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Due to the nature of trail running shoes, which are designed for running on rough terrain, they are destined to require both the durability (toughness) of hiking boots and the agility (ease of running) of running shoes. It would be great if they could provide the best features in both areas on the same level as specialized shoes, but of course, the reality is not that simple. If you make shoes fast, you will neglect protection, and if you make them sturdy, agility will inevitably decrease. In a sense, the quality of trail running shoes is determined not only by the performance of both of these aspects, but also by how well-balanced the products are
Salomon 's new trail running series, THUNDERCROSS, which we will introduce today. It is a new concept off-road running shoe that combines the best of both the "Cross" family, which is synonymous with tough trail running shoes, and the "Sense" family (or "Glide" family), which has a modern concept that emphasizes faster and longer runs. This shoe is sure to be of interest to fans of both series, so in this article we would like to review the hybrid appeal and performance of this new trail running shoe.
table of contents
Main features of SALOMON THUNDERCROSS
The latest addition to Salomon's trail running shoe lineup, the Thundercross, is a hybrid of the lightweight, all-around SenseRide 5 and the tough, aggressive Speedcross 6. The durable body and sole protect your feet from obstacles like branches and rocks while providing stable traction on a variety of terrain, from muddy and rocky surfaces to roads. The low-drop (4mm) midsole, with ample cushioning Energy Foam, ensures a natural and comfortable ride, ensuring safe and comfortable wear even over long distances. The flexible Sensifit™ upper material, combined with the Quicklace™ system, ensures an excellent fit, ensuring fatigue-free running even on challenging routes at a fast tempo for long periods of time. In addition to the review model, there are also GORE-TEX and women's models available
Recommended points
- SensiFit™ provides a snug fit, arch support, and thick padding in the tongue and collar for total comfort
- The midsole has a low drop that is close to flat, absorbing shock firmly all the way to the forefoot and providing moderate resilience
- All Terrain Contagrip® outsole with 5mm chevron lugs for grip on soft surfaces like mud
- Full TPU protection against rocks, branches, roots and more
- Rocker geometry sole for a natural, smooth gait
Points of interest
- Not very breathable or drainable
- The deep, widely spaced lug pattern provides moderate grip on roads and slippery wet rocks, but wears out quickly
Main specifications and evaluation
| item | SALOMON THUNDERCROSS |
|---|---|
| weight | 290g |
| Stack Height | 31mm/27.2mm |
| drop | 4mm |
| upper |
|
| Midsole | EnergyFoam™ |
| Outsole | All Terrain Contagrip® |
| Outdoor Gearzine Review | |
| Comfort | ★★★★★ |
| weight | ★★★★☆ |
| grip | ★★★★☆ |
| protection | ★★★★☆ |
| cushion | ★★★★★ |
| stability | ★★★☆☆ |
| Versatility | ★★★★☆ |
Detailed review of actual field tests
Appearance and upper (comfort): The perfect fit and cushioning make it conform to your feet from the moment you put it on. And it still provides solid protection
Before I get into the functional aspects of the Thundercross, I'll confess that I was blown away by the design and coloring of these shoes. The subdued base color is accented with fluorescent, lightning-like highlights, creating a playful yet sophisticated design that I personally really like. The overall elegant color scheme not only makes them stand out outdoors, but also makes them comfortable for everyday wear
The calm base color and high-quality accent design make it look natural both on the field and in the city
The upper material is generally the Speedcross 6. The front part is made of a soft, flexible, and stretchy fabric (see photo below). It has a fine mesh-like texture and is somewhat breathable, but not very breathable, so it doesn't feel cool when running (though it might be good for autumn and winter). This fabric extends up the instep to cover the gussetless tongue, preventing pebbles and branches from getting in from the front.
The front of the upper is lined with flexible stretch mesh that extends to the instep
From the toe area through the sides to the heel, the foot is covered 360 degrees with a protective plate made of TPU material, protecting the foot from sharp rocks, branches, tree roots, etc. At the same time, this protection is carefully calculated to never interfere with the shoe's flexion, and the flex points are kept low so that stress is not generated by unnatural creases, so it is wonderful that it does not feel tight when running (see photo below)
The TPU protective film that covers the toes, sides, and heels provides peace of mind even when outdoors
The toe box (toe area) is roomy, with no pressure and plenty of room for the toes to move freely. Meanwhile, Salomon's SensiFit™ structure provides a firm, enveloping hold on both sides of the midfoot from the arch to the instep, and the combination of a soft, well-padded tongue and padded collar distributes pressure evenly across the entire surface of the shoe, even when the quicklaces are tightened, resulting in a very good fit
The familiar Sensifit™ structure gently holds your foot, wrapping it from the arch to the top of your foot
The familiar Quicklace™ lacing system ensures your laces won't come loose while you run, and by tucking them into the lace garage with any excess laces, you won't have to worry about them getting caught on branches
Salomon running shoes are known for their reliable Quicklace™ system
The heel feels soft and not particularly reinforced, apart from a core that doesn't collapse when pressed, so I was worried about stability. However, the Speedcross 6 , a TPU overlay, and ample padding, provided better support than I expected, and I didn't feel like I lacked stability while running.
