Review: SALOMON SPEEDCROSS 5 The latest model, which remains stable on rough roads, is completely free of any gaps.
September is already over. The mountains really feel like autumn. Long races of around 100km are being held on the streets, and the season for trail running has arrived. There are probably many runners running. In October, the Japan Mountain Endurance Race (Hasetsune), a pioneering Japan's leading trail running tournament, will also be held. We've put our focus on the fifth generation of SPEED CROSS , which has been loved for many years by runners who are likely to be on the target race
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SPEED CROSS 5 features
SALOMON was founded in France in 1947 and continues to lead the industry as a mountain sports brand . SALOMON 's bestselling series SPEED CROSS . The high performance that allows you to run on rocky and mud trails, including the upper system "SENSIFIT" boasts an outstanding fit, the unique rubber "Contagrip®" that combines traction and tenacity in a wedge shape, and the "QUICKLACE" that holds your feet firmly with one touch, making it a hot topic for its high performance that allows you to run on rocky and muddy trails, and it is still loved by many trail runners today.
The long-awaited version 5 has been born from SPEED CROSS The outsole uses "Contagrip® TA", which is designed to provide the most grip on muddy and scuffy trails. The midsole also incorporates the new ultra-lightweight material "EnergyCell™+", which is SPEED CROSS's The fact that these trail running shoes are highly switched and lasts for five generations is proof that they have gained high trust from users. Version 5 has returned to its origins and is featured as a next-generation model that makes use of the original characteristics. has SPEED CROSS been undertaken?
Recommended points
- An evolved outsole that allows for stable foot movements on roads in addition to wet and scuffs.
- The upper material and structure gently wraps around the entire foot
- Ultra-lightweight midsole that combines excellent shock absorption and rebound force
Points that interest me
- Durability of the rug pattern with reduced numbers and larger numbers
Main Specifications and OGZ Original Review
| item | Specifications and ratings |
|---|---|
| weight | 320g (318g 27cm per foot measured) |
| Stack height | 30mm/20mm (10mm drop) |
| Midsole | EnergyCell™+ |
| Outsole | Contagrip® TA |
| Comfort | ★★★★★ |
| weight | ★★★☆☆ |
| grip | ★★★★★ |
| protection | ★★★★☆ |
| cushion | ★★★★☆ |
| Stability | ★★★★☆ |
| comprehensive evaluation | ★★★★☆ |
Detailed review
"SensiFit™" has excellent hold and a last shape with extra room
First, let's look at the upper. Although SensiFit™, which gently wraps around the entire foot, from the midsole to the racing system, is inherited from the previous model, it is found to have more mesh material than the previous model. In addition, in the previous model, the SPEED CROSS logo was on the front of the tongue, but the logo was casually designed on the tongue under the mesh cover (it's just a cool tongue!).
For some people, the last design may be a bit tight, but when you actually put your feet in, the soft feel of the upper that wraps around your feet is pleasant. Due to the shape of the last, the forefoot has more roomier feel than the previous model, making it even more comfortable to wear. The shoelaces system "QUICKLACE" that provides a firm hold with just one touch is of course still in good condition. The toe box also fits softly to the forefoot, thick pads around the tongue and ankles, making it quite soft. The heel cup also holds the heel firmly, giving it a very reliable and stable feel. It seems like you can intuitively walk in a natural way.
The SPEED CROSS 5 makes it easier to drive without any wavering even on rough roads . The stability and grip are significantly improved.
The tongue under the mesh cover SPEED CROSS words firmly attached to it! !
A high-rebound midsole compound that incorporates the new material "EnergyCell™+"
What about the midsole and outsole? The midsole is particularly interesting. This model uses the ultra-lightweight foam "EnergyCell™+" that boasts excellent cushioning and durability, the first SPEED CROSS It is called a midsole compound with high rebound power that achieves excellent energy returns, but how does it have the power... The results will be later.
At first glance, the heel appears to have been thicker, but the specifications are the same as the previous model, with a heel of 30mm, a forehead of 20mm, and a drop of 10mm. In other words, the midsole is thick and raised. We can expect a lot of hope for the new material, EnergyCell™+. The insole uses "OrthoLite®" which is lightweight, cushioned and durable.
A thick midsole born from the new material "EnergyCell™+". It has amazing shock absorption and rebound! The pads around the ankles are also thick.
The insole is made of OrthoLite®, which provides comfortable cushioning, breathability and durability.
Outsole has been much improved than it looks
The outsole uses "TA" which focuses on traction and tenacity among the "Contagrip®" that has been passed down for generations. Furthermore, the deep, sharp wedge-shaped chevron rug, which symbolizes SPEED CROSS SPEED CROSS 5 , the shape of each lug has been completely redesigned and is arranged at wide intervals. The chevron lug itself is larger and slightly shallower. This will not only allow you to capture the road surface firmly on off-road roads, provide stable grip on wet, soft trails and hard, scuffy fields, but you will also be able to drive with a sense of stability on roads.
