Salomon - Genesis Series

Really liking the Salomon Genesis.

The best ones are the ones that fit!! I have wide toes and wore Solomon trail runners for a long time. I switched to Merrell Moab hikers a couple of years ago. Both are 13 Wide (EEE).

The downside of trail runners to me (Solomans) was I would sometimes get foot bruises on sharp rocky ground. I switched to hiking shoes (Merrell's) and I feel it's a better compromise between trail runners and boots. Pretty light and more comfortable.

My Solomans had a rock plate (thank you for pointing out my omission), but I feel a big difference with my Murrell Moab's. To each there own, I know trail runners are the favorite, the Moab works better for me (I have dainty feet, I guess).

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 actually find that making sure you have a good fit around ankle and midfoot does more to 'save your toes', especially where moving forward downhill is an issue. For example, I recently discounted the Nnormal Tomir due to excessive forward slip, even when trying on. I've never experienced excessive 'swelling' in the forefoot per se either. Does it actually happen to you? My only consideration in forefoot is width to splay, and then a thumbs width gap at the end of the toes. I do have a slim ankle/midfoot so getting a shoe that doesn't move around has been difficult at times, as I always need mine to feel more like a running shoe than a specific 'ultra' shoe. The best one recently is the Salomon Genesis, as well as the La Sportiva Prodigio. Proper locked in feel at the back, comfy in the front.

Best shoe for mixed UK terrain in terms of grip is the La Sportiva Mutant in my opinion. Sticks to wet Lake District rock and is decently lugged. Would be perfect for the ultra. Of the ones you mention, I’ve raced the Thundercross and the Genesis and got on fine. The sense ride would be less grippy than those 2 although a great shoe in itself. What didn’t she like about these? I’ve not ran in it but apparently one of the best shoes for UK out there at the moment is the new Inov8 Trailtalon. Looks great.

For what it’s worth I have a pair of Salomon Genesis that I got the Key Cobbler in Keswick to resole with Vibram Litebase. Specifically used them for Lakes Sky Ultra at the weekend. Super technical/steep and wet race and they were brilliant.

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

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.

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

I always use trail runners for hiking, as they are much more comfortable. I also do trailruns/skyruns with them, including climbing grades I - II. If you encounter snow a trail runner like S/LAB Genesis Spine is nice. Mountaineering / Hiking boots from my point of view are only useful for serious climbs or when proper crampons are required.

I use Solomon trail runners, non-waterproof because my feet overheat easily in the summer. They've seen the presis in the summer without issues, and have decent grip.

Salomon s/lab genesis. Perfect balance in everything. Fit like a glove.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Salomon Gore Tex sneakers. My second choice are Saucony Gore Tex sneakers.

Given your experience with Salomon and Brooks combined with the desire for stability: Try Salomon Genesis or Brooks Catamount 3. The Genesis is one of Salomon's most stable trail running shoe I've had, while the Brooks Catamount runs incredibly well and stable on moderate trails. The Genesis is softer and has better grip, while the Catamount is more responsive. Horses for courses, really. Since you also have La Sportivas: I can recommend looking at the Prodigio, which is a well rounded shoe that I like picking up for versatility in terrain that is mixed.

Definitely not waterproof and I wouldn't want that for an ultra because I'd rather have quick drying feet than water stagnating inside the shoe when I inevitably cross a stream. I also feel like they would be really bad at being everyday shoes but YMMV.

Salomon Genesis are my favourite running shoes, never had any issues with them and love the quick laces.

Same. Good fit round the mid foot and heel lock down but roomy for the toes. Plus it is so grippy when the terrain gets slippy.

Really? I can only speak from anecdotal experience but this winter I ran in snow, ice, muddy snow ice and was really happy with the grip. I didnt have a chance to use them on slippy rock yet so maybe they are not as strong here. Sid you manage to try them or are you going from reviews? I watched about 2-3 reviews on YouTube before buying them as I was specifically wanting something also with a decent grip but didn’t notice any mention that it was weak. Can’t remember who I watched. Probably Ginger Runner or Run4Adventure. Which pair did you go for in the end?

Same. Probably the best trail shoe I’ve ever owned. Bought them for a race but now use them on every long run and will not try to save them as they are just so good in this type of weather. Plus a massive toe box.

What do you want to do? I love my Solomon trail runners but if I'm sliding down shale I'll take the Keens all day long. Both are good brands in my experience.

The Salomon has the Contagrip All Terrain. This Contagrip seems that is really really bad. I have the Salomon Quest Elements with Contagrip Mud and is amazing how good the grip is on wet rocks of the rivers. The problem with Salomon is that they only say "Contagrip" and not the kind of Contagrip... And reviewers only say Contagrip. To check the model of Contagrip you have to go to their website and search the shoe and see the details of it.

Trail version of the brand you already like. But if that doesn't work, Salomons are usually a good bet if they fit. Ultra Glide, Sense Ride, or Genesis are all sort of all-rounders that for me feel close to road shoes.

I haven't tried any of those, but did try an earlier Peregrine (10 maybe), and didn't like it. Too "dead" and heavy for my liking. But the newer versions are better from what I've read. It could be worth a try, given how popular they are. I do have all three of the Salomons I mentioned, but also have and like the Merrell Long Sky 2 and their Agility Peak, which I'm wearing more these days because they have a wider toe box.

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.

I have the Catamount 2 and I really like it (ran in them today), but actually prefer the Cascadia. Also, another vote for skipping GTX. You probably don't need it (or want it) for most runs.

I have good experiences with the Nnormal Kerag. A bit lower listed stack than the Sylan. I can't comment on how they run in humid Asian summers but they were fine with thin socks in a dry desert summer. These are more of a 25-30K shoe for me. I have taken these kinds of shoes out to distance but tend to regret it because my feet get sensitive. I usually do medium-high stack shoes. Might be different for you. The Kerag 2 has been announced and it has a few mm extra stack so if you go this route might be good to wait until they're released and use something else in the meantime. I also like the Salomon Genesis.

Over the years I’ve worn trail runners from Merrill and Salomon, or standard running shoes from Nike and NB. A comfortable fit was the main criteria. Even on wet ground I’d rather have fast drying sneakers than boots.

I like Oboz boots. I also like my Solomon trail runners. I've done massive days in both, totally depends what you are more comfortable in. I do personally find benefit in some ankle protection and waterproofness. Some folks poopoo that... but I bet they have wet feet.

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!

Salomon Genesis Dauwalter edition. Built in gaiters.

The norvan ld3 were great all rounder shoes. Haven't tried the ld 4 and don't know if I will know that I don't have my pro discount anymore. The Genenis are tried and tested shoes that work great in a variety of conditions. The Matryx upper is an upgrade over the Arcteryx's upper. I would personally go for the Genesis.

