The Salomon Genesis 2 Brings Stability and Style to The Trail and City
Salomon has experienced a weird renaissance lately that has positioned its shoes as the favorite footwear of fashionable urbanites, and yet it hasn’t lost its trail cred at all. That’s hard to do. Somewhere between the muddy switchbacks and the coffee-shop commuters, Salomon figured out how to combine style and substance in a way only it can. The Salomon Genesis 2 is perhaps the best example of this. It’s a trail running shoe that’s purpose-built for hitting the hardest runs, and yet doesn’t look out of place in the city. What makes it truly magical is the fact that it did all of this while giving the shoe a technical edge with old-school trail running shoe vibes that just work.
Salomon Genesis 2
Salomon Genesis 2
Pros
- Good on the technical scrambles
- Lots of underfoot protection
- Soft, forgiving collar
Cons
- Feels a bit firm overall
Key Specs
| Terrain | Rocky and technical, Mixed |
| Weight | 10 oz (M), 9 oz (W) |
| Drop | 8 mm |
| Stack | 33.5 mm |
| Lug Depth | 4 mm |
First Impressions
When I first laced up, I was a bit surprised with the firmness of the Genesis 2. For a shoe with over a 33mm stack height, I was expecting something more plush. However, once I started running in them, that cushion really opened up. That OptiFoam midsole is made for shoes that are going to hit rough terrain, so it is built with protection and durability as well as comfort and support in mind—and it achieves it.
However, if you’re new to trail running shoes, this might surprise you. For me, it just felt like the shoes I was used to before the super cushioned, highly plush versions started making their way to market. It eventually became not only comfortable to run in the Genesis 2s, but comforting and solid. Like meeting up with an old friend.
The Ride
Once you settle into your run, traipsing over the terrain this shoe is made to cover—rocky outcroppings, technical scrambles, pebble and wood-strewn mixed trails—you’ll gain a real appreciation for the ContaGrip outsole. It’s rugged and made to work hand-in-hand with the new ActiveChassis, a multipiece midsole that helps guide the foot, provide better stability, and reduce rolling over technical terrain. Whether you’re hitting a steep climb over rocks and up ladders, or you’re on the downhill trying to find purchase on gravelly trails with next-to-no clearance side to side, you’ll feel stable and grounded. (So long as you can knuckle past your fear of heights.)
The balance and stability of the Salomon Genesis 2 is similar to that of traditional trail running shoes of a decade-plus in the past, but it has decidedly more comfort thanks to the improved foams, and the Matryx mesh upper that allows for far more airflow and overall breathability than any of my first trail runners had. It’s also got a much more defined rocker profile than those shoes of antiquity, and that means you don’t have to work quite so hard when you have space to pick your speed up a bit.
The Fit
Salomons have inched further and further into “natural shape” territory over the past few years, opening up space in the midfoot and forefoot, and widening the toebox pretty significantly. This has vastly improved the overall fit not just for wide-footed runners, but also for those runners who are hitting the hardest scrambles. More space means more room for splay and toe curl depending on the direction of the incline. It’s still not quite as wide up front as, say, an Altra, but they’re plenty roomy for the majority of trail runners. (Or urban shoppers.)
The Wrap-Up
The Salomon Genesis 2 is for trail runners who are looking for a grounded, comfortable ride that works well over the trickiest terrain. It’s also a great choice for first-time trail runners who want to start hitting harder routes, but maybe don’t want to shell out $250 for the privilege. They’re going to be hard to beat for Salomon when they go to design the third generation, and frankly, we hope little changes.
Shop Men’s at salomon.com | Shop Women’s at salomon.com
Cat Bowen, senior editor of commerce; reviews, is a seasoned runner with more than 20 years of distance running experience, including dozens of marathons, half marathons, and even a few ultra marathons. For over a decade, she has tested parenting, fitness, home, and running gear and written in-depth guides to help readers with their next purchase. Holding multiple advanced degrees and currently studying kinesiology, Cat Bowen brings research-backed insight to all of her guides. Passionate about women’s health and neurodivergent inclusion, she advocates for closing research gaps and helping others—especially AudHD people—find joy in running and fitness.