Def I never trust any reviews until I test the shoes myself, the Salomon Slab Ultra 3 is the best trail running I tried so far, long and short runs… we also have different terrains around the world, I live in Costa Rica and here we dont have “soft trail” as I can see you have in US, we have muddy and humid trails. Try the shoes and don’t get discouraged by reviews
I bought this shoe and have been doing the vast majority of my trail miles in it. Last weekend I took it on 15miles of very technical trails and had no issues with the midsole. However, it is supposed to be my shoe for a 50 mile race in August , something I am currently questioning. I think something more cushioned will be better. The Salaomon Ultra Glide is about to be released and the early reviews are that it has a much softer midsole.
I did a 50k in this shoe last month. This shoe feels so nice on my foot like a realy comfy sock with trail grip :P I use this shoe only for my long runs (>21k). I like my shoes not too soft but I'd like to try the Ultra Glide for my daily easy runs.
QD: The Cape Wrath ultra in August. Around 240 miles through Scotland over 8 days. Seth previously has mentioned the Dragon’s Back race; this is run by the same company.
I've run 50km + trail runs in the Brooks Caldera 3, Hoka Torrent 2, and On CLoudventure Peak. Of these, my legs felt freshest the next day in the more maximalist Caldera 3 and really quite beat up in the firmer Cloudventure Peak. Going forward I'll be using the Cloudventure Peak in races up to 21km. The slightly softer Torrent 2 is a great versatile trainer/racer for any distance up to 50km (for me) and the Caldera 3 can certainly go the distance in comfort albeit it at a slower pace.
Salomon shoes are typically firm. Some people like it others don't. I like firm. You wouldn't find me in a Hoka but that's why there's so much choice nowadays. To each their own
My wife got me a pair of these for Christmas. I love them. The longest I’ve taken them is a half marathon. No problem. I live in Utah and do a lot of steep up/down in rocky terrain. They have 150 miles and are holding up amazingly well. The toe lugs are only slightly rounded. I agree that they are too expensive for what they are. I wouldn’t have paid that, but my wife is awesome.
COS trails are incredibly varied, diverse, and extensive. Just picked up the Sense Ride 4s for some fast packing and trails in Utah/western slope of CO, we'll see how the midsoles/outsoles hold up in heat and for the lack of "softness." I'll +1 others who recommend testing the Ultraglide 4 from Salomon, which is supposed to be much softer and great for western trails.
Seth,I just wanted to thank you for all of your shoe reviews, I just bought and tested 2 of them. Today I drove over to a local Track to try out 2 new shoes, The Soucony Endorphin Speed V1 and NB Rebel V2. I felt like I was running in spikes with the Speed, I was forefoot running almost on toes. I planned to do a 'fast' mile with 1/2 mile recovery. I felt like I was racing and went way too fast 7:09 mile. I then switched to NB Rebel and it was very different, very squishy, and the toe box is a little narrow, I will have to use thin socks. Did a 7:16 mile but had to work for it, felt better during 1/2 mile recovery. Thanks
I'm registered for a 100km trail race (Bear trail) end of October. My shoe of choice will be a Hoka but have to decide which one to buy. I love my Evo speedgoat s but also looking at the Torrent. I will replay the vlog on the comparison to help my decision. Last time I forgot my trail shoes and completed the race on my Carbon Rockets. After 80 km my legs were dead but that was also my first ultra so can not say it were the shoes. My Evo's are now at 1500km and still holding, only the lugs are gone in forefoot. Keep running!
QD: peak race for the rest of the year is the Grindstone 100 miler, which was my first 100 mile finish back in 2019. Hope to take a few hours off of my time from 2019, as the last 40 miles were an absolute death march where I literally couldn't run 😆 I'll be rocking my tried-and-trusted EVO Speedgoats on race day, because I still stand by the fact that they're the best trail shoe ever made. I have a few smaller races lined up before and after Grindstone, but that's the A race for summer 2021.
QD: Hi from South Africa Seth, I'll be racing my first Ultra next Saturday at the George MUT (Mountain Ultra Trail). It's 60km (37miles) of technical mountain running (vert +/- 3600m or 11800 ft). I'll be running in the S/Lab Ultra 3. After 275km I love the nimbleness and ground feel that come with the super upper and responsive midsole. So far my longest run with them is 34km and felt great - I do tend to prefer a firmer ride on trail though... The trails here are just too rugged to make the Pulsar a viable option most of the time. Thanks for an incredible vlog - it has inspired me every day through my toughest 12-week training block yet!
Hey Seth, I’m taking part in the 100k Saint Cuthberts Way Ultra on the 10th June. The route runs from Melrose in Scotland across the Cheviot hills to Holy Island just off the Northumberland coast. The race is named “race against the tide”, there’s a 3 mile causeway to the finish so....if you don’t get there in time then the tide comes in and you can’t finish the course......gutted after 95k. Stay safe and keep up the great work. Shoe of choice will be the s/lab 3 or topo Ultraventure 2.
I'm going to count the upcoming Pikes Peak Marathon my Ultra race because it's such a difficult and different Marathon! I'm going with the Hoka EVO Speedgoats this year! Went with The Salomon S-Lab Sense 8 SGs last year! Loved them but just wasn't enough coushion for me! They were lighter but not enough there for me and my 175lbs. PIKES PEAK 2021! LETS GO STEH!!! 2 MONTHS OUT!
Sorry i totally disagree here. For technical terrain there is nothing worse then too soft shoes with big stack hights. Plus when the shoe is too soft, on long runs my feet and legs get even more tired. For me the Slab Ultra Series is perfect for long and very long runs on trail, no matter how technical. That your muscles getting tired in this shoes really tells more about your too often running in too soft shoes.
