Salomon - GENESIS GORE-TEX

Interesting. I run with the Genesis GTX since May 2025 and don't enjoy it very much. The shoe feels heavy and pretty mushy.\ I chose the Genesis as a more road/trail mix alternative to my very old, beloved Speedcross 2.

I bought the Salomon _Genesis GTX_ (EU: 42 / US: 8.5) in April, actively use it since May (ran 132.5 km so far with this shoe).\ Bought it for mostly road running and occasional light trail running (in wet conditions).\ Well, I wish I could say something positive about it. Unfortunately this shoe feels quite heavy/chunky. Also the Goretex material isn't very breathable, my feet feel quite sweaty even after a quick 5k run. At least it is water tight. Which brings me to another contra: the outsole feels very slippery when I run on wet gravel or even worse on wet tarmac. Did I mention that I don't like its thick/chunky midsole? For heavier runners the thick padding/cushioning might be beneficial, but for me it isn't (I weigh around 68 kg). I prefer a shoe with a lower drop (like the good old Speedcross 2).\ The toe box feels kinda narrow, the heel feels very soft. Does not provide a lot guidance for the heel I think.

2 pair.\ Brooks Catamount 3\ Salomon Genesis GTX (feels more like tarmac focused shoe to me though)

I've been running with the Genesis GTX since March (262 km).\ Imho yes, the shoe is capable of light trails (loose gravel, roots/forest trails, wet rock), it's just a heavy shoe.

Brooks Catamount 3: 454 km (282.1 mi)\ Salomon Genesis GTX: 275 km (170.87 mi)

I've been running with Salomon Genesis since March.\ Encountered heel slip as well (weirdly on the right side like you). I've been through 3 pairs of socks until I found one which pairs well with the shoe in terms of material/material thickness.\ I'm wearing EU 42.

These are some cheap ones I got from a local store in my city (Salzburg, Austria). I'd say the fabric thickness is about 2x the thickness of typical sneaker style socks.\ I personally think the Genesis were the wrong choice for my foot anatomy/style of running anyway. My other pair (Brooks Catamount 3) literally fits like a glove.

Okay, so based on how you describe these issues, i think you have a pretty narrow foot, but i'm confused by the fact that you like the Hierro - this is pretty wide fitting and "plush" cushioned. SO maybe i have that wrong. But the best fitting shoes in the industry come from VJ. They have an amazing fitlock system which is peak stability. They have brilliant outsole rubber for technical trails, roots and wet rocks. They are epic for OCRs and orienteering. However, the midsole is usually a bit firm and numb, so they're not fit for road-to-trail. I've run in Ultra3 and Sparks, and if you're a lighter, smaller runner they will probably be fine. Alternatively, look at Salomon - the S/Lab Speed, Ultra, Genesis, etc are all narrow but have great lockdown. You have to persist with the lace system - sometimes you have to play with the lockdown 2-3 times before it all sits right, but I've loved running in the CDW Genesis for the last year.

Agree, it really depends on how fast, how far, the ratio of road to trail etc. my Saucony Tempus are pretty good on park run trails and “fire track” style roads. Puma shoes with their Puma Grip are great in the rain or on slightly uneven terrain. Then you have what some call Commuter shoes - road to trail shoes with lower lug depth and softer midsole. Hoka’s Challenger ATR isn’t bad, and the Tecton X and X2 had proper gravel lugs that worked well, along with shows like the Saucony Xodus Ultra, Nike Terra Kiger or Pegasus Trail. Personally I’ve just run in road shoes if it’s dry, and I trust my trail shoes (currently Salomon Genesis and Hoka Mafate 5) in the wet or more technical terrain.

Hello. As a lot of people say, a good road shoe will be good on the hard packed trails as well. But if you want a bit more traction and security, go with something that has a good foam and a smaller lugs. Options I’ve run in and like include: - Hoka Mafate Speed 4 / Tecton X - Salomon Genesis / Ultra Glide - La Sportiva Prodigio Pro - Merrell Agility Peak 5 - Brooks Catamount 4 - Saucony Xodus Ultra 1 / 2 (avoid the 3) For reference I am 85kg and usually run 30km / week.

Hoka Mafate 5 is comfy and fun. Mafate Speed 4 is still good but a little narrower and not quite so bouncy. I used to run in Speedgoats a lot but think the 5 & 6 are missing some comfort and the foam isn’t returning the energy of newer shoes. Salomon Genesis or Ultra Glide are both good if you can accommodate a narrower fit. I prefer the protection of the Genesis over the Ultra Glide. Prodigio Pro is also fun and bouncy, but much lighter, less protection around the ankle and so a bit more stripped back. Everyone I know loves them though. Hoka Tecton X 3 is a similar proposition to the Prodigio but both are spendy. Hoka is slightly more stable and bouncy but there is very little in it. If you want the best outsole rubber money can buy, look at the VJ Ultra 3. Seriously, the lugs and rubber is like glue. Finally, the Saucony Xodus Ultra is a good shoe for distances like this. It’s also comfy and protective. Just avoid the 2 or 3 and go for the latest version 4.

Oh I use “shoe rotation” as a regular excuse to buy more shoes, but in the real world I have: - shoe for trails and ultras (Salomon Genesis currently) - shoe for technical and short trails (Hoka Zinal 2) - shoe for gravel / road to trail (Hoka Tecton X) - shoe for deep or thick mud (Inov8 X-Talon Ultra) - shoe for OCR racing (VJ Spark)

As many people have said here, the SG6 is too firm and has lost some of its “fun”. The Merrell Agility Peak 5 is a good option. The Saucony Xodus Ultra 1 / 2 are great. Miss version 3. Version 4 is supposed to be a return to form. Salomon Genesis is a good shoe I’ve run 200km in but runs narrow. I am loving the Mafate 5 but it’s a marmite shoe for this community I’ve noticed. La Sportiva Prodigeo Pro has a lot of fans but the midsole is less stable, more bouncy and it’s not cheap. The North Face Vectiv Series are decent now - there’s a lot to choose from. Final option if you want great outsole grip is the VJ Ultra 3. Fab lockdown too.

Both Asics gortex and Salomon gortex Ive found to be the best I've used.   I get probably 2-3000km out of them?   Say 8km a day of sandstone gravel fire trails and rocky escarpments for a year. I  would get 12-18 months out of them.   Sometimes I just wear out heel rubber and foam is still good so I build it back up using Sikaflex or something to go another 6 month lol 

Solomon’s are great. The mud doesn’t pack up op the sole, super waterproof. The tread is ultra durable. $120-$150 but I play 300 days a year and they lasted about 18 months.

I used to rock a pair of GTX trail runners from Solomon during walnut harvest... They stopped making them (boo), and I couldn't find any existing pairs that weren't stupid-overpriced. I went on a deep dive and tried every GTX model from Solomon, hoping for a replacement. They all fit differently. It was infuriating. So, a warning to all: Try all models of a given brand, because you can't rely on equivalent fit. I currently rock a pair of Altra lone peaks in blue for travel shoes, and they're the only shoes I've bought where I did not have to replace the insoles with my Soles. I was blown away.

In the winter, I play in Salomon Trail Running shoes with goretex. They were great. But they’re expensive, and they only last about one year before the traction runs down on my plant foot. Does anybody have a recommended waterproof shoe under $125? Or some thing that is more durable than the Salomons?

This is so funny as I own all three. I wouldn’t do an ultra with new shoes so close… but if you’ve got some 30k+ runs in the next few weeks maybe it’d be fine? Anyway about the shoes. Genesis are in my daily rotation but haven’t done more than a half marathon in them. If I remember correctly they’re quite low stack height? I remember my first few runs in them I could definitely feel it in my knees but they’re fine after breaking in. I also own those exact color of Ultra Glides. They are beefy and feel quite heavy on the feet. My last race was 55km and 3500hm. I wore them as it was quite dry and all good but yeah definitely felt them towards the end. But at the same time I appreciated the cushion. I wouldn’t wear them again though on something so long and technical. Definitely definitely I had to size up in these. The NB i cannot run in. I’ve had them for a year as my daily sneaker but running in NB is a no go for me, my big toe just gets beaten up by the toe box.

Really liking the Salomon Genesis.

Salomon Genesis for technical trails. Saucony Endorphin Edge for non-technical trails and non-technical races. OG Nike Zegama retired to short runs and family hikes. North Face Enduris 4. Great shoe, but returning them because the Vectiv plate digs into the sides of my feet. Brand new pair of Mount to Coast T1 that I haven’t had a chance to run in yet.

I've been using and enjoying a pair of Salomon Genesis - They are slightly narrower than I might want but not narrow enough to cause problems

I'm 210lbs. Always a Salomon user. Very good results with many of their models, last years the Ultra glide 2, now changing to the Genesis model. (I don't like the Ultra glide 3, much higher and with a ridiculous amount of cushion) I don't do that many miles on them because I tend to wear out the thread early (technical terrain) but the soles always hold up very very well.

I agree. The Genesis are best choice. Stable and good grip. Ultra glide 3, I have a pair, but stupid amount of cushioning, and way too high stack height. Anyway I would not change shoes now so close to the race, unless you really have problems.