Salomon Speedcross 6 Evaluation | CleverHiker

Backside Line

The Salomon Speedcross 6 is one among our favorites for lengthy path runs on gentle terrain. The glove-like match makes it one of many comfiest sneakers we’ve examined. Deep, widely-spaced lugs chew into the bottom from sandy washes to sloppy mountain trails, incomes the Speedcross a spot on our greatest path trainers for males information.

Editor Ian Krammer racked up 400+ miles on his pair, together with greater than 50 Rocky Mountain summits over 13,000’. He finds their mix of nice arch help and barely heavier weight walks a positive line of responsiveness and luxury. We’re huge followers of their modern profile and extra reasonably priced price ticket, too. Throughout, the Speecross 6 are a superb choose whether or not you’re a newbie otherwise you’ve been operating for years.

However, this shoe has some quirks. The 10mm heel-to-toe drop is likely one of the highest on our path runners listing, a design that may really feel unbalanced on steep descents. The distinctive Quicklace system takes getting used to and will miss the mark for those who want a extra custom-made match. It’s not as gentle as some fashions we examined. And, testing finds the outsole’s sturdiness is proscribed, with lugs carrying down quicker than we’d like.

This shoe is on the highest half of our listing for all the best causes, although: it’s snug, grippy, and a enjoyable, quick experience for runners of all ranges.

Consolation

Should you like a comfortable match, the Speedcross 6 is for you. It’s modern design all however eliminates sloppiness and slippage with a true-to-size profile that’s snug out of the field. Plush heel padding cradles the again of the foot, and outlined arch help retains fatigue at bay even after hours of motion. Salomon’s inclusive sizing is a bonus – together with broad and sizes 7 to 14 – so that they work properly for nearly any foot.

Gear Analyst Ian Krammer’s favourite factor concerning the Speedcross? Their glorious steadiness between cushioning and help. He reaches for them on lengthy days within the moutnains with excessive mileage. Whether or not he’s cruising root-filled trails or slogging up a sand-filled mountain gully, the 6’s hardly ever really feel cumbersome.

Consolation is subjective relating to sneakers, although. Many love Salomon’s distinctive Quicklace system, with a pull-tab and twine that replaces conventional laces. This design takes getting used to, although, and there’s little or no nuance to it. The place traditional laces might be fine-tuned round your foot form to alleviate strain, the Quicklace system eliminates this potential. Pull the tab, and strain evens out throughout the foot – quick, however not adjustable.

Traction

We rank the Salomon Speedcross 6 extremely for traction. Testing finds it’s a boss on gentle terrain, clawing into free and sloppy floor with ease. These are one among Ian’s go-to’s for top mountain routes filled with mud, choss and free sand and gravel. The deep, well-spaced lugs sink into gentle surfaces – even snow – for a dependable experience, even on steep inclines. The aggressive tread sample extends to the perimeters, enhancing braking management on descents.

The multi-directional triangular lugs are unfold out to shed particles effortlessly. Ian loves the cheesy outsole rubber that thrives on moist days – even performing decently on slick rock and roots – making them versatile for combined terrain. 

Nonetheless,the outsoles aren’t as sturdy as the remainder of the shoe. At 300 miles, Ian’s Speedcross 6 outsoles have been carrying practically flat. We liked the traction as much as that time, however lug degradation began round 200 miles, with the softer rubber carrying flat quickly after.

Additionally, the stiff midsoles really feel a bit harsh on packed filth and pavement, decreasing consolation on lengthy runs exterior of rugged trails. Should you primarily run on dry, well-maintained trails – or want a shoe that lasts a number of seasons – it’s possible you’ll wish to preserve trying.

Weight

At 1 pound and 5 ounces per pair, the Speedcross 6 sits on the heavier finish of the sneakers we examined. The added weight actually isn’t excessive, however in comparison with ultralight fashions, we seen the load on longer distances (greater than 10 miles) and days with plenty of vert.

The beefy outsole and barely thicker uppers are nice for traction and added safety, although each parts add heft – and bulk.

Don’t let their weight cease you, although. These sneakers by no means felt sluggish throughout testing. They’re a few of the most streamlined sneakers on our listing, and we like their nimble experience.

Sturdiness

Ian’s rigorous testing finds the strongest parts of those sneakers are the uppers. Welded overlays preserve this mannequin from shredding on tough terrain. A thick rubber rand wraps across the toe and sides, offering strong safety towards sharp rocks and roots. The quicklace system is surprisingly resilient, too, holding as much as a whole bunch of repetitive makes use of with out fraying or breaking.

Small parts just like the loop eyelets, tongue, and cuff have additionally held up properly after prolonged use and keep their form, providing constant help and cushioning.

The outsoles and traction, nevertheless, are a distinct story. We pushed the restrict of the Speedcross 6 in excessive terrain – excessive alpine routes with sharp rock, abrasive trails, and pokey underbrush. Traction was worn down considerably at 200 miles, with the sneakers retired at 300 miles.

