Salomon DRX DRFY GRVL introduction:
You may recall our review of Salomon’s DRX Bliss stability shoe last October. Well, Salomon has now introduced its new baby brother: the DRX DEFY GRVL. With a look similar to the DRX Bliss and sporting many of the same stability features, this new model is designed specifically for gravel. On this shoe, baby lugs are paired with a generous helping of midsole foam promising pop and grip.
So, who’s this shoe really for? Is it a worthy addition to your road shoe collection? Is it the multi-tasking hero we’ve all been waiting for? Or, could it be a classic case of a hybrid that’s not quite good enough at road or trail? To answer these burning questions, our team is putting the DRX DEFY GRVL through its paces on roads, trails, and everything in between.
Salomon DRX DEFY GRVL upper:
Esther: Right out of the box, the DRX DEFY GRVL feels remarkably light—under 200g in my size. It’s a sweet looking shoe, with a design that blends seamlessly into Salomon’s recent DRX road lineup.
There’s no doubt about it, the GRVL is breathable. It’s easy to slip on. No more wrestling with quick laces here, this model comes with trusty traditional laces.
Less positive, in my opinion the materials don’t quite live up to the premium Salomon is known for. The 3D mesh feels more like something you’d find on the XA Pro juniors, minus the overlays that help keep your foot locked in place.
Coming from the precision fit of Salomon’s Sensifit (found in their trail models), the tongue and mesh on this shoe left me wanting more. The tongue only stayed put if I used the extra eyelet, but even then, I didn’t like seeing my sock peeking out on either side.
On the bright side, the upper was forgiving, and there was no rubbing—so I’ll call that part a win!
Salomon DRX DEFY GRVL midsole: no brainer but not technical
Esther: All in all, the DRX DEFY GRVL is one of those shoes you can effortlessly throw on and head out the door on a warm summer day. It’s that light, low-maintenance shoe you throw on after a hard day of work. Slip them on, and you’re good to go. Kick them off, and they air out in no time.
Salomon has been incorporating their activeCHASSIS™ plate on several of their models recently. This is said to add structure and support during the foot strike. It may indeed correct the lateral side, though my main concern is whether or not it encourages a bit of extra pronation, as your foot rolls inward through the gait cycle.
As far as the midsole goes, this shoe is kind to both midfoot and heel strikers. It’s a solid choice for lighter runners who don’t require heavy-duty cushion. The Energy Foam layer is just enough to give your feet some kindness on road and well-maintained trail outings up to 15km.
Salomon has never been high on creature comforts (aka cushion) so I am the first to welcome some cushion underfoot. That said, I did find myself wishing for a little more cushion on longer runs, especially in the forefoot. I would also like to see more energy return on hard surfaces.
I do wonder, are gravel tracks really a thing? Or did Salomon just hitch a ride on the gravel bike trend with this name? Either way, the cushioning holds up fine on smooth trails but felt a bit minimal on roads, at least for my taste.
If gravel describes that in-between surface: the buffed-out trail, the patches of road under construction, the double tracks and forest roads, the cushion is probably sufficient.
When it comes to technical trails, the protection just isn’t there—but then again, that’s not really the shoe’s purpose, so you can’t fault it for that.
Salomon DRX DEFY GRVL outsole:
Baby Lugs For Buffed Trails
Esther: In case there is still doubt, it has to be said that this isn’t a trail shoe. But even so, one real highlight of the DRX DEFY GRVL for me was its grip, giving it that versatility across a number of terrains.
I love this innovation by Salomon, using its Road Contagrip outsole rubber with little lugs and a wrench-shaped cutout to save on weight. The strike of this shoe is secure on all sorts of terrain from grass, to gravel and wet roads and buffed out trails.
During my testing phase, the DRX DEFY GRVL’s baby lugs outperformed several shoes using far deeper lugs. What’s more, the wear after about 80km is hardly visible. I would expect the foam to break down much sooner than the outsole at this rate!
Salomon DRX DEFY GRVL conclusion:
Not Built For Technical Ultramarathons!
Esther: In conclusion, the Salomon DRX DEFY GRVL is a lightweight, no-fuss road shoe that’s perfect for the lighter runner looking to tackle different surfaces ranging from park paths to urban streets. If you’re after long-distance cushion or a shoe built for technical trails, this may not be your best match. Where its grip is impressive thanks to the Road Contagrip outsole, it falls a bit short on comfort and dynamism. That said, it’s a solid choice to pack on your next holiday for its versatility.