Hi Seth, QD: My next race coming up is the Val d'Aran by UTMB, starting June 9th in the Pyrenees. 100 miles/162km with a whopping 10.700 meter elevation gain. That last figure feels quite intimidating when you live in ultra-flat Netherlands like me. My shoe of choice will almost certainly be the S/Lab Ultra 3, though I will probably put a pair of Speedgoats in my halfway dropbag in case I want to shift to more cushion. I finished the GTLC 100 mile / 6900m d+ in the Ardennes three weeks ago on the same shoes. I considered it a dress rehearsal, running at very low pace to avoid injuries and long recovery). The S/Lab Ultra 3 (and it's predecessors the S/Lab Ultra 2 and the S/Lab Sense Ultra) are still my favorate shoes for varied and not too muddy terrain. If it's very muddy the lugs are simply not big enough. They are also not ideal when running through very fine sand, which I experienced flying down the ankle deep gravel slopes at the Etna Trail and recently running the 220km Duinhopper through the Dutch dunes. The very fine sand enters the shoe through the relatively open mesh, making you stop to empty your shoes. There's no reason why you should only use this shoe on shorter trails. I've used the S/Lab Ultra 3 and it's predecessors in two 100M races, six 100K races and a bunch of 50M/50K races, including both mountainous races like MIUT, UTMB-TDS and Etna Trail, as well as more or less flat trail races like the Indian Summer Ultra 127K in NL. Your age should also not be an issue (I've passed 50 😉). What does matter is preference. I like a more direct shoe with a playful, agile and fast feel like the S/lab Ultra (actually the first edition S/Lab Sense Ultra was even better in my opinion). Even though Salomon claims that the shoe is designed for a heel landing, I think it's actually more a fore to mid foot landing shoe. I've tried and I own other shoes, like the Hoka Mafate and Speedgoat, but they don't feel as agile and playful. When it comes to cushion, my reasoning is the following (not based on actual research, but I did study Biomedical Engineering, so I do have some knowledge in that field): 1) Cushion should come from your running technique and not from the shoe. By landing on the forefoot with a slightly bended knee, your muscles and tendons have plenty of way to suspend the impact and turn the downward speed into an upward speed. The few mm extra cushion from a thicker sole adds very little when your technique is good. Of course, after 50K fatigue kicks in and technique is inevitably not flawless anymore. A little extra cushion is nice on the long distances, meaning I won't go running 100M on my S/Lab Sense 8 SG! 2) If you have postural issues, cushion can actually make things worse. A big stack places your foot higher above the ground, making it potentially more instable and the thick foam layer does not only allow for movement downwards, but also sideways. If your feet tend to skew sideways, the cushion may (especially when the shoe gets older) give more way for that. Curious how others experience this.
Hoi Bart, ik doe de 105km race in Val d’Aran volgende maand. Raad je de Speedgoats of Ultra 3 aan? Die laatste heb ik goede ervaringen mee voor 60km races in Spanje en Frankrijk maar Speedgoats zijn wellicht wat comfortabeler?
Kan allebei. De Ultra 3 is nog steeds mijn favoriete schoen, maar de Speedgoat is idd wat comfortabeler. Ik ben bij de VDA op de ultra gestart en ben bij de 100km gewisseld naar Speedgoats. Het is een behoorlijk technisch parcours en het voordeel van de ultra is - vind ik - dat ze lekker direct en laag zijn. Aan het eind slaat de vermoeidheid meer toe en is wat extra comfort wel fijn
Marine Corps 50k. My first ultra. It seems not to be much distance but to be a Type 1 Diabetic for 28 years and have an insulin pump, this is a big step. Goal 4:45. Thanks from Puerto Rico.
QD: I have the Hoka Mafate and Speedgoat, for very rocky places I prefer the Mafate, better durability too. I've just done the National 3 Peaks in 24 hours, I went 3 mountains in the Mafate and the shoe cameback like nothing had happened! 🇬🇧
I just ran Big Horn 100 this past Friday and Saturday and I ran in the Hoka Speedgoats! I started with an old pair Speedgoat 3’s and changed into the Speedgoat 4’s at the 50 mile mark and didn’t have any issues at all! Not a single blister! I was using think FitSoks also!
QD: Humanitrail in the Swiss Alps in September 2021, 50KM / 3'800M elevation gain, actually ordered the Inov-8 G270 and Salomon S/Lab Ultra 3, so it will probably be one of those. I’ve run an ultra last year in the Hoka Speedgoat 4 GTX, and I had some serious underfoot pain towards the end of the race. I suspect the high stack of the Speedgoats make you less mindful of your running technique, especially in the downhill. In my opinion, this results in injuries in the long haul (or even over the length of an ultra). That’s why I’m looking to run in something more minimalist. I’m in my 20s, so maybe I don’t need as much cushioning as you do Seth ;) Thanks a lot for the review and keep it up!!! ❤️
Not racing ultras, but I'm racing 3 trail marathons in technical terrains. I'm going with the Salomon Slab Sense 8SG. I love the booty style collar that works well as a gaiter, due to my races being on loose ground and volcanic sand. Huge fan of the Slab line up, I already took my Ultra 3 above 350 miles and they are still riding strong. I'm a lightweight runner who enjoys a firm ride
QD: I ran my first in person race ever june 5th, and it was a trail 50k. Could have definitly paced myself bettter but i was thrilled just to come across the finnish line!! And learn soso much about the sport! I have a trail 100k in October!
I'm travelling over from Ireland again for the Bigfoot 200 in August. Can't wait to see if I can improve on my 8th place 72-hour finish in 2019. I have been testing the new La Sportiva 'Karacal' ultra shoe, which has been pretty solid, but also have the Salomon Ultra Glide on order as another potential race shoe. Hey, if it's good enough for Courtney Dauwalter, it's good enough for me 😇
I think the Adidas TERREX Speed Ultra is a great contender against the Ultra 3, and it's $20 cheaper! On the Speed Ultra the midsole is also softer but should still last a very long time and the Continental grip is second to none!
I love the Adidas Terrex, the cushioning is perfect and continental grip on wet surfaces is better then anything else. But: I decided to run my mountain races in the Slab Ultra. Because the outsole and the lugs on the Adidas are for me not sufficient for technical terrains in the mountains. For anything else, Adidas Terrex Speed Ultra is perfect.
@@luciwolte9204 I used the Speed Ultras on a technical 50K with 6,500 ft of elevation gain (Jemez Mountains trail race last May) and they were the perfect shoe of choice for me! The grip was phenomenal and my feet couldn't have been more happy. I've got a video from that race on my channel if you want to check it out.
QoD: I'm doing a 50K on Friday in York, PA. This will be my first trail race ever. I will be using my brand new Altras Timp 3s. I run exclusively in zero drop and especially love it on the trails. The timps offer good cushion and great ground contact feel for how much you get under foot. I love them because I can forget about my feet and enjoy my runs!
