Salomon S/Lab Genesis 2 Review: A Technical Trail Specialist Built for Confidence

Introduction

The Salomon S/Lab Genesis 2 is a significant update to the original S/Lab Genesis, and it leans firmly toward technical terrain rather than the ultra race scene. With this release, Salomon is clearly building a more technically oriented division within the Genesis line, and the result sits closer to what people remember from the original S/Lab Ultra, echoed here in the black and red launch colorway.

If you ran in early Salomon S/Lab or Sense models, the fit and feel of this shoe will feel genuinely nostalgic. It is a slim, snug, performance-first package designed to make you confident on rocky, mountainous ground. We put it through long runs of four hours and more, much of it on technical single track and off-trail climbing, to see whether it lives up to that promise.

Fit and Upper

The fit is slim and fitted throughout, with a much more snug midfoot and a slightly lower-volume forefoot that still leaves a little room to wiggle. Even with a borderline-wide forefoot, the shoe stayed comfortable for many hours, including runs beyond four hours with significant gain and descent. The integrated sock liner and generous padding over the tongue area make the snug midfoot lock-down feel secure rather than punishing.

The front two-thirds of the upper uses a Matryx Micro material: breathable, lightweight, durable, and resistant to stretching out, which suits a shoe that wants a snug fit. Overlays and a stout toe bumper round out a construction that makes sense for technical trail use.

The heel is the area where you may or may not get along with this shoe. The collar has good padding and structure, but on longer runs heel rubbing showed up on both sides, most noticeably on sustained uphill grinds. It could not be fully mitigated, so anyone planning long mountain days should plan ahead with anti-friction measures.

Midsole and Stability

The biggest changes from the original S/Lab Genesis are in the midsole. The Optifoam blend feels soft out of the box, but the ride is deliberately lower and wider: 31 mm at the heel and 25 mm at the forefoot, a 6 mm drop. Weight rises to 10 oz (283 g) in a US men’s 9, with unisex sizing (equivalent to a women’s 10.5). That added weight buys real stability and better ground feel, which is the right trade for a technical trail shoe.

An active chassis system keeps the foam from caving in unpredictably, and the ProFilm layer acts as a lightweight, flexible protective layer rather than a full rock guard. The result is a protected, moderately cushioned, very stable and nimble package. On rocky technical single track and off-trail sections, this was one of the most confidence-inspiring shoes on any terrain we have run.

Two caveats emerged over roughly 50 miles. The midsole lost some character in its responsiveness over the miles, even though comfort, stability, and performance held steady. And after around the three-hour mark, foot fatigue set in on technical terrain, so this is better suited to shorter technical days than to ultra race duty.

Outsole and Grip

The broader footprint does double duty: it helps stability and gives the lug pattern more room to work. The Contagrip rubber uses 4.5 mm lugs arranged in multiple directions, with broader, flatter lugs that grip hard surfaces like rock while still digging into dirt and releasing mud well. This new Contagrip formula performed far better than recent Salomon outsoles we were less happy with, and although it is getting chewed up from abrasive terrain, overall durability is not a concern.

Overall Verdict

Design scores an A. The shoe is unmistakably Salomon, with an old-school fit-and-feel that slots neatly into the brand’s lineup between ultra distance and race day silos. The changes versus the previous model make sense given the rest of the range, and the black and red colorway is a welcome callback.

Performance also earns an A. Salomon set out to build a shoe for rocky, technical ground, and that is exactly what it delivers, with enough composure to bridge into moderate and smoother terrain.

Value comes in at a B. At $200, the S/Lab Genesis 2 sits at a familiar S/Lab price point, and it is far more specialized than many race day models priced at $250 or more. For a dedicated technical terrain shoe, the ingredients justify it, with the midsole’s flattening character the main knock.

Overall, this one earns an A. It delivered fun and confidence on every trail we took it to, with a couple of fit-related trade-offs worth knowing about before you buy.

Conclusion

The Salomon S/Lab Genesis 2 is a technical trail specialist with genuine old-school Salomon soul. Buy it if you want a snug, stable, confidence-inspiring shoe for rocky mountain terrain. Look elsewhere if you need an ultra-distance cruiser, a high-volume fit, or a guaranteed heel-rub-free ride on long climbs.