Salomon Men's Speedcross 5 GORE-TEX Trail Running Shoes

I do a lot of trail running and hiking, and after going through several pairs of shoes, I've finally found the Salomon Speedcross series to be the best. Over the last couple of years I've gone through several pairs and about 2000 miles and they've remained my preferred shoe. First and foremost, sizing is on point but these fit narrow compared to a lot of shoes, even the wide version doesn't truly feel "wide." If you have a large/wide foot, you may want to try a pair on before you buy. However, with that said, that narrow fit usually translates to stability due to how snug around your feet they fit. Additionally, the tread on the shoes translates to the best grip I've encountered on a trail shoe which leads to a lot of confidence on the trails and hills whether it be rocky, smooth, slippery, or wet. The insoles are comfortable but in wetter conditions they can potentially curl up when descending steep hills. Additionally, I deal with a lot of foot pain, so for that they tend to run a little thin. I typically just replace the included soles with thicker, thermomoldable ones, which in my case, have consistently been the Viktos brand "Ruck Recovery" insoles but there are plenty of other options out there as well. Speaking of the tread, it's pretty durable. Through mostly dry, hard packed, southern California terrain, I'll average about 400-600 miles (or usually 4-6 months) per pair. With that said, at around 400 miles the tread around the ball of foot is usually worn down enough to consider replacing them just for the sake of potential slipping down less than stable (hard-packed with grainy pebbles/rocks and loose dirt) terrain. Also worth noting, it's not recommended to use these on pavement or asphalt, the lifespan of the tread will go down significantly if you do. So keep that in mind if you're using these in mixed terrain environments that may include paved roads. All that aside, I've yet to find a better all-around trail shoe.

wore the Salomon Speedcross 5s during a Spartan Ultra, and they absolutely delivered. From steep, muddy climbs to rocky descents and everything in between — these shoes gripped like a mountain lion. No slips, no rolled ankles, no regrets. The aggressive lugs cut through mud and loose dirt like nothing else I’ve worn, and the Quicklace system stayed locked in the entire race — even through water obstacles and thick mud. Drainage was solid, and they never felt waterlogged or heavy. My feet stayed secure, supported, and blister-free for over 30 miles of punishment. Comfort-wise, they’ve got the right blend of cushion and structure. Enough responsiveness for running and just enough give to not destroy your feet by mile 20. They fit true to size and molded perfectly to my feet by race day. If you’re tackling obstacle course races, trail ultras, or just want a rugged, reliable shoe that’s built for chaos — the Speedcross 5 is worth every penny.

EDIT/UPDATE: I've gone on about 5 hikes now with my replacement shoes, and I can confirm that these seem to be holding up great. The separation on the other pair was hopefully an anomaly and hopefully no one else experiences this. That being said, I love everything about the shoes, so raising my rating up to a 5! Highly recommend! I wanted to hold off to rate my shoes until I've used them a few times hiking. I want to note that i'm more of a day hiker, and stick to 1-3 hour hikes total (sometimes longer). I am NOT a runner. I've taken these bad boys out 3 times now, and I absolutely LOVE them! Very comfortable, they fit perfectly (i'm a wide foot, and got my size in a wide and they fit true), and when i'm on the trail they have incredible grip to go up and down steep inclines. The ONLY letdown for me was part of the shoe is separating from itself near the toe of the top right shoe (see pictures). This seems to be simple glue there, but with only 3 times of use I felt that just wasn't acceptable for the price you pay for these. The good news is, I reported it to Amazon and they are sending me out a new pair. I will try to do a follow up with you all once I test those out for a bit. I'm hoping it's just an anomaly. If the nest pair doesn't do that, I will update to a 5 star for sure. I do still highly recommend these shoes, and I also loved them so much i got another pair for my stepson! If you are in the market for some hiking / running shoes for the trail, these are a no-brainier!

Perfect fit, great trail runners. Lugs give great traction and stability on typical trails in the US with mud, rocks and roots. While the sole is stiff it is still a little pliant that you do occasionally feel jagged/pointy rocks underfoot.The slightly pliant part however helps with the flex needed for running vs a pure hiking shoe. The front is well protected with toe guards. I went with the non gore tex version this time as it didn't seem to matter much with my previous goretex version as far as staying dry was concerned. These are low ankle shoes so if you splash in a puddle or run in the rain the goretex will not prevent water from seeping in anyway. These seem to breathe slightly better vs the Gtx version. Fairly lightweight although there are lighter trail shoes out there. Heel toe drop is higher at 10 mm, works for me but may be an issue for some folks. Love the quick lace system that tucks into the pocket in the tongue of the shoe. For some reason shipment took time over 20 days since this was shipped all the way from Japan. Not sure the wide format is widely available (pun intended) but would definitely recommend upsizing at least by 1 size on the regular as with any running shoe, as these tend to be very narrow. I saw a few reviews saying the lugs wore out too fast ... quite perplexed ....maybe they were wearing on road/concrete duh!. All I can say is I have over 350 miles of trail running on my previous Salomon Speed Cross Gtx 5 and the lugs still look like they are new with little/no signs of wear . If you are a regular trail runner, these are great shoes to work out in. Enjoy !!

