Salomon S/Lab Genesis 2 review: my technical trail favorite, refined

Salomon didn't need to reinvent the S/Lab Genesis. Thankfully, they didn't, instead chose the route of refining features that worked and switching materials where needed.

The original became my go-to shoe for technical terrain almost immediately. I trusted it enough to race Speedgoat by UTMB in it last year, and I was so happy with that choice: it gave me confidence on every rocky climb and fast descent of that course.

I covered what made the first version special in my Salomon S/Lab Genesis, last year. The short version was that it had a balanced, low-stack, controllable ride with a precise fit that thrives on mixed mountain terrain and long adventure days.

The S/Lab Genesis 2 keeps all of that intact and adds the two things runners actually asked for: more energy return with better foam longevity, and better guided stability.

After testing my pair, here's everything you need to know before you buy them.

Key specifications

• Price: $200 at Salomon (available August 1)
• Weight: My US men's size 9 pair weighed in at 264 g / 9.3 oz (v1 was 9oz)
• Drop: 6 mm (down from 8 mm on the original), with a 31 mm heel / 25 mm forefoot stack
• Upper: Matryx Micro woven with individually coated Kevlar fibers, highly abrasion resistant yet breathable
• Midsole: Dual-density optiFOAM² paired with a reengineered activeCHASSIS for guided stability
• Outsole: All-Terrain Contagrip with 4.5 mm lugs and revised lug geometry for mixed-terrain traction
• Extra attributes: Quicklace with lace garage, endoFit inner sleeve, profeelFILM rock protection, semi-protective toecap, medial protective pad, integrated gaiter

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Sizing and fit

The Genesis 2 runs true to size with a medium width in US sizing, exactly like the original. The midfoot is snug out of the box and breaks in nicely after a few runs.

If you enjoyed the fit of the first version, you'll like these too. If you have very wide feet, this precise S/Lab fit still won't be for you.

They also have fantastic lockdown at the heel and midfoot, with a built in gaiter to keep debris out.

They're also very breathable and the collars are nicely padded on the inside.

Not sure whether to go for these or the standard $150 Genesis 2? Read my Salomon Genesis 2 review next.

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.

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Performance review

This is where the Genesis 2 earns its place amongst the best of the best. Salomon has refined the ride without touching the character that made the original one of the best technical trail shoes I've tested.

Same controllable feel, noticeably more pop

The first thing I noticed is how familiar the ride feels. The midsole has the same controllable, ground-connected character as the original, but there's noticeably more energy return and response now thanks to the new dual-density optiFOAM² platform.

The foam compresses smoothly on impact and recovers quickly, which translates to more fluid transitions when you're moving fast over uneven ground.

It also promises better longevity than the original's EVA, which matters on a $200 shoe you'll want to keep for a full season of mountain running.

The drop has come down from 8 mm to 6 mm, sitting on a 31/25 mm stack.

It's still a low-stack shoe by modern standards, and that's the point: you feel the trail, you react to it, and the shoe never floats you above the terrain you're trying to read.

Guided stability that shines on technical ground

The reengineered activeCHASSIS is one of the biggest functional upgrades.

It provides guided stability that improves foot alignment on uneven ground without restricting natural movement, so you can adapt instantly to changes in pace, direction, or terrain.

In practice, this makes the S/Lab Genesis 2 one of the best performers I've run in for technical conditions. Rock gardens, off-camber singletrack, loose steep descents: the shoe holds your foot exactly where it should be while staying agile.

It's more dynamic and more comfortable than the first version, striking a great balance between precision and comfort on technical terrain.

The original carried me through Speedgoat by UTMB last year on this same blend of precision and confidence. The Genesis 2 delivers that feeling with even more composure.

Traction and durability built for long mountain days

The All-Terrain Contagrip outsole keeps its 4.5 mm lugs but gets a revised geometry, and the aggressive tread delivers very good traction across mixed terrain.

Salomon says the new lug layout specifically targets wet rock (and area i noticed needed improvement), loose gravel, steep climbs, and fast descents.

Wet rock was the one relative weakness I noted on the original, so I'll be watching this closely as I put more wet-weather miles on my pair.

Durability is a real strength; the Matryx Micro upper, with its individually coated Kevlar fibers and overlays, shrugs off rock and root abrasion, and the profeelFILM layer filters out sharp ground elements without dulling the precise ground feel.

The details Salomon always gets right

The Quicklace system with the lace storage garage is always a winner for me: one pull, tuck the ends away, done for the day.

The padded collar and tongue add real comfort on long efforts, the endoFit sleeve wraps the foot securely, and the protective toecap and medial pad handle the knocks. The integrated gaiter rounds out a spec sheet clearly built for proper mountain use.

My verdict

The S/Lab Genesis 2 is an evolution, not a revolution, and that's exactly what we all wanted to see. Same secure, low-stack, controllable feel, now with more energy return, better guided stability, and improved response longevity (no early foam packing out).

If you loved the original, buy these with confidence; the fit is unchanged and the ride is simply better. If you're new to the S/Lab Genesis, this is the shoe I'd point you to for fast, technical, rocky, mixed terrain and ultra-distance adventure days where precision matters more than plushness.

I raced Speedgoat by UTMB in the original and was so happy with that decision. I'm planning to toe the start line again next week (plantar injury dependant), and due to this injury plus a strategy change for a little more protective cushioning, I'm going to wear my Xodus Ultra 4 instead.

It's not for everyone, if you want maximum soft cushioning, the Salomon Ultra Glide 4 is the better Salomon for you.

Salomon Ultra Glide 4 review: max cushion that still feels in control on real trails

Relieve Sphere smooths out rocky miles, contaGRIP stays trustworthy, and the updated upper keeps long runs feeling comfortable.

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If you want to shop around in the technical trail category, the Saucony Peregrine 16 is one of the closest peers I'd cross-shop it against.

You can also see how it stacks up against the wider field in my best trail running shoes roundup.

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