As always it’s very personal depending on how well the shoe fits my feet and the terrain I’m running in (technical mountains, mud, rocky). I like sky running races around 20-30k and VK’s. Sometimes short road races from 5k to Half Marathon. Current rotation: - Merrell Long Sky 2 Matryx. Great allrounder. - VJ Ultra 3. Cushion. Great for easy and long runs. - NNormal Kjerag Brut (mud) - Salomon Aero Glide 3 (road and treadmill) Recently retired shoes: - Nnormal Kjerag 1. Fast but too small lugs to have good grip in mud/loose debris. Too little cushion for me. Kjerag 2 has more cushion but same outsole. - Nnormal Tomir 2. Great allrounder but didn’t fit my feet (too little big toe space). A bit heavy when wet because the insole keeps a lot of water. - Salomon S/lab Genesis. Great allrounder but worse grip on wet rocks than Vibram Megagrip and VJ. - VJ Maxx 2. Really good allrounder. But didn’t fit my feet (too little big toe space). Shoes I’m considering next: - La Sportiva Prodigio Pro - Merrell MTL Adapt Matryx - Merrell Skyfire 2 Matryx

I tried on the Genesis(was interested in the S/Lab verson) and they did not fit well at all. I heard the S/Lab would fit me much better anyway, but just tried it on for sizing. Ordered the S/Lab version when I finally found my size, tried them on, they fit perfect. Much better upper, felt better around the arch, just overall, 100x better feel than the regular Genesis. These are going to be my primary shoe for my 100k ultra in November. My backups are the NB 1080 Hierro.

Hi all, in a little more than three weeks I will run my first ultra - the Julian Alps Sky Trail in Kranjska Gora, covering 53km (33miles) with 2700 meters of vertical gain. I have raced the 25K event last year and loved it so much that I decided to tackle my first ultra there as well. Now that the event approaches fast, I am naturally starting to overthink things. I am especially unsure about what shoes to wear. My two main choices are the HOKA Tecton X 2 (faster but higher stack and shallower lugs) and the Salomon S / LAB Genesis (deeper lugs, better suited to more diverse terrain but possibly a tad bit slower). Both pairs are quite fresh. If it rains cats and dogs in Slovenia I would also bring a beefier shoe just to be safe. For the 25K last year I wore the Nnormal Kjerag and it was the perfect choice. Its lugs are also only 3mm but it's just so agile that it doesn't matter. For my first 50K effort I think the Kjerag is too minimal though. Also, the 50K route is supposed to be quite different than the 25K (elevation profile in the pic). Any tips are more than welcome, especially from folks who have run that particular distance at the JAT. Thanks, fellow runners. P.S.: I know that what counts much more than my shoe choice is the training I did. Please be assured that I covered that aspect as well as I possibly could this year.

>IMO the Genesis seems a better choice over the Tecton X, assuming you did long distances with those. That's what my gut is telling me as well. I am usually a decently fast racer that likes a propulsive shoe on raceday, but I have no ultra experience and speed is probably no real concern anyway. And I would say the Genesis is the more versatile option. The Mafate is also gonna be in my luggage as a backup shoe in case it's pouring (like it did at Mozart 100 this year where it also saved my day). I would prefer a lighter option though. Thanks for the advice.

Thanks. Yeah, if it is muddy I will run in the Mafate for sure. If it's dry I would prefer a lighter option though. I think in the end it will be either the Genesis or the Mafate as I don't quite trust the lugs on the Tecton on alpine terrain.

It's a fantastic race, highly recommend it. I think it's selling out pretty fast, just as an aside. I chose the S / LAB Genesis and felt they were the right choice. Terrain on the mountain was quite difficult, especially some steep, technical and muddy downhills. The shoes did well on all surfaces, I really didn't think about them anymore. I would have preferred the propulsion of the Tecton X in the 2nd part of the race where you will cover a lot of road miles. But I definitely wouldn't have liked them on the mountain, so the choice was the right one for sure. The only thing I would say is that if you're a faster runner (top 25 percent or so), don't start too far back. There will be hardly any opportunities to pass runners once you reach the path up Mt. Stol. I lost a good amount of time being stuck in bottlenecks. Other than that it's a great experience and a great course.

Nnormal Kjerag and Salomon S / LAB Genesis

Look at Solomon Genesis. I was wanting the same thing and these are perfect in between. I think you will be disappointed in approach shoes with the type of terrain you do.

I bought the s lab genesis recently after getting back into trail running after some years of not running. I used to love Solomon shoes of the past. Ran through so many pairs of all models of sense pros. I hate the S lab genesis. To me they feel unremarkable, clunky, and super long. They are sloppy on the downhill and side slopes. Less than 100 miles in and on the hunt for something else.

I did the W earlier this year and used my Salomon goretex trail runners and they were amazing! They were light and comfy. Just bring an extra pair of socks in case it rains and your feet get wet. I also had my tevas to wear at night and walking around camp which was a must to give your feet a breather.

Dont buy no stupid Nike or Brooks. Get a pair of Salomon Genesis (since you enjoy them Speedcrosses) and send it. The S/Lab version in particular is a stellar shoe.

South Sister is pretty mild technically, just recommend some gaiters to keep the scree out. Ive been a huge fan of the Salomon Genesis, Topo Mountain Racer, but what fits your foot is the individual question.

I have similar feet (appointment with a podiatrist upcoming). The genesis is the first shoe I've owned that doesn't have a crease in the upper from my flat foot hanging over the medial side of the insole. It is relatively straight but I think the support pieces in the heel are what is doing the work. Now if they'd make a "genius max" or similar id be set. I just tried on the north face altamesa 500, the north face vective enduris 4, and puma voyage 4. All have cool tech, but all have curve and/or a cutout in the midfoot that removes them from consideration. You may need to try different sock thicknesses to dial in the fit with the genius (or fill in the volume with an insole). Lete know if you find something. There aren't a lot of shoes for us lol.

Have a look at the Sauce xodus ultra, new Salomon genesis (not the s/lab version), Salomon ultra glide and the NB fuel cell trail shoe (Supercomp trail) . I have all those and have been quite happy with them

Maybe the Salomon s/lab genesis. They are pretty protective since they have a good stack hight but the foam is somewhat dense so you get some groundfeel. And the sideplates (don’t know if that’s the name?) help prevent ankle rolling. Aside from that: maybe the problem isn’t not enough protection but to much. When I have foot problems and have been running in high stack shoes I switch to my scarpa spin race with very little cushioning and protection so my feet can work a little better and in different ways.

Can anyone else weigh in on the stability and sizing? I size way up to a 38/7 in the Bushidos and feel like it’s the most stable shoe out there but it’s a little rough to run over 16 miles in since they’re so so stiff (probably also how they are so stable). I’ve had chronic ankle issues for years thanks to rolling it over and over again. Even the Salomon SLab Genesis is not that stable to me. For reference, I’m a size 6 in the new model-previously a 6.5 in the last gen. I can wear a 35 in Birkenstocks (US W size 4-4.5) I wear a 6 in Vans.

