Review: SALOMON SONIC RA 2 NOCTURNE For training in the cold winter! Light mid-cut running shoes with excellent stability and no injuries
It's a frigid winter. The air is a little crisp and cold. Although the daylight hours are short, the clear, distant views are a winter treat. Winter runners want to continue running comfortably, not just in the mountains, but on the roads as well. SALOMON is now a global outdoor brand, but its roots lie in winter sports. It's no surprise that their passion for winter sports stands out more than other brands. This the SONIC RA 2 NOCTURNE , released this fall from SALOMON 's acclaimed SONIC , is a must-read for anyone who runs on the road as well as on the trails.
table of contents
SONIC RA 2 NOCTURNE First Impressions
SONIC RA 2 NOCTURNE is based on the running function of .
The first thing to note is the long cuff and the integrated lightweight wool liner. As you can see, when you put your feet in, they wrap around your feet from ankle to toe, providing excellent protection from the winter cold. It's an incredibly comfortable hold. They also feature a 360° active reflector that improves visibility in the early morning, evening, and nighttime when visibility is poor. This is a thoughtful feature that's perfect for winter, when daylight hours are short
The upper features a highly stretchable "Engineered Mesh" that covers the entire foot and a SensiFit upper for road running that conforms to the shape of your foot. The midsole, like the SONIC RA 2 , incorporates "Vibe Technology," which combines the midsole compound "EnergyCell+," which offers excellent cushioning and durability, with the shock-absorbing material "Opal." This not only provides stable foot movement, but also appears to help prevent injury.
The outsole is made of "Contagrip FA," a compound with excellent durability and grip, and is equipped with wide lugs that are highly resistant to wear from hard surfaces. It also incorporates "Blown rubber Contagrip," an ultra-lightweight rubber that easily transmits ground feel to the soles of your feet, and "Geometric Decoupling," designed to allow for a natural transition of weight from heel to toe, making it the perfect pair of shoes for winter running
Recommended points
- Seamless gaiter that protects your ankles and keeps you warm and windproof
- Vibe technology absorbs vibrations that can cause injury and fatigue
- The overall stability of the sole allows you to send power forward without any shaking
- 360° active reflector effective in winter when daylight hours are short
Points that interest me
- The seamless gaiter may be a little too soft
Main Specifications and OGZ Original Review
| item | Specifications and ratings |
|---|---|
| weight | 269g (266g 27cm one foot actual measurement) |
| Stack height | 28mm/20mm (8mm drop) |
| Midsole | EnergyCell+ |
| Outsole | Contagrip FA |
| Comfort | ★★★★☆ |
| Breathable | ★★★☆☆ |
| weight | ★★★★☆ |
| Rebound | ★★★★☆ |
| cushion | ★★★★★ |
| Stability | ★★★★★ |
| comprehensive evaluation | ★★★★☆ |
Detailed review
Lightweight and comfortable wool-lined upper
These running shoes are suitable for even the coldest winters. They have a seamless, integrated gaiter, and because they're mid-cut, I expected them to be reasonably heavy, but they're incredibly light. The official weight is 269g. The measured weight is 266g (size 27cm). They're lighter than your average running shoe. The stack height is 20mm at the forefoot, 28mm at the heel, and the drop is 8mm. You can expect great cushioning and ease of kicking off
First, try putting your foot in while spreading the gaiter cuff with your fingers (if it's difficult to put on, try pulling the heel hook). The toe area is wide and the height is just right, allowing for easy movement of your toes. The inside of the heel cup is equipped with a thick pad that encases the heel, and the upper is made of highly stretchable mesh with no stitches. It is equipped with an integrated lightweight wool liner, and is designed to keep you warm from the ankle to the toes. Of course, the road running-designed SensiFit provides a soft hold on the entire foot, from the midsole to the lacing system
The SONIC RA 2 NOCTURNE can be used not only for cold winter running, but also as a training shoe . The mid-cut construction prevents foreign objects from entering the shoe and protects against all weather conditions. It provides excellent protection even on windy, rainy days. The padding on the inside of the heel also provides a comfortable fit. The upper is primarily made of breathable mesh fabric, but the SensiFit that wraps around the toe cap and the entire foot is made of protective rubber material. Of course, it provides excellent warmth, wind resistance, and weather resistance that can withstand light rain and snow. However, there is one thing I would like: a more snug fit. There is a slight gap when pushing off and landing.
