Salomon S-lab Sonic | World-class city trail running shoes

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Price comparison

Reseller	Leveringstid	Country	Total price	Read more
	1-7 dage		905 DKK	Til butik
	1-2 dage		1,400 DKK	Til butik

What can you expect from Salomon S-lab Sonic?

Salomon is very hopeful that their new concept will catch on – and if you ask me, it has a really good chance of doing so. We are testing the Salomon S-lab Sonic here, but there is also a Salomon Sonic Pro as part of the Sonic family that Salomon is making..
It is a concept that aims to unite trail and city running. The concept involves running shoes that are developed to withstand both running on asphalt in cities, but at the same time your new Sonic running shoes must be able to handle some trail challenges.

Salomon S-lab Sonic, you can expect a super light and very flexible running shoe. There are of course both advantages and disadvantages to this concept, and we will of course also address that in the review below. We give you all the pluses and minuses after we have tested this lightweight running shoe from Salomon.

You can certainly look forward to reading this test. It has certainly been a pleasure to test the Salomon S-lab Sonic. When some manufacturers venture into unknown territory, and try to challenge and create something unique, it is always fun.

After the first run in the S-lab Sonic from Salomon

Finally it was there. I picked up these Salomon running shoes from the local package shop, and finally got home and unpacked them. I had already read a little bit about this new concept from Salomon, and based on that alone I was quite excited to get my hands on these city trail running shoes. Did they live up to my expectations? Was they as “ultra light” as promised? Did they fit my feet just as well as the regular models from Salomon, such as the Speedcross and XA Pro? There were many questions.

I would actually call the first trip more of a training trip than a run. I enjoy doing some crossfit, OCR-like training where running is part of the training, so I thought I would try this shoe on for the first time. When we do that kind of training, it’s usually with a 3-4 kilometer run as a warm-up, and in that warm-up there is also some “trail” included.
Where I train, it is a small village that is lucky enough to have a kind of their own outdoor local theater, and on this “stage” there was ample opportunity to test this shoe. When we train there, there is the opportunity to run to the top on both sides via some grass paths, so I thought that it was a great opportunity to check the shoe on a surface other than asphalt. And when you train intervals on those hills, you really have to go fast, it’s a sprint up to the top, and then relax down again. The shoe did amazingly well, and at one point I caught myself thinking, well, I’m on a test run. So I actually completely forgot that I was wearing shoes, and that is a definite plus, that alone tells me that we are dealing with a shoe that sits really well on the foot, weighs nothing and has a good fit.

The run or training session ended with some different circuit training (where you move around from exercise to exercise. The exercises can be as little as 2 minutes on the rowing machine for example box jumps) And I would like to dwell on box jumps in particular. The shoe is incredibly light and flexible, and gives me a completely different balance point when we get to the “circuit and strength exercises” so as an extra plus I would actually say that already on the first run I had the feeling that this shoe could do a little more than just be an ordinary running shoe.

Salomon S-lab Sonic – Evaluation after several rides

I have since had about 5-6 runs in the Salomon S-lab Sonic shoe, and it is becoming more and more clear to me that it will be a running shoe that I will definitely use a lot. This is both due to the fact that it covers both asphalt runs and also performs well on other challenges (other surfaces). But perhaps most of all because it is a running shoe that fits my temperament. Fast runs in the city, lots of speed and high-intensity intervals. I love it, and it seems that the Salomon S-lab Sonic does that too.
It at least gives you some good conditions for performing at pace. I think that the 2-3 interval runs I’ve had in the shoe give me a running shoe that is light, a reasonable fit and it is ultra flexible. And it doesn’t hurt that I can use the shoe on surfaces other than asphalt. I’m lucky enough to live in the countryside, and there are plenty of opportunities to jog in slightly different environments than just asphalt, and it’s super cool for me that the shoe can do that.

So all in all after a few rides in the Salomon S-lab Sonic, I’m happy with what I see and get. But are there other things to be aware of? You can read a lot more about that further down in the article, where we get a little more specific about construction, materials, etc.

Cool facts about Salomon S-lab Sonic

** Please note that this shoe is a unisex model, so there is not a men’s and women’s model developed for the Salomon S-lab Sonic. This one development of the shoe extends from top to bottom on the entire size scale. Therefore, women should be a little careful when purchasing the S-lab Sonic

Overall impression of S-lab Sonic

An overall impression of a running shoe is very individual from runner to runner. It’s how the individual runner uses the shoe, what their preferences are, and many more things. But don’t be fooled by my overall impression of the Salomon S-lab Sonic.

I’m impressed. Not so WOW impressed, but still impressed with Salomon S-lab Sonic. When you know a little about the history of Salomon, and where their primary focus is (trail running shoes), I think the S-lab Sonic is a really nice running shoe for both asphalt and trail..
The color will scare some, I don’t care what I look like, I only look at the functional things in a running shoe. But the very red screaming color might scare some.

