Salomon S-Lab Sense 4 Ultra – price comparison and personal review

The Salomon S-Lab Sense 4 Ultra is made in collaboration with the icon Killion Jornet – a legend. Martin has tested the shoe. Here you get:

• What Martin experienced in his test
• What you should pay extra attention to
• The biggest savings

NOTE:Save today 700 crowns through iloebesko. Retail price: 1,400 kroner. Apply today.

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Price comparison

Reseller	Leveringstid	Country	Total price	Read more
	1-2 dage		700 DKK	Til butik
	3-5 dage		1,214 DKK	Til butik
	1-7 dage		1,295 DKK	Til butik

What’s new in S-Lab Sense 4

The latest version, the Salomon S-Lab Sense 4 Ultra has a few really nice improvements to offer. Salomon has just made running in this amazing trail running shoe a little more fun.

Below you can find the general test and review of the S-lab shoe.

Salomon S-lab Sense 4 has had the runner in clear focus. In this 4th edition, there is a much greater emphasis on things that benefit you as a runner:

• More protection
• More flexibility
• Improved grip

This S-lab model from Salomon is a running shoe that is clearly best on dry and hard trail surfaces.

In the S-lab 4 Ultra there is a lot of emphasis on extra protection. Both the upper (at the toes) have become much more protective and durable, so that you are protected against hard and sharp objects. But there is also a protective plate deep in the shoe’s midsole, so that the risk of shocks and sharp objects from below is reduced.

The sole has been improved in the Salomon S-lab Sense Ultra so that you will now experience a significantly better grip on the ground. This gives you a better opportunity for flexibility and faster turns. I think you can really feel that Salomon has done something here. It’s a super cool feeling. The running shoe of course still contains the good qualities from the S-lab 3 model:

• Good tight-fitting upper
• Quicklace lacing system
• The low drop
• The quick-drying upper
• And we could go on.

Quick facts about S-Lab Sense

Salomon S-Lab Sense test

First impression

My first impression of the Salomon S-Lab Sense was really positive. I think the design is really cool and I’m a huge fan of the fact that it has been cut to the leg and all unnecessary features have been removed. The minimalist design fits well with how I like to run. And the bright red color is, to put it mildly, eye-catching. Even though I have a relatively wide foot and the shoe is narrow, the Salomon S-Lab Sense sits comfortably around the foot. You can’t form a first impression of a shoe without running. So that’s exactly what I do.

My first run in the Salomon S-Lab Sense is on the easier trails in Amager Fælled and I’m enjoying it. The surface is dry and I feel like I have a secure grip all the way. The good grip in the surface ensures that I don’t lose too much strength by sliding around and that the energy I use goes into running forward. My foot feels a bit squeezed at its widest point, but it seems that the thin mesh upper adapts to my foot and is pulled out a little compared to the more rigid sole. The hard plate under the forefoot and midfoot also works to protect my feet from roots and pebbles. I still have the positive experience from unpacking the S-Lab Sense after the first run.

After several hundred kilometers of use

I have used the Salomon S-Lab Sense in many different ways. Mainly I have run a lot of km on trails in and around the capital, but I have also been lucky enough to be able to take the Salomon running shoe with me to Canada for runs on beautiful single trails in the mountains, hour-long hikes and outdoor days. And I am almost as positive as the first day, although I also have some things and features that I think could be improved.

It’s always best to start with the positive. First of all, the shoe sits comfortably on the foot and it doesn’t matter whether I’m wearing socks or not. This means that on really hot days I can run without socks and really enjoy the breathability of the shoe. The thin mesh upper lets a lot of air through. It also makes me super impressed with the shoe’s ability to dry. It goes by lightning fast, which is smart if you just step into a puddle or have to cross a small stream. I’m a big fan of the shoe’s minimalist expression, not a single detail is unnecessary. It’s quick to “lace up” the Salomon S-Lab Sense and the shoe’s low drop from heel to toe encourages me to run with light threads and forward on the foot. At the same time, the shoe doesn’t weigh much.