The insole is made of OrthoLite, which provides excellent cushioning, comfort, and durability, and the footbed feels comfortable on the soles of your feet
360° active reflector for improved winter visibility
It also features a "360° active reflector" to ensure safety even in the early morning, evening and nighttime when visibility is poor. The dazzle geometric pattern makes it stand out in the dark. Not only does it improve visibility, it also has an impact that instantly catches your attention, making you wonder "What's that?" The name "Nocturne" not only refers to light in dark places, but also to the concept of allowing you to run comfortably even in cold winter conditions when daylight hours are short, thanks to its windproof performance
The seamless integrated gaiter and 360° active reflector are effective features for the cold winter months when daylight hours are short
The inside of the heel has padding to improve fit and warmth
Reflector seen from the back. Improved visibility from behind
I took a photo with my smartphone at night using flash, and as you can see,
The heel also reflects light brilliantly, making night runs safe
Absorbs the impact of landing and smoothly transitions to a forward-moving, stable ride
What about the midsole? It features "Vibe Technology," which combines the midsole compound "EnergyCell+," which provides excellent cushioning and high rebound to absorb impact when landing, with the shock-vibration-absorbing material "Opal." It reduces vibrations when landing, protects the feet from impact, and absorbs the micro-vibrations that occur while running and can cause fatigue and injury. When you actually run in it, you naturally feel a sense of increased forward momentum. Thanks to the integrated gaiter, the feet feel better protected, reducing the wobbling and twisting that can lead to sprains and other injuries
Especially when running down stone steps, I felt a sense of stability and movement with each step. This is a reassuring feature for those who struggle with downhill running, where ankle instability can be a problem. The SONIC RA 2 NOCTURNE features "Vibe Technology" in the heel and toe, ensuring a stable running style regardless of how you land.
When descending stone steps, there is no sense of shaking with each step
The midsole features "Vibe Technology," which combines "EnergyCell+," which has excellent shock absorption and rebound properties, with "Opal," a shock and vibration absorbing material
A reliable outsole that allows for natural foot movement
The outsole also incorporates a mechanism that ensures a stable run. Pronation is the natural movement of the human body, where the sole of the foot rotates inward to disperse the impact when landing. However, beginners who do not have the proper muscles for running or those with an unstable running form may not be able to pronate properly, which can lead to injury. The SONIC RA 2 NOCTURNE features a "Geometric Decoupling™" outsole, designed with an axis that guides natural movement without correcting the foot to ensure proper pronation.
When a person kicks the ground, their foot rotates inward to cushion the impact and is said to support a gravity force approximately three times their body weight, so this is recommended not only for beginners but also for those who want to run long distances without injury
The multi-functional outsole includes "Geometric Decoupling" that supports stable pronation, "Blown rubber Contagrip®" with ultra-lightweight rubber processing, and "Contagrip® FA" compound that combines durability and adhesion
The outsole is made of "Contagrip® FA," a compound that combines durability and adhesion, with "Blown Rubber Contagrip®," an ultra-lightweight rubber that combines cushioning and ground feel. It feels slightly soft when you press it with your fingers, and the lug pattern is shallow and wide. It provides firm grip on hard, flat paved roads. The drop is also 8mm. Running in the shoes clearly supports the shift in your center of gravity from back to front. While designed for road running, they also seem like they'd be great for short trail runs with lots of rocks
The Contagrip® FA outsole features wide, flat lugs for reliable, stable grip
Summary: Recommended for:
In the cold winter, some people tend to tense up and become more susceptible to injury. The SONIC RA 2 NOCTURNE is a running shoe equipped with a seamless, integrated gaiter. This not only protects the feet, but also provides effective protection from the cold and wind. The padding on the inside of the heel of the shoe is soft and provides excellent warmth. Also, the 360° active reflector, which increases visibility, is a reassuring feature, especially in the winter when daylight hours are short.
As mentioned above, the SONIC RA 2 NOCTURNE is also suitable for those who want to prevent foot injuries. Features include Vibe™ Technology, which combines the midsole compound EnergyCell™+ with the shock-absorbing material Opal, Geometric Decoupling™, which supports pronation, and Contagrip® FA, which has a flat, wide lug pattern for firm grip on hard surfaces.
The SONIC RA 2 NOCTURNE for beginner runners who are struggling with their running form or muscle strength, long-distance runners who want to avoid injury (especially those who tend to sprain their ankles!), and trail runners who want to incorporate winter road training .
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