Salomon S/Lab Phantasm 2 First Run: A Genuine Super Shoe Contender

Introduction

The Salomon S/Lab Phantasm 2 is the brand’s top-tier carbon racing shoe, and it comes with some genuine expectations attached. At £240 in the UK and $275 in the US, it is priced squarely against the best super shoes on the market, so the question is simple: does it now ride like one?

There is one thing worth clearing up first: the naming. The Phantasm 2 is not the successor to the original Phantasm. It succeeds the Phantasm CF, the carbon fibre version, and sits alongside a low-stack Phantasm racing shoe and the Phantasm 2, which is more of a training partner to this shoe. It is a needlessly confusing lineup from Salomon, but the S/Lab badge is the key word here. That means it is the top-of-the-range racing option, and the price gives you a clue.

First Look and Key Specs

The headline numbers are 226g (8oz) in a UK 9.5, a 9mm drop, and a stack height of 37.5mm at the heel and 28.5mm at the forefoot. The big change compared to the Phantasm CF is the midsole foam: a full PEBA midsole in two different layers. Interestingly, the softer layer sits underneath rather than on top, which is unusual for a dual-density setup. The older shoe used a foam that simply was not as bouncy as PEBA, which is why so many brands have moved to it. The new foam is also lighter, and the shoe comes in noticeably lighter than the Phantasm CF despite this being a bigger sample size.

Everything here is moving toward what the rest of the super shoe market offers: PEBA midsole, higher stack, and Salomon’s Energy Blade carbon plate running the full length of the shoe. The upper is a single-layer mesh that is nicely see-through and keeps weight down, with minimal padding and not much of a heel counter. The outsole is Salomon’s Contagrip rubber with two strips at the back and pretty good forefoot coverage, which historically has been grippy.

Fit and Sizing

The test pair is a UK 9.5, half a size up from the tester’s normal size because that was the sample available. That converts to a US 10 or EU 44, which is often the same size worn in other brands, so the fit works out reasonably well. There is a little too much room on the left side, but that comes down to a slightly shorter left foot rather than a flaw in the shoe.

On the run, the heel stayed locked in place, midfoot hold was solid, and the laces just needed tightening slightly to compensate for the extra half size. The tongue is much improved on this shoe too. The Phantasm CF had a fussy, annoying tongue, and that is no longer a problem. The sensible guidance is to go with your normal size.

On the Run: A Progression 10K in the Wet

The first test was a progression 10K on a wet, windy morning: 3K at 3:45/km, 3K at 3:35/km, 3K at 3:25/km, then a final kilometre kick. It is the kind of session that tends to be tough, and it was run in persistent drizzle on slick pavement.

The session went surprisingly well. The paces were hit comfortably, and the shoes played a genuine part in that. The ride feel at times was excellent: plenty of softness, but it gives you that tip-forward kick rather than mushy softness. It feels light and nimble, and when it was time to push at the end, it was easy to lift the feet and keep turning them over.

Even as a heel striker landing on the bigger, softer chunk of foam under the heel, the ride felt comfortable without being spongy or slow. The transition stayed snappy and fast, with lots of balance, protection, and comfort.

How the Ride Compares

The closest comparison that comes to mind is the Nike Vaporfly 3: quite soft, but with enough firmness to push onto the forefoot and toe off cleanly. It is softer than something with a more aggressive ride, and that softer character suits a nice range of distances.

Compared to the Phantasm CF, the difference is clear. The older shoe was all about the rocker, which worked well for running quickly, but the foam was firmer than most super shoes and never exceptional. It had more of a super trainer vibe with the price of a full super shoe. The Phantasm 2 has a proper super shoe feel: bouncier, lighter, and genuinely quick.

This is shaping up as a shoe that could rival the best on the market, and it would be well suited to racing across a range of distances.

The Grip Problem

The one significant issue from the first run was the outsole. Fresh out of the box, it was an absolute nightmare on wet surfaces. On sections of slightly bobbly, not-quite-smooth road, there was no purchase at all, particularly under the forefoot when pushing off. Some patches simply had to be slowed down through, even though they were flat tarmac.

To be fair, this was a brand-new, unscuffed outsole, and Contagrip has performed well before, so there is hope it improves as the rubber wears in. On genuinely smooth roads, the problem likely would not surface. But on that sheer, slick wet pavement, it was surprising for a Salomon shoe and is worth keeping an eye on through further testing.

Buying Advice

If you are looking for a premium carbon racing shoe with a soft-but-propulsive PEBA ride, the S/Lab Phantasm 2 now deserves a spot on the shortlist. Fit true to size, expect a light and nimble feel that handles tempo work and harder efforts well, and be aware that grip on wet, slightly textured pavement may need a few miles to settle. Runners who mostly train on smooth roads or race in the dry are the least likely to notice the trade-off.

Conclusion

The Salomon S/Lab Phantasm 2 delivered an excellent first run: fast, balanced, comfortable, and genuinely fun to push in, with a ride that finally feels like a proper super shoe rather than a firm super trainer. The wet-weather grip is the one question mark, and further testing will tell whether it scuffs up and settles. On the strength of the ride alone, though, this is a very promising racing shoe.