The Salomon S/Lab Genesis is an all-mountain trail running shoe built for runners who spend long hours on technical, mixed terrain and want a shoe that feels light, locks the foot down securely, and offers durable protection without getting in the way of that responsive trail feel, that's required for technical trails.
I’ve been testing it across everything from dry gravel and rocky paths to rooted forest trails—and it’s clear this shoe is designed for long adventure days even though the midsole has a firm response.
It feels like a real evolution from the standard Genesis, with some noticeable upgrades, especially in fit and responsiveness.
Key specifications
- Price: $200 at Salomon.com / £180 at Sportsshoes.com (For UK readers)
- Weight: 9oz (255g) for a US(M)9 (my pair)
- Drop: 8mm
- Upper: Matryx upper (Kevlar-reinforced), EndoFit™ internal sleeve, integrated gaiter, medial protective pad
- Midsole: optiFOAM (Salomon’s lightweight EVA foam), with Profeel Film for terrain filtering
- Outsole: All Terrain Contagrip, 4.5mm lugs
- Extra attributes: Quicklace with lace garage, protective toe cap, gaiter-style bootie upper for debris protection
Sizing and fit
The S/Lab Genesis fits true to size, but the midfoot is on the narrow side, and I did feel the medial arch more than usual on the first couple of runs.
That sensation faded as the shoe broke in. Once settled, the fit is dialed-in—secure around the heel and ankle, with no hot spots or pressure points, and a feeling that reminds me a lot of the La Sportiva Prodigio Pro.
Performance review
What impressed me most is the balance this shoe strikes—it’s light and fast enough for daily trail efforts, but also protective and secure enough to handle 50K trail ultras.
Alastair Dixon
It’s not trying to float you above the trail—it lets you feel the ground in a good way, keeping you connected without punishing your legs - it's a wonderfully balanced midsole, for sure.
So much about this shoe reminds me of the Prodigio pro - see the gallery below to see how their profiles compare:
The Matryx upper is tough as ever - I have run in plenty of trail running shoes using the same material for uppers in the past, and have enjoyed the fit, durability and breathability it provides.
I’ve run it through sharp rocky sections, dusty fire roads, and rooty singletrack, and it has performed admirably across it all.
It’s breathable too, though I will say the internal bootie layer slightly reduces airflow compared to if it were just the Matryx on its own but the benefit of this built-in gaiter is that debris does not enter the shoe - see photo below.
It's still a breathable upper, for the most part, above the toe box especially, and the overall comfort and durability are on point.
The midsole is where much of the magic happens. It’s not overly plush or max cushioned like the Salomon website suggests.
There’s a soft feel under the heel, but the forefoot stays responsive, giving you a very stable, controlled ride on technical trails.
Alastair Dixon
It’s a great midsole for cruising long efforts, and for those who want feedback from the trail rather than a floating-on-foam sensation. I feel super confident running fast down technical trails in these.
Traction on the outsole is solid for dry rock, dirt, and gravel all feel fine underfoot thanks to the All Terrain Contagrip® outsole.
However, wet rock is still a weak spot, something I have learned from testing Salomon running shoes with Contagrip outsoles, and if you run often in soaked conditions, that’s something to be aware of.
But for dry to mixed terrain, it’s super dependable.
While protection is good overall, the forefoot isn’t ideal for sharp alpine rock gardens. If you’re hitting super technical jagged/sharp stuff, just keep that in mind. This is going to be very subjective, of course, as everyone has different tolerances.
The Quicklace system works really well as usual but better than on the standard Genesis model.
It tightens evenly, holds secure, and the lace garage is simple to use (see below). No loose ends, no fussy adjustment mid-run.
My verdict
The Salomon S/Lab Genesis is an excellent choice for runners tackling adventurous trail routes, long training days, or up to 50K ultras that don’t involve excessive technicality.
It’s lightweight, breathable, and durable, and the midsole feel hits a sweet spot between cushioning, response, control, and ground connection.
Alastair Dixon
It won’t be for everyone—those with wider feet or who want max cushion may find it a bit too firm or narrow through the midfoot.
And it’s not the best shoe for slick, wet rock or highly technical sharp alpine terrain.
But for daily mountain runs, mid-distance racing, and adventures on mixed terrain, this is one of the best well-rounded, performance-driven all mountain trail shoes I’ve run in lately.
The Salomon S/Lab Genesis is well worth picking up if your budget allows for it, you can buy them from the following online stores:
