Review: If you want to improve your riding skills while enjoying the joy of running in nature, try the SALOMON SENSE RIDE

Not just for trail running, but in recent years, thick-soled running shoes with high cushioning and high rebound, or so-called platform running shoes, seem to be gaining attention. I'm not jumping on the trend, but as someone who has always suffered from knee pain, I've been taking the HOKA CHALLENGER ATR 2 to the trails a lot recently. It's true that it has reduced my knee pain, and I don't dislike this type of shoe itself, but I still feel a bit uncomfortable with the unique riding feel of "wearing shoes."

SENSE RIDE released this fall , not only incorporates many of the premium technologies that have been adopted in the brand's high-end S-Lab line, but also adds a new proprietary technology called "Vibe Technology" that reduces damage and fatigue accumulation caused by long-distance riding.It is said to be an ambitious product that discovers a new level of riding comfort with an approach not seen in other brands.

I'm not particularly serious or stoic, I usually see my runs as an extension of my hikes, and I'm just a laid-back runner who just wants to run without injury and have fun, and hopefully improve my times, so when I heard about this, there was no way I wouldn't try it. I decided to write a review right away

Did I run more enjoyably, injury-free, and easily? I tried them out in a serious race

As I was scheduled to participate in the Tama River Source Trail Run on September 10th, this review will the SENSE RIDE race. We also had a SALOMON product representative appear and provide an easy-to-understand explanation of the mechanisms behind the new technologies incorporated into the shoe.

General characteristics

The SENSE RIDE is a versatile model positioned between the long-selling SENSE PRO and the 2017 Spring model, the SENSE PRO MAX . The midsole features "Vibe Technology," which absorbs and reduces the impact of landing as well as vibrations that can lead to fatigue and injury. The outsole features a boat-like rocker shape for natural rolling, and the ergonomic "DECOUPLING OUTSOLE" slits allow for smooth weight transfer from heel to toe. The outer sole is made of "Contagrip® Premium Wet Traction," providing excellent grip even on wet rocks.

Recommended points

1. The upper fits as if it were one with your foot
2. Stress-free weight transfer from heel to toe naturally sends your feet forward
3. A stable midsole that lets you run without worrying about damage
4. High grip that combines traction and braking

Points of interest

1. The flexible, slightly thin forefoot provides a firm hold, but the front protection is slightly thin.

SENSE RIDE

SALOMON

16,200 yen

275g (27cm)

Main specifications and OGZ's own evaluation

Detailed Review

1. The upper fits like a

We've often mentioned the exquisite fit of SALOMON shoes on this website before, but the outstanding sense of unity provided by their proprietary SENSIFIT™ technology is still alive and well. When you tighten the shoelaces, the shoes wrap around your entire foot from the bottom up, providing an exceptional fit that's just as wonderful as ever

The upper is a combination of soft, breathable mesh and TPU, with a seamless bonded surface that not only makes the shoe light and flexible, but also contributes to its stylish design

But that's not the only secret to the exceptional fit: ENDOFIT™, a tongue construction that completely wraps around the instep, eliminating any uncomfortable seams and holding your foot inside the shoe like a sock

We asked the person in charge about the secret!

ENDOFIT™ is a system devised by Kilian Jornet, a world-class mountain runner and SALOMON athlete, after thorough research and development into how to win races. It is not just designed to improve fit by providing a comfortable feel against the skin, but also to gently maintain the transverse arch while relaxing the foot, supporting the foot's shock absorption function

ENDFIT™ completely covers your feet, making them feel like you're wearing socks. In fact, you don't even need to wear socks

2. Stress-free weight transfer from heel to toe naturally propels your feet forward

One of the many joys of trail running is being able to sharpen the nerves in your feet and feel the various changes in the terrain, such as the slope, unevenness, and quality of the ground as you run. Unfortunately, with thick-soled shoes, the trade-off for cushioning is that these can be less noticeable. In that respect, the SENSE RIDE (unlike the thick-soled shoes I had been wearing until recently), while not as good as racing models, not only was it able to capture the pressure from the ground just right, but it also gave me the feeling that my feet were moving forward lightly and naturally, as if the shoes had become one with my feet. There are a number of factors that explain this, including their light weight.

weight

At 280g (measured per shoe, size 26.5cm), it's not extremely light, but it's still light enough. In the SALOMON lineup, it's heavier than the racing model S/LAB SENSE 6 (220g), the SENSE PRO 2 (265g), slightly lighter than the SENSE PRO MAX WINGS PRO 2 (335g), so it's clearly on the lighter side of the brand's off-road shoe line.

