Gear Hub: Salomon SPEEDCROSS 5 Trail Running Shoes

When it comes to running shoes and accessories, I’m generally happy with anything I test from Salomon, especially when my performance not only feels supported by the gear but also enhanced. The snow is melting in the Colorado mountains and we’re entering “mud season” — the ideal time to break out Salomon’s SPEEDCROSS 5 trail running shoes. The responsive fit and deep grip these provide make running on slushy snow, sloppy mud and uneven dirt a little messy, but a lot of fun.  

The tried-and-true design of Salomon’s SPEEDCROSS is distinguished by the slim profile of the shoes with large lugs for ultimate grip on all surfaces. The SPEEDCROSS 5 is the newest generation of the shoes, offering even more grip and stability than the preceding designs. I’ve been testing them the past several weeks and I’m happy to keep them running throughout the spring and then roll with them into some speed and agility training on trails this summer. 

So far, my favorite spring run sessions to wear the SPEEDCROSS 5 are trail running intervals. The shoes give me the grip I need to turn up my leg turnover, even on the icy, slushy and muddy spots, getting my heart rate up to that top level for effective high-intensity intervals. After the interval work is complete, I can cruise back down the trail without worrying about sliding out in sketchy conditions. 

While the SPEEDCROSS 5 design offers a lot of grip and stability, the muscles in the arches of my feet are still getting used to the snug midsole cradle. On a larger run recently, I noticed a little strain in my arches, but nothing unique from breaking in a new pair of runners. 

The Salomon SPEEDCROSS 5 trail running shoes are $129.95. Check them out at salomon.com.