S/Lab Ultra

One is the Ultra Glide with two different midsole foams and the sphere tech and one is a Shoe they initially named S/lab Ultra FDH with a fiberglass plate and a pretty dense Eva midsole foam that Francoise d‘haene helped create. This is Version 2 and they seemed to have upgraded the grip, deeper lugs and the fit from version 1 which was much needed because the first one had abysmal wet grip…Don’t ask how I know…Overall even if they improved grip not a shoe worth it’s pricetag if you ask me. Not sure what they changed in the Ultra Glide 1.5 but I’m sure hey must have fixed something..Probably the baggy upper or that last sphere under the big toe? I think there seems to be more than one thing that needed fixing with this shoe lol.

I disagree with this. I have the ultra glide 3 and Slab 1.5 version and have run multiple super technical trail runs and races in them. Just now I ran TGC in them and had more grip up a muddy hill then anyone else it seemed!

It’s different for everyone. I tend to have multiple pairs and I rotate. They also serve different purposes. Trail/threadmill/regular/race I tend to stick with the ones that work for me, and often buy 3 spare pairs when I stumble on a series I like. Often I also look at older models. If they were top 3 years ago, believe me, they are still good. Not worth the big price difference between models. I currently have the Mizuno Wave Inspire and Saucony Endorphin speed and Saucony Kinvara series for most normal trainings. Saucony Endurance pro and Mizuno Wave shadow for races. For trails depending on terrain Salomon Speedcross, Thundercross, XA Pro 3d (goretex) and S/lab ultra. Regular daily’s I loved the Wave Inspire series till v17. Then they changed and don’t like them anymore. Also looking for a good successor but most likely I’ll use the Kinvara’s more. Don’t follow trends and marketing. Test and feel. And really get more than one pair and rotate. It’s better for your feet too. And surfing for older models bargains can really pay off, certainly if you take the ugly colors no one buys 🥸

Salomon s lab ultra or recent equivalent are an excellent all round option. Rare on the shelves but you will find them online with some good prices periodically.

I am on my like fourth pair of Speedcross, so I like the shoe, but it doesn't have a wide fit, nor is it lightweight. If you wanted a Salomon I would look at the S/Lab Ultra, maybe in a half size up to get the width right? Really sweet shoe, light, stays snug.

Have both and they are quite different. Genesis is less cushioned, I would say better for technical terrain and faster pace. It wraps foot veeeery nicely. S/lab is softer, good for long runs. Additional gaiter is cool

I have wide toe box. So I’m wearing brands like Salomon (ultra, ultra glide) Norda work great, as do arcteryx norvan ld. Anyway injinji toe socks seemed like a gimmick to me. Difficult to put on. Just different. But I got a pair on super sale at REI. Holy cow!! Toes feel amazing, the sock has less torsional rotation and is in the same place on my foot after 10+ hours hiking. Usually in NH white mountains. So no climbing ever going on but it’s pretty rugged terrain everywhere. Has helped with general foot comfort. I was not battling blisters before. I did have waterproof footwear for the start (2 seasons) of my hiking activities. Salomon xmid ultra. I used to get lots of hot spots and some minor blisters. It’s because my feet were getting too sweaty in those. God forbid you plunk a water crossing. Then your wet all day. Anyway light weight mesh trail runners, good toe box width and frontal protection, mega grip soles, runners loop, toe socks or ultra light DTs and a sock change at the 10ish mile mark usually does me real solid now.