We’re assured we may squeeze 400 miles out of those on mellower terrain, however the final 100 miles wouldn’t be fairly. Should you want a shoe that lasts season after season, this one will not be one of the best guess, which is why it earns a decrease rating for sturdiness from our workforce.

The offender? Salomon’s proprietary rubber is softer than opponents. It offers nice grip for the primary 200ish miles, however this pliable compound sacrifices longevity. Runners who hit rocky or abrasive trails usually will seemingly must price range for a few pairs in the event that they’re taking over important mileage in a season.

Breathability

We rank this shoe pretty properly for breathability. A beneficiant quantity of mesh within the uppers provides constant airflow and helps vent sweat and warmth even on scorching days.

Ian used the Speedcross 6 on days over 70° paired with skinny socks, and it saved his toes snug. These dry quick after creek crossings and surprising downpours. When mountain climbing La Plata Peak in Colorado, Ian crossed a number of streams and his toes have been principally dry about an hour and half later.

However they run hotter than many on our listing. The overlays add construction and sturdiness, however traps warmth greater than ultralight mesh fashions. On days above 90 levels, we discovered the Speedcross feels a bit stuffy, particularly throughout lengthy ascents and slow-moving sections. It’s comfortable in scorching climate, however it isn’t the breeziest choice on the market.

Responsiveness

Considered one of our favourite issues concerning the Speedcross 6 is the snappy, responsive midsole that makes this shoe really feel lighter than it truly is. Ian loves quick motion by the mountains, and on days when pushing arduous is the precedence, he appears ahead to the springy experience that feels clean however not bouncy.

A barely rockered toe design encourages clean transitions, protecting momentum excessive. Particularly on flat, average, and uphill sections, the taller heel-to-toe drop helps rebound vitality on heel strikes to propel us ahead. These sneakers carry loads of velocity with out sacrificing an excessive amount of stability.

The draw back of the excessive heel to toe drop is it might really feel a bit awkward – and even off-balance – on uneven terrain and sketchy downhills. This isn’t a dealbreaker, however these sneakers demand a bit extra focus in sketchy and difficult environments than sneakers a bit decrease to the bottom. There’s been many occasions the place Ian was crossing a boulder area, and his steadiness was thrown off particularly due to this design.

The opposite draw back of such an aggressive heel is it locations extra pressure on the knees and quads over lengthy distances, which we’ve additionally seen on huge miles. These could miss the mark for those who want a extra pure experience that’s low to the bottom, however for everybody else, we extremely suggest them.

Ought to You Purchase the Salomon Speedcross 6?

The Salomon Speedcross 6 is a superb alternative for runners taking over gentle terrain and tough routes. Whether or not you want dependable traction on mud and sand, additional stability on technical trails, or all day consolation with a safe match, the Speedcross 6 delivers. The aggressive outsole has multi-directional, well-spaced lugs that reliably grip mud, rocks, and free trails, and the sample sheds particles simply. Good arch help and a dialed-in match, mixed with comfortable heel padding, makes these really feel snug proper out of the field. The midsole absorbs influence on lengthy runs, and it’s a superb alternative for people who push limits on combined terrain that requires precision.

Nonetheless, this shoe has one of many highest heel-to-toe-drops of any on our trainers listing – meaning glorious cushioning, however it might really feel a bit tippy on off-camber trails and steep descents. Salomon’s Quicklace system prevents custom-made lacing patterns, and the single-pull design doesn’t cater to completely different foot shapes and wishes. These are additionally pretty heavy in comparison with most sneakers on our listing, and it runs a bit slender, so it’s possible you’ll wish to strive these on forward of time or order broad when you’ve got wider toes. We additionally discover the outsole and lugs put on down quicker than the competitors.

The Speedcross 6 blends efficiency and safety, although. Agile, comfortable, and grippy, these path runners are constructed for lengthy miles on combined terrain.

What Different Path Working Sneakers For Males Ought to You Think about?

Are the Salomon Speedcross 6 catching your eye? See how they examine to the remaining on our greatest path trainers for males information. Should you preferred this shoe, take a more in-depth have a look at these different winners:

Brooks Catamount 4 Evaluation: Try the Brooks Catamount for those who’re searching for the same stack top, weight, and match. These have a traditional path runner feel and appear, however they’re extra sturdy and breathable.

Nike Pegasus Path 5 GTX Evaluation: The Nike Pegasus Path 5 GTX shares the Speedcross’ excessive heel-to-toe drop, premium value level, and comparable weight. It’s heavier and pricier, however we want this one to assist preserve moisture out.

Brooks Cascadia 18 Evaluation: The Brooks Cascadia 18 matches the Speedcross 6 in value and likewise has a better heel to toe drop for cushioned consolation. It’s heavier and options conventional laces, however a bit extra sturdy.