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 also live in the Alps. I'd give a try with La Sportiva Lycan. They are basically like soft sneakers, but with the excellent La Sportiva sole. Snuggy but very comfortable. La Sportiva Jackal II are similar but a little more roomy in the forefoot and from what I understand from their website they are designed for hiking/running on rocky terrain and longer distances, while the Lycan are more for dirt, mud, snow. I only own the Lycan, I tried the Jackal II but there wasn't my size available. The brand has more shoes I didn't try but I know are very loved, like Akasha and Prodigio. They are from the Italian Alps so they should be perfect :) I also own Salomon Genesis but I find them even a bit too comfortable – which may actually make them what you're looking for from your post. I guess it's subjective. I like some room for my toes, but also love a snuggier feel around my heels and to feel my foot is firmly wrapped and supported, and while the Genesis have a very good grip and a sturdy sole (and a very good protection around the forefoot ) the feel under and around the foot is like having a squishy comfy shoe and it doesn't make me feel as secure and agile as the La Sportiva shoes do. But again it may be subjective and I also have very thin feet. Maybe it's exactly what you need. In Salomon, I much prefer the XA Pro for the snuggier, a little more firm feel, but I'm not sure they would be good for you if you want a very cushioned shoe. They are more a hybrid between a trail running shoe and a low ankle hiking shoe. But they are very reactive nonetheless. I ran down a very hard and steep terrain of dirt, wet leaves and rocks just a couple weeks ago and I felt super safe with the XA Pro. I have the GTX version and my feet were completely dry even after crossing two streams of water and walking across a field that had a couple inches water from a recent flood. They may be too rigid for you, but you may try them in a store. I also suffer from plantar fascitis and had to return a pair of Garmont Pulse shoes recently because my feet were crying after a 2 hours test walk. I am totally ok with full day hikes and runs with the Xa Pro and Lycan. In case you want to go for one of these brands, La Sportiva is usually a little shorter than Salomon in the same size. I am a EU 41 in urban shoes, a 42 in Salomon and a 42.5 in La Sportiva.

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.

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.

Also, the two Salomon models I have on rotation right now (Sense Ride and Genesis) have stood the test just as fine. SR in lower altitudes/arid soil and Genesis in the Pyrinees. They two give confidence, the former less "comfort" than the latter but obviously are two shoes for different tasks.

Depends.on many factors. I retired back then my Saucony Xodus with almost 700km and had this guy in the gym who brought the same model to pieces in just 200 bc he punished them over blade-like granite ridges. So far, the Salomon Genesis is my go-to shoe and it's behaving excellent.

My partner very kindly gifted me the Courtney Dewalter Salomon SLab Genesis. They are amazing on all terrain and we have a lot of mud here in the peaks UK. Favourite shoe.

I do have both (the S/Lab was cheaper due to a sale) and used them for about the same mileage in purpose. Ive read mixed takes on the midsole, but somehow i feel the S/Lab version is "cushier" yet a bit more responsive than the regular version. Also lockdown is a tad bit better on the slab. Outsole i havent noticed any differences or have concerns, pretty good at all conditions/terrains.

I do have both (the S/Lab was cheaper due to a sale) and used them for about the same mileage in purpose. Ive read mixed takes on the midsole, but somehow i feel the S/Lab version is "cushier" yet a bit more responsive than the regular version. Also lockdown is a tad bit better on the slab. Outsole i havent noticed any differences or have concerns, pretty good at all conditions/terrains.

I loved the S/Lab but during long runs the rubber material around the ankle would dig into my lateral malleolus. I can’t use them anymore. I’m not sure if anyone else had this issue but it’s something to consider. The regular genesis doesn’t have this around the ankle, it’s soft.

Salomon s/lab genesis

I have Salomon gore-tek trail runners. I bought these 5 years ago and used them all over Australia and hike regularly with them. If you want a bit of ankle support go for the hiking boots but on the trails around here you will be fine in trail runners. I found the gore-tex to be worthwhile just because the trails can get muddy after winter and you are able to just step thru them. Took them to do the overland trail in Tassie and held up fine as well. Salomon currently have a sale on.

I believe the s/lab and regulars have a different midsole, at least that is what several reviews have said. The regular version is more firm. I have the s/lab but not the regular. One of my favorite shoes. Good protection for feet and legs, and fun to run in. I also have the Prodigio pros, which are kind of an updated s/lab genesis, but I prefer the the s/lab upper and even midsole a bit. Pro has a better outsole though. Regarding durability, the s/lab is specifically designed and developed achieve a minimum of 800km of running life. There was a review with the Salomon product manager discussing it. I think I’ll be tired of them and ready for something new by that time. EDIT: I just did some research (primarily on roadtrailrun, where there is an excellent video comparing the two (shout out to @humblerunning), and the takeaway is its the same foam, but the regular version has a touch more cushioning (Running Warehouse has s/lab as 30/22 stack and regular as 33/25) and stiffness compared to the s/lab. Regular also different outsole pattern (more lugs). I’m sure both would be fine though. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGtL25jhoXI

Solomon’s are great. The mud doesn’t pack up op the sole, super waterproof. The tread is ultra durable. $120-$150 but I play 300 days a year and they lasted about 18 months.

[SalomonGenesis Trail-Running Shoes ](https://www.rei.com/product/230683/salomon-genesis-trail-running-shoes-womens?redirect-pup=false)\-- I have pretty high arches and had struggled with posterior tibialis syndrome and plantar fasciitis in the past with less supportive shoes, and these seem to have resolved those issues. Great balance between being grippy enough for technical trails yet cushiony enough to wear on concrete if needed for a few miles. For my summertime trailrunning I like On Cloudsurfer trail shoes but not as good with the slippery mud.

Have you looked at S/LAB Genesis, or the new La Sportiva Prodigio Pro? I've got 497 miles in my first S/LAB Genesis pair and still have them. Prodigio Pro is one of my top picks so far in 2025. Kjerag is very minimal underfoot - don't expect anywhere near Speedgoat level of cushion or protection with those. That's a completely different type of shoe. I just tested the MTN Racer 4 and I don't think it's a great update. There's a lot of protection underfoot but it got heavier and lost a lot of flexibility.

A bit narrow in the toebox, those give bunions

Two of my tops [La Sportiva Prodigio](https://www.lasportivausa.com/prodigio.html) - Nice comfortable wider toe box. Some have mentioned the Pro I have yet to try. [Salomon Genesis](https://www.salomon.com/en-us/product/genesis-li5372) - Would wear on more technical terrain, more snug fitting and plush than Prodigio. Want to try the [Nnormal Kjerag 02](https://www.nnormal.com/en_US/content/kjerag-02)

Salomon trail runners. They’re my goat shoes - the only thing they don’t get a grip on is wet wood.