The rear upper is made of lightweight and durable ripstop fabric
Overall, while still based on an exquisite fit and a smooth feel against the skin, the construction is focused on protection rather than performance like the Sense Ride 5, giving you a sense of security that is perfect for hiking and off-road running. The comfort that allows you to wear them all day, from everyday use to trail running and hiking, is honestly addictive
Midsole and outsole (ride comfort): Aggressive running and comfortable ride, both of which are well balanced and incredibly versatile
Sharp and luxurious midsole based on Sense Ride 5
Looking at the stack height of the Thundercross midsole, you'll notice that it's a relatively unusual configuration for Salomon, with a heel height of 31mm and a forefoot height of 27.2mm (4mm drop). This means that there's plenty of thick cushioning not only in the heel but also in the forefoot
The feeling when you actually put your foot in and stand is a bit surprising; you'll feel a higher level of cushioning than usual, especially in the forefoot, and you'll be impressed by the generous arch support in the arch area. Even Salomon's " ULTRA GLIDE 2 ," which is considered a high-cushion shoe, has a forefoot height of 26mm, so you can see from this that this is a fairly bold stack height.
The true nature of this thick midsole is a lightweight material called "EnergyFoam™," which is an EVA-based material blended with olefin (OBC)
The midsole is filled with Energy Foam, which provides high cushioning and rebound, and has been featured in many of Salomon's performance shoes in recent years
This midsole, which combines softness, high shock absorption, and bouncy responsiveness, is almost identical to the one used in the Sense Ride 5 (photo below), and is designed to be effective in any situation, from speedy races to tough long runs
These new trail running shoes are reasonably light, have a low drop of 4mm, and are filled with ample energy foam, so they didn't require any break-in time and provided a great ride from the very first run I took them out of the box
First of all, I found that the low 4mm drop allowed for the most "natural" stride of any Salomon trail running shoe I've worn to date. The shoe offers just the right amount of ground contact, giving the impression of more agility and stability than, say, a 10mm drop Speedcross, and offering excellent maneuverability on uneven surfaces. Despite the shoe's relatively thick sole, it doesn't feel high or unstable, and the ample and durable cushioning makes it less likely to tire you out even on long off-road runs
Above all, the Energy Foam's "balance of soft cushioning and stable ground contact" is amazing. I'm impressed by the amazing balance of cushioning and energy return. The Energy Foam's moderate rebound supports a light running style, and its high performance is enough to be considered as a racing shoe that requires a certain level of speed
Thanks to this thick forefoot, the Thunder Cross absorbs uneven ground even without the "ProfFeel" rock plate found in the Sense Ride series. You can confidently place your feet on trails with lots of hard rock or gravel. Please note that these stability and sole protection measures apply to trail running, and may not apply to hiking with heavy loads
The rocker geometry shape, which was refined through its adoption in the Sense Ride series and increases forward propulsion by slightly curving from heel to toe, is still alive and well
The sole has a rocker geometry shape that rises at the front and back like the bottom of a boat, making the movement from landing to stepping off smoother
All Terrain Contagrip® compound and deep lug pattern for aggressive riding in muddy and rocky terrain
The Thundercross outsole is immediately recognizable as being based on the Speedcross, with its 5mm height and large chevron studs that provide reliable grip on loose surfaces. This means it will excel in technical terrain like muddy or steep gravel slopes, but it's not an exact replica, and some small tweaks have been made to further enhance its hybrid appeal
For example, it uses All Terrain Contagrip® rubber, which is highly durable and stable in all conditions, making it suitable for a wider range of conditions from roads to rough terrain. Also, by making each lug smaller and increasing the number of lugs, it improves its performance on flat terrain. While the base is designed to be strong on rough terrain, the impression is that it is less extreme than the Speedcross, and you get the feeling that it provides a stable and comfortable ride on more "normal" trails and roads (see photo below)
With this subtle adjustment, the Thundercross provided a comfortable grip on any road surface, whether it was dry or wet, hard or loose. The only time I had to be a little careful was on wet, slippery rocks or asphalt
I tried them out on a variety of terrains, from technical trails like the steep Baka Ridge in Tanzawa and the rocky Mt. Nasu to gentler trails, and the deep, finely spaced lugs provided good grip even on loose soil and muddy slopes, and even on roads I didn't notice any strange unevenness
However, with this compound and shape, you should be prepared for it to be less durable (less likely to wear out) than a regular outsole
Summary: My encounter with the Thunder Cross made me realize once again how much fun it is to ride in the mountains
Based on the Speedcross, which boasts absolute strength on off-road terrain, this shoe blends the softer, more energetic cushioning of the Sense and Glide series to create a shoe that is easy to run in and gentle on the feet. I think this attempt was a great success. Anyway, I'm currently enjoying running on the trails in the Thundercross
It doesn't have any particularly flashy, cutting-edge features, and at just 290g it's not particularly light, but I strongly felt that this debut model in Salomon's new series is a shoe that can be recommended to everyone, with a variety of features that allow anyone to experience the joy of trail running
These shoes are go-anywhere, fun to run in, and comfortable for long periods of time. If you're a Speedcross fan looking for something more versatile and gentle on your feet, the Thundercross is definitely a must-have option. If you're looking for a shoe that will let you tackle rough terrain with confidence and keep your feet comfortable and comfortable all day long, then the Thundercross is definitely worth a try
For more information and to purchase the SALOMON THUNDERCROSS
Please check the official online store for information on the latest model arrivals and product details
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