Salomon Thundercross First Run: A Cushioned, Aggressively Lugged Trail Shoe

Introduction

If the Salomon Speedcross 6 and the Ultra Glide had a child, the Thundercross is probably what it would look like. It is a new trail running shoe that combines a deep-cushioning energy foam midsole with an aggressively lugged 5mm outsole, and it made a very strong impression on its first outing.

What the Thundercross Is Designed to Do

Salomon developed the Thundercross in the French Alps across a wide mix of terrains and underfoot conditions. The stated goal is a very comfortable level of cushioning that can soak up long distances while keeping an uncompromised level of grip from the 5mm lugged outsole.

Starting at the top, the Sensifit upper construction looks very similar to the Speedcross 6, with comparable midfoot structuring and overlays, a similar toe box shape, and an elasticated debris shield stretching across the midfoot. It also carries Salomon’s quick lace system with a built-in pocket in the tongue, which appears to be placed in a much better position than the pocket on the Ultra Glide.

Midsole, Stack, and Weight

Like many recent Salomon shoes, the Thundercross uses a fairly deep stack of their softest, bounciest energy foam. The heel measures 31mm and the forefoot 27mm, giving a surprisingly low 4mm heel offset. That should feel lower to the ground and more stable than the tall 10mm offset of the Speedcross 6, and it matches the preference many trail runners have for a 4mm drop.

The stack height is very close to the Ultra Glide 2’s 32mm heel and 26mm forefoot, though the foam here feels a touch firmer. Weight is reasonable too: 295 grams in a UK 10, which is 15 grams lighter than an Ultra Glide 2. That is only a good thing in our eyes.

Outsole Grip and Traction

Flipping the shoe over reveals a bold outsole in what could be described as bright shocking pink and salmon. The good news is the chunky, aggressive 5mm lug pattern, which should deliver far more traction in muddy conditions than the 3.5mm lugs on the Ultra Glide 2.

On the first run, the Contagrip rubber felt very sticky on tarmac road sections and the 5mm lugs gave excellent traction on soft sand. The one concern is that this rubber feels very soft, which is what makes it grippy, so long-term durability on pavement approaches will be worth watching.

Ride Feel and Midsole Comfort

Over an 8.2-mile first run, the Thundercross genuinely impressed. The energy foam felt nicely cushioned but not too soft, keeping a good connection to the trail and a stable, protected feel over rocky sections. It was noticeably more comfortable than the Speedcross 6, and more enjoyable on a first run than either the Ultra Glide 2 or the Sense Ride 5.

The 4mm offset also worked well, keeping the ride level and low to the ground. With this shoe in the lineup, it is honestly hard to see where the Speedcross 6 fits in the range anymore, since the Thundercross offers deep cushioning and deep lugs in one package.

Fit, Upper, and Lockdown

The upper felt comfortable straight out of the box with no irritation or rubbing. Padding in the tongue and ankle collar is moderate and worked well, though it is a standard tongue rather than a gusseted one. The elasticated debris shield across the midfoot partly compensates, making the tongue feel effectively gusseted, and midfoot lockdown was very good with a tight-weave mesh. Impressively, almost no debris made it inside the shoe after a sandy coastal run.

One fit note comes down to personal foot shape: there is quite a lot of volume in the toe and midfoot, so the quick lace system had to be pulled quite tight to get a secure fit. The good news is that this is a Salomon trail shoe that is not crazy narrow. It is not super wide either, but it offers more width and volume than many of Salomon’s trail shoes.

Buying Advice

The Thundercross retails in the UK for £140, the same price point as the Ultra Glide 2. If you want one shoe that blends plush cushioning for distance with serious traction for soft ground, it makes a compelling case. The main caution is the soft outsole rubber if your routes involve significant road or pavement sections, and the roomier fit may need lace adjustment if you have a low-volume foot.

Conclusion

The Thundercross is a great addition to Salomon’s trail running lineup: a deeply cushioned, aggressively lugged shoe that felt comfortable, stable, and genuinely fun on its first run. This is only a first impression, and a full in-depth review in wet and muddy conditions will be the real test of that 5mm lug outsole, but the early signs are very promising.