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

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

I went for the regular genesis as they seemed almost as good and probably better value. I can't remember who I watched but they mentioned the lack of grip, so did some salomon website reviews and I believe runrepeat also talked about the grip, so I decided against them but the genesis have been great so far. Comfy, fast and very good even on road/gravel

I've tried the s/lab Genesis when they came out but the structure around the heel was rubbing too hard under my ankle bone, risking blisters. I should try the normal Genesis, that has a different shape. The midsole felt very soft though

Same! It was awful.

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.

Was mine too... Then I found the Genesis!

Yes heel striking on the road. Road and trail shoes have a drop difference of only 1mm. And prior to this run I only put 15 miles on these trail shoes- all hiking. So yea, a long first run in them.

Salomon Genesis. Evo SL and NB5 on road.

I found some muddy days in Switzerland in spring I was slipping a lot. The ankle collar is a bit stiff and hits my ankle bone on cambered roads, and generally midsole feels more dead and less dynamic than Genesis. The lock down is good and they do feel nimble. Enjoy them in dry mountain trails. Maybe I need to give them another go.

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 agree that the regular genesis is better than the lab. I've had the Norda 002 (absolutely fantastic) and the genesis lab (excellent save for the grip) and was a bit disappoint with the heel and grip of the lab. The regular genesis solved both issues for me!

I love salomon genesis s/lab for that kind of terrain, used them for some extremely technical hikes too involving scrambling in some cases

About a week or so ago I was seeking some advice on my choice of a new trail running shoe. You can see my original post on this sub here: https://www.reddit.com/r/trailrunning/s/YEfkejVq6d I still don’t think I’ve found my perfect shoe, but I bought a few shoes in the lead-up to a trail half marathon I ran last weekend… and I ultimately decided to train in (for the week leading up to the race) and race in a pair of black Nike Zegama 2’s. Here are my impressions of the shoes. Hopefully this helps another neurotic soul like me who is searching for as much info as possible before finally pulling the trigger (or not) on the Nike Zegama 2. SIZING: • Seems to fit true-to-size. I usually go up a half size to US 9.5, and that felt right for the Zegama 2. FIT: • The shoes were very comfortable on first try, and it was only after comparing to the Nnormal Tomir 2.0 that I recognized how good the front lockdown on the Zegama actually was. The material in the upper of these shoes feels soft yet durable, and is therefore able to conform to my foot shape. The flexibility of the upper means that the shoe flexes as I run – compare this to the Nnormal Tomir 2.0 where the lockdown was mediocre (too much room vertically above my foot in the toebox area) and the material Nnormal uses has less give, so whenever I jogged (around the house) the upper would buckle around the toe bend/flexion point, which was putting a lot of strain on the material (this happens to be where my Arc’teryx Norvans started to tear… I was keen to avoid this same problem). • My main fit issue with the Zegama was around the heel, where I noticed some slippage early on. Even though I employed heel lock lacing, I couldn’t get the heel to stay in without putting too much pressure elsewhere on my foot. I was considering avoiding the Zegama because of this, but it was the 1 downside I decided to compromise on. During training and the race (which was a mix of beach sand, compacted ground, leaf litter, rock and gravel), the heel slippage issue became less prominent – at no point in my runs did I worry about it, and the more I ran the more it seemed my heel fit fine (if anything, heel slippage seems to be more an issue when walking). PERFORMANCE: A few days before the half marathon I ran 13km on moderately technical terrain, and it left me with some question marks around performance. During that run, I noticed: • The Zegama 2 lacked some stability on rocky ground (on bigger boulder faces at an angle it works fine, but when only part of the shoe lands on part of a rock/root then the instability kicks in). I didn’t sprain my ankle at any point, but I had a couple near-misses. • Traction felt fine. I can’t compare it to the Zegama 1, but I wouldn’t give the new Vibram outsole a 10/10. I noticed myself being unsure of traction on wet/damp leaf litter. • The toe cap isn’t super protective – I ran into small boulders twice, and I felt it each time in my toes. Nothing overly painful but definitely noticeable, so this protection could be stronger. • Cushioning felt really good, and it felt like the shoe was providing some momentum/spring for the next cadence. • The increased rocker profile is a double-edged sword: it felt great on uphill and especially flat parts, where the shoe made my run zippier; but on downhill parts it started to feel like the shoe got away from me… it was “outrunning” me and I almost lost control a couple times. I was probably in two minds about whether I was going to race in this shoe, but decided to go for it. By the end of the half marathon (on slightly less technical terrain than the 13km training run above), I had a few more observations: • The shoe is indeed breathable thanks to the construction of the upper, but the last 2km of the half marathon was along the shore, and my feet got a bit wet. In another shoe (such as the S/Lab Genesis which feels amazing so far, only it didn’t arrive in time for me to race in it), I might’ve avoided soaking up so much water – but the Zegama has a fair amount of upper fabric, which meant a fair amount of water intake and a fair amount of weight added for the last leg. • Despite lots of small complaints outlined above, I actually had a really good time in the Zegama for the half marathon! It wasn’t too heavy, it had good energy return, I didn’t really even notice it much (except for some downhill sections) – even the traction seemed to improve after another run. • However, once I took the shoes off, I had developed a blister on my left middle toe and a blood blister on my right one. I found this really strange, since I’ve only ever had some issues (black nails) in my 2nd toe in some shoes – but never my middle toes. I didn’t feel this during the race though. So I’m not sure what to make of this. OVERALL VERDICT: I’m not convinced the Zegama is suitable for terrains that are moderate and up in terms of technicality. And I’m not convinced they can hold up on slippery surfaces. If I’m going to go for a mountain run with small rocks and tree roots, where there might be some damp/water, I’m going to reach for another shoe. So what does that leave me with? Light terrain such as compacted ground and grass, probably big boulders, maybe some sand/gravel, that isn’t too downhill. It actually feels like a good travel shoe – you can dress it up for a dinner while on holiday, wear it for long walks around a new town, and take it for the odd trail run on a new route. A 3-in-1. This isn’t exactly what I was looking for though… and I’m excited to try the Salomon S/Lab Genesis next.

I wish I could give a comprehensive reply, but I ended up switching my main trail shoe to the Salomon S/Lab Genesis. It fit like a glove, breathability was amazing, great torsional rigidity too. And lightweight. I should create a write-up about that shoe... can't recommend it enough.

I'm about 6'1" 170. I'll add Salomon Genesis to the mix. It's got nice deep, grippy lugs and lots of folks like it for ultra distances. Not as narrow as a LaSportiva, but still suits narrow feet better. I use it for hiking and running.

Salomon Genesis and Caldera 7.