I am super happy with the great flexibility that Salomon has managed to get into the shoe, it is ultra light, and it does not sit too tight. Maybe I should mention that after 5 uses I already think I can feel that the upper has given in a little, and it has become a little too loose for me. It is a minor thing, and certainly not something that will stop me from using this running shoe in the future.

The overall impression, if I evaluate the shoe as a whole, I am very satisfied, if I have to cut it up into portions and evaluate the individual elements, then there are of course some things where I think you can put a finger on it. But I will hasten to say that the things I wanted to point out there were based on my individual test. And the quick reader and runner will also be able to figure out that if the overall impression is really good, then there are probably not many sub-elements in the running shoe that I think are “bad”

But you can certainly find all that in the description and test of the shoe below. You can see much more, among other things, in the analysis parts of Salomon S-lab Sonic. There we go into both technical and functional things in this running shoe.

More facts about Salomon S-lab Sonic

Choose the right size.

You need to be a little careful when choosing a size in the Salomon S-lab Sonic shoe. Salomon has developed it as a unisex running shoe, and this presents a bit of a challenge for women. This model we have tested has been tested on men’s feet, and the size corresponds very well to your normal size..
But you should keep in mind that if you are a woman, you may find that you need to go down a size compared to your normal size. For example, if you wear a size 40 in Nike running shoes, you will probably need a size 39 1/3 in Salomon S-lab Sonic.

The width also has a lot to say – it is built on the same unisex last, and therefore it will also seem a bit larger than normal for women.

Men’s sizes:36 2/3 – 50

Women’s sizes:36 2/3 – 50

This running shoe is unisex, therefore there is the same size range for both the men’s and women’s model in the Salomon S-lab Sonic.

Citytrail for better or worse

The Salomon S-lab Sonic is designed as a Citytrail running shoe. And if you’re not sure where to place that term, here’s a brief explanation.

If you live in the city, then citytrail is definitely something for you. It’s a super exciting form of training and running. The Salomon Sonic concept is developed to help you on your way with citytrail.
When you talk about city trail, you automatically think of speed, speed play and pace. That’s why the S-lab Sonic and Sonic Pro from Salomon are also developed as lightweight running shoes that speak clearly in that direction.

It’s fast up the stairs, fast sprints up the natural inclines on the roads, so it’s a big game.

If you are lucky enough to have the opportunity for city trail running in a city where there are actually some trail options via running in forest areas, on gravel paths and the like. It is important to point out here that we are not talking about “hardcore trail” where you run on greasy surfaces etc. It is more intended as trails with hard surfaces. If you have that option, then the Salomon S-lab Sonic is also built so that it can handle this.

If you haven’t tried Citytrail, do yourself a favor and plan to do so in the very near future. When we talk about speed and tempo, we’re talking about extremely useful interval training for the runner. And it only helps to improve your form.

Advantages and disadvantages

You should buy the Salomon S-lab Sonic if…

You can also see a lot of international reviews and comments. HERE. RunRepeat has rated and reviewed the Salomon S-lab Sonic via international users.

Analysis Part 1: Who can use this running shoe

Running style

It is for the neutral running style. There is no support, or so-called pronation wedge, built into the inside of the shoe. However, it should be mentioned, and it is important. The undersigned has run quite a few tempo runs in this shoe, and normally has mild to moderate pronation. So my assessment is that on shorter runs the shoe can easily be used by you who “normally” pronate when you run. At least I didn’t feel any discomfort from it.

Price level

When I have to evaluate what I get for my money, I probably have a different background for evaluating such things. I know from previous involvement how much testing and other things go into developing a running shoe. And that may well be why I am a bit biased. I personally would like to pay more for a running shoe if I know it will really help me on my way – and I think that is the case with the Salomon S-lab Sonic..
But when this running shoe has a suggested retail price of 1400,- then I am 110% sure that some people will hold back from trying it. In the eyes of many, it is simply too much money to spend on a running shoe. That is definitely a small minus of this running shoe.

Type of shoe

A combination running shoe that can handle both asphalt AND trail (gravel paths, forest areas that are not too muddy, grass terrain, etc.) The purpose of the shoe has clearly been to develop a super fast city running shoe that you could run some tempo runs and interval runs in. And it has fully succeeded. I love this type of shoe where the manufacturer has succeeded in creating something that approaches a kind of uniqueness.

Drop

The Salomon S-lab Sonic has an 8mm heel drop. It’s not really a terribly low heel drop. And as we know, there are no rules for heel drop, it’s an individual size. The fact is, however, that the lower your heel drop is, the more you will tend to land further forward on your foot, and that gives you a faster transition..
I I actually like this running shoe, and even though the drop is 8mm, you have a fast transition. Some of the credit should probably be attributed to the fast and very flexible forefoot on the S-lab Sonic.

