The upper fabric is stitch-free and has a smooth feel, but unfortunately not weatherproof, as one might expect when you look at the Alphacross. On the other hand, it does resist tearing, ripping and abrasion, something that can come handy in a hostile environment that is a forest trail. The lacing is pretty straight forward. Right out of the box, I loved the aesthetics of the Speedcross 4 as I was elated to find that the shoes came in neutral blue hues, especially for those who prefer low-key color schemes. Furthermore, Salomon offers a variety of colors to choose from to suit your personal style preferences. Garmin Fenix 6 Pro review: the perfect companion for your trail runs (built in compass, altimeter and topographic maps) The traction certainly did not disappoint as I’ve used these for both trail running and OCR and I was incredibly impressed! Biomechanically, these shoes are ideal for the classic heel striker. Being a midfoot striker, I did notice during long runs I had a tendency to heel strike in these shoes which I wasn’t too happy about. I was accommodating the shoe more than it was accommodating me.

Salomon Alphacross GTX W review - Active-Traveller Salomon Alphacross GTX W review - Active-Traveller

If you ever attended a trail running race before, you have probably seen a lot of Salomon shoes, for a good reason. I’d love to say that these shoes are comfortable right out of the box, but they required quite a lengthy break-in period for me. The shoes run true to size, but I had to put in about 30-50 miles in these shoes before I felt like they began to become somewhat comfortable. You can also easily use Salomon Alphacross 3 as an everyday shoe if you are going out for walks in the woods. Therefore I would recommend the shoe for everyone who enjoys all aspects of nature. Here you will feel grounded and flying at the same time!As for fit, Salomon describes it as "generous", something I hoped didn't mean 'loose', but thankfully the Alphacross is a good fit. The heel counter could hold the heels a bit firmer, though. The toebox is flat but not suffocating and the cushioning around the ankles provide enough support without breaking your skin. Compared to other brands, Salomon is a relative newcomer to the running shoe industry. The French ski outfitter was founded in 1947, but didn’t release its first running shoe, the Raid Race, until 2001. The EnergyCell midsole has a neutral feel to it, firm enough so indentations on the surface won't bother your soles but flexible enough so you can turn more freely. The OrthoLite insert is a cheap and cheerful way to provide some comfort in the shoesm but all in all it does the job just fine.

Salomon Alphacross trail running shoes review: one for dry

I have previously used Salomon Speedcross, and I have a bit of mixed feelings about it. It has a great fit but it is slightly too firm for my taste. Alphacross has a great fit, a softness in the midsole and a grip that lives up to my expectations of what a trail shoe should be able to handle!

Recently Viewed

Trail running shoes in general need to be more sturdier than their road running counterparts, especially the upper fabric, but also the soles. Running on road, you won't encounter so many different surfaces and most usually you don't have to climb or ascend slippery surfaces either (generalising here a bit). You can see the massive difference between the height of the foam underfoot in the forefoot and the heel. The heel is very protective, while the forefoot is rather sensitive. You can also see that while there are a lot of overlays on the upper, the crease point on the forefoot is left exposed to abrasion and early tearing.

Salomon Speedcross 4 Review, Facts, Comparison | RunRepeat Salomon Speedcross 4 Review, Facts, Comparison | RunRepeat

That said, many of the shoes feature a general “all-terrain” design, which works well across all kinds of surfaces. How We Evaluated the Best Salomon Running Shoes The Pulsar Trail Pro 2 isn’t perfect. It’s not very supportive, and the fit at midfoot was a bit too narrow for my liking. Even with those caveats, it’s a very capable trail shoe, especially for runners who want an agile, speedy feel.

Value

First thing I notice when I lift them out the box is the weight. These are a very lightweight shoe. I have the Solomon Speedcross and have these for the past few years. The Alphacross are about half the weight! Being a weight weenie I am liking these shoes even more. Salomon shoes are renowned for their traction, which they achieve thanks to the company’s proprietary Contagrip rubber outsole. The grips come in five patterns with lugs–small cleat-like protrusions that extend downward from the outsole–that come in different shapes and sizes, many of which are made for specific running conditions. In addition, perhaps if the shoe had an option for those with wider feet, it would be desirable for a larger variety of runners as the shoes err of the narrow side. If you are looking for new regular running shoe as well read our review of the best alternatives to the Asics Nimbus. The Nimbus is a fantastic neutral running shoe but the design has changed making it more narrow so you may want to look at others. First Impressions of the Salomon Alphacross Trail Shoes On the plus side, if you like a snug fit, the Sensifit design of the shoe hugs your foot, so you never have to worry about your foot sliding around when your running on the side of a mountain. It’s all about preference here on what you desire in a trail running shoe.