I have about 100 miles on my pair of Genesis's and I ran 400+ on Peregrine 12's and Xodus Ultra 2's. I like the Genesis midsole a lot better than the Peregrines but not as much as the Xodus Ultras (I don't think I like anything as much as Saucony's Powerrun PB). It's thick enough to absorb stepping on a protruding rock or root without feeling like you're on stilts. The lockdown is way better than either Saucony for me, though I find I have to fiddle with the quick laces still at the beginning of a run. My only gripe with the fit has to do with the toe box. It is wide enough in area for me to splay a bit, but the volume on the pinky side isn't quite enough and I'll feel some discomfort if I do more than 10 miles or do a lot of descending. I run on a fair bit of road to get to my trail heads and I haven't noticed any appreciable wear on the outsole. The grip is better than Powertrac. We have a lot of wet wooden bridges in the PNW that stay slippery all winter, but I don't find them to be an issue with the Genesis. I haven't been able to test it on any amount of ice, but the lugs have enough bite to handle a decent bit of mud. Ultimately, I love the shoe and it's perfect for my use case for runs of 15 miles or less, hill/speed workouts, and just most of my weekly trail miles. I know a lot of folks use it for much higher mileages, but I go for something with a lot more foam underfoot for my 50ks or 50 milers.

I have the Genesis. They’re a great shoe. The upper is very durable and breathes well. They do have a lot of cushion, but it doesn’t seem to compromise stability. They’re also surprisingly light. I picked them up on sale after seeing how well they performed during testing on [runrepeat.com](https://runrepeat.com/salomon-genesis).

I like them. A bit better grip and more technical than the ultra glide 2. But they are way too warm. Like almost gore tex warm. And that made me skip them a lot of days in the summer.

I haven't got narrow feet abs they fit absolutely fine. Slab genesis are wider than normal. Saying that i thought the "slab too narrow" thing is overblown

I hike in waterproof Salomons (Soles are not stiff and flex just enough with the ground) and wear “loose” wool socks and have no problem in single digits on packed or loose snow. Having air pockets is key. Don’t wear tight socks or have boots that are tight, go a half size up if they fit “just right” with thick socks.

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

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 second the Salomon Genesis and I went with the men’s size because I live in Asia and I got big feet here, I get pretty tired feet and these have been great.

Fit and feel are very personal for shoes. I’ve never had good fit with the Norvan LD. Tried them for gen 1 and 3. Didn’t work well. For that reason I’d go with Salomon.

Salomon Genesises for hiking and trail running. I'm on my third pair and basically use my last pair for road running (I don't do a lot of it) while the newer pair is for hiking/trail.

I like the Salomon Genesis for that. Saucony Peregrine is serviceable but that is definitely the upper end of the range I use it for.

The Salomon Genesis is like a better version of the Sense Ride. I commute on pavement and trail and these shoes are my workhorse. They are not rockered or highly cushioned though, which works great for me but might not work for everyone. Speedgoat lugs would likely wear out too quick on the road as they are relatively sharp and pointy. Look for lugs that are flatter and wider.

Yeah I am literally never going to be wearing a shoe for that long. Most of mine tend to last between 550km - 900km before they are totally done in. I love my Genesis, but that energy foam does flatten out quite considerably and my old pair have become a lot less comfortable and supportive at 550km.

SLab was too narrow in the midfoot for me, it has quite a high arch. The Genesis is still a wonderful show in its own right, very capable, but the SLab feels a little more premium and slightly bouncier in the midsole.

SLab was too narrow in the midfoot for me, it has quite a high arch. The Genesis is still a wonderful show in its own right, very capable, but the SLab feels a little more premium and slightly bouncier in the midsole.

I second the Genesis. I live in the mountains in Colorado and these are my favorite shoes I've ever had for trail running. I'm a 5'4 woman, but still 😅

Rocks : Topo or anything with this great vibram soles Mud : saucony peregrine or Salomon s-lab

S/lab genesis is durable

If you say so. I cycle two pairs and they’re barely broken in, one pair has 1500 km.

S/lab genesis is my favorite all categories - best shoe i’ve had, go for it. Dont cheap out.

Absolutely, did all of the ABC trek in trail runners (Hoka, Salomon). You really appreciate the lightness of them.

Difficult to say, no? What kind of terrain? Distance? Profile runner? Nevertheless my personal favorite is the Salomon S/LAB Genesis. But I also like the Mafate Speed 4

Salomon Genesis work as good road to trails, deal with mud well and i've used up to marathon with no issues as they're well cushioned. Saucony ultra or peregrines - ultras are more cushioned and great road to trail but peregrines are find for short road sections and have a slightly deeper lug and deal with mud and wet grass really well. Peregrines are also my choice of mountain shoe so work well, did a 100k in them and only had some foot pain from minimal cushioning at 50ish miles in! Just got the Nike Zegama 2 and they are fab so far! Managed well in mud, snow, slush and are really cushioned. Need to try them out on more technical terrain but all good so far. They have the react foam so they give a lot of bounce on packed trail and road. Inov8 trailfly i find good on rock and grass, less so on mud, and a bit firm on road, but not terrible.

I just ordered a pair from my local running store, only commenting to suggest you try them on first. I'm a 12 in Salomons and a 12 to 12.5 in Hokas, and I had to size up to a 13 in the 001s.

The Salomon rabbit hole lead me to the S/Lab Genesis, which is an amazing all around trail shoe.

Hated them, could never get the lockdown right, gave me horrendous blisters (the heel is very roomy), sucked on dry rock let alone wet rock. A bit of a shame as I love my Saucony road shoes. Other alternatives if you are looking for something fast the new VJ lightspeeds are great if a bit narrow but comfortable up to 30km haven't gone longer in them. Scott supertrac RC 2 good all-round shoe especially in winter slop and last 500+miles. Speedgoats great shoe though not that great in the mud, very protective and a good fun shoe. Salomon Genesis is a good shoe, not amazing in the mud (s/lab version is much better) but is a fun shoe especially on technical terrain and protective for fire roads and good in rock.

Between the Kjerag, Genesis, and Prodigio, which do you think is best suited for fast technical terrain? I'm looking for stable shoes for rocky technical trails. I have the S/Lab Genesis, but I find it quite unstable

I have my SLabs now for 2 years and they are my competition shoes. Mostly OCRs and Trailruns.

I used to use Salomon Speedcross. Been wearing them since the OG all the way to the 6. They worked amazing up until my distances started increasing over 10-15 miles. I then switched to the Thundercross which was amazing up to 26.2. When I ran my 1st 50k and my feet started barking I knew I needed more. I now have hundreds of training miles and several races ranging from 50 to 100 miles on the SLab Genesis and they are absolute perfection!

As some have already said the Speedcross is amazing. I've been using them since the OG and use it for races up to 26 2. Just an awesome shoe that gets better with every new release. I wear mine down on the trails and when the lugs are down a bit use them for road/gravel/smooth trails. The 6 is amazing and I try something new I always regret it and they are moved to everyday/work in hospital use. That said I liked the Sense Ride but above 10 miles I could feel it in my feet. I race ultras in SLab Genesis and train in the regular Genesis. For your terrain and preference I would look at the less aggressive lines. Another option outside of Salomon would be Hoka Speedgoats. Super cushy and lower lug height that Speedcross.

