Salomon Genesis 2 review: the do-it-all trail shoe, refined
I've been testing the Genesis 2 on local trails; it's livelier, still stable/controlled, and only $150: here's how it improves on the original Genesis.
A few years ago, the original Genesis quickly became one of my go-to recommendations for a versatile, technical all-mountain trail shoe at a reasonable price, so this update had a lot to live up to.
The good news is that the Genesis 2 keeps everything that made the original Salomon Genesis so likable, then sharpens the ride.
Salomon has updated the midsole to a livelier optiFOAM formulation, integrated a revamped activeCHASSIS inside the midsole for smoother guidance, and refined the All-Terrain contaGRIP outsole. The price stays at $150, which remains one of the best value propositions in technical all mountain trail shoes.
After my testing, this feels like exactly what a version 2 should be: familiar DNA, smarter execution, no unnecessary gimmicks. Here's the full breakdown, and what you need to know before buying them.
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Key specifications
- Price: $150 at Salomon (available Aug 1)
- Weight: 10.3 oz (292 g) for my US size 9, so v2 is a little heavier now (it was 9.8oz).
- Drop: 8mm (34 mm heel / 26 mm forefoot stack)
- Upper: Matryx textile with coated high-tenacity Kevlar yarns, endoFit internal sleeve, quickLACE with lace garage, padded collar and tongue
- Midsole: Updated optiFOAM EVA with integrated activeCHASSIS for guidance and stability
- Outsole: Aggressive all-Terrain contaGRIP with 4 mm lugs
Sizing and fit
The Genesis 2 fits true to size for me in US sizing, with a medium width that should work for most feet. The toe box has enough room for good toe splay, which is worth calling out because the original 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 nicely padded collar and tongue, lockdown is excellent.
Left to right: padded collars, nice heel lockdown
If you have wider feet or struggled with the v1's forefoot, try before you buy or consider going up half a size.
Performance review
A firm, balanced midsole that keeps you connected to the trail
The updated optiFOAM midsole is the biggest change here, and it's a good one.
The ride is firm and responsive, protective enough to take the sting out of sharp rocks, but never soft or vague underfoot.
What I appreciate most is that the stack isn't too high, unlike a lot of trail shoes lately. That moderate 34/26 mm platform keeps you grounded and encourages an energetic, controllable faster turnover rather than the disconnected wallow you get from some maximal trainers.
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Relieve Sphere smooths out rocky miles, contaGRIP stays trustworthy, and the updated upper keeps long runs feeling comfortable.
Alastair Dixon
If you want a softer long-haul cruiser, the Salomon Ultra Glide 4 is the better pick. The Genesis 2 is for runners who want to feel the trail and react to it.
Stability and control you can trust on technical terrain
The revamped activeCHASSIS now sits integrated inside the midsole, and the result is guidance that feels smooth rather than too intrusive/forceful.
Transitions are a little more fluid than the original's external rail-style setup, with none of the clunkiness.
In practice, this shoe is very controllable.
It holds a planted, stable feel through technical sections and descents, which was one of the original's biggest strengths, and the v2 keeps that confidence fully intact.
This is the trait that defines the Genesis line for me. Agile shoes like the Saucony Peregrine 16 offer a similar low-slung feel, but the Genesis 2's chassis gives it an extra layer of composure when the terrain gets sketchy.
Saucony Peregrine 16 review – softer, grippier, and finally complete!
Upgrades include more cushioning, Vibram Megagrip traction, and it keeps the same fast all-mountain feel that made the Peregrine one of my favorites!
Alastair Dixon
Traction that bites on steep, loose, and mixed ground
The All-Terrain contaGRIP outsole carries a nice aggressive tread pattern with roughly 4 mm lugs, and traction is very good across the board.
Salomon has refined the lug pattern and compound for this version, aiming it at the widest possible range of surfaces.
The original excelled on steep ascents and descents, and the v2 builds on that with better all-round versatility, including more slick surfaces.
Grip is one of those things you only notice when it fails, and it hasn't given me a reason to think about it.
A tough, practical upper with genuinely useful details
The Matryx upper remains a highlight. It's abrasion-resistant, breathable, and built with Kevlar-reinforced yarns that shrug off rock strikes and scrub. Durability on the original was outstanding over the long term, and everything about this build suggests the v2 will match it.
The quickLACE system with its lace garage is always a winner for me. One pull, tuck the excess away, and you never think about your laces again.
Add the padded collar and tongue, and the whole package feels comfortable enough for all-day efforts without giving up the precise, secure hold you want on technical trails.
It's a big part of why the Genesis 2 can work well for ultras as much as it does for an hour of hard singletrack.
How it compares to the original Genesis
If you loved the original, this is the same shoe at heart with the rough edges sanded off.
Genesis 2 (left), Genesis (right)
The character, the price, and the confidence on tricky terrain all carry over.
The differences show up in the ride: a livelier, more responsive midsole, smoother chassis-driven transitions, and a roomier-feeling forefoot.
Salomon has a strong track record with these iterative updates across its lineup. Read my best Salomon running shoes roundup, to learn more about their other top performers.
Best Salomon Running Shoes, Right Now (2026)
From daily road miles to technical trail days, these are the Salomon running shoes I personally trust and recommend based on real runs, not just specs.
Alastair Dixon
My verdict
The Salomon Genesis 2 is a familiar, refined update to a shoe that was already close to the complete package for technical trail running.
The firm, balanced midsole, excellent stability, very good traction, and hard-wearing Matryx build make it a true quiver-killer for everything from daily trail training to ultras on mixed terrain.
At $150, it also 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 I think that's exactly what a technical all-mountain shoe should be.
If your running leans more toward gentler trails and outdoor adventures beyond pure performance, my best road-to-trail running shoes roundup will help you find the right pair, and you can see how the Genesis 2 stacks up against other running shoes in the all-mountain category in my best all-mountain trail running shoes roundup.
The Best All-Mountain Trail Running Shoes, Right Now
The do-it-all workhorses built for everything from mellow fire roads to technical mountain trails, and even ultra running adventures.
Alastair Dixon
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