My two peak races for 2021 are Imogene Pass Run in September in CO (Mountain Trail Race) and the Dallas Marathon (Road) at home in December. They will be my first two in person races ever! I’m not sure what shoes I’m going with. I thought about grabbing Saucony Endorphin Pro’s on sale for the Marathon, but really need to figure out what I’m hoping to run Imogene in…. I’m ready for some MATRIX VLOGS Seth! DGR Strong! 💪
QD: Next race in two weeks, Eco Trail Paris 45km and my shoe of choice will be the adidas Terrex Speed Ultra because the course is mostly on forest paths and the last kms are on paved road. The shoes feel great on any surface. Only concern might be lack of cushion for the distance but we will see how it goes :-)
my go-to saying when it comes to Salomon shoes is "you gotta take the bark with the bite.." as in.. bark'ing legs to go with the awesome 'bite' or grip they provide :]
I don't think I'll be running any ultras but I am looking forward to putting some serious trail miles on the Topo MTN Racer 2 this summer. I haven't been able to take them out on a first run just yet, but for me Topos have always had great lockdown and support throughout the upper, which gives me confidence navigating rocky trails here in Colorado. Plus apparently they went with a whole new ZipFoam midsole which is definitely softer, so hopefully this Topo will be more forgiving than others, too.
QD: Did my first 100 miler w 6000 HM here in May and used Hoka Torrent 2 and injinji socks, still bounce in the shoe crossing the finish line. Blister free, but the shoe inlay is worn down and the shoe is not that alive after a total of about 400 km in total. My first mountain 100k a couple of years ago was in the s lab ultra, my joints was totally busted…
I completed my first ultra in the s/lab ultra 2…I’m back of pack in an ultra, but this shoe was great for me. Good heel to toe at 8mm, firm, and I’ve run around 800km in them total.
QD: I’m training for the Grand Island Trail 50k in the upper peninsula of Michigan. I’m thinking the Hoka EVO Speedgoats will give me the supported ride I’ll need to finish. I’ve had a few niggles this train it block and won’t hit all my training goals, but I’m being patient and flexible. I’ll be running with my best friend, so hopefully him and the speedgoats will carry me to the finish!
QOD follow up: Only thing so far is Grindstone 100 miler in VA in September. Shoe will likely be either: Salomon Ultra 3, Ultra Glide or Evo Speedgoat. Not sure there's anything else in the pipeline that I'd consider.
QD. Doing my first 55km trail ultra in the lake district. Seth I am also getting older and the inov8 trailfly ultra has been fantastic. Lots of cushioning for these old legs!! Not cheap but worth it. 120miles in and no appreciable wear and tear. Not like the x talons a very big change for inov8, could be a challenge to the hoka ultra shoes and I know they will last longer as they are constructed for the wet North of England. Come on Seth you know it makes sense, give them a spin!
That's my same shoe plan for the Leadville / Silver Rush 50. may or may not change but its nice to have the option. Have a great race! I bet thats a beauty of a course.
I'm so excited for my first ever ultramarathon race happening this end of August! Its a 70k with 3450m of vert gain in the hills of Sapa, Vietnam. I went with the Speedgoat 4 as the terrain gets quite technical at times, and there is a chance of rain and mud, so I chose a safer option.
For anyone not sure about longer distances, I set a 105 mile FKT in this, running all the way to the end. Amazing shoe but maybe better on the softer UK trails over longer distances.
Not racing an ultra but I'm out for a tune-up 5k in the Atreyu Artist, going a little easy on my legs since this isn't the peak race and I think these will work nicely.
I'm registered for the Finlayson arm 50k race in September. It's is 52km with 10,000 feet of very technical rocky elevation gain/loss and I'm still searching for a shoe. Though I'm leaning to the Salomon sense ride 4.
QOD: I’m registered for The Rut!!! In Montana first weekend of September. I’ll be racing in the Hoka Evo Speedgoat for a number of reasons. Mega grip being a big one and also that cushion to save my legs from impact while defacing 10k ft over 50k
I ran the Linz 24 Donautrail 100K (1700m+) on May 29 in my old Hoka Mafate Speed 2 (perfect), will race the Traunsee Bergmarathon in July 3 (63km and 4500m+), possibly in the Hoka Evo Speedgoat or the La Sportiva Akasha and on September 9 I will race my second 100K Ultra Trail this year, the Mozart 100 (108K and 5000m+), maybe in the Hoka Evo Mafate 2, the Altra Olympus 4.0 or the Salomon Ultraglide, latter I don't own yet. GREETINGS FROM SALZBURG/AUSTRIA!!!
North country trail 1/2..hoka speedgoat 3..no other trail shoe has the cushioning, lockdown, traction and the structure to hold your foot in place in off camber trails
Take this review with a grain of salt. He says “I don’t know how you can run a long race in this midsole.” Courtney Dauwalter just won utmb (100+ miles) and set the course record in this shoe!
he got spoiled and became soft from wearing high stack shoes. even with road shoes he often says those are for 10k and shorter even though people used to run marathon with less than 30mm heel stack height
QD: I am registered for my first 100k race which is in the Jämtland mountains in Sweden in August. Was able to set a 85k trail FKT in south Sweden in mid-May in the Salomon Ultra S/Lab 2 which worked like a charm but now as I am going up in the mountains on more technical trails with 3,500 m of elevation gain, I wonder if it is really the right choice? Especially after seeing this video about the third iteration...
QD: Gaspesia 50G (53 km), today (in 3 hours...), I will be racing in Salomon Wildcross: they are great in muddy condition, which might be the case today.
This shoe upgrade was surprisingly underwhelming to me. It is well-crafted and competent in design, and the lockdown is excellent, but the midsole is dead! I ditched mine 25 miles into a 100 K in a Colorado mountain race last Fall. The Salomon Ultra Pro is more comfortable underfoot, but the VJ Ultra is definitely superior for distances beyond 50 miles. The Hoka EVO Mafate 2, and even the heavier Mafate Speed 3, are also much better ultra choices. The Craft CTM Carbon Ultra likewise is a more comfortable option for road-trail (set my 100-mile PR in that expensive but worth it Swedish shoe). Pulsar is awesome! But only for 50 K or less unless you are very light and young like Seth ;-) Next race is the Grand Mesa Ultra 55 K above 10,000’ in Western Colorado and it will be the VJ Ultra for me: Incredible on technical terrain but soooo comfy. Currently testing the Topo Mountain Racer 2, which is very promising so far.
