Salomon DRX Defy Grvl Review: Generous Gravel Glider

What You Need To Know

Introduction to the Salomon DRX Defy Grvl

TAYLOR: I’ll apologize right off the bat for bringing cycling into the conversation — you know, the thing we do only when someone tells us we need a break from running. But hey, maybe some of you have a better relationship with the other endurance sport than I do, so you don’t mind the comparison. Anyway, my point in bringing it up is this… why the heck do we need a gravel-specific shoe?

It’s an important question, but one that lands in somewhat of a hostile environment. Essentially, there are three camps: Those who will go to their grave saying a road shoe is all you need, those who will recommend any trail shoe under the sun before picking up a road shoe, and those, like gravel cyclists, who kind of agree with both, yet also with neither — kind of like agnostics.

Where do I fall? Well, as a dude who lives on gravel roads, it’s hard to say. Every day, I need to run somewhere between 0.75 and 2.5 miles to get to a trailhead or a paved road, so it’s safe to say I run a lot of gravel. And yet, I don’t always do it in the same shoes — some days it’s a road shoe, others it’s a trail-ready crusher.  At the end of the day, if I’m exclusively tromping on crushed rock, I want a little some some of each. So, in a day and age when we can choose the experience we want, maybe a gravel shoe does make sense.

To that end, we’ve already seen a few brands give gravel a go. Today’s entry is a debut from none other than Salomon with the DRX Defy Grvl. For what it’s worth, this is basically the OG formula for a trail shoe — you take a road shoe, add some lugs to it, and call it a day. Thankfully, this isn’t really how it works on technical trails anymore, but it still has some merit on gravel.

More specifically, Salomon’s DRX Defy Gravel is based on another DRX shoe, the DRX Bliss. In fact, the only real difference is the beefed-up Contagrip outsole. So, is a change in midsole worth an extra $20? Let’s find out.

What we like about the Salomon DRX Defy Grvl

TAYLOR: One thing I noticed from my first step in is that this didn’t feel like a Salomon shoe — at least not the ones I’m used to. The brand’s trail running shoes have always been known for their slimmer profile and great security, which isn’t where the DRX Defy Grvl shines.

Instead, the DRX Defy Grvl felt light and roomy. It has a relaxed fit, yet remains true to its roots — like a hippie with a 9-to-5. Salomon’s light mesh upper, SensiFIT-esque overlays, and padded tongue allowed me to fasten the shoe securely while keeping the relaxed overall feeling, which is good for a comfortably crushed trail. I guess what I mean is that the fit could be considered generous.

Salomon’s generosity continues underfoot with the Energy Foam midsole. It’s the same compound that you’d find on the Salomon Genesis, Aero Glide 2, Thundercross, and several more. I’d even call it airy. Salomon managed to combine a medium softness with a solid 36 mm of foam in the heel, which results in a moderately cushioned ride with just enough pep in your step. It’s neither overbearing nor underwhelming, leaving you to focus on the trail itself.

Also, like the Genesis and DRX Bliss, the Active Chassis is back. It’s a light stability implement in the form of a medial wedge, and I couldn’t help but notice it on the run. It’s essentially a medial post, just not an incredibly stiff one. The support itself was mostly inconspicuous, which was good since I don’t really count myself among the stability boys. Interestingly, though, I noticed the Active Chassis most on the lateral sides of my foot if there was any sort of camber, as well as on downhill slams when I put more force into the shoe.

Unsurprisingly, grip is incredibly important to a gravel shoe. Yes, I know we could probably all get by with a road shoe, but you don’t have to. It’s 2024, there’s always a tool for the job. This time, Salomon’s Contagrip pattern reminded me of a tire from a gravel bike, which I suppose makes sense.

The main difference between the DRX Defy Grvl and a road shoe, though, is that I was better able to focus on my run. I wasn’t reminded of a lack of grip every time I toed off or dug in; I was just able to calmly shift my mental gears and get on with the miles.

What we don’t like about the Salomon DRX Defy Grvl

TAYLOR: For as much as I like about this gravel crusher, there are some signs that Salomon is still relatively new to this scene. It’s still figuring out its unique fit and dialing in the upper. In this case, I’m talking about another tricky tongue.

To me, it feels like Salomon was afraid to put too much into it. Even though I like the upper’s overall lightness and structure, somehow, they missed the mark with the tongue. There’s a weird contrast between the two, generally lacking the structure I wanted to toggle the fit a little better. Honestly, the DRX Defy Grvl is light enough that Salomon could have put more midfoot security into it, either with a gusseted tongue or internal support to add some confidence.

I think you could fix some of these issues by dropping down a half size. As mentioned, it would reduce the generous fit, but that would actually make the shoe run more Salomon-esque.

Final thoughts on the Salomon DRX Defy Grvl

TAYLOR: Salomon’s DRX Defy Grvl accomplishes what it sets out to do: offer gentle guidance, grip for gravel, and a moderately cushioned ride. I’m not saying it’s the best in all of those categories, but all are positive marks in my book.

This is a simple shoe that’s ready for the task at hand. The DRX Defy Grvl was easy to throw on from the door, even if that meant a light trail and some pavement as well. It’s a fairly versatile shoe that can be used for daily miles. I can see myself grabbing for it once winter starts spitting its mix on my gravel roads, too.

You can pick up the Salomon DRX Defy Grvl for $139 from Running Warehouse (featuring free shipping and 90-day returns) by using the buttons below.