As some have already said the Speedcross is amazing. I've been using them since the OG and use it for races up to 26 2. Just an awesome shoe that gets better with every new release. I wear mine down on the trails and when the lugs are down a bit use them for road/gravel/smooth trails. The 6 is amazing and I try something new I always regret it and they are moved to everyday/work in hospital use. That said I liked the Sense Ride but above 10 miles I could feel it in my feet. I race ultras in SLab Genesis and train in the regular Genesis. For your terrain and preference I would look at the less aggressive lines. Another option outside of Salomon would be Hoka Speedgoats. Super cushy and lower lug height that Speedcross.

The energy foam that Salomon uses in the genesis is amazing, it's been very popular with the ultra scene Also consider the Ultra Glide 3

I am 6' and 220lb, I've had good luck with the Salomon S/Lab Genesis previously and currently the Norda 001. The 001 took a bit of time to break in though, not the fit that was great, but the under foot feel really came to life after the first 100km and I'm loving them.

I ran a mixture of mostly trail and some road, plus some big hikes and international travel in my Sense Ride 5s. The tread wore down on the ball of my foot and I noticed I was getting like an impact soreness around my knees after about 600km. I still use them for some road runs and walks since I don't own road shoes, but they're trail retired for now, sitting at around 700km on them total. For context these were my first running shoe (read: form probably sucks but I'm trying not to scuffle), and I'm a big ass dude (100kg). I bought S/Lab Genesis shoes and got to use them for my first ever trail race. Probably too bougie of a shoe for someone of my level but the funky extra foam pieces have helped stabilize my one foot that collapses in while I run. They've been awesome so far in about 150km, but I'm strictly saving them for trails.

Salomon S/Lab Genesis. Just broke 600km on them and they're holding up well but a huge chunk of that has been on snow. I'm going to buy some Norda 001s next I think, I like to support Canadian companies.

Salomon Genesis is basically just a much better Sense Ride, you could try that. I loved the S/Lab version but didn't do too much road on it. If it's just like gravel roads or super buffed trails, you could also try the Salomon DRX Defy Grvl, a road shoe with a bit more tread.

I ran all winter in my S/Lab Genesis, not GoreTex or anything fancy. Lots of our trails are groomed by the MTB group for fat biking, so it's mainly packed ice and snow once the base is set. But super slushy in the fall and spring. Darn Tough and Outway (🇨🇦) merino socks kept my feet warm as long as I was moving, and I carry spare grocery produce bags (those super thin things) in my vest in case my feet are too cold and I can stuff my feet in them in the shoes. Bought some $20 trail crampons from Amazon, first pair lasted almost 2 months but broke before the return window so I returned for another $20 set. Once these break I'll buy some expensive ones from Hillsound (🇨🇦) cause I love a good Canadian company. Norda (🇨🇦) makes versions their shoes with ice spikes and waterproofing, same with Icebug.

You will sacrifice speed with approach shoes so it depends if you want to hike or also do some running. I do everything in trail runners. I know people who bring climbing shoes for some objectives, but not the ones you mention. As long as your scrambling, I don't think you will need to bring more than 1 pair of shoes (bar if you do a snow/ice/glacier objective and want to bring mountaineering boots). Shoes I've worn: Salomon Sense Ride, Salomon Slab Genesis, Norda 001, Topo Mountain Racer. All give more more than enough grip and confidence on hard scrambles.

Topos could work for you. Or maybe they don't. Yes it's true they cater to wider feet. To be honest, for scrambling I do prefer a slightly more snug feel around my foot. Even if that gives me a slightly pinchy feeling. Too wide and your foot can slide around a bit in the shoes which you want to avoid. I got a pair of Altras this spring and while very comfortable, they absolutely suck on technical terrain. There are lots of shoes that are not narrow nor wide and that mould well to your specific foot. I have really enjoyed the Salomon Slab Genesis in that regard, but they're rather pricey and not super durable when you scramble a lot with them.

Yes, Salomon and La Sportiva fit narrow feet better than many other popular brands. I recommend La Sportiva Prodigio or Salomon Genesis if you want a bit more cushion.

From my experience shoes that worked best on such terrain are Salomon Genesis and La Sportiva Mutant. Other La Sportiva shoes should do well because they are generally targeted for mountain running. Also, from my experience, Dynafit shoes are well suited for mountain running. Finally, if you want to see a selection of shoes and gear in general that is targeted towards mountain running take a look at Skyrun store (https://skyrun.skimo.co/). This is a real physical store in Utah. I ordered from them several times without any issues.

It is impossible for me to choose the best shoe because my choices would be different for different terrain and distance. Perhaps if I could pick a single favorite shoe of all times it would be **La Sportiva Helios** - between different versions I owned 12 or 13 pairs. I liked it because it felt like a continuation of my feet and I could really push it hard on super technical terrain in a broad range of terrains. However It didn't work well on either very rocky terrain or distances above 50k. If I look at my current set of shoes I gravitate to 3 shoes - each of them excels in different categories of terrain and distance - **NNormal Kjerag, La Sportiva Prodigio, and Salomon S/lab Genesis**. I've just ordered La Sportiva Prodigio Pro and based on reviews I think it has a good chance to become one of my top 3 shoes, but we'll see.

Salomon S/lab Genesis is my choice for ultra long distances. I like La Sportiva Prodigio and Prodigio Pro too.

A lot of people recommend highly cushioned shoes like Hoka Speedgoat or Nike Zegama, but in my opinion if you want to improve your technique and agility when running on technical mountain terrain you should learn to run in moderately cushioned shoes because they provide a better degree control and feedback. Also you are much less likely to twist ankle or have other injuries when you are lower to the ground and better feel the terrain. My current favorites are NNormal Kjerag and Salomon S/lab Ultra 3. If you need a bit more cushion - La Sportiva Prodigio or Salomon Genesis. And if you need to go on a very rough mountain terrain - La Sportiva Mutant.

I don't think there is a shoe that is comfortable for long runs and stable on a technical terrain at the same time. You have to sacrifice one thing or another. When the stack is increased for comfort, that inevitably makes the shoe higher off the ground and therefore inherently less stable. I wore a lot of similar shoes to the ones in your rotation. Recently I have been moving away from Hoka. I have a very large number of shoes in rotation, but if I pick shoes that I gravitate towards the most, currently it would be the following 3 shoes: 1) NNormal Kjerag - very natural, stable, and has a great ground feel. I can wear it for up to 50k if it isn't too rocky. My first pair has about 320 miles and it still feels great and the outsole still shows not that much wear. Normally I wear shoes for up to 300 miles, but this one definitely has a lot of mileage remaining. My second pair of Kjerag has 60 miles. 2) Salomon S/lab Genesis is my unicorn shoe for longer ultras of up to 100M or shorter runs on gnarly mountain terrain. It fits me extremely well, like a sock with no hotspots. Even though it isn't the most cushioned shoe, it seems to work really well for longer distances. And while it isn't the best shoe for really technical terrain, it can handle it decently well. I like this shoe so much that I bought 4 pairs in the last 2 years. 3) La Sportiva Prodigio is a great choice in between the two above choices. It can handle technician terrain better than Genesis but it isn't as comfortable. It is stiff when new but softens considerably after the first 30-40 miles. The foot lockdown is excellent. I have two pairs of Prodigio and am looking forward to trying a new Prodigio Pro, which should be a more direct competition to S/lab Genesis.