QoD: For an upcoming 70K / +3500m in Hong Kong, I will go with my trustee Hoka Mafate Evo. Love the shoes for the cushioning they offer and a fairly low weight. The Matryx upper is super breathable and doesn’t retain water, which is my main issue, sweaty feet in very humid conditions.
QOD: Noble Canyon 50k as the B race and the Cuyamaca 100k as the A race. My shoe was gonna be the EVO Speedgoat but my pair are not going to make it through the training block and I hear it’s being discontinued. I’m at a loss and need your help. I may just got with the Torrent 2 because the new Zenal looks a little too lean for going 62 miles. Perhaps the new Salomon Ultra Glide? Need your help Seth!!!
Play that funky music white boy! Trail running sure provides a scenic aspect of the sport. Meanwhile, I'm getting ready to motor off for a 10K road race in Anaheim. In other news, I just sent away for a T-Shirt that says, "In my mind I'm a Kenyan. In my legs, I'm a fat chubby white guy." (Skips down the road laughing crazily!")
Is fit really true to size? I've found myself sizing DOWN 1/2 size in the latest couple years' worth of Salomons and it's been great. I'm still enjoying putting plenty of miles on my Ultra 2s and will likely pick these up when they're on sale. However, what I'm most hyped up for are the Ultra Glides. Can't. wait. for. those.
Thanks Seth! I found this super helpful as I currently own a single trail shoe (speedgoat 4 gtx) and after running my first mountain a few weeks ago have been looking for something firmer. The Ultra 3 was high on my list, but I’m thinking it may be a bit too firm. 🤷🏼♂️ Do you have any suggestions for something cheaper than the pulsar, and in between the ultra 3 and speedgoat in terms of cushion? PS - You don’t owe us any shoe reviews! We’re super grateful for all the help you give (for free!). Keep turning that doorknob, and release the other reviews whenever you can. 🙏🏼
QOD: I'm going to 66km races(twice) this year. For this purpose I bought Inov-8 Trailfly Ultras, but selling them after 75k 😟 Just too heavy and too high. I've been looking into Salomon Ultra V3 Vs. Pulsar as a replacement, and based on your reviews Pulsars will be my weapon of choice. Hoping for a long term relationship 😉 for the price
The s/lab ultra 2 was one of my favorite trail racing shoes, but I did feel it took a while for the midsole to break in....maybe that's the case here too?
How much do ya weigh? I’m sporting about 163-170 depending on weekly volume. As a novice old dude runner (25-30 mi/wk) too cushy saps the energy from calves n quads. Do these have some spring (is that what you refer to as responsive?) Thanx for video!
:COD: If you prefer more cushion under your shoes during trail running try the salmon ultra glide. I've seen a video on different runningchannel called believe in the run and they highly recommend this shoes for his much more cushioning than allother salamontrailshoes before. Courtney Dauwalter love this shoe too. Here in Germany it's already available for one or two weeks something like that and cost 139,95 euro. In my opinion they're my next trail shoes but first I have to fix my hallux rigidius in my left foot. I've changed today from the shoedio super fans to the dir racing Crew status :-) Wish you all a good day.
Hey dude, thanks for the review. My foot size is 27cm, I wear Asics kayano US10 (28CM). Should I go for 28cm (US 10.5) in Salomon or US10 (27.5cm)? How is the size fit for this shoe?
Sorry mate, Pulsar vs S Lab Ultra 3 is for most people not the question, nobody will run Hardrock 100 or other technical Ultras in the Pulsar, and Pulsar is most likely for the lighter, efficient runners like yourself. You're completely right about the price though, who can afford this and what"s the benefit over a Sense Ride 4 and the likes for the standard runner ?
QD: registered to my first 50 miler this fall. Haven’t decided yet on the shoe choice. Speed goat 4? Fresh foam more trail? Or this new Ultra Glide shoe from Salomon looks promising. Have the sense ride 2 but was relegated to trail walks only…too firm
Agree with you Seth, upper is great, did 50km and last 15km I was really struggling - i was aching! Have a 80km event in August and I am questioning ‘ultra’ in the name, thinking of an Endorphin Trail with all the cushion may be the answer! Out soon, so I live in hope 🏃🏻
Wow! I never thought I would get mentioned in One of Seth’s vids! Thank you
Def I never trust any reviews until I test the shoes myself, the Salomon Slab Ultra 3 is the best trail running I tried so far, long and short runs… we also have different terrains around the world, I live in Costa Rica and here we dont have “soft trail” as I can see you have in US, we have muddy and humid trails. Try the shoes and don’t get discouraged by reviews
Pikes peak ultra (July), Leadville 100 (august), RRR Grand Canyon (September) Boston m (October) tunnel hill 100 (November) : shoes , Hoka Challenger atr 5 , Hoka Mach 4. Reasons: fit , comfort and weight. 😀
I guess I’ll have to do my own Boston 10 review. Just picked them up yesterday 😂
I bought this shoe and have been doing the vast majority of my trail miles in it. Last weekend I took it on 15miles of very technical trails and had no issues with the midsole. However, it is supposed to be my shoe for a 50 mile race in August , something I am currently questioning. I think something more cushioned will be better. The Salaomon Ultra Glide is about to be released and the early reviews are that it has a much softer midsole.
I think the Ultra Glide are the real deal.
I did a 50k in this shoe last month. This shoe feels so nice on my foot like a realy comfy sock with trail grip :P I use this shoe only for my long runs (>21k). I like my shoes not too soft but I'd like to try the Ultra Glide for my daily easy runs.
I ran in this shoe for a 50 miler after only wearing it for 4 miles, before the race. It was great. SJD is crazy for this one.
Awesome video editing within that first 1:15
QD: The Cape Wrath ultra in August. Around 240 miles through Scotland over 8 days. Seth previously has mentioned the Dragon’s Back race; this is run by the same company.
I've run 50km + trail runs in the Brooks Caldera 3, Hoka Torrent 2, and On CLoudventure Peak. Of these, my legs felt freshest the next day in the more maximalist Caldera 3 and really quite beat up in the firmer Cloudventure Peak. Going forward I'll be using the Cloudventure Peak in races up to 21km. The slightly softer Torrent 2 is a great versatile trainer/racer for any distance up to 50km (for me) and the Caldera 3 can certainly go the distance in comfort albeit it at a slower pace.
