Jul 20, 2026 6 min read

Reviews Running Salomon

Salomon Genesis 2 review: a grounded trail shoe that does almost everything well

The Salomon Genesis 2 is a firm, stable, technical trail running shoe with excellent grip and a durable Matryx upper, all for $150. Here's how it performs.

There's a trend in running right now (road and trail) toward taller, softer, more maximal shoes. The Salomon Genesis 2 goes the other way, and it's better for it.

This is a technical all-mountain trail shoe built around a moderate stack, a mostly firm and responsive midsole, and a stability system that keeps you composed when the ground gets unpredictable.

It's for runners who want to feel the trail and react to it rather than float above it. At $150 it also happens to be one of the better value propositions in this category.

The original Genesis built a strong reputation as a versatile, capable trail shoe at a fair price. The Genesis 2 keeps everything that worked, then sharpens the ride with a livelier midsole, a smarter stability chassis, and a refined outsole.

It's a textbook version 2; familiar character, better execution, no unnecessary gimmicks.

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Key specifications

Price: $150 at Salomon (available Aug 1)
Weight: 10.3oz / 292g (US men's 9)
Drop: 8mm
Stack height: 34mm heel / 26mm forefoot
Midsole: updated optiFOAM EVA with integrated activeCHASSIS for guidance and stability
Outsole: aggressive All-Terrain contaGRIP with 4mm lugs
Upper: Matryx textile with coated high-tenacity Kevlar yarns, endoFit internal sleeve, quickLACE with lace garage, padded collar and tongue

Sizing and fit

The Genesis 2 fits true to size with a medium width that should work for most feet. The toe box has enough room for good toe splay, which is a genuine improvement over the original that ran a little snug up front.

Vertical volume above the toes is kept in check, so the foot sits secure without any sloppiness.

Between the endoFit sleeve, the one-pull quickLACE system, and the well-padded collar and tongue, lockdown is excellent throughout.

If you have wider feet or struggled with the fit of the first version, try before you buy or consider going up half a size.

Features I love

The moderate stack keeps you connected to the trail

This is what defines the Genesis 2 and separates it from most of what's being released right now. The 34/26mm platform is deliberately moderate, and the updated optiFOAM midsole is firm and responsive rather than soft and cushioned.

That combination keeps you grounded and aware of what's underfoot.

It's protective enough to take the sting out of sharp rocks, but it never feels vague or disconnected the way a taller, softer trainer can on technical ground. For runners who like to feel the terrain and respond to it, this is exactly the right approach.

The stability system inspires real confidence

The revamped activeCHASSIS now sits integrated inside the midsole rather than as an external structure, and the difference shows in how the shoe moves.

Guidance feels smooth and natural rather than intrusive, and transitions are noticeably more fluid than the original's setup.

In practice this makes the Genesis 2 extremely controllable. It holds a planted, stable feel through technical sections and descents, which was one of the original's biggest strengths and remains fully intact here. When the terrain gets sketchy, that composure is worth a lot.

The contaGRIP outsole bites across a wide range of surfaces

The All-Terrain contaGRIP outsole carries an aggressive tread pattern with roughly 4mm lugs, and traction is consistently very good. Salomon has refined the lug pattern for this version, aiming it at the widest possible range of surfaces.

The original excelled on steep ascents and descents, and the Genesis 2 builds on that with better all-round versatility including supposed improved performance on slicker ground.

Grip is one of those things you only notice when it fails, and this outsole hasn't given me reason to think about it yet.

The Matryx upper is genuinely tough

The Matryx upper is a highlight.

It's abrasion-resistant, breathable, and built with Kevlar-reinforced yarns that shrug off rock strikes and scrub without adding bulk. Durability on the original was outstanding over the long term, and everything about this build suggests the second version will match it.

The quickLACE system with its lace garage is a practical winner too: one pull, tuck the excess away, and you never think about your laces again.

Combined with the padded collar and tongue, the whole package is comfortable enough for all-day efforts while keeping the precise, secure hold you want on technical trails.

That's a big part of why this shoe works as well for ultras as it does for an hour of hard singletrack.

What could be improved

The Genesis 2 is slightly heavier than the original, coming in at 10.3oz compared to 9.8oz in the same size. It's not enough to change the character of the shoe, but if you're weight-conscious it's worth knowing.

The firm ride also won't suit everyone. If you want a softer, more cushioned feel for long-haul comfort, the Salomon Ultra Glide 4 is the better pick within Salomon's own lineup.

The Genesis 2 is deliberately grounded and connected, which is a strength for technical terrain but less forgiving on long, flat efforts where plush cushioning helps.

If your running leans more toward mixed road and light trail rather than technical ground, the Salomon Aero Blaze 3 GRVL is a more appropriate choice.

My verdict

The Salomon Genesis 2 is a refined update to a shoe that was already close to complete.

The firm balanced midsole, excellent stability, very good traction, and hard-wearing Matryx build make it genuinely versatile across everything from daily trail training to ultras on mixed terrain.

At $150 it undercuts most shoes offering this level of capability. In a market drifting toward tall, soft platforms, the Genesis 2 stays grounded, precise, and lively, and that's a large part of its appeal. If you ran in the original Salomon Genesis and liked it, this is the same shoe with the rough edges sanded off.

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For a broader look at what else is worth considering, my best trail running shoes roundup covers the full range, and if you're newer to the sport my beginner's guide to trail running is a good place to start.