Salomon Speedcross 3 Review
Specifications
The Salomon Speedcross 3 is the update to the iconic, lightweight, aggressive profile, trail racing shoe. Anti-debris mesh upper to avoid debris getting trapped in the shoe. Water resistant textile, mud guard to keep your feet dry. Sensifit cradles the foot for a precise fit, while the Quicklace one-pull lacing system ensures a secore and customized fit. Lace pockets store Quickfit locking mechanism and excess Kevlar laces safely out of the way. Mud and snow non-marking Contragrip outsole for ultimate traction in all conditions.
Fit
The Speedcross 3, and all of the Salomon running shoes, have a very unique fit due to the Quicklace system. It is the very first thing that you notice when you look at a pair of Salomons, and I am happy to say that it really works well. How it works is you pull the laces tight from the Quickfit locking system, and it acts as a pull-tie, allowing you to lace up your shoes very quickly without tying them. The system works well, but I did find that if I wanted the best fit possible, I did have to play around with it a little, so it wasn’t exactly a one pull lace up. That being said, it is not a problem at all, because the system itself works great. You can tie your shoes up faster, and once you get them how you want them, the laces are locked in place, and will stay locked in place until you change it. You never have to worry about your laces coming undone ever again, which is somewhat of a secret paranoia that I have when running, so it was great to not worry about that in the Salomons. The tongue also has a small pouch where you can tuck the excess laces as well as the locking mechanism, so there are no laces flapping around when you run. To get a better idea of how the lacing system works, check out the video above. The shoe itself is extremely comfortable. The extra inner heel padding does a great job securing your foot, and the overall shape of the entire shoe feels very natural, making the fit one of the best I have ever felt from a running shoe. The shoe fits moderately wide, so almost anybody can wear this shoe with no problems. I have a narrow to regular with foot and had no problems wearing these. There is some moderate arch support, which makes for a very supportive feel when running. I wore my usual size 9.5US and the Speedcross 3 fit perfectly. These shoes fit very true to size, so I would recommend ordering your normal size.
Weight
These shoes weigh in at a very light 10.2oz, especially for a shoe as rugged this one. This a trail running shoe, so it has a thicker upper, an aggressive tread and a full size sole. I don’t know where the weight was shed, but the shoe remains to be very light. To put this in to perspective, most running shoes weigh an average of around 11 to 12 ounces, so for a trail shoe to be lighter than that is somewhat unusual. The lightweight feel is not something I was not expecting from this shoe, but it goes to show how you can still make a solid shoe, while keeping the weight down.
Function/ Versatility
I found that there really isn’t much that you couldn’t use this shoe for. Of course it is designed as trail shoe, and not meant for on road running, it will however work great on any other surface you can imagine. The super aggressive tread on the sole of this shoe provides excellent grip on any trail. From dirt, to mud, to loose gravel or even snow, these shoes will provide plenty of traction. This also makes this a running shoe that can be used in any type of weather. The upper material is water and mud resistant, so your feet will stay dry and you will remain comfortable through your entire run. The tongue also features an anti-debris guard that will keep out dirt and small stones when running on trails. This shoe is great for running, and because the sole is not very thick, it doubles as a speed/cross trainer. You can use this shoe for pretty much anything, and it would be great for soccer players looking for a break from there soccer shoes, while still being able to train in the grass.
Running/ Comfort
I really enjoyed running these shoes. I would describe my running experience as very fluent, where I felt like I was never losing momentum. I think the reason for this is the unique cushioning that these shoes provide. The cushion that the Speedcross 3 provides is on the firmer side, but what makes it strange is that it is a very firm cushion. What I mean is that you never feel like your foot is sinking in to the sole. Instead I felt a bouncing sensation when running, giving me somewhat of a spring in my step. The padding seems to be slightly cushioned in the forefoot than it is in the heel. With all of that being said, these are easily the most comfortable running shoes that I have ever worn. I wore them on a fairly long 2 hours run from right out of the box and had no issues with discomfort whatsoever. The sole is very flexible and the amount of support that they provide was just perfect. The laces stayed tight, and my heel was never slipping out of the shoe. I also really liked the large toe box. It makes for a very comfortable running experience and eliminates any chance of getting blisters from rubbing. The insole that is provided is very high quality as well. To be honest, I have no complaints at all in this department. The sole provides great energy return and makes for a very smooth running experience.
The Verdict
Salomon is one of those unknowns in comparison to more mainstream running shoe brands on the market. I can honestly say that the Speedcross 3 is one of very few shoes, including soccer shoes, that really impressed me. I was not expecting all of this quality in one package. This trail running shoe can do anything you ask of it. It offers great traction, a great fit and is a suitable choice for nearly any kind of off road physical activity. If you are looking for a trail running shoe, I very strongly recommend checking out the Salomon Speedcross 3.
Fit 10 out of 10
Weight 9 out of 10
Function/Versatility 9 out of 10
Running/Comfort 10 out of 10
Final Score 38 out of 40 or 95%