Genesis is more of a long distance mountain shoe. It would be an overkill for shorter distances. I love S/lab Genesis, but for me it is more of a 50k+ distance shoe.

Yes, there are broadly 3 or 4 categories of trail shoes in here - for shorter and faster running on moderate terrain (for example Pulsar or Zinal, or Kjerag), for ultra long distances (for example Genesis), for gnarly or rocky terrain (for example Mutant, Ultra 100), for extreme muddy or snow terrain (for example Feline SL, Akasha). Some shoes fall in between these categories. My clear favorites at the moment are Salomon Genesis, La Sportiva Prodigio, and NNormal Kjerag. I also really like Pulsar for tempo runs on easy terrain and even some pavement, and it is surprisingly inexpensive if you buy previous versions of the shoe. You can have it for less than $100. In winter time I'll likely switch to more aggressive shoes with longer lugs to better handle the mud - Dynafit Alpine, LA Sportiva Akasha and Mutant, etc. Hoka Speedgoat 5 is probably the least favorite of all shoes. I only use it for easy recovery days when I need a bit more cushion.

Of these 3 - definitely Kjerag. Genesis is more of the ultra distance shoe for me. It is the most comfortable of the three. Prodigio is the middle ground between Kjerag and Genesis in both stability and cushion.

Kjerag has less cushion than Prodigio. If you like Prodigio but want more heel cushion, consider Salomon Genesis.

I am also running this race. I'll wear either Salomon S/lab Genesis or La Sportiva Prodigio Pro. The first one I used for all recent ultras, up to 100M in distance. The second one may be better than Genesis on a more runnable terrain, but I am still deciding. Both shoes are better than Speadgoat in my opinion.

I really like S/lab Genesis and over years bought 5 pairs of it. It fits me really well. However I consider it to be more of a long distance shoe. I used it to run up to 100 miles on rough terrain. Arcteryx Sylan looks like an interesting shoe with good reviews, however I have no experience with it. Both shoes have Matrix upper which is one of the most premium upper materials. I think Sylan might have a bit better traction than Genesis due to Vibram Megagrip outsole, but Genesis has a fairly good traction too.

Salomon S/lab Genesis is my go to shoe for 50 to 100 mile distances. It has a relatively moderate stack by modern standards, but the cushion has been sufficient for me even though I am a bit heavier runner (180 lbs).

I would run it in Salomon S/lab Genesis or La Sportiva Prodigio Pro.

How about "your shoes are too wide"? When shoes fit ride they should be fairly snug in the mid-foot area - with emphasis on mid-foot. The shoe should "hold" your foot in that area so that your foot doesn't move inside the shoe. If it moves, you get your problem. Source: someone who runs on very steep terrain all the time. The kind of terrain where I regularly drop 1000' or more per mile while running full speed. A heel locking knot is a solution too, but I personally avoid it because I find that it results in too much pressure on the bridge of the foot - the top of the arch right where the lacing ends. The pressure from heel locking knot may result in inflammation in that part of the foot. Finding a shoe that perfectly fits you is a better solution. For example, my unicorn shoe is Salomon S/lab Genesis, and even thought I wear a size that is fairly snug, I finished a 100 miler wearing this shoe with no toes issues, no black nails and no blisters. It does wrap my mid-foot like a glove.

Interesting. I run with the Genesis GTX since May 2025 and don't enjoy it very much. The shoe feels heavy and pretty mushy.\ I chose the Genesis as a more road/trail mix alternative to my very old, beloved Speedcross 2.

I bought the Salomon _Genesis GTX_ (EU: 42 / US: 8.5) in April, actively use it since May (ran 132.5 km so far with this shoe).\ Bought it for mostly road running and occasional light trail running (in wet conditions).\ Well, I wish I could say something positive about it. Unfortunately this shoe feels quite heavy/chunky. Also the Goretex material isn't very breathable, my feet feel quite sweaty even after a quick 5k run. At least it is water tight. Which brings me to another contra: the outsole feels very slippery when I run on wet gravel or even worse on wet tarmac. Did I mention that I don't like its thick/chunky midsole? For heavier runners the thick padding/cushioning might be beneficial, but for me it isn't (I weigh around 68 kg). I prefer a shoe with a lower drop (like the good old Speedcross 2).\ The toe box feels kinda narrow, the heel feels very soft. Does not provide a lot guidance for the heel I think.

I've been running with Salomon Genesis since March.\ Encountered heel slip as well (weirdly on the right side like you). I've been through 3 pairs of socks until I found one which pairs well with the shoe in terms of material/material thickness.\ I'm wearing EU 42.

These are some cheap ones I got from a local store in my city (Salzburg, Austria). I'd say the fabric thickness is about 2x the thickness of typical sneaker style socks.\ I personally think the Genesis were the wrong choice for my foot anatomy/style of running anyway. My other pair (Brooks Catamount 3) literally fits like a glove.

I like the Salomon fit. I have a couple shoes--the Trail Pro 2 is good and smooth, but too heavy. The Pulsar is great, but not efficient for flat/buffed terrain. Genesis is probably the pick, but I'm still not crazy about the Energy Surge foam...

Last year I've used S/Lab Genesis and normal Genesis. I've changed shoes in Courmayer. The normal Genesis are a bit more stable than the S/Lab version so I thought it was better to use them in the second part. You need to consider that you'll walk pretty much half of the time of the race. The only real technic dowhill is at the end (Col du Bechar, before the last uphill to La Flegere), I've did a 25min/km split there.

Yes, I would run only with a pair of Genesis SLab, especially if you like them. IMHO main problem for CCC is that if you don't have any support you need to carry everything from the start because there are no drop bags.

Last year I've used S/Lab Genesis and normal Genesis. I've changed shoes in Courmayer. The normal Genesis are a bit more stable than the S/Lab version so I thought it was better to use them in the second part. You need to consider that you'll walk pretty much half of the time of the race. The only real technic dowhill is at the end (Col du Bechar, before the last uphill to La Flegere), I've did a 25min/km split there.

I walked the Portuguese trail from Lisbon in Salomon GTX shoes and didn't get any blisters. Definitely helped walking in the rain. The socks are key in whatever shoe you choose.

