Price: $120
Specs: 8mm heel-toe drop; 9.7 oz. (men’s 9), 8.2 oz. (women’s 7)
The Scoop: Salomon Sense Ride is a cushy, comfortable, versatile and smooth-riding trail runner that’s buzzing with energy. It’s built with many of the high-end components found on Salomon’s S-Lab pro models, but it lacks the elite-level price tag. The key part of this shoe is the full-length Opal Vibe midsole material that offers maximal responsiveness and plenty of cushioning for long mountain runs and steep downhills. The Premium Wet Traction Contagrip outsole rubber and multi-directional lug configuration offer up exceptional adhesiveness without being overbearing. The low-profile lugs grip to all sorts or wet and dry surfaces and the built-in flex grooves allow for maximum agility and natural foot flex on smooth and technical terrain. It also has a Profeel Film decoupled rock plate in the forefoot for added protection.
Who’s it best for? Runners who blend a variety of mountain trails, dirt paths, gravel roads and sometimes even pavement to log their daily runs. Yes, it’s that versatile of a shoe.
Plus: Salomon’s distinctive one-pull lacing system offers easy-on, easy-off access and a universal snugness with one tug. It goes a long way in enhancing the athletic fit of the shoe and helps provide confidence and security on technical terrain.
Minus: It’s most at home on mild to moderate trails, but it wouldn’t be our shoe of choice for full-on, gnarly mountain routes.
