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When you’re navigating rugged mountain trails, every step requires concentration and precise foot placement. That’s where the Salomon Genesis steps in, offering a blend of precision, support, and durability.
It’s designed for cruising over technical trails, powering uphill, descending rapidly, and sprinting the flats. It’s a trail running shoe that will improve your performance due to it’s long list of features that work very well.
In this Salomon Genesis review, I share how they fit (with sizing advice), their key specifications, trail running performance, and by the end of it you’ll know exactly if it’s the all-terrain companion you need for your trail adventures.
➡ Find out how they compare to other Salomon running shoes right now, in our Best Salomon Running Shoes RoundUp.
Key specifications
- Price: $150 at Salomon.com (US) / £120 at Sportsshoes.com (UK)
- Weight: 9.8 oz / 278g (US Men’s size 9)
- Upper Material: Matryx upper with Quicklace lacing system, soft articulated heel counter, padded tongue and collars.
- Outsole: Salomon Contagrip with lug depths ranging from 4mm to 5mm
- Heel-to-Toe Drop: 8mm (medium drop)
- Stack Height: 34mm (heel), 26mm (forefoot)
Fit and feel
The Salomon Genesis is a snug shoe, a characteristic often associated with Salomon’s designs – at least in my experience of reviewing Salomon running shoes anyway.
The fit around the widest part of the toe box is tight, with limited room for toe splay. This snugness might be a concern for those with wider feet or those who prefer a bit more space to allow for great running power when running fast or going uphill.
The rest of the shoe offers a medium width and fits true to length, though I recommend sizing up by half a size for a more comfortable running experience.
One of the top features of the Genesis is its MATRYX upper, which has a similar breathable, flexible, and highly durable weave to the upper found on the S/Lab Pulsar 3.
MATRYX is a running component brand featuring a high-tech fabric that provides excellent durability and support, ensuring your foot stays secure even on the most challenging trails. Complemented by Salomon’s Quicklace system, adjusting your fit on the go is easy and fast, and i love how you can stow the remaining cordage in the hidden tongue garage once secure.
The heel counter, which is slightly articulated and flexible, adds to the comfort by reducing pressure on the Achilles—a thoughtful design for runners prone to Achilles tendinitis.
Salomon Genesis performance review
Before I get stuck into how they perform on the run, here’s a quick reminder that you can also watch my video review to get more insights, by tapping the image below – Don’t forget to give the video a like if you enjoy it (that really helps our channel), and subscribe to our Youtube Channel for more reviews of the latest running shoes :).
Now, let’s talk performance—the heart of all my running shoe reviews. The Salomon Genesis is built to tackle a variety of terrains, and I had the opportunity to put it through its paces on rocky trails, loose dirt, and single tracks. I’ve broken this performance review up into segments that share how they perform on flat sections, hill climbing, and descents.
“The mountains are calling, and I must go.” — John Muir
Flat Terrain
On flat sections, the Genesis performs damn well – it’s a fast beast. The midsole is a masterclass in balance, offering just the right amount of cushioning to protect your feet from sharp objects on the trail, while remaining responsive enough to deliver a snappy, energetic ride.
The shoe’s design encourages a quick turnover or cadence, making it ideal for picking up the pace on buff trails. However, the narrow toe box does limit the natural splay of the toes, potentially restricting power/speed and biomechanical efficiency if you plan to run long distances in them.
Uphill Climbing
When it comes to uphill climbs, the Salomon Genesis performs very well here too. The shoe’s support system, coupled with the Quicklace and heel counter, locks your foot in place, providing a secure and comfortable fit that doesn’t compromise mobility.
The aggressive 5mm lugs bite into the trail, delivering excellent traction that makes steep ascents feel very manageable. The midsole’s responsiveness also plays a role here, propelling you forward with an energetic snippiness to it.
Despite the medium/high 8mm drop from heel to toe, the shoe feels closer to a 6mm, offering a well-balanced stance that’s good for climbing, while providing better control on the downhills.
Downhill performance
Downhill performance is another area where the Salomon Genesis does a great job. The Contagrip outsole, with its strategically placed lugs, grips the ground with confidence, whether you’re navigating loose dry leaves, dirt, or rocky paths.
The stability offered by the Genesis is fantastic too, even on steep descents, you feel in control. The support and stability features of this trail running shoe is going to be a highlight for runners with overpronation issues.
While the narrow toe box might still be a drawback, the overall stability and control the shoe offers on descents are second to none and sizing up a half size should sort out the fit for most people with medium width feet.
Are they worth buying?
The Salomon Genesis costs $150 at Salomon.com, and they are totally worth buying, I can’t recommend these enough. You get a premium trail running shoe with a relatively affordable price tag, and performance that’s up there with the best all mountain trail running shoes right now.
It’s a versatile all-mountain shoe that performs on a wide variety of terrains, offering excellent support, protection, and traction.
If you’re someone who values precision and control over a more accommodating fit, the Genesis is a solid investment. But if toe splay and a roomier feel are critical to your comfort, you need to size up a half size, or exploring alternatives.
The best alternatives right now
If the Salomon Genesis doesn’t quite fit your needs, or you’re looking for a few more options, check out my Best All-Mountain Trail Running Shoes roundup, where I frequently update the list with top-performing shoes in this category.
Thanks for reading this review, if you have any questions at all, just drop them in the comments – I’m quick to respond! Catch you on the next one! -Alastair ✌🏼
View Comments (2)
Do these not make the cut for the ‘Best All-Mountain Trail Running Shoes roundup’?
As of Oct 16 2024 – They’re so close to the Vectiv Infinite 2 that they could be in 3rd place. I need to add 5 shoes for each category to make this bit more comprehensive, and fairer to other great shoes. I’ll do so this week.