"Contagrip® TA" has a deep wedge shape. Grip has grown and evolved. It captures the road firmly.
I tried running on the Okura Ridge (Baka Ridge), which is the representative of Tanzawa, using SPEED CROSS 5.
The Okura Ridge in Tanzawa boasts an altitude difference of approximately 1,200m. The trail has a wide variety of conditions, including scuffs and wet roads. So I tried running with a SPEED CROSS 5
Although the weight is 20g more than the previous model's 4, it does not seem to have increased its weight, but rather it has increased stability when landing. The upper structure "SENSIFIT" wraps around the entire foot for excellent fit and hold. The "QUICKLACE" reinforces the upper to connect the midsole part, and is also a perfect fit (stable!). I didn't feel my feet moving inside the shoes while I was driving. Furthermore, the heel unit wraps around the heel, and the soft, thick tongue and pads hold your feet firmly, providing a high sense of stability when landing regardless of road conditions. I didn't feel any concern about my ankles twisting. The mesh cover is also fine and prevents sand and other substances from entering, so it's less stressful.
A mesh cover that prevents obstacles such as sand from entering. You can drive without stress while driving.
It's a standard fit, but some people may feel that it's a bit narrow, perhaps because the tongue and pads are thick. In that case, you can fine tune it with socks and it's fine. The shoelaces are "QUICKLACE" that hold the upper with just one touch operation, so they are unlikely to loosen or unravel. The tip of the remaining lace is placed in the lace pocket of the tongue.
The new material "EnergyCell™+" provides great support for driving!
A midsole that incorporates the first new material, EnergyCell™+, SPEED CROSS Cushioning when landing and rebound power for kicking off. I think it's the power of the thick midsole at the heel. In addition to its excellent shock absorption and cushioning, it is quite interesting to experience the feeling of kicking forward, giving you momentum.
The midsole "EnergyCell™+" strengthens the ability to move forward! !
The "Contagrip® TA" and the latest wedge-shaped lug pattern increase forward force and stability on roads
The outsole is the "Contagrip® TA" that holds the ground and has strong power to move forward. The wedge-shaped chevron lugs have become larger than the previous model, allowing us to steadily capture the road surface and run on rocky and wet trails without any hesitation. The grip when kicking off and applying the brakes has also been significantly improved, giving the Chevron lug a more stiffer than the previous model. Therefore, the driving continues to be stable even on hard asphalt roads. Also, perhaps because the chevron lugs are wider, there is less clogging of mud and it is very cool. In other words, it has been significantly improved from road to wet trails. This means you can run offensively with just one foot. However, the decrease in the number of chevron lugs means that the impact load per unit has increased. I'm curious about the durability of that kind...
Even in fields with lots of stones, the deep rugs will firmly penetrate!
Even in muddy areas, the large rug firmly captures the road!
The all-purpose look has been significantly improved from the previous work
We compared SPEED CROSS 5 The outsole is "Contagrip® TA" just like the previous model. Although the depth of the lug on 5 is still high, it is slightly lower than the previous model. This makes it seem like the wobble that was once felt on roads has subsided significantly, and it is now possible to wear it comfortably on hybrid trails and roads. It has more all-round performance, making it easier to use in the Japanese trail scene.
Comparison of outsole lugs. The front is 5 and the back is 4. It's obvious at a glance, and the rug has grown larger. The number also decreased to 31 (36 in the previous game 4).
I drove down the road and found out the difference clearly. The large, slightly shallower Contagrip® TA captures the ground firmly even on hard asphalt, allowing for a more stable running without any shaking.
"SENSIFIT" and "QUICKLACE" provide a stable fit. The SPEED CROSS 5 has a mesh cover, resulting in a rather elite design.
Additionally, the shock absorption and rebound power of the EnergyCell™+ installed on the heel are quite important. It lands on the heel and uses recoil, and the lug on the forefoot of the outsole makes kicking out very smoothly. The linkage from landing to kicking out gave me momentum, and I even got the feeling that the movement of running was accelerated.
When comparing the heel sections, the height remains the same, and the midsole has increased thickness.
Summary: Recommended for people like this
Soft yet strong hold on the tongue and pads. The stability of "EnergyCell™+" has excellent shock absorption and rebound power. The grip of the "Contagrip® TA" is worn with a multi-purpose chevron lug. I would definitely recommend this to runners who want to continue running steadily regardless of the road surface. Even on a variety of courses, including trails with lots of stones and roots, rugged scuffs, slippery surfaces, and asphalt, these shoes are even more versatile and can always keep you steady with your feet. The distance is generally around 50 to 160km to show the true potential of this shoe.
On the other hand, these shoes allow you to enjoy offensive running while maintaining high performance, and thanks to their high versatility, they are perfect for anyone wondering what trail running is for a safe ride on off-road for the first time. In that sense, this pair is also perfect for those who don't like trails that are easy to slip and shattery.