Sorry to not be more helpful but I can’t recommend the Salomon Genesis- very lightly worn on mixed trails and losing so much tread already! 

Salomon Slab Genesis and La Sportiva Prodigio. I like a light upper and a cushioned midsole with lots of grip. Both are larger in the toe box than traditional La Sportiva or Salomon.

I enjoy my pair of Genesis. They are comfy, feel light when I’m running and I always enjoy them. But that’s the only way to describe it for me? I don’t know why but I just haven’t had the same “I love them, I am obsessed with them” experience that people seem to be having. I actually find my Sense Rides are a much better fit for me and feel more natural. But there’s nothing I “dislike” about the genesis. I’m not sure I’m making sense haha. It’s been a mid experience and very average but it never deters me from wearing them and I rock them multiple times a week. Maybe that actually is a good thing haha

What is the course like? Lots of “trail” races are glorified gravel races :) you can run those in nova blast. On other hand it might 500m up then down or more it also depends if it is rock or mud/roots. My recommend first ask questions later right now is Salomon Sense ride 5. Such an awesome fast shoe and it wants to fly on descents also relatively cheap. Also Salomon Genesis, more cushioned, stickier sole and bigger lugs, if it is muddy try those? But nothing replaces trying, I though about getting Thundercross.. tried them at an even a ran couple k, really trrrible fit for me. But some people I know love them

I used to rock a pair of GTX trail runners from Solomon during walnut harvest... They stopped making them (boo), and I couldn't find any existing pairs that weren't stupid-overpriced. I went on a deep dive and tried every GTX model from Solomon, hoping for a replacement. They all fit differently. It was infuriating. So, a warning to all: Try all models of a given brand, because you can't rely on equivalent fit. I currently rock a pair of Altra lone peaks in blue for travel shoes, and they're the only shoes I've bought where I did not have to replace the insoles with my Soles. I was blown away.

I like a snug toebox, and I'm pretty happy with Salomon Genesis.

I love my Salomon trail runners. I prefer them to my hiking boots and exclusively use them for hiking.

very different shoes, but the S/lab Genesis is much better than the normal Genesis. It’s lighter. The upper fits better. The traction is about the same, but it feels much more secure under foot and faster.

very different shoes, but the S/lab Genesis is much better than the normal Genesis. It’s lighter. The upper fits better. The traction is about the same, but it feels much more secure under foot and faster.

S/Lab all the way. I’ve had both, and wouldn’t buy the normal genesis over it, especially if you are on technical terrain.

Salomon Genesis and Nnormal Tomir 2.0 are decently priced, versatile options ito managing the cushioning, grip, agility tradeoffs, similar stack heights to your road shoes as well.

I'm a fan of Solomon hiking shoes (or really their trail runners) with Gore Tex and micro spikes! The spikes stay in my pack most of the year, just in case I go further than planned or I got unexpected conditions. A must have for me.

Try the Salomon Genesis. Great fit for a Salomon (I wear wide shoes and could make it work), very comfortable and solid durability

I have the same passion for good trail shoes and also a colourful rotation at the moment. In my rotation I’ve got 2x La Sportiva Akasha II - my absolute favourites for technical terrain and yes it is a very simple shoe, but I’ve ran a 100 miler in them and had no problems at all. Also here in Greece we have very technical mountainous terrain, so that’s why they are my go to. Just retired my SG 5s which I loved for daily training. Did 1000K in them - Never made it to a race though. Altra Olympus 5 - not a huge fan of the zero drop. I took my time and I’ll throw them in there every once in a while. The Salomon Slab Genesis is an interesting one. Could work for you, if you have narrower feet. It grew on me, but it does not compare to the Akasha II. Merrell Agility Peak 5 - not really a hidden gem anymore. Many say it’s like the SG 3. I like the shoe. Rugged, solid, but with a little bit of a loose heel. Every foot is different though. I’ve tried to find something that might blow me away just like the Akasha II did, but haven’t found that shoe yet. Give it a try!

Current Salomon trail runners have to thick of a sole and cant feel rock well beneath them but I do agree that ideally trail runner style would be cool. maybe the ones I have just dont work well for this specific use case.

Salomon are just synonymous with narrow shoes. I have a pair of Genesis' and love them but I work at a running store and if anyone has any hint of a normal to wide foot, they just don't work for them.

The Salomon's you bought are more in their low hiking shoe type realm and therefore usually a bit stiffer. I can highly recommend the Salomon Genesis as a pure Salomon trail runner that is nice and soft. My wife also has a pair and she uses them mostly to walk around our city and she loves them. I would also recommend to stay away from the GTX versions of shoes unless you really need it. Often due to the extra material or proofing needed in the uppers, the shoes gain weight and rigidity.

Salomon Genesis is an excellent all-mountain shoe. Zegama 2 even more cushioned, but maybe a bit bulky. The Prodigio Pro should drop real soon too.

Salomon S/lab genesis and la sportiva prodigio pro are great all mountain shoes.

It's not really the shoe's job to prevent ankle rolls. However, some shoes are inherently more stable. I think the Salomon Genesis is an excellent shoe for that and it has these weird plastic pieces - these are actually stability elements. Rock solid heel. Norvan LD4 is another, but less cushioned.

Recommend something more general purpose like the Salomon Genesis or Terrex 3 from your list. Hokas are too clunky for short distance. Tomir 2 is overbuilt for your trails. If you run a lot of gravel you might be able to get away with the Aero Blaze 3 GRVL.

Basically only the Genesis is worth looking at. Will be some new Pulsar shoes later in the year.

You should tell us what conditions you want them for and what your experience level is. Sense Ride is like an all rounder, but I would recommend the Genesis over it. Agravic speed is more speed orientated with good response from the foam, but the lack of upper structure and padding limits it's use to shorter distances and less technical trails. Also consider the Peg Trail 5 if you want a trail daily trainer/ entry shoe.

Ah then scrap that peg suggestion, Genesis would be perfect though.

Closest thing to a 'stability trail shoe' is the Salomon Genesis - it has some plastic support elements which make for a bomb-proof heel. Arc'teryx Norvan LD4 also has a pretty stable heel.

I think something like Prodigio Pro or (Salomon S/LAB genesis) could complement the Ultrafly for training as well as tougher terrain. Otherwise if you have mild terrain, the Peg trail 5 is amazingly comfortable and it's what I use to train.

I have used Merrell long sky and Salomon Genesis for door to trail. Love both. Merrell agility peak 5 was great for that too. If the run is predominantly road with a little bit of buffed easy trail I’ve also used puma velocity nitro and forever run.

I bought 2 pairs of regular genesis. Loved it so much (my absolute favorite after trying 10 shoes last three years). I thought it is very similar to the slab version based on RoadTrailRun test… now I’m tempted to try slab version…

I'm a happy ultra glide runner, but I just got me a pair of slab genesis on sale. Will keep an eye peeled for the UG3 when it goes on sale 👀