Salomon shoes are typically firm. Some people like it others don't. I like firm. You wouldn't find me in a Hoka but that's why there's so much choice nowadays. To each their own
So glad you're looking at these. I'm very keen, but they're *very* expensive
They generally go on deep discount later in the year and Salomons last so much longer than virtually any other brand.
My wife got me a pair of these for Christmas. I love them. The longest I’ve taken them is a half marathon. No problem. I live in Utah and do a lot of steep up/down in rocky terrain.
They have 150 miles and are holding up amazingly well. The toe lugs are only slightly rounded.
I agree that they are too expensive for what they are. I wouldn’t have paid that, but my wife is awesome.
COS trails are incredibly varied, diverse, and extensive. Just picked up the Sense Ride 4s for some fast packing and trails in Utah/western slope of CO, we'll see how the midsoles/outsoles hold up in heat and for the lack of "softness." I'll +1 others who recommend testing the Ultraglide 4 from Salomon, which is supposed to be much softer and great for western trails.
Getting fancy with the editing of the run montage at the start. 🙌🏼
Seth,I just wanted to thank you for all of your shoe reviews, I just bought and tested 2 of them. Today I drove over to a local Track to try out 2 new shoes, The Soucony Endorphin Speed V1 and NB Rebel V2. I felt like I was running in spikes with the Speed, I was forefoot running almost on toes. I planned to do a 'fast' mile with 1/2 mile recovery. I felt like I was racing and went way too fast 7:09 mile. I then switched to NB Rebel and it was very different, very squishy, and the toe box is a little narrow, I will have to use thin socks. Did a 7:16 mile but had to work for it, felt better during 1/2 mile recovery. Thanks
I'm registered for a 100km trail race (Bear trail) end of October. My shoe of choice will be a Hoka but have to decide which one to buy. I love my Evo speedgoat s but also looking at the Torrent. I will replay the vlog on the comparison to help my decision. Last time I forgot my trail shoes and completed the race on my Carbon Rockets. After 80 km my legs were dead but that was also my first ultra so can not say it were the shoes. My Evo's are now at 1500km and still holding, only the lugs are gone in forefoot. Keep running!
Hi Seth, will you consider LaSportiva shoes in the future? Or is this brand not so popular in your area?
Not easy to get in North America
Best shoes for mountain running by a country mile
@@charlesoutthere lmao
@@irunovermountains Vertical mile 😉
@@fionntanoconnor5040 😂😂 It’s so wrong, but it’s right
QD: peak race for the rest of the year is the Grindstone 100 miler, which was my first 100 mile finish back in 2019. Hope to take a few hours off of my time from 2019, as the last 40 miles were an absolute death march where I literally couldn't run 😆 I'll be rocking my tried-and-trusted EVO Speedgoats on race day, because I still stand by the fact that they're the best trail shoe ever made. I have a few smaller races lined up before and after Grindstone, but that's the A race for summer 2021.
QD: Hi from South Africa Seth, I'll be racing my first Ultra next Saturday at the George MUT (Mountain Ultra Trail). It's 60km (37miles) of technical mountain running (vert +/- 3600m or 11800 ft). I'll be running in the S/Lab Ultra 3. After 275km I love the nimbleness and ground feel that come with the super upper and responsive midsole. So far my longest run with them is 34km and felt great - I do tend to prefer a firmer ride on trail though... The trails here are just too rugged to make the Pulsar a viable option most of the time. Thanks for an incredible vlog - it has inspired me every day through my toughest 12-week training block yet!
Hey Seth, I’m taking part in the 100k Saint Cuthberts Way Ultra on the 10th June. The route runs from Melrose in Scotland across the Cheviot hills to Holy Island just off the Northumberland coast. The race is named “race against the tide”, there’s a 3 mile causeway to the finish so....if you don’t get there in time then the tide comes in and you can’t finish the course......gutted after 95k. Stay safe and keep up the great work. Shoe of choice will be the s/lab 3 or topo Ultraventure 2.
I'm going to count the upcoming Pikes Peak Marathon my Ultra race because it's such a difficult and different Marathon! I'm going with the Hoka EVO Speedgoats this year! Went with The Salomon S-Lab Sense 8 SGs last year! Loved them but just wasn't enough coushion for me! They were lighter but not enough there for me and my 175lbs. PIKES PEAK 2021! LETS GO STEH!!! 2 MONTHS OUT!
Sorry i totally disagree here. For technical terrain there is nothing worse then too soft shoes with big stack hights. Plus when the shoe is too soft, on long runs my feet and legs get even more tired.
For me the Slab Ultra Series is perfect for long and very long runs on trail, no matter how technical.
That your muscles getting tired in this shoes really tells more about your too often running in too soft shoes.
Hi Seth,
QD: My next race coming up is the Val d'Aran by UTMB, starting June 9th in the Pyrenees. 100 miles/162km with a whopping 10.700 meter elevation gain. That last figure feels quite intimidating when you live in ultra-flat Netherlands like me. My shoe of choice will almost certainly be the S/Lab Ultra 3, though I will probably put a pair of Speedgoats in my halfway dropbag in case I want to shift to more cushion. I finished the GTLC 100 mile / 6900m d+ in the Ardennes three weeks ago on the same shoes. I considered it a dress rehearsal, running at very low pace to avoid injuries and long recovery).
The S/Lab Ultra 3 (and it's predecessors the S/Lab Ultra 2 and the S/Lab Sense Ultra) are still my favorate shoes for varied and not too muddy terrain. If it's very muddy the lugs are simply not big enough. They are also not ideal when running through very fine sand, which I experienced flying down the ankle deep gravel slopes at the Etna Trail and recently running the 220km Duinhopper through the Dutch dunes. The very fine sand enters the shoe through the relatively open mesh, making you stop to empty your shoes. There's no reason why you should only use this shoe on shorter trails. I've used the S/Lab Ultra 3 and it's predecessors in two 100M races, six 100K races and a bunch of 50M/50K races, including both mountainous races like MIUT, UTMB-TDS and Etna Trail, as well as more or less flat trail races like the Indian Summer Ultra 127K in NL. Your age should also not be an issue (I've passed 50 😉).
What does matter is preference. I like a more direct shoe with a playful, agile and fast feel like the S/lab Ultra (actually the first edition S/Lab Sense Ultra was even better in my opinion). Even though Salomon claims that the shoe is designed for a heel landing, I think it's actually more a fore to mid foot landing shoe. I've tried and I own other shoes, like the Hoka Mafate and Speedgoat, but they don't feel as agile and playful.
