Salomon - Genesis Series

Really liking the Salomon Genesis.

Salomon Genesis for technical trails. Saucony Endorphin Edge for non-technical trails and non-technical races. OG Nike Zegama retired to short runs and family hikes. North Face Enduris 4. Great shoe, but returning them because the Vectiv plate digs into the sides of my feet. Brand new pair of Mount to Coast T1 that I haven’t had a chance to run in yet.

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

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

Both Asics gortex and Salomon gortex Ive found to be the best I've used.   I get probably 2-3000km out of them?   Say 8km a day of sandstone gravel fire trails and rocky escarpments for a year. I  would get 12-18 months out of them.   Sometimes I just wear out heel rubber and foam is still good so I build it back up using Sikaflex or something to go another 6 month lol 

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.

The Genesis has been great for me. Has done loads of training miles and also mountain ultras. Proper all rounder. The UG2 is great if you can get them. The UG3 not so much.

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

They are good everywhere except wet rocks on technical trails

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.

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.

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.