Review: SALOMON SPEEDCROSS 5 This latest model, which is suitable for road use while maintaining its stability on rough terrain, is absolutely flawless

September is almost over. The mountains are starting to feel the full autumn vibe. With long races of around 100km being held everywhere, the trail running season is in full swing. There are sure to be many runners out there who are already running hard. October also sees the Japan Mountain Endurance Race (Hasetsune), a pioneering event representing Japan's trail running scene. We 've taken a look at the fifth generation of SPEED CROSS,

SPEED CROSS 5's main features

SALOMON continues to lead the mountain sports industry with its best-selling SPEED CROSS SALOMON 's proprietary Contagrip® rubber, which combines traction and durability for exceptional durability on rough terrain and steep slopes. The QUICKLACE system provides a firm grip on your foot with just one touch. These high-performance shoes, perfect for sprinting through rocky terrain and muddy trails, have garnered attention and are still a favorite among trail runners today.

the SPEED CROSS has arrived. The outsole uses "Contagrip® TA," designed to provide the best grip on muddy and rocky trails. The midsole also incorporates the SPEED CROSS . Trail running shoes tend to be subject to frequent changes, so the fact that they have lasted for five generations is a testament to the high level of trust they have earned from users. Version 5 returns to the origins and is billed as a next-generation model that makes the most of the original's characteristics. So what kind of transformation has the SPEED CROSS undergone?

Recommended points

• An evolved outsole that allows stable walking on roads as well as wet and gravel surfaces
• Upper material and structure that gently wraps around the entire foot
• Ultra-lightweight midsole with excellent shock absorption and rebound properties

Points of interest

• Fewer, larger lug pattern for durability

Main specifications and OGZ's own evaluation

Detailed Review

SensiFit™ provides excellent support and a more spacious last shape

Let's start with the upper. The "SensiFit™" that gently wraps the entire foot from the midsole to the lacing system has been retained from the previous model, but there is more stretchy mesh material than in the previous model. Also, while the previous model SPEED CROSS logo on the front of the tongue, this model has a subtle logo design on the tongue under the mesh cover (what a cool tongue!).

The last design may be a little tight for some people, but once you put your foot in, the soft feel of the upper that wraps around your foot is very comfortable. The shape of the last has made the forefoot even more roomy than the previous model, making it more comfortable for everyone. The "QUICKLACE" shoelace system, which provides a firm hold with just one touch, is still in place. The toe box also fits softly to the forefoot, and the padding around the tongue and ankle is thick and very soft. The heel cup also holds the heel firmly, providing a reliable sense of stability. It feels like you can move your foot intuitively and naturally

The SPEED CROSS 5 makes it easier to ride steadily even on rough roads . Stability and grip have been significantly improved.

The shoe tongue under the mesh cover clearly SPEED CROSS it!

High-rebound midsole compound incorporating new EnergyCell™+ material

What about the midsole and outsole? I'm particularly interested in the midsole. This model is the SPEED CROSS series to feature the ultra-lightweight "EnergyCell™+" foam, which boasts excellent cushioning and durability. It's said to have a highly resilient midsole compound that delivers excellent energy return, but how well does it perform? We'll reveal the results later.

At first glance, it looks like the heel has been thickened, but it's the same specs as the previous model: 30mm heel, 20mm forefoot, and 10mm drop. In other words, the midsole is thicker and raised. The new material, "EnergyCell™+," seems to offer great potential. The insole is made of "OrthoLite®," which is lightweight, cushioned, and durable

The thick midsole is made from the new material "EnergyCell™+." It looks like it has amazing shock absorption and rebound power! The padding around the ankle is also thick

The insole is made of OrthoLite®, which provides comfortable cushioning, breathability, and durability

The outsole has evolved even more than it appears

The outsole uses "TA," a version of the traditional "Contagrip®" technology that has been passed down through generations, with an emphasis on traction and tenacity. Furthermore, the SPEED CROSS allow you to push forward with confidence even on steep climbs, scree, mud, and other rough terrain. the SPEED CROSS 5 , the shape of each lug has been completely redesigned and spaced farther apart. The chevron lugs themselves are now larger and slightly shallower. This not only provides a firm grip on the road off-road, providing stable grip on wet, soft trails and hard, rocky terrain, but also allows for a more stable feel on the road.