When it comes to cushion, my reasoning is the following (not based on actual research, but I did study Biomedical Engineering, so I do have some knowledge in that field):
1) Cushion should come from your running technique and not from the shoe. By landing on the forefoot with a slightly bended knee, your muscles and tendons have plenty of way to suspend the impact and turn the downward speed into an upward speed. The few mm extra cushion from a thicker sole adds very little when your technique is good. Of course, after 50K fatigue kicks in and technique is inevitably not flawless anymore. A little extra cushion is nice on the long distances, meaning I won't go running 100M on my S/Lab Sense 8 SG!
2) If you have postural issues, cushion can actually make things worse. A big stack places your foot higher above the ground, making it potentially more instable and the thick foam layer does not only allow for movement downwards, but also sideways. If your feet tend to skew sideways, the cushion may (especially when the shoe gets older) give more way for that.
Curious how others experience this.
Hoi Bart, ik doe de 105km race in Val d’Aran volgende maand. Raad je de Speedgoats of Ultra 3 aan? Die laatste heb ik goede ervaringen mee voor 60km races in Spanje en Frankrijk maar Speedgoats zijn wellicht wat comfortabeler?
Kan allebei. De Ultra 3 is nog steeds mijn favoriete schoen, maar de Speedgoat is idd wat comfortabeler. Ik ben bij de VDA op de ultra gestart en ben bij de 100km gewisseld naar Speedgoats.
Het is een behoorlijk technisch parcours en het voordeel van de ultra is - vind ik - dat ze lekker direct en laag zijn. Aan het eind slaat de vermoeidheid meer toe en is wat extra comfort wel fijn
Marine Corps 50k. My first ultra. It seems not to be much distance but to be a Type 1 Diabetic for 28 years and have an insulin pump, this is a big step. Goal 4:45. Thanks from Puerto Rico.
QD: I have the Hoka Mafate and Speedgoat, for very rocky places I prefer the Mafate, better durability too. I've just done the National 3 Peaks in 24 hours, I went 3 mountains in the Mafate and the shoe cameback like nothing had happened! 🇬🇧
I just ran Big Horn 100 this past Friday and Saturday and I ran in the Hoka Speedgoats! I started with an old pair Speedgoat 3’s and changed into the Speedgoat 4’s at the 50 mile mark and didn’t have any issues at all! Not a single blister! I was using think FitSoks also!
I’m just waiting for the Salomon ultra glide to become available. That is one shoe that looks like it’s going to be very good.
I hadn't heard of that one, but now that I have, I'm waiting for it, too!
They are live on EU site
QD: Humanitrail in the Swiss Alps in September 2021, 50KM / 3'800M elevation gain, actually ordered the Inov-8 G270 and Salomon S/Lab Ultra 3, so it will probably be one of those. I’ve run an ultra last year in the Hoka Speedgoat 4 GTX, and I had some serious underfoot pain towards the end of the race. I suspect the high stack of the Speedgoats make you less mindful of your running technique, especially in the downhill. In my opinion, this results in injuries in the long haul (or even over the length of an ultra). That’s why I’m looking to run in something more minimalist. I’m in my 20s, so maybe I don’t need as much cushioning as you do Seth ;) Thanks a lot for the review and keep it up!!! ❤️
I'm registered for Utds, a 100mile run. My shoe of choice will be the Speedgoat 4.
Running the Oregon Cascades 100 miler. Wearing EVO Speedgoats! 70 days until it's go time.
Not racing ultras, but I'm racing 3 trail marathons in technical terrains. I'm going with the Salomon Slab Sense 8SG. I love the booty style collar that works well as a gaiter, due to my races being on loose ground and volcanic sand. Huge fan of the Slab line up, I already took my Ultra 3 above 350 miles and they are still riding strong. I'm a lightweight runner who enjoys a firm ride
Love it- your editing is getting better and better! 💪
QD: I ran my first in person race ever june 5th, and it was a trail 50k. Could have definitly paced myself bettter but i was thrilled just to come across the finnish line!! And learn soso much about the sport! I have a trail 100k in October!
I'm travelling over from Ireland again for the Bigfoot 200 in August. Can't wait to see if I can improve on my 8th place 72-hour finish in 2019. I have been testing the new La Sportiva 'Karacal' ultra shoe, which has been pretty solid, but also have the Salomon Ultra Glide on order as another potential race shoe. Hey, if it's good enough for Courtney Dauwalter, it's good enough for me 😇
Also racing the Moab 240 for the first time in October. I wonder are any other channel members running the 200 miler?
I think the Adidas TERREX Speed Ultra is a great contender against the Ultra 3, and it's $20 cheaper! On the Speed Ultra the midsole is also softer but should still last a very long time and the Continental grip is second to none!
I love the Adidas Terrex, the cushioning is perfect and continental grip on wet surfaces is better then anything else.
But: I decided to run my mountain races in the Slab Ultra. Because the outsole and the lugs on the Adidas are for me not sufficient for technical terrains in the mountains.
For anything else, Adidas Terrex Speed Ultra is perfect.
@@luciwolte9204 I used the Speed Ultras on a technical 50K with 6,500 ft of elevation gain (Jemez Mountains trail race last May) and they were the perfect shoe of choice for me! The grip was phenomenal and my feet couldn't have been more happy. I've got a video from that race on my channel if you want to check it out.
QoD: I'm doing a 50K on Friday in York, PA. This will be my first trail race ever. I will be using my brand new Altras Timp 3s. I run exclusively in zero drop and especially love it on the trails. The timps offer good cushion and great ground contact feel for how much you get under foot. I love them because I can forget about my feet and enjoy my runs!
lol Have 2 pair of Pulsar on the way 10.5 for trails and size 10 for road racing......I listened to your pre-review. Looking forward to em.
My two peak races for 2021 are Imogene Pass Run in September in CO (Mountain Trail Race) and the Dallas Marathon (Road) at home in December. They will be my first two in person races ever!
I’m not sure what shoes I’m going with. I thought about grabbing Saucony Endorphin Pro’s on sale for the Marathon, but really need to figure out what I’m hoping to run Imogene in…. I’m ready for some MATRIX VLOGS Seth!