Analysis Part 2: The construction of the Salomon S-lab Sonic

Outsole

The outsole is one of the things that really surprises me about the Saomon S-lab Sonic. It’s here that I think it can actually do more than Salomon prescribes. It is prescribed that the shoe should be able to grip on asphalt and partly gravel paths and the like. Here I think the outsole can do a bit more when we talk about the demanding terrain. I can easily get grip on slightly rougher surfaces than just gravel paths..
And Salomon’s Contagrip sole is also known for having a good and versatile grip on the ground. So the outsole on the Salomon S-lab Sonic surprises in a very positive way.

Midsole

A sensible midsole made of Eva material ensures that there is sensible shock absorption in the Salomon S-lab Sonic.
It should of course also be mentioned that this is probably where you as a user will most notice the difference between “a regular running shoe” such as Nike Air Max 90 orNew Balance 1080 versus Salomon S-lab Sonic. Because if you “expect” that a midsole on a tempo and city running shoe should be as soft as it is on the NB 1080, for example, then you will probably be a little disappointed.
That’s not to say that there is no softness in the shoe, because there most definitely is.

Heel

A good heel section on a running shoe can be difficult to explain and describe. But usually using the right string means that if you don’t feel any discomfort, then the heel is doing what it’s supposed to for you. Its primary job is to keep your foot in its correct position throughout the entire movement, and of course it should be a comfortable heel section..
I think it was a bit tight at first, but it didn’t take many kilometers before I thought the heel part was just right.

Middle

Good balance in this running shoe. I don’t feel like the middle part of the running shoe is hindering my performance. It is in the design of the sole and the shoe that there should be room for the forefoot and heel to work independently of each other. And the Salomon S-lab Sonic does that to a great extent.

Forefoot

We’ve covered the forefoot of the S-lab Sonic before. There’s plenty of room for the toes, good protection for the toes, and it’s a forefoot with a fast response. And that really fits in with the type of running shoe that Salomon wanted to end up with.

Upper part

Very breathable mesh, and a material that is super flexible. Unfortunately, I have the feeling that the material may be a bit fragile on the rougher trail ride. But that must be said to be okay, since that is not what the shoe was developed for. So it is a calculated risk when you go out between branches, thorns, etc.

Analysis Part 3: S-lab Sonic in use

In fine clothes

Firm and loose ground. We’re just repeating ourselves. It’s a combination running shoe that happily manages to combine both asphalt and trail challenges.

Durability

We have previously mentioned that the upper does not seem to be the most solid. While otherwise I believe that the Salomon S-lab Sonic is a running shoe that lasts as it should. You can’t put the durability in a mileage, just like all other running shoes, as it depends a lot on how you use, or perhaps even more importantly who uses the running shoe. We all wear out our running shoes differently.

Fit

A forefoot with a wider fit, and otherwise a fit that is quite normal in the rest of the shoe.

Comparisons

If you are going to compare the Salomon S-lab Sonic, you probably can’t avoid Salomon’s own S-lab Sense Ultra. It must be said, however, that this S-lab ultra is ONLY for trail running, while the S-lab Sonic gives you a little bit of trail running on top of that..
Alternatively, it could be a New Balance 1500 running shoe, which is also a fast and agile running shoe for city running.

Summary

I love when people try and dare to challenge themselves. And I think Salomon does that with this shoe. So they should get a big plus for that..
Overall, I have a really good feeling about this running shoe, and it fits my temperament and running desires perfectly. However, I think you’re shooting yourself in the foot a bit by putting the shoe in such a high price range, so in an already narrowed target group you’re cutting some people off with the price too. But the slightly high price means you lose the “lure customers” who think “okay, I’ll give it a try”

In addition, I think Salomon should be given great credit for moving into a market where they do not as such want to appear as specialists from the start, they have built some of their expertise into the shoe, but are moving into a market where there are many people bidding. Selling running shoes to asphalt runners can be difficult. And my thought is that many will think that if I still have to get a running shoe, and I have around 1000,-, then Mr. and Mrs. Denmark will choose a Kayano or a Nimbus, rather than moving out into unknown terrain. But I say it again, great respect for Salomon making the attempt.

Personally, the Salomon S-lab Sonic is definitely a running shoe that I will be running quite a few runs in. Sure, the shorter runs, but there will probably be a lot of them.

Best price on Salomon S-lab Sonic

We have collected some of the best prices on S-lab Sonic from Salomon for you. There are prices from webshops in Denmark, Germany and England.

Reseller	Leveringstid	Country	Total price	Read more
	1-7 dage		905 DKK	Til butik
	1-2 dage		1,400 DKK	Til butik