Salomon offers a wide range of running shoes, including the iconic Speedcross 3s for “running fast on soft ground”.
The features: Salomon Speedcross 3
- Lightweight materials and welded construction to keep weight to a minimum.
- Moulded and injected EVA midsole for comfort and cushioning.
- Precise and comfortable shoe fit thanks to the “Sensifit” system with “Endofit” sleeve.
The details: Salomon Speedcross 3
- Water resistant fabric upper
- Quicklace minimalistic lacing system that has one-pull tightening via a toggle
- Lace pocket in tongue for stowing excess laces and toggle
- OrthoLite sockliner for a “cooler, drier, healthier, better cushioned environment under the foot”
- Anti-debris mesh to stop muck being caught between foot and footbed
- Midsole height: 20mm/9mm
- Weight: 310g (single shoe size 8.5)
- Male and female sizes
On test: Salomon Speedcross 3 shoes
I would describe the running shoes as fairly lightweight, fairly cushioned and fairly responsive. They feel like a compromise between super minimalist and super supportive – and this I like very much.
When I put the shoes on they nicely hug my feet but without constricting them. The fit is comfortable and supportive.
It’s simple to pull the laces just so with the toggle, without needing to over-tighten, and it’s great that the toggle keeps the lacing system taut without ever coming undone.
The laces are more like thin string than stretchy lacing, which is also a bonus because you can properly tighten the lacing system to perfectly fit your foot.
I have narrow feet so there is quite a length of lace left after tightening. I made good use of the pocket for stowing the toggle and leftover lace. This is really useful.
Pocket in the tongue to stash the toggle and excess lace.
You get a decent amount of stability and the shoes feel solid and supportive when out on trails. There is enough underfoot cushioning in the sole to stop stones and small rocks from irritating your feet.
The shoes also have fairly good grip. They are best suited to hard-packed trails and paths, some mud and some heathery and grassy ground but not very wet and slippery slabs of rocks or thick mud.
If you run where there is a mix of terrain, from tarmac to forest trails to hills paths and grass, the Speedcross 3s are a good compromise shoe.
However, if you wear the shoes on hard tarmac too often you will quickly wear out the lugs on the soles.
It’s worth noting that these trainers are not the longest lasting if you run on hard terrain more than you run on soft ground, or if they are subjected to a lot of wet weather. Look at the GTX (Gore-Tex) version if you prefer your feet to stay drier in wet conditions.
The footbeds of the Speedcross trainers do end up moving about inside the shoes after a lot of wear, especially in the wet. I have counteracted this by replacing the footbeds but it’s annoying to have to do this.
Salomon have obviously thought a lot about the colours of their shoes and they make a collection that includes many bright and beautiful designs for both men and women, as well as black and grey. Every time I buy a pair I choose a different colour, just for a change!
Tiso sell Salomon in the approach shoes collection. Also see
Salomon women’s Speedcross 3 Trail Running Shoes
Salomon men’s Speedcross 3 Trail Running Shoes.