DGR Strong! 💪
QD: Next race in two weeks, Eco Trail Paris 45km and my shoe of choice will be the adidas Terrex Speed Ultra because the course is mostly on forest paths and the last kms are on paved road. The shoes feel great on any surface. Only concern might be lack of cushion for the distance but we will see how it goes :-)
my go-to saying when it comes to Salomon shoes is "you gotta take the bark with the bite.." as in.. bark'ing legs to go with the awesome 'bite' or grip they provide :]
I don't think I'll be running any ultras but I am looking forward to putting some serious trail miles on the Topo MTN Racer 2 this summer. I haven't been able to take them out on a first run just yet, but for me Topos have always had great lockdown and support throughout the upper, which gives me confidence navigating rocky trails here in Colorado. Plus apparently they went with a whole new ZipFoam midsole which is definitely softer, so hopefully this Topo will be more forgiving than others, too.
QD: Did my first 100 miler w 6000 HM here in May and used Hoka Torrent 2 and injinji socks, still bounce in the shoe crossing the finish line. Blister free, but the shoe inlay is worn down and the shoe is not that alive after a total of about 400 km in total. My first mountain 100k a couple of years ago was in the s lab ultra, my joints was totally busted…
I completed my first ultra in the s/lab ultra 2…I’m back of pack in an ultra, but this shoe was great for me. Good heel to toe at 8mm, firm, and I’ve run around 800km in them total.
QD: I’m training for the Grand Island Trail 50k in the upper peninsula of Michigan. I’m thinking the Hoka EVO Speedgoats will give me the supported ride I’ll need to finish. I’ve had a few niggles this train it block and won’t hit all my training goals, but I’m being patient and flexible. I’ll be running with my best friend, so hopefully him and the speedgoats will carry me to the finish!
QOD follow up: Only thing so far is Grindstone 100 miler in VA in September. Shoe will likely be either: Salomon Ultra 3, Ultra Glide or Evo Speedgoat. Not sure there's anything else in the pipeline that I'd consider.
QD. Doing my first 55km trail ultra in the lake district. Seth I am also getting older and the inov8 trailfly ultra has been fantastic. Lots of cushioning for these old legs!! Not cheap but worth it. 120miles in and no appreciable wear and tear. Not like the x talons a very big change for inov8, could be a challenge to the hoka ultra shoes and I know they will last longer as they are constructed for the wet North of England. Come on Seth you know it makes sense, give them a spin!
Running the Black Hills 50 (52) in one week. This will be my first ultra. I am going to start in the EVO Speedgoat with Speedgoat 4s in the drop bag.
That's my same shoe plan for the Leadville / Silver Rush 50. may or may not change but its nice to have the option. Have a great race! I bet thats a beauty of a course.
Best of luck! I’m running the 100 for the second time.
@@tamiharmon8663 awesome! What’s your go to shoe?
I'm so excited for my first ever ultramarathon race happening this end of August! Its a 70k with 3450m of vert gain in the hills of Sapa, Vietnam. I went with the Speedgoat 4 as the terrain gets quite technical at times, and there is a chance of rain and mud, so I chose a safer option.
For anyone not sure about longer distances, I set a 105 mile FKT in this, running all the way to the end. Amazing shoe but maybe better on the softer UK trails over longer distances.
My next ultra will be the Javelina Jundred in AZ, and shoe of choice will be the Endorphin Trail! I have been waiting impatiently for it’s release.
Not racing an ultra but I'm out for a tune-up 5k in the Atreyu Artist, going a little easy on my legs since this isn't the peak race and I think these will work nicely.
I'm registered for the Finlayson arm 50k race in September. It's is 52km with 10,000 feet of very technical rocky elevation gain/loss and I'm still searching for a shoe. Though I'm leaning to the Salomon sense ride 4.
QOD: I’m registered for The Rut!!! In Montana first weekend of September. I’ll be racing in the Hoka Evo Speedgoat for a number of reasons. Mega grip being a big one and also that cushion to save my legs from impact while defacing 10k ft over 50k
I ran the Linz 24 Donautrail 100K (1700m+) on May 29 in my old Hoka Mafate Speed 2 (perfect), will race the Traunsee Bergmarathon in July 3 (63km and 4500m+), possibly in the Hoka Evo Speedgoat or the La Sportiva Akasha and on September 9 I will race my second 100K Ultra Trail this year, the Mozart 100 (108K and 5000m+), maybe in the Hoka Evo Mafate 2, the Altra Olympus 4.0 or the Salomon Ultraglide, latter I don't own yet. GREETINGS FROM SALZBURG/AUSTRIA!!!
North country trail 1/2..hoka speedgoat 3..no other trail shoe has the cushioning, lockdown, traction and the structure to hold your foot in place in off camber trails
Morning , heading out for a comfy 20k this morning. What's your running plan today?
Take this review with a grain of salt. He says “I don’t know how you can run a long race in this midsole.” Courtney Dauwalter just won utmb (100+ miles) and set the course record in this shoe!
he got spoiled and became soft from wearing high stack shoes. even with road shoes he often says those are for 10k and shorter even though people used to run marathon with less than 30mm heel stack height
QD: I am registered for my first 100k race which is in the Jämtland mountains in Sweden in August. Was able to set a 85k trail FKT in south Sweden in mid-May in the Salomon Ultra S/Lab 2 which worked like a charm but now as I am going up in the mountains on more technical trails with 3,500 m of elevation gain, I wonder if it is really the right choice? Especially after seeing this video about the third iteration...
QD: Gaspesia 50G (53 km), today (in 3 hours...), I will be racing in Salomon Wildcross: they are great in muddy condition, which might be the case today.
Good luck out there!!
@@philippegagne268 it was a mudd fest! But I made it before cutoff.
@@alexandreparadis2776 awesome, good to hear you finished the race. Looks like you picked the right shoe!
This shoe upgrade was surprisingly underwhelming to me. It is well-crafted and competent in design, and the lockdown is excellent, but the midsole is dead! I ditched mine 25 miles into a 100 K in a Colorado mountain race last Fall. The Salomon Ultra Pro is more comfortable underfoot, but the VJ Ultra is definitely superior for distances beyond 50 miles. The Hoka EVO Mafate 2, and even the heavier Mafate Speed 3, are also much better ultra choices. The Craft CTM Carbon Ultra likewise is a more comfortable option for road-trail (set my 100-mile PR in that expensive but worth it Swedish shoe). Pulsar is awesome! But only for 50 K or less unless you are very light and young like Seth ;-) Next race is the Grand Mesa Ultra 55 K above 10,000’ in Western Colorado and it will be the VJ Ultra for me: Incredible on technical terrain but soooo comfy. Currently testing the Topo Mountain Racer 2, which is very promising so far.
