When it comes to trail running shoes, Salomon is one of the absolute best. They put a ton of effort into testing and experimentation to get the exact shoe they want for any type of trail running, and it really shows in the Salomon Speedcross 5.
Over the last year or so I've been working the Speedcross shoes into my lineup, taking them on runs and hikes in conditions ranging from loose dirt to slippery wet rock to pure mud slop. So far I've been highly impressed with them.
I should note that I'm by no means an elite (or even kind of fast) runner. I'm a pretty average trail runner and I use my trail running shoes as much for hiking as I do for trail running. I like my shoes to be multi-purpose, so if you plan on using these primarily for hiking, this review is for you too.
Overall Impression: The Salomon Speedcross 5 is a great shoe (maybe perfect?) for moderate to long-distance runs or hikes, especially on uneven and muddy terrain. They have excellent traction and stability, and both the upper and sole offer supreme comfort even after many miles. The only real drawback is their weight; they're significantly heavier than all but one of the other Salomon trail shoes (the XA Pro 3D), so if you're looking for a racing shoe, then this probably isn't the one.
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Initial Overview and Specs
The Salomon Speedcross 5 is the 5th iteration of the Speedcross line, which has always been a trail shoe designed for pretty much one goal: superior traction and stability, especially in softer terrain. It's relatively heavy and bulky for a trail shoe, but its ability to handle the kind of rough terrain that lighter trail shoes can't is what makes it great.
This shoe is great for both trail running and hiking, especially on soft terrain or off-trail where stability counts. It's also incredibly comfortable for even the longest efforts, again beating out many lighter, faster shoes.
Tech Specs
- Outsole: Contagrip rubber compound
- Upper: Sensifit w/ breathable mesh
- Heel stack height: 35mm
- Forefoot stack height: 25mm
- Heel-toe drop: 10mm
- Lug depth: 5mm
- Weight (US Men's size 9): 320g/11.3 oz
- Lacing system: Salomon quicklace
- Waterproofing: None (though there is a Gore-Tex version of the same shoe, priced at $150 US)
- MSRP: $130 US (Buy at REI or Amazon)
Performance
I always hesitate to use this word, but for what these shoes are designed for they are nearly ... wait for it.. perfect.
I've been taking them on hikes and runs during winter on the Oregon Coast, and anyone familiar with the area knows just how sloppy these trails can get. They've performed better in the mud than any other shoe I've owned.
The 5mm deep lugs and widely spaced lug pattern (new for the Speedcross 5) means not only do they provide optimal grip in mud, but they also don't hold onto the "mud pancake" that so many other shoes do. The chevron lugs are also multi-directional for optimal uphill and downhill performance.
Aside from their superior grip in mud, they feature Salomon's proprietary Contagrip TA outsole (made of a slightly softer rubber than the other Contagrip versions) for excellent grip on hard surfaces. It's something you notice while wearing them, and they perform exceptionally well on slanted rock slabs, especially for how little surface area is in direct contact with the ground. It's not the absolute stickiest shoe I've worn (the nod for that goes to the La Sportiva Bushido II), but it's noticeably grippy even on slippery surfaces.
It's not the most versatile shoe, and it wouldn't be my shoe of choice for smooth, dry dirt. But for what it's designed for, it's one of the best around.
Ride
As far as ride and ground feel go, the Speedcross 5 uses Salomons proprietary Energycell midsole. It delivers, and it makes for a very responsive ride with plenty of cushioning. Out of the box it feels almost springy, and in use it feels powerful and responsive. But even with that extra thickness and cushion, I still feel like it's sensitive enough (especially in the forefoot) to feel confident handling technical terrain.
One thing about the ride that I'm not normally a fan of is the high heel stack (35mm) and high drop (10mm). Five whole millimeters of that height are in the lugs alone, so I get why it has to be this way, but the heel especially feels pretty high compared to what I normally like in a trail shoe.
The 10mm drop is also a lot to overcome for forefoot strikers, and though it is possible to do in this shoe it's definitely better for those who strike with their midfoot or heels. As a hiking and backpacking shoe, the high heel and drop can actually become an advantage, allowing for a little bit more stride length and a smoother gait than other shoes with less heel cushioning.