There are some features that I am not entirely impressed with and that I wish Salomon had done better. On wet surfaces, the sole is not rough enough at all. On gravel, rocks and the like, the grip is really good, but as soon as it gets wet I slide around a little too much. The fact that the shoe dries so quickly means that I don’t worry too much about it getting wet and dirty, which does mean that I have had some problems with the Quicklace system, which can sometimes be difficult to close and open because dirt has settled inside the lock. Finally, I am not terribly impressed with the durability of the shoe. The thin mesh upper seems to wear out a little quickly and parts of the sole (not the spikes themselves) also wear out faster than I expected.

All in all, I am still really positive and impressed with the Salomon S-Lab Sense. I think the running shoe has helped push my limits in trail running and helped me run even faster. It is almost difficult not to run fast with a running shoe that weighs so little. I can easily live with the fact that it may not be 100% suitable for the slightly humid and often rainy Danish climate. It has continued to be my favorite mountain shoe. In addition to being a fantastic trail running shoes,I also think it’s really good for long hikes in the mountains, where it goes up and down. And it’s super easy to transport around the world.

What do others say about the shoe?

Kristine Jensen, Experienced trail runner

Asmus Norden, Ultrarunner

Hans Obling, Skilled runner

Choosing shoe size

I found that the size in the Salomon S-Lab Sense was very close to or exactly the same as the sizes in my previous running shoes. I have never had problems with the size being off and the S-Lab Sense being tight or my foot slipping around inside the shoe. You can use my running shoe size calculator toolto find your exact size.

Advantages and disadvantages

Why you should buy Salomon S-Lab Sense

• You are an ambitious and experienced trail runner
• You are looking for a lightweight running shoe
• Must run competitions on dry surfaces
• You are used to “Natural Running” and running with a low heel-to-toe drop
• Want an all-round mountain shoe

Analysis 1: Does the shoe appeal to you?

Running style

The shoe is mainly aimed at supinating and neutral runners. However, please be aware that you are used to running in minimalist shoes that encourage a natural running style. (More on that later) Read here if you want to learn more about running style, pronation and supination..

Fit

The Salomon S-Lab Sense is generally quite narrow, which makes the shoe fit really tightly and securely around the foot. This is really important for running up and down mountains, where your feet will be squeezed around in the running shoe.

How does it sit?

• Heel: Normal to narrow
• Midfoot: Normal
• Forefoot: Normal to narrow
• Toe height: Normal to low
• Arch structure: Normal
• Shoe shape: Semi-curved

In fine clothes

The shoe is mainly for dry trails. Both wide gravel paths, but the shoe is especially best on narrower single trails. It doesn’t matter if there are lots of roots, pebbles and other challenges. The Salomon S-Lab Sense can handle it without breaking a sweat. The hard plate under the forefoot and midfoot effectively protects your foot from impacts and shocks. I also had it tested a bit on snow, also a success.

Price

The recommended Salomon S-Lab Sense is 1400 kr. It is definitely on the more expensive end and you are paying for the shoe being Salomon’s top model developed for competitions in one of the most specialized branches of running, ultra running. However, you can still save money by buying S-Lab Sense on sale online. It will not be a cheap running shoe, but you can still save a few hundred kroner by buying Salomon S-Lab Sense online on sale.

Weight

The shoe weighs in at around 200g, depending on the size you are measuring. It is a lightweight shoe with a focus on speed for competitions and intensive competitions. At the same time, the low weight gives a great advantage when climbing and descending mountains.

Type of shoe

The Salomon S-Lab Sense is a trail running shoe primarily designed for long distance competition. However, its focus on low weight and speed also means that I think the shoe can be used for interval training and shorter tempo runs.

Durability

As mentioned under Pros and Cons, I am not impressed with the durability of the shoe and feel that parts of the sole and mesh upper do not last as long as I would have expected from a pair of running shoes in this price range. However, others have run more than 3000 km in the shoe. So it probably also depends a lot on use and terrain. I have taken mine out on very demanding terrain.

Drops and heights on the forefoot and heel

The height and drop of the sole are very minimal. The heel height is 13 mm and the forefoot height is 9 mm, which gives a drop of just 4 mm. This means that the shoe encourages a natural forward run on the foot. You should therefore be aware of a slow adaptation to the Salomon S-Lab Sense if you have never run in similar shoes.