Great tips Troy, will look into this VJ Ultra. Good luck for your upcoming race!
@@philippegagne268 you too, Philippe!
QoD: For an upcoming 70K / +3500m in Hong Kong, I will go with my trustee Hoka Mafate Evo. Love the shoes for the cushioning they offer and a fairly low weight. The Matryx upper is super breathable and doesn’t retain water, which is my main issue, sweaty feet in very humid conditions.
I usually skip the running footage. But this one was cool. Good work
For more cushion, looks like the Ultra Glide might be interesting?
Im curious to try those shoes. waiting for Salomon to restock it though.
QOD: Noble Canyon 50k as the B race and the Cuyamaca 100k as the A race. My shoe was gonna be the EVO Speedgoat but my pair are not going to make it through the training block and I hear it’s being discontinued. I’m at a loss and need your help. I may just got with the Torrent 2 because the new Zenal looks a little too lean for going 62 miles. Perhaps the new Salomon Ultra Glide? Need your help Seth!!!
Play that funky music white boy! Trail running sure provides a scenic aspect of the sport. Meanwhile, I'm getting ready to motor off for a 10K road race in Anaheim. In other news, I just sent away for a T-Shirt that says, "In my mind I'm a Kenyan. In my legs, I'm a fat chubby white guy." (Skips down the road laughing crazily!")
Hi Seth what happens with the Review of the Boston 10? And the Adios Pro 2 and Adios 6,
Is fit really true to size? I've found myself sizing DOWN 1/2 size in the latest couple years' worth of Salomons and it's been great. I'm still enjoying putting plenty of miles on my Ultra 2s and will likely pick these up when they're on sale. However, what I'm most hyped up for are the Ultra Glides. Can't. wait. for. those.
Thanks Seth! I found this super helpful as I currently own a single trail shoe (speedgoat 4 gtx) and after running my first mountain a few weeks ago have been looking for something firmer. The Ultra 3 was high on my list, but I’m thinking it may be a bit too firm. 🤷🏼♂️
Do you have any suggestions for something cheaper than the pulsar, and in between the ultra 3 and speedgoat in terms of cushion?
PS - You don’t owe us any shoe reviews! We’re super grateful for all the help you give (for free!). Keep turning that doorknob, and release the other reviews whenever you can. 🙏🏼
I’m running my first 50miler called the Coyote Run. Not sure about shoe yet😬
QOD: I'm going to 66km races(twice) this year. For this purpose I bought Inov-8 Trailfly Ultras, but selling them after 75k 😟 Just too heavy and too high. I've been looking into Salomon Ultra V3 Vs. Pulsar as a replacement, and based on your reviews Pulsars will be my weapon of choice. Hoping for a long term relationship 😉 for the price
I would like to have the Hokamon S/Lab Speedgoat. Salomon upper, Hoka mid and out. 😄
Opening scene was 🔥 nice job!
The s/lab ultra 2 was one of my favorite trail racing shoes, but I did feel it took a while for the midsole to break in....maybe that's the case here too?
How much do ya weigh? I’m sporting about 163-170 depending on weekly volume. As a novice old dude runner (25-30 mi/wk) too cushy saps the energy from calves n quads. Do these have some spring (is that what you refer to as responsive?) Thanx for video!
Hello seth , where is the Maxroad 5 review ? 🤔
QD: 90k trail ultra, first One! Thinking of buying the ultra glide when they appear.
Sacrificing cushion for being better on technical terrain?
can you talk about blisters and shoes that help?
:COD: If you prefer more cushion under your shoes during trail running try the salmon ultra glide.
I've seen a video on different runningchannel called believe in the run and they highly recommend this shoes for his much more cushioning than allother salamontrailshoes before. Courtney Dauwalter love this shoe too. Here in Germany it's already available for one or two weeks something like that and cost 139,95 euro. In my opinion they're my next trail shoes but first I have to fix my hallux rigidius in my left foot. I've changed today from the shoedio super fans to the dir racing Crew status :-) Wish you all a good day.
Hey dude, thanks for the review. My foot size is 27cm, I wear Asics kayano US10 (28CM). Should I go for 28cm (US 10.5) in Salomon or US10 (27.5cm)? How is the size fit for this shoe?
Sorry mate, Pulsar vs S Lab Ultra 3 is for most people not the question, nobody will run Hardrock 100 or other technical Ultras in the Pulsar, and Pulsar is most likely for the lighter, efficient runners like yourself. You're completely right about the price though, who can afford this and what"s the benefit over a Sense Ride 4 and the likes for the standard runner ?
Slab shoes are ones of the best on the market 😎
You need to try the new ultra glide
Next race is a 50km, and I’m going with Saucony Peregrine 10
what is the best trail running shoes for you now?
9:49 lol
What was the song that seth played in the beginning of the video?
Michael Shynes- "Back to 95"
QD: registered to my first 50 miler this fall. Haven’t decided yet on the shoe choice. Speed goat 4? Fresh foam more trail? Or this new Ultra Glide shoe from Salomon looks promising. Have the sense ride 2 but was relegated to trail walks only…too firm
I dont't understand Seth, you said ..." unbelievable, the toe box is perfect.." and you note it 8/10
Try the new shoe brad: Speedland, they have a limited model.
Model name: Sl:pdx
And the new Terrex Seth?
Love the ultra 3s
Goal race is Grindstone 100 in September. Goal is to survive…
Yeah, Seth been sandbaggin Salomon's for a while..
These seem a lot like the saucony peregrine but cost 60 bucks more.
Love it, love it, love it!!!
Thrilled to know Salomon is now owned by Anta of China 🇨🇳
QD: Never Summer 100k, inov8-Ultra G and Axis trails shoes.
That's a beautiful shoe!
Agree with you Seth, upper is great, did 50km and last 15km I was really struggling - i was aching! Have a 80km event in August and I am questioning ‘ultra’ in the name, thinking of an Endorphin Trail with all the cushion may be the answer! Out soon, so I live in hope 🏃🏻
Never before have i been this early