Rocker Geometry

Looking at the sole from the side, you can see that it curves gently from the heel to the toe. This boat-shaped rocker shape allows for a natural and smooth stride, making it easier to run long distances

Forefoot flexibility of the sole

What surprised me even more was the flexibility of the forefoot. It's a much more flexible design compared to other brands. Perhaps thanks to this, the shoes are extremely comfortable to run on the road. They also handle delicate touches like sliding the sole of your foot over uneven terrain, allowing you to place your foot without fear while maintaining speed when taking small steps on downhill runs. However, the front sole is only 16mm thick, which is not particularly thick, so in exchange for the delicate touch, the protection is a little thin. I tend to land on my heels, so this didn't bother me much, but depending on your running style, it may be a concern for some people

GEOMETRIC DECOUPLING (non-interference design)

Hidden behind the seemingly random slits and lug placement seen on the SENSE RIDE

We asked the person in charge about the secret!

One of the main things these shoes are designed for is "maximizing the function of the foot." Most running shoes are designed with a single axis that matches the up and down movement of the ankle joint. However, the foot is made up of 26 bones and 33 joints, and from landing to pushing off, each joint does not all move on the same axis

"GEOMETRIC DECOUPLING" is a system that captures the actual movements of the foot in three dimensions as they are, and incorporates these movements into the sole design so as not to impair (or restrict) each movement or function

This mechanism is implemented throughout the shoe's consistent concept, not only in the outsole but also in the reinforced midsole, which work together to enable smooth, efficient weight transfer from heel to toe without stress

Decoupled Profeel Film is a protection and stability-enhancing part that is divided by newly designed slits that are ergonomically designed to match the movement of the foot

3. A stable midsole that lets you run without worrying about damage

What makes these shoes particularly superior to other models, and what I like most about them, is their excellent balance, allowing for stress-free freedom of movement and a delicate touch while also providing functionality that minimizes damage to the body. This comfort is supported by the newly developed sole structure, "Vibe Technology," this season

Here's a rough outline of how it works: The stress a runner experiences while running isn't just the impact when they land and the rebound when they step out. The impact actually becomes minute vibrations (waves) that accumulate in the muscles and joints as invisible damage. We were the first to focus on this, and we thought that absorbing these minute vibrations would reduce fatigue, improve comfort, and prevent injuries, and that's how Vibe Technology was born

We asked the person in charge about the secret!

Another key concept of this shoe is to "maintain foot function" by reducing fatigue. In previous shoes, midsoles were designed to achieve both high cushioning and high rebound, two opposing elements, as a way to reduce fatigue. However, we have come to the realization that the three most important cushioning features required for a shoe midsole are shock absorption, rebound, and vibration absorption. This is where VIBE technology was born

The specific structure is an innovative bottom system that exquisitely combines the midsole "Energycell+," which combines high cushioning and high resilience, two opposing properties, with the midsole "OPAL," which has a previously unknown micro-vibration absorption function, and is adjusted to maintain this function even during long runs. OPAL absorbs harmful vibrations from the road surface while running, while the highly resilient and durable Energycell+ ensures a comfortable long ride

The top is "OPAL" with micro-vibration absorption function, and the bottom is "Energycell+" EVA with high cushioning and high resilience

4. High grip with both traction and braking

The outer sole is based on a decoupled outsole, which is divided by newly designed slits that are ergonomically designed to match the movement of the foot, just like the midsole. The fine lugs calculated based on this are not particularly deep or sharp, but are effectively positioned to provide firm support in all directions

Furthermore, the sole is made of Contagrip® Premium Wet Traction, which is designed for use in a variety of situations. It is strong on wet rocky surfaces, and during this race I was able to place my feet with confidence even on difficult surfaces such as mossy rocks and loose muddy downhill slopes. However, although I haven't tried it, the lugs are not deep, so I don't think it's suitable for hard muddy roads

"Tamagawa Source Trail Run" Practical Running Report

I had only just been running in the shoes to break them in, so I took on this race for the first time in a while. The fit and flexibility were so perfect that I thought, "I've only had these shoes for a week!" With that in mind, I started off slowly

The first half of the climb was a tough one, as we appreciated the excellent grip on the wet slopes

The shoes' true potential was particularly evident in the latter half of the run, when I sped downhill at a faster speed than usual. Even when I was braking hard with my heels, the moderate cushioning absorbed the impact, and the flexible, grippy sole in the forefoot helped me sense the changes in the ground and support proper footwork. What's more, the boat-shaped bottom of the shoe allowed my feet to rotate forward. It was the first time I'd ever been able to run downhill at such high speed

The feeling of speed as you run through the forest is the true joy of trail running!