Foot Protection
The Speedcross 5 has more cushioning in the midfoot than previous versions, providing a little bit more underfoot protection. It still doesn't have a rock plate so it is still susceptible to pointy rocks and jagged stuff, but the extra thickness has provided enough foot protection that I haven't had any issues with it.
The upper also offers plenty of foot protection, with rubberized sidewalls and a toe guard. The protective toe cap is made of very thick rubber, and its stiffness is very effective at protecting against hard jams. Overall my feet feel very well protected in these shoes even without a rock plate, and I don't hesitate to take them on uneven and rocky terrain.
Fit/Comfort
Fit and overall comfort while running or hiking go hand in hand; without a proper fit, even the comfiest shoe will cause problems. Overall, the Salomon Speedcross 5 fits like a glove and though it is considered "medium" cushioning, it remains comfortable on long, high mileage days.
Fit
The most important thing about the fit of the Speedcross 5 is that it has a considerably wider toe box than previous versions. It's still a Salomon, so compared to most other trail shoes it's still a tight fit. But for those who may have felt like older versions were just a little too constricting, the wider toe box should give you the wiggle room you need to feel comfortable (even when your feet start to swell from hiking).
The quicklace system on the Speedcross 5, as always, provides a very dialed-in and secure fit. This is combined with Salomon's Sensifit upper, which attaches to the laces surrounding the mid-foot and cradles your foot like a sock.
This is standard on most Salomon shoes these days, but it's worth noting because the security it creates in the mid-foot is head and shoulders above other brands. It may not be necessary for smooth, even dirt trails, but when you're dealing with soft ground or highly varied terrain (like off-trail routes) then it's a godsend.
Comfort
The highly secure fit contributes to the comfort of this shoe, but it also has a few other things going for it that give it an exceptionally comfortable ride.
Sole Construction
The use of the Energycell midsole is great for responsiveness, but it also excels at long-distance cushioning. Even on long days my feet never quite get that tired, achy feeling that I'm used to with harder and more sensitive trail shoes.
This is also in part due to the molded Ortholite insole. It's one of the more substantial insoles you'll see even for a trail shoe, with a fully molded arch and heel cup that cradles and supports your foot. I'm actually generally not a fan of thick, highly molded insoles, but the higher density material really does provide extra arch support and helps to spread out shock to the whole foot rather than just the ball or heel.
The heel cup also really locks your foot in place, and it's deep and secure enough that my feet have never wanted to slip out of it even at the weirdest angles. This makes it an incredibly comfortable shoe even on technical terrain.
Upper
The upper on the Speedcross 5 is also fantastic. For the first time, it's an entirely welded upper, so there are no seams or stitching that could potentially cause irritation or hot spots. It's made of relatively breathable mesh, but because it's designed to be a burly, highly supportive shoe, the inevitable thickness of the upper does make it a little bit warmer than I'd like in hot weather.
It's also an "anti-debris mesh upper". A lot of shoes claim their uppers are anti-debris (or some other proprietary name for it), but the Speedcross 5 mesh really delivers on its promise of keeping even sand out of the shoe. I've worn it on beach hikes on the Oregon coast without ever noticing any kind of sand buildup in them.
This mesh completely covers the top of the gusseted tongue (to stop particles from entering through the cracks) and a tight ankle seal means almost no debris (even mud and sand) gets into the shoe.
Durability
Finally, the Salomon Speedcross 5 appears to be very durable. I only say they appear to be because I haven't put enough miles on them to expect issues yet. That said, I have had shoes start to show significant wear and tear with fewer miles than these ones have, so I expect them to last a long time. The rubberized sidewalls seem to be doing their job, and though Contagrip TA is a little less durable than Contagrip MA or MD, it's still in good shape and certainly isn't anywhere close to retirement.
Conclusion
Overall, the Salomon Speedcross 5 are great trail running shoes for running or hiking on soft ground, technical terrain, or any situation where grip is of the utmost importance. They excel in mud and have enough cushioning to stay comfortable even at ultra distances, making them not only great running shoes but also great high-route shoes or general-purpose backpacking shoes. The wider forefoot and the additional forefoot cushioning in the Speedcross 5 are the biggest changes, and they should allow more people to enjoy the benefits of this great shoe.
If you want to pick up a pair, you can get them from REI or Amazon.
