The S/Lab Genesis 2 is a classic Salomon shoe for a brand-new era

Introduction to the Salomon S/Lab Genesis 2

TAYLOR: Time for a little history lesson, folks.

If you’re new to trail running within the last half-decade, Salomon might not spark the same emotion for you. For those of us who have been around 15-plus years, that red means something.

They were the initial innovators of the modern trail running movement. Performance footwear was marked by a slim fit and a nimble, superhero-like ride made for the mountains. They were the mod-of-mod for trail running. We all wanted our feet to be blazed with red and black even if they didn’t fit.

Back then, their pinnacle S/Lab models came in at 180 bucks, which was about 1.5x the running rate of other “worth it” trail shoes on the market.

While Salomon has rightfully broadened its identity and offerings, it’s been a long while since I’ve worn a shoe that brings me right back to the beginning of my trail running days. That is, until the Salomon S/Lab Genesis 2.

Without giving too much away, this is the shoe that’s most worthy of the Genesis name in Salomon’s lineup. During my test miles, I had nostalgia galore. In this case, that’s a good thing… a very good thing.

What we like about the Salomon S/Lab Genesis 2

TAYLOR: When a trail shoe claims performance on technical terrain, fit is my first stop to assess viability. The Salomon S/Lab Genesis 2 has a very secure fit that will work for many. This is also where nostalgia came into the equation for me.

This shoe is snug throughout, which will limit some runners. For me, with a fairly average foot plus some bunions, it still worked really well. The midfoot is the slimmest and held securely while the forefoot broadened slightly. It did have a low ceiling to help sandwich the foot, though. The Quicklace system and integrated well-padded tongue allow a secure, comfortable fit. This fit is quite reminiscent of those from the olden days; however, there’s more comfort here (thankfully).

The heel collar continues that trend, but it’s not as trimmed up as the other two areas of the upper. While this wasn’t a perfect fit for me, it locked me in almost ideally for precise movements on the trail. I did have some irritation that I’ll get to in the next section; however, most runs were very comfortable and fun because of the upper’s fit.

A Matryx Micro engineered mesh upper ticked all the boxes from being extremely durable, breathable, lightweight, and mapped wonderfully to the foot. We’ve experienced this particular material on a couple of occasions, and it always performs to an elite degree.

One noticeable difference between this new version and the previous is that it is lower to the ground and has a broader base. Both lend themselves to a blend of natural stability, productive ground feel, and just enough stack (31/25mm, 6mm drop) for moderate protection and comfort.

The Optifoam² midsole foam is quite soft and spongy to the touch. It’s the same supercritical ETPU-based foam we have loved in the Salomon Aero Glide 4 GRVL and Aero Blaze 3. Here, it is a bit more moderated, perhaps by composition, but definitely because of design. Being a little lower to the ground still provided some nice cushioning and mild responsiveness but added steadiness.

A few other elements have a say in the ride as well. Adding in the Profeel Film protective layer and rubber outsole moderated the ride and boosted protection even further, but just enough to offer reprieve from the trail elements. Also, the updated Active Chassis system on the lateral side acted as a nice integrated suspension between midfoot and heel.

The Salomon S/Lab Genesis 2 had a nearly perfect underfoot combo for just ripping it however you please, and, to me, it equates to pure freedom and fun!

Admittedly, Salomon outsole designs have been largely disappointing over the last few years. The Salomon S/Lab Genesis 2 is an exception to that trend. This version of All-Terrain Contagrip was tacky and durable across a variety of surfaces and conditions. The 4.5mm chevron-style lugs were aggressive enough for technical terrain yet subtle enough for running on smoother stuff just fine. Even the cutouts added noticeable adaptability to the package.

The stout toe bumper helped save my tootsies on numerous occasions (playing soccer with boulders is no fun), and a Quicklace system and top-loaded lace garage keep the toggle from bouncing around.

What we don’t like about the Salomon S/Lab Genesis 2

TAYLOR: My biggest concern with the Salomon S/Lab Genesis 2 is some unfortunate heel rubbing. I started feeling it after 90 minutes of uphill on my right heel. I hoped it was a one-off because none of my other shorter runs had given me any sign of discomfort. That spot got hotter and hotter, and then I felt it on my other heel too. Dangit. The longer I went, the more it rubbed. While some anti-chafe cream helped, longer runs still ended with a hot spot. Bummer.

That same long run also gave me some notes underfoot. For starters, it proved that foot fatigue is still a real thing. While I was mostly comfortable, the three-hour mark revealed some tiredness that I haven’t felt in a long while. Also, while the shoe was protective and comfortable throughout my test miles, I noticed the foam lost character. All of this points to the fact that the Salomon S/Lab Genesis 2 isn’t going to be the mass shoe of choice for ultra-distance endeavors.

One other note: you can’t escape the slim fit of the Salomon S/Lab Genesis 2. While I think it’s the right design move for performance in this category, it’s definitely not going to please everyone. The low volume and trimmed fit will prevent some runners from using it.

Final thoughts on the Salomon S/Lab Genesis 2

TAYLOR: My all-time favorite trail shoes are the ones that help running feel like playtime. The Salomon S/Lab Genesis 2 is one of those shoes for me in the mountains. From fit to underfoot feel, I appreciated being able to forget what I was wearing and run my own way. Not all footwear is equal in that sense.

I think the Salomon S/Lab Genesis 2 does a phenomenal job of providing confidence with an optimal blend of protection, stability, and ground feel. The fit is slim but absolutely conducive to that sentiment.

Really, aside from the heel issues, this one ticked pretty much all the boxes for me as a technical terrain lover and is one I’ll be pulling off the shelf for outings from 60 minutes to a handful of hours in the mountains.

You can pick up the Salomon S/Lab Genesis 2 for $200 from Salomon by using the buttons below.