Salomon Genesis introduction:
The Salomon Genesis stands out for its exceptional comfort and precision. Between its secure fit, a dynamic midsole and trustworthy grip on nearly any terrain, these shoes blew me away. Initially, I was hesitant about the weight of the standard Genesis, not to mention an 8mm drop trail shoe, but these trainers far exceeded my expectations. Let’s dive into what makes this shoe shine out there on the most rugged trails.
Salomon Genesis upper:
The fit of the Salomon Genesis is tough to put into words but it’s so spot on that you don’t really want to take them off. That’s in part thanks to a carefully designed upper. Finally there’s enough room for all five of most folks’ toes. As we know, this can be a rare luxury after running in some of Salomon’s other models. The semi-gusseted tongue works in harmony with Salomon’s internal Endofit™ sleeve, creating a snug, foot-hugging fit reminiscent of the Sense Ride 2, which I retired but kept four years ago, and my kid still steals for gardening.
The Genesis gives you that secure, locked-in feel without the hassle of the bootie-style collar, so unlike the S/Lab Ultra 3, you won’t risk losing a finger while pulling them on. The lace garage is a little more generous on this model so you won’t be pinching a finger in the garage either!
I was impressed by the upper, featuring Salomon’s high-performance Matryx® mesh woven with Kevlar®, reducing the risk of abrasion. There’s nothing worse than catching a root or a toe busting through your trusted running shoe. An off-center reinforced toe bumper seals the mesh right where you need it most, offering extra protection. This upper isn’t going to fall apart anytime soon.
As a possible downside of these durable materials, they aren’t the most breathable on hot summer days and I sensed a minor warmer spot in the forefoot. For me, that makes the Genesis a solid option for cooler autumn and winter adventures.
Salomon Genesis midsole:
The EnergyFoam offers moderate bounce and a far more forgiving ride compared to, say the SensePro or other premium Salomon models, in which your legs started barking after 25 km. Staying true to the brand, the midsole of the Genesis does tend to be on the firmer side, but with enough cushion for you not to feel every rock.
In terms of the ride, I found it to be moderately dynamic. Just responsive enough for terrain feedback. For a cushioned shoe, there was still a nice ground feel.
Comfort and ground feel are hard to find in one single shoe, and I think Salomon pretty much nailed it here.
Time will tell if the midsole foam loses its energy return as fast as the UltraGlide, but let’s hope for many more hours of gleeful running in the Genesis.
As for the lateral ActiveChassis plate, I can’t say I’ve noticed any dramatic benefits, but I also haven’t rolled an ankle yet—so maybe it’s doing its job.
Salomon Genesis outsole:
These shoes were brilliant on all types of rocky scree, roots, and boulders—most anything rugged really. Less so in deep bog, which isn’t its purpose. I appreciated the fact that the outsole wasn’t overbuilt. On technical terrain, you want precision and minimal overhang (send smoke signals to the designers of the HOKA TenNine?). The outsole is pleasantly tacky with Salomon’s classic ContaGrip rubber, and the updated lug pattern provides the confidence you need to tackle all of your daily ups and downs on the trail.
In fact, while wearing these shoes at a local sporting event, I overheard a Salomon engineer tell his friend to ditch her shoes and try mine for her next mountain adventure. After being caught eavesdropping, I seized the opportunity to ask him about the little half grooves on the medial side of the 4.5mm lugs. He explained that they’re for more splay and grip, maybe designed a bit like the hoof of an alpine ibex. I may not have felt like a mountain goat, but I did feel more confidence on loose rock.
Salomon Genesis conclusion:
Priced at about 50 EUR below their S/Lab Genesis counterparts, this standard version of the Genesis still delivers an impressive performance without too much added weight (218 grams in my US size 5.5 isn’t that bad for a trail shoe). The grip is dependable, and the comfort level makes them a respectable daily trainer for lighter runners, and a solid choice for mountain adventures up to about 40 km. They could even serve as a race-day shoe for intermediate runners seeking a nimble and grippy option on challenging terrain. It’s that versatility that makes these such a gem of a shoe.
Note: I tested the i-run X Salomon collab “Into the Wild” colorway, which may differ slightly in materials and durability.
