midsole feel to the 15, maybe a tiny bit softer. Upper feels slightly more plush/padded in the Genesis. I've tried on other Salomons before and found them too narrow, but the Genesis felt great for me, and probably what I'll go with

There is no such thing as "the best" running shoe. Every running shoe company is making great shoes right now, and they all have a wide range of options. Like, Hoka ain't the only brand making cushy shoes, and Brooks isn't the only one with daily trainers. What matters is what fits your feet and body and goals. I've found Saucony consistently fits me well. I have their Triumph 21 for a daily trainer. Endorphin Speed 3 and Kinvara 13 for speed work outs. Hurricane 24 for recovery. I also have Asics Superblast 2 for long runs, and Salomon Genesis for trails

I would second the Salomon or s/lab genesis. Wasn’t crazy about SG 6. Mafate speed 4 lite is good if you want a soft ride. Mount to Coast T1 is solid. People love prodigio pro (sadly didn’t work for my feet and felt a little bulky). Norda 001a also a strong option. Speedland GL:PDX if you want more bite. Haven’t tried it out yet but Kjerag 2 looks promising as well (Brut if you want more traction and less cushion)

I’ve run 2 with the s lab genesis and have LOVED them. A flat race in Texas and the bear 100.

Sadly, soft collars just don’t work for me. I really wanted to like the S/Lab Genesis, but I had to drop them. The ankle collar just doesn’t work for me my malleoli are extremely sensitive, and any contact causes irritation, even with socks on . Great shoe otherwise, but definitely not compatible with my anatomy.

With the Norwegian climate, for example, I would never have thought you’d get along well with Salomons, since their outsole doesn’t perform well on wet rocks. I also have the Genesis, and if you’re looking for a precise fit, you could consider the Kjerag 2 even though you’re a bit heavy, if your limit is around 40 km, they might work fine. The Tomir are less agile, and I’ve never really gotten along with them. Then again, it depends on the terrain you use them on I do sky races, so I prioritize precision and grip over comfort.

If you like Salomon shoes and their relatively narrow fit, I’d give the Genesis (regular or S/LAB) a try.

I have the same problem as you and the shoes that block my heel best are the NNormal Kjerag and various Salomon models such as the Genesis

They are good everywhere except wet rocks on technical trails

both the vanilla and slab genesis are good shoes but very different from the speedcross - one won't necessarily translate to the other. But worth a try.

FYI: I’m a very wide boy, but the Salomon Speedcross and Genesis both fit very comfortably. None of their other shoes do, but those are both great shoes you might want to try. Hoka also has nice wide options across their lineup. If it‘s grip you want, I find the Speedgoat is second only to VJ Shoes - but VJ run narrow.

Yeah I’ve been through 2 pairs and they only have about 100-200 good rocky US northeast running miles in them. I'm chonky for a trail runner though (190lb). The wet rock grip is atrocious anyway so I’ve moved on, however they are the still the comfiest shoe I’ve worn so it’s a shame about the outsole. Have a look at the Genesis for a more modern outsole.

I think a lot would depend on the terrain. I've used the S/Lab Genesis and mostly liked it, but at the end of my last 100k, over very rocky terrain, my feet got really beaten up, and I think I would have preferred something plated like the Hoka Tecton X3, which I love (and have used as my one travel shoe for roads and trails). If that's not a concern, what about either the Norda 001 or 005?

I'm 100kgs and I normally split my running between the Norda 005, Salomon S/Lab Genesis, Hoka Tecton X3 and Nnormal Tomir 2. I don't tend to train in the X3, but I think I will use them for my upcoming 100km races next year. I haven't had durability issues with any of these shoes.

1- Hoka Tecton X3 Amorti légendaire, sensation de rebond sur le plat, stable, accroche tres bonne, gaitre trop pratique dans les terrains pleins de graviers. 2-Salomon S/lab Genesis: la chaussure de trail la plus polyvalente, ça fait 3 ans qu'elle est sortie et au départ de tous les trails de 40k + la moitié des coureurs la porte, légère, accroche, tient bien dans le temps, très comfortable. 3-Salomon Ultra glide 3: des chaussons avec des crampons.

Sierra is currently selling the S/Lab Genesis for 69 bucks if you wanna just throw more shoes at the problem. Mine looked trashed after 50ish miles but held up for almost 350 miles with 161k vert

I bought a pair of size 10 yesterday from the Taylorsville store and saw several pairs from size 9 through 13

Probably overkill for what you’re doing, but should still serve you well. I’ve got hundreds of miles in both the S/Lab and regular version. The regular Genesis outsole is considerably more durable, but that durability comes at the cost of weight. S/Lab size 10 US is 266g vs Regular Genesis size 10 US 303g

Salomon Glide Max TR 3rd pair- 200 miles - Distance on buffed out nontechnical trail. Salomon Thundercross 2nd pair - 50 miles - Winter with screws Salomon Genesis 2nd pair - 180 miles - Do anything shoe at casual pace Merrell Agility Peak 5 - 112 miles - Technical trail, foot protection, but untrustworthy at speed. Salomon Genesis S/Lab - 354 miles - Do anything at speed, nearing end of life. Replacement pair waiting in the closet. Hoka Clifton 9 - 304 miles - Pavement

Salomon Genesis has been my go to all around shoe. Just killed my first pair at 370 miles with 161K Vert. Outsole and upper are still good shape, but I collapsed the midsole with heel striking and pronation.

Salomon Glide Max TR 3rd pair- 200 miles - Distance on buffed out nontechnical trail. Salomon Thundercross 2nd pair - 50 miles - Winter with screws Salomon Genesis 2nd pair - 180 miles - Do anything shoe at casual pace Merrell Agility Peak 5 - 112 miles - Technical trail, foot protection, but untrustworthy at speed. Salomon Genesis S/Lab - 354 miles - Do anything at speed, nearing end of life. Replacement pair waiting in the closet. Hoka Clifton 9 - 304 miles - Pavement

S/Lab Genesis is a great all-round trail shoe that will protect you as a heavier runner. If you buy something else it will probably always be better in some things but worse in others. Most similar experience but sightly better is the Nike Zegama 2 I would say, great all round shoe, very comfortable experience. If you want to go faster look at La Sportiva Prodigio Pro or Hoka Tecton X3, if you're looking to go fast on very easy terrain (dirt roads, gravel roads, non technical stuff) you could look into the Hoka Rocket X trail. I would stay away from the Satisfy, Adidas and Asics with your norwegian trails. Norda probably has some great stuff, Don't forget about Mount to Coast as well, their T1 looks great as well. Upcoming Nike ACG Ultrafly looks promising and the Brooks Cascadia Elite that is coming out is probably also right up your ally. And special mention for the Nnormal Kjerag Brut if you want to tackle those winter norwegian muddy trails.