Furthermore, these shoes handled the different terrain well, from the gravel, dirt, and boardwalk climbs in the first half to the dirt, mud, and rocky descents in the second half, and even the occasional paved road climbs and descents. I really felt that each technique was useful in each situation

He somehow managed to endure the road in the second half, when normally he would have had trouble even taking a step due to his stiff joints

Normally, if I got too carried away and went downhill this far, the damage would manifest as pain in my knees, groin and other joints towards the end, but strangely, this time I didn't experience any fatal pain. Due to lack of practice, I wasn't able to prevent my legs from cramping or the pain from my toes digging in, but where I usually find myself braking somewhere, for the first time I was able to make it to the finish line without stopping. As a result, my time was faster than I expected, and although I normally enjoy leisurely hikes, it was a day that made me realize that racing isn't so bad after all

Summary: Recommended for these people

I'm not yet that into racing, so I can't limit myself to a particular course or type of race. I just want to enjoy trail running. But I don't want to get injured. I don't want to be left feeling tired. I thought this was perfect for a selfish entrant runner like me

I've honestly never seen a shoe with such a well-balanced set of all-around features: the comfortable fit of the upper thanks to SENSIFIT™ and ENDOFIT™, the comfortable and secure cushioning of Vibe technology, the stress-free running feel thanks to GEOMETRIC DECOUPLING on any terrain, and the reliable grip on a wide range of terrain thanks to Contagrip® Premium Wet Traction. This shoe is a new standard for SALOMON, loved by runners of all levels, from beginners to professionals

With this excellent balance and an affordable price tag of around 10,000 yen, these shoes are a great choice for runners looking to get started in trail running . Their lack of quirks and excellent fatigue-reducing properties have recently led to them becoming popular with top athletes who have recently been injured.

However, due to the thickness and flexibility of the front sole, it could be said that the shoes are not particularly suitable for those who prioritize speed and want to push off or brake powerfully with the forefoot. In the first place, runners who have mastered this level of running are also likely to have short race times, so for those people the benefits of these shoes may not be fully realized. The features of these shoes are designed to be advantageous for people who spend a lot of time exercising, and in that sense they are suited not to the top few percent, but to the larger number of entry-level runners and runners who simply want to enjoy running

of SALOMON's SENSE series, if you want a barefoot feel with a smaller drop that allows you to step lightly on the ground the SENSE PRO 2 is a good choice, while if you're looking for luxurious cushioning over terrain adaptability, the SENSE PRO MAX is a good choice. The SENSE RIDE is somewhere in between, so it's the perfect choice if you don't have a clear preference or purpose, or if you don't run in an extreme style or on extreme courses and just want a shoe that's easy to use all around.

For product details and inquiries, please also check the SALOMON official website

SENSE RIDE

SALOMON

16,200 yen

275g (27cm)

"SALOMON HIKE+ STATION Iiyama" is open for a limited time!

SALOMON's first shoe rental shop, "SALOMON HIKE+ STATION Iiyama," focusing on outdoor shoes, has opened inside the "Shinetsu Shizenkyo Activity Center," an outdoor information base based within Iiyama Station

Iiyama is a representative outdoor field in Nagano. Rich in nature, Iiyama is home to Japan's leading long trail, the Shinetsu Trail, and Japan's longest river, the Chikuma River (Shinano River). Not only can you enjoy a wide variety of outdoor activities, but the area is also rich in hot springs and gourmet food, making it a great location for enjoying more than just hiking. With the opening of the Hokuriku Shinkansen, transportation access has improved dramatically, with Iiyama now less than two hours from Tokyo

The Shinetsu Shizenkyo Activity Center rents out trekking wear, backpacks, mountain bikes, and more, making it an attractive outdoor base facility where you can enjoy activities without having to carry large amounts of luggage. For a limited time until October 22nd, SALOMON HIKE+ STATION Iiyama is offering rentals of SALOMON hiking and trail running shoes, including the OUTpath

This is a rare opportunity to try out the latest shoes while enjoying the refreshing autumn nature. Wear SALOMON shoes and have fun in Iiyama this autumn

Rental deployment model

• OUTpath GORE-TEX®
• XA PRO 3D GORE-TEX®
• X ULTRA 2 GORE-TEX®
• SENSE PRO MAX

SALOMON HIKE+ STATION Iiyama

• Address: 772-6 Iiyama, Iiyama City, Nagano Prefecture, 389-2253, Iiyama Station 1F, Shinetsu Shizenkyo Activity Center
• Time: 8:30 AM - 6:00 PM
• Phone: 0269-62-7001

   

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Review: SALOMON SENSE RIDE GORE-TEX® INVISIBLE FIT makes even rough roads more enjoyable

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