Contagrip® TA's deep wedge shape provides a larger, more advanced grip for a firmer grip on the road

I tried riding the Okura Ridge (Baka Ridge), one of Tanzawa's most famous mountain passes, on the SPEED CROSS 5

The Okura Ridge in Tanzawa boasts an elevation difference of approximately 1,200 meters. The trail has a wide variety of conditions, including scree and wet roads. So I tried running in the SPEED CROSS 5

Although the weight is 20g heavier than the previous model 4, it feels more like increased stability when landing rather than increased weight. The "SENSIFIT" upper structure wraps around the entire foot, providing excellent fit and hold. The "QUICKLACE" reinforces the upper, connecting the midsole, and provides a (stable!) perfect fit. I didn't feel like my foot was moving inside the shoe even while running. Furthermore, the heel unit firmly wraps around the heel, and the soft, thick tongue and padding hold the foot firmly in place, so there was a high sense of stability when landing regardless of the road conditions. I didn't have to worry about my ankle twisting. The mesh cover is also fine-meshed, preventing sand and other particles from getting in, so it reduces stress

The mesh cover prevents sand and other obstacles from getting in, allowing you to ride without stress

Although it's a standard fit, some people may find it a little narrow due to the thick tongue and padding. In that case, you can fine-tune it with socks. The shoelaces are "QUICKLACE," which holds the upper in place with a single touch, so they're unlikely to loosen or come undone. Put any excess laces into the lace pocket on the tongue

The new material "EnergyCell™+" provides significant support for your running!

the SPEED CROSS . It provides cushioning when landing and rebound when pushing off. This is likely due to the thick midsole in the heel area. Not only does it offer excellent shock absorption and cushioning, but it's also quite interesting to experience the sensation of pushing off with forward momentum.

The midsole "EnergyCell™+" enhances forward movement!

Contagrip® TA and the latest wedge-shaped lug pattern increase forward momentum and stability on the road

The Contagrip® TA outsole grips the ground and provides strong forward momentum. The wedge-shaped chevron lugs are larger than the previous model, providing a firmer grip on the road and allowing for confident running on rocky or wet trails. The grip when pushing off or braking has also been significantly improved, and the chevron lugs feel firmer than the previous model. This allows for a stable run even on hard asphalt roads. Also, perhaps due to the wider spacing between the chevron lugs, mud clogging is reduced, making for a more aggressive ride. In other words, the all-around performance has been greatly improved, from roads to wet trails. This means you can run aggressively with just this one shoe. However, the reduced number of chevron lugs means that each lug is subject to increased impact load. Durability in this area is a concern, though..

The deep lugs provide firm grip even on rocky fields!

The large lugs grip the road firmly, even on muddy surfaces!

The all-round performance has been significantly improved from the previous version

We compared the SPEED CROSS 5

Comparing the outsole lugs. The lugs in the foreground are 5, while the lugs in the background are the previous model's 4. At a glance, the lugs are obviously larger. The number has also been reduced to 31 (versus 36 for the previous model's 4)

When I tried riding on the road, I could clearly see the difference. The larger, slightly shallower Contagrip® TA tire gripped the ground firmly, even on hard asphalt, giving me a more stable and steady ride

"SENSIFIT" and "QUICKLACE" provide a stable fit. The SPEED CROSS 5 is equipped with a mesh cover, making it a very sophisticated design

Additionally, the shock absorption and forward-moving repulsion of the "EnergyCell™+" in the heel area are key points. When you land on your heel, the recoil allows the lugs in the forefoot of the outsole to kick off very smoothly. The momentum increases as the connection from "landing" to "kicking off," and it even feels like your running movement is accelerating

Comparing the heel area, the height remains the same, but the midsole is thicker

Summary: Recommended for these people

The soft yet firm grip of the tongue and padding. The stability of EnergyCell™+ with its excellent shock absorption and rebound. The grip of Contagrip® TA with its multi-chevron lugs. Runners who want to run steadily, regardless of the surface, should definitely try these shoes. This more versatile shoe allows for stable footing on a variety of courses, including trails with lots of stones and roots, rugged scree, slippery surfaces, and asphalt. The distance at which these shoes really shine is probably around 50-160km

Whether on the trail or the road, these shoes allow you to enjoy aggressive running while maintaining high performance, and their versatility also makes them ideal for those new to trail running to safely tackle off-road terrain for the first time. In that sense, they are also ideal for those who are not good at slippery or rocky trails

   

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