Review: Salomon Speedcross 5

Written by

Athena Farias

Exercise Physiologist, Strength and Conditioning Coach, and Run Coach.

This expert review is written by

Athena Farias

Exercise Physiologist, Strength and Conditioning Coach, and Run Coach.
Athena has been running for 31 years. She ran her first race, which was a marathon in 2002. She has run everything from a 5K to Ultras and 7 consecutive years of a 223 mile relay.

She is an Exercise Physiologist, Strength and Conditioning Coach, and Run Coach.

Running is her safe haven and it is also her passion, which she loves to share with her community.

Weight

We usually consider 10 ounces a "medium" weight for a running shoe: less than 10 and we are entering the lightweight category and above 10 the shoes start to be heavy.

Heel-to-toe drop

Heel drop is the measurement in mm of the difference between the height of the heel and the toe of the sole.

A lower drop (0mm - 5mm) promotes running on mid-foot and fore-foot, while higher drops (8mm - 12mm) are more traditional and meant to support a heel-striking gait.
Expert score
9/10

Expert Review: Salomon Speedcross 5

Quick overview

Best for
Regular training, long, slow training runs, marathon and 50k trail races, ultra distances, 50 miles and greater
Terrain
Best for on dirt trails, through grassy sections or cross-country courses, over very rocky area, in muddy area, through creeks and streams, in snowy or icy sections, along moderate trails, along highly technical trails
Grip
The Speedcross 5 provides excellent grip and traction on all kind of terrains and surfaces
Lack Traction
Average Traction
Provide Traction
Cushioning
The Speedcross 5 offers just the right amount of cushioning
Little cushioning
Medium cushioning
Highly cushioned
Weight

11.6

 oz
329 g
Heel to toe drop
Drop

10

 mm

Pros and cons according to our running expert

Pros and cons according to our running expert

  • Traction
  • Comfort
  • Lacing system
  • Heel to toe drop

Our verdict

The Salomon Speedcross 5 was a comfortable ride right out of the box. They provided all the elements that make a shoe great from traction, protection, stability, durability, and breathability.

The deep lugs can canvass over any terrain dry, wet, or muddy.

Introduction Salomon Speedcross 5

The Salomon Speedcross 5 is all around trail shoe that is priced at $130. The updates have made this shoe more durable and comfortable for the trail runner who prefers the dirt vs road.

The outersole was updated with Chevron lugs that are multi-directional and a deeper cut to allow these shoes to gain traction on loose dirt, soft trail, and even mud.

The comfort begins with the molded OrthoLite® that delivers top-notch cushioning, breathability and durability.

The anti-debris mesh on the upper of the shoe keeps debris from being caught between the foot and footbed. The SensiFit™ provides a snug fit along with the Quicklace™ one pull lacing system.

The mid-sole is made of EnergyCell™ + which is a high-rebound giving the shoe long last cushioning and durability.

Cushioning Type
The Speedcross 5 is more responsive than... Read more plush: provides energy return and some shock
Responsive
Plush
Cushioning Amount
The Speedcross 5 offers just the right amount... Read more of cushioning
Little cushioning
Highly cushioned
Flexibility
The Speedcross 5 is extremely flexible at the... Read more expense of some structure
Rigid
Flexible
Stability
The Speedcross 5 offers great stability for... Read more runners who needs the most support for
Not particularly stable
Very stable

Impressions Salomon Speedcross 5

The Speedcross 5 needed no introduction to my feet. I laced them up and hit the trail. We had non-stop rain for days so I was a little hesitant to take in some trail miles with a new pair of shoes.

These shoes did not fail me once. The trail I decided to tackle is technical for South Texas, it has some climbing, stair stepping, dirt, rocky, roots, and soft trail areas.

I crossed through the bottom of the trail in ankle deep water and beds of mud coming up and out of the that part of the trail unscathed.

The shoes are not waterproof but debris did not get in nor did I develop any blisters. I loved how the mud didn’t stick to the bottom of the shoe, as I kept running the mud would just sling off.

The lugs provided perfect traction and grip going up the slick rock with moss running down the trail.
It did feel a little awkward at first to run in such a steep heel to toe drop.

Most of my trail shoes are 4mm drop vs 10mm drop shoes so there was an initial difference in feel which quickly faded as I hit my first climb.

Protection Salomon Speedcross 5

You don’t miss the rockplate in the midsole because the deep multi-directional lugs and hard exterior Contragrip rubber protect the feet for those jagged little rocks along the technical terrain.

It also provides protection around toe with a welded overlay bumper.

Rockplate
The Speedcross 5 does not have a rock plate.
Not present
Solid protection
Lugs
The Speedcross 5 provides excellent grip and... Read more traction on all kind of terrains and surfaces
Lack Traction
Provide Traction
Water resistance
The Speedcross 5 provides a decent protection... Read more from splashes and puddles
Poor
Water Resistant

Durability Salomon Speedcross 5

This shoe will withstand technical, rocky, rooted, dry, wet, or muddy terrain. One thing to note is that this shoe is for sand, dirt, grassy, and rugged trail and not necessarily for road or concrete.

The lugs do not do well while running on road or trail.

Responsiveness & Speed Salomon Speedcross 5

I was impressed by the ease of keeping pace whether going up or downhill. As I stated earlier, the trails were wet and muddy yet I was able to hit the prescribed paces for each of the runs.

I felt light and confident throughout my run.

Comfort and Fit Salomon Speedcross 5

I really liked how the shoe fit from the heel to toe. The molded Ortholite® fit like a glove around my foot. It kept the sand and rock out of the shoe protecting my feet.

I also didn’t experience sliding of my feet when I went through water and mud, my feet stayed put.

Sizing
The Speedcross 5 has average sizing: buy the... Read more usual size
Buy size smaller
Buy size bigger

Conclusion Salomon Speedcross 5

I think I can see myself using these shoes for my next training phase. I truly enjoyed every aspect of the shoe and where I can run with these shoes.

They are very functional as long as there is no pavement. I know that I can wear this one shoe whether going to run on the sandy dirt trail or steep switchback trails wet or dry.

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Teo Sluga

I run 0 - 20km per week, I use them primarily for running
Speedcross series ia designed for soft terrain: mudd, grass. It is not designed for rocky terrain. Remember that when buying new trail shoes...

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