Analysis 2: Structure

The outsole

The Salomon S-Lab Sense has a Contagrip sole with a coarser profile than regular running shoes, to provide good grip on trails in changing conditions. The Contagrip sole is developed in different rubber materials, which have been selected specifically according to the function they are to fulfill.

Midsole

The midsole is very minimal and provides minimal shock absorption (which has been improved in the latest model). However, the midsole is equipped with a protective plate under the midfoot and forefoot, ensuring that you don’t get a lot of unpleasant bumps and knocks under your foot.

Heel

The Salomon S-Lab Sense sits really close around the heel, providing a secure and tight fit inside the shoe. The outsole in the heel has been improved to provide a more versatile and secure grip.

Middle

There is very little difference from the heel to the forefoot in the Salomon S-Lab Sense. The biggest advantage is the protective plate which also helps give the shoe its stiffness in the midfoot.

Forefoot

The shoe is at its lowest in the forefoot. Just 9 mm. It is very minimalist and there is not much room for anything more than the stiff plate and the grip of the outsole.

Upper part

The upper is packed with technology that is designed to give you a more secure and firm fit around your foot. The Quicklace system helps tighten the entire thin mesh upper around your foot. This is done with the Endofit system, which is located on the inside of the upper. To protect your toes from impacts and shocks from obstacles on the trail, the shoe has a protective box in the toe box.

Difference from the women’s and men’s model

There is no difference between the men’s and women’s models. I think that can be a bit critical since women naturally have narrower feet than men. For obvious reasons, I have no experience with women’s models, but I have the experience that it makes a difference for women to have a shoe specially developed for their feet. The explanation may be that Salomon believes that the shoe is so narrow that it also fits women’s feet.

Salomon S-Lab Sense men’s running shoes

Everything you read in the test and review is based on the Salomon S-Lab men’s running shoe and will also apply to the women’s model, as there is no difference.

Salomon S-Lab Sense women’s running shoes

It is exactly the same running shoe and there is no difference between the Salomon S-Lab Sense women’s running shoe and the men’s model.

Differences from women to men

The differences are non-existent. The design and construction of the Salomon S-Lab Sense for men and women is completely identical.

Where can you find S-Lab Sense on sale and in stores?

Offers

It’s not hard to find Salomon S-Lab Sense on sale. I’ve collected the best offer prices from trustworthy webshops in the price comparison at the top of the page. This way you don’t have to spend time finding the best offer and the cheapest price online.

Sale

The competition for the Salomon S-Lab Sense is not as high as for running shoes from more well-known brands such as Asics, Nike and New Balance, but it is still possible to find the Salomon S-Lab Sense on sale at low prices.

Comparison

As mentioned several times in my review and test of the Salomon S-Lab Sense (you can probably see it in the pictures), the shoe is aimed at the serious and ambitious trail runner who is looking for a running shoe for competitions and longer distance runs on uneven terrain and on trails. Other running shoes that target the same segment include the minimalist New Balance Minimus, the Specialized Inov8 Trailroc 245 oroff-trail running shoe Inov8 X Talon 212. The Salomon S-Lab Sense is also available in a softground (SG) version for wet and muddy surfaces; Salomon S-Lab Sense Ultra SG.

Summary

If I were to summarize my test of the Salomon S-Lab Sense, I would definitely conclude that I think it is one of the best trail running shoes on the market. It is no coincidence that it was developed in collaboration with the absolute biggest star in trail and ultra running, Killian Jornet. If you are not used to running in shoes with a lower drop, you should definitely pay attention to your training volume at the beginning. Once you get into a good rhythm on a single trail with a good flow, the natural running style comes further forward on the foot. It is quite naturally the best and smartest way to be able to step safely on changing surfaces.

Price comparison

Reseller	Leveringstid	Country	Total price	Read more
	1-2 dage		700 DKK	Til butik
	3-5 dage		1,214 DKK	Til butik
	1-7 dage		1,295 DKK	Til butik