Okay--the good: These have a great arch in them that really relieves my plantar fasciitis. For most of you that's not an issue and thanks to this shoe, it will likely not be with me. Second--very comfortable overall, besides the wonderful arch support. Third--very grippy. Great for hiking, great for biking. Finally--very stylish. I didn't buy them for that reason, but I got a lot of complements on them. Now, the issues: First, I needed a half size larger than usual. Not a big deal and in fact I've learned with shoes to expect that. I often have to go back and get a half size up or down. Second--and this was almost a deal-breaker--there was some poor construction next to the top eyelet on the right side near the toe. It seems that the heavy duty fabric which is used to support the draw cord (which acts as a shoestring) was not properly trimmed on the inside of the shoe. After a few hours it was downright painful, and I'm glad I figured it out before I went on a long hike. Getting it trimmed was extremely difficult due to the way the shoe is constructed. I finally got it clipped with a pair of small wire cutters and about 3 snips. The amount irritating was no more than 1/4" but it was protruding out from under the tongue (not so on the left foot) and well anyway, all is well now!~

My favorite shoes of all time. The grip is fabulous. Feels like I am walking on sunshine. oh yeah. The shoes breathed perfectly keeping my feet cool. Waterproof. Nothing ever got in. The highest quality and longest lasting shoes I ever owned. I walked through mud and other obstacles like straight up hills where if the grip on these shoes failed I would fall about a mile. I trusted these shoes to never fail and they never failed me. I use these as hiking shoes to walk my dog in places that only a 4 legged animals could go. My feet are safe in these shoes. No tie flexibility.

Without a doubt or the least exaggeration, these are the best shoes I've ever owned. Update: It's been months now and these are still the best shoes I have ever owned. Downside: The Insoles for mine were faulty. The left insole is fine. The right insole must have come "wrinkled" because it is absolutely painful to walk on. It is also very obviously wrinkled. This isn't a problem when they are dry. You'd just notice some texturing. When wet, however, it is another matter. Salomon. Please sell the insoles! It is a real issue. Update II: I decided to do a serious test to see just what is up with these insoles. Here's the test: 1. I walk 0.3 miles. 2. The elevation change is a mild 128 feet. 39.0144 meters. 3. I repeat this walk up and then down 5 times. 4. The walk is a total of roughly 600 steps. 5. The heat is 91 F in the shade ( 32 C) and 110 F (43.3 C) sustained exposure to the sunlight. 6. It's anywhere between 55% humidity to 63% humidity without any further deviation for weeks now. Results: After 1.2 miles (1.931) kilometers the "wrinkle" gets wet from sweat and/or rain and the insole deforms at the arch of the foot nearest the ball and big toe. - this is consistent after 3 days of testing. The insole without the wrinkle produces no issues. Walking with the insoles is possible so long as the climate remains dry and the humidity very low. In other words, the issue wouldn't likely exist in a climate like Arizona, but would be a real problem in a tropical or temperate region where the humidity is consistently higher. I am, unfortunately, in such a climate. Walking without the insoles is also possible, but so far as I have found REPLACING THEM is not possible. If there is a way to do this Salomon has gone out of their way to mask it with a fanciful website full of pretty images that never gets to the point... "want insole, buy where?". Thank you. In all else, the shoes are very good. The arch support is simply the best. I've tried most of the less expensive brands up to Keens. Keens make good sandals, but I wouldn't even call their other shoes footware compared to these. Another thing with the insole... you can walk without it, but don't try replacing it other insoles. It doesn't work. These shoes are designed to support your feet, not have your feet supported. It's a very big difference in functionality. If you want to experience a lot of unnecessary pain and anguish though, do try other insoles. I speak from experience. I've about about 14 different kinds trying to replace these so far. The pain is exquisite, but none of them work like the ortholite. It's really irritating... perfect shoe... minor issue... but no solution. :/ If it's any consolation I love the shoes so much I bought a second pair as I'm sure I'll burn through these eventually and it takes quite awhile to actually get a pair once you order.

These type shoes are made to fit tight. Not length but around your foot. You need to tighten them down and they “lock” your foot in nicely and after a couple weeks they conformed to my foot. They feel very comfortable after what I assume was the break-in period. I hate tying my shoes so I appreciate the system to tighten the laces. For me they could have put something better to grab when tightening as the string is small and kinda cuts into your hand when you really put pressure to get them nice and tight. What they call I believe the “garage” (where you tuck the extra laces) was a little tricky for me but I do have very narrow feet so may be why there was a lot of excess string. I got the hang of it however I could tie a regular pair of shoes in the time it takes me to get them completely squared away where they are not visible. Now on to their intended use: Trail running..... they perform better than any other trail running shoes I’ve ever owned and I’ve owned many.... probably too many! The tightness I mentioned really comes in handy running over uneven ground like rocks, mud, up and down steep inclines. The times each step has to be precise or disastrous consequences would follow. The tread on the bottom is large and knobby it provided amazing traction on my recent run on a 4 mile trail during the last two miles it came a drenching downpour. I was amazed at the lack of slipping, sliding. I do wish the shoes were waterproof however I understand It would be impossible on this model without making them airtight and very hot for all but winter runs. They do have the same model except for gtx that are waterproof. The added gortex makes them waterproof but would only be useful (to me) in the winter because gortex will burn your feet up in temps over 75f or so in my experience. So I think the trade off is well worth it. Also I need to mention although they aren’t waterproof my feet didn’t get soaked like I expected and actually stayed dry until I was close to my truck digging for my keys and I stepped in a large puddle that I didn’t notice. While I was running and dodging most deep water my feet were completely dry. Overall I do have a couple things that would be nice if added or changed I can’t remove a star on a product that does exactly what it’s made to do. If they last like I expect them too I think the price although high is worth it. I will be doing many runs so if anything fails or my review changes for the worse I will update immediately. Thanks for reading and I hope it helps someone who is on the fence about these.