Salomon S-lab Speed - World-class trail running shoes
Salomon has launched a replacement for the Salomon Fellcross with the S-lab Speed. The Salomon S-lab Speed is a distinct trail running shoe with lots of really cool features for those of you who love to speed along the trail at a high pace. This review will give you this about the Salomon S-lab Speed:
- Test and review of Salomon S-lab Speed
- Good and bad about Salomon S-lab Speed
- Find the best price right now on the shoe
- What others say about S-lab Speed from Salomon
- All technical things about S-lab Speed
NOTE: Buy through iloebesko and save 261 crowns. Normal price: 1,400 kroner, so there are good deals right now.
iloebesko is mentioned in:

Price comparison on Salomon S-lab Speed
| Reseller | Leveringstid | Country | Total price | Read more |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4-5 dage |
|
1,139 DKK | Til butik |
|
5-7 dage |
|
1,353 DKK | Til butik |
|
3-5 dage |
|
1,375 DKK | Til butik |
|
1-2 dage |
|
1,400 DKK | Til butik |
What you should note about Salomon S-lab Speed
The Salomon S-lab Speed is a successor to the Fellcross from Salomon. Let’s get that out of the way once and for all. But beyond that, there are plenty of really cool things you should take note of in the Salomon S-lab Speed.
– The low structure
– The special upper
– The flexibility
The first thing you should and will notice about the S-lab Speed from Salomon is the slightly low construction. It almost looks like the shoe is constructed incorrectly, but it definitely isn’t. A lot of thought has been put into this construction of the shoe, and it is a combination of the shoe being as light as possible, but also the flexibility that it is built the way it is. You don’t have a particularly large drop on the shoe, and that just supports the low construction of the upper. It’s all a combined mass that indicates speed and pace on the trail.
The upper is very low, but it is also special and unique in its construction. You will definitely notice that the upper feels a bit smooth and “rubbery”. But this is only because Salomon has developed S-lab Speed to withstand rain and other “attacks” from nature. The upper is super durable, and therefore unique.
It is also worth noting that the Salomon S-lab Speed offers you great flexibility. And here the focus is not so much on the use of the shoe, but on the construction and materials of the shoe itself. It flexes incredibly well, you will notice that as soon as you get the shoe in your hands.
The Salomon S-lab Speed is a great all-round trail running shoe that you’ll probably get the most out of using on wet trails. It has lots of other cool things and lots of features, all of which our review below will give you a comprehensive explanation of.

What have others said about the running shoe?
One thing is what we say and test this Salomon S-lab Speed to be. There are of course also other runners who have tried this running shoe.
Henry Olsen, Exercise runner
Ole Fontaine, Salomon is my brand
Mathias Breinholt, Runs mostly for fun
If you are interested in seeing more reviews and opinions from experts and users around the world, you may want to check out RunRpeat.com out here.There are several opinions about Salomon S-lab Speed.


Cool facts about the shoe
Must know
- Running style: Neutral
- Fit: Medium
- Surface: Trail (wet)
- Suggested price: 1,400 DKK
Nice to know
- Coated upper
- Quicklace lacing system
- Toe protection
Sockliners
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Fun to know
- Weight: 259 grams (men’s size 43 1/3)
- Heel to toe drop: 4 mm
- Heel: 20mm Forefoot: 16mm
- Tempo trail running shoes
My first experiences with Salomon S-lab Speed
I didn’t have the pleasure of testing its predecessor Salomon Fellcross myself here at Iloebesko.dk. So of course it was with joy – as always when new running shoes arrive in the mail – when Salomon S-lab Speed was on its way. Salomon is known in Denmark, along with Inov8, among others, for being one of the leading brands when it comes to trail running in Denmark. When the undersigned speeds away on various forest paths, tracks and other trail-like terrains, there are a lot of “fellow runners” who run in those two brands. So I had no doubt that the shoe was of high quality.
There was of course research done beforehand, and the fact that the shoe is priced at 1400,- from Salomon usually indicates that it belongs at the top. So expectations were somewhat high – but that’s Salomon’s own fault. In 9½ out of 10 cases they produce top quality trail running shoes, so why not this Salomon S-lab Speed?
There were things that surprised me when I unpacked it. I had seen and read about the slightly low cut of the Salomon S-lab Speed, but I was a little surprised by how the shoe actually looked. It was very noticeable how low the shoe looked compared to, for example, a Salomon Speedcross. I won’t say that it directly surprised me that the shoe was both light, supple and flexible for a trail running shoe, that was probably more to be expected. But it’s always nice to have it confirmed.
First run in Salomon S-lab Speed
S-lab Speed is ONLY a trail running shoe. And I can rightly say that now, because I can see after a few trips on asphalt with the shoe (to and from the terrain area) I can see wear on the outsole, but more on that later. The terrain was not really a choice in this shoe the first time – it has to be trail, and it should also be a little wet and humid. The shoe can run on both dry and wet trails, but I love testing trail running shoes based on the conditions that make the greatest demands on the shoe, and those are wet, greasy tracks with mud and puddles, etc..
Luckily the weather was on its best side on the first trip. A damp period in early spring in Denmark had been replaced by a few days of sunshine, and then it was just a matter of hitting the mark. Put on the Salomon S-lab Speed and just go from there.
The first time (and the second time, and the third time, etc.) the shoe can be a little difficult to get into. It’s not just a running shoe that you just pull on. It can have both its advantages and its disadvantages. The reason you have to struggle a little to get the Salomon S-lab Speed on is solely because the shoe is built around a sockliner that is intended to sit really comfortably around your foot, so that you feel like the shoe is stuck. And it does. So the extra 15 seconds you have to invest when you put the shoe on, they are well spent.
The shoe actually performed pretty much as expected on the first run. There’s always a fit that needs to be “worn in”. But just to be clear, the Salomon S-lab Speed fit really well from day 1..
As mentioned, it was a test ride in the soft terrain, and you quickly notice that the S-lab Speed is a good trail running shoe with a unique grip on the soft surface.


Salomon S-lab Speed has a very constant grip on all wet surfaces
More trips in S-lab Speed gave more experiences
Of course, I have done several test runs in the Salomon S-lab Speed and I really just have to admit that it is an excellent trail running shoe. However, I would like to point out one thing that I also noticed after the first run in the shoe, but I would still give it a chance. The undersigned may risk getting pain on the underside of the forefoot when I run in the Salomon S-lab Speed. It is not every time I run in it, but most of the time. So I have not yet fully figured out whether it is the terrain I run in that makes the difference, whether it is my running style or maybe it is the shoe that is like that. I do not really believe in the idea that the Salomon S-lab Speed should be like that. Salomon is known for producing excellent trail running shoes.
But one thing is for sure every time I’ve been out in the Salomon S-lab Speed. I feel completely confident on the surface. And it doesn’t matter how much the trail “slopes” to one side or the other, whether it’s up a steep hill or maybe down it. The outsole creates a completely unique grip on the surface every time. It should of course be mentioned that the vast majority of my test runs have been in wet and muddy terrain.
And if I have to say a few words about the low cut of the upper, that’s one of the things I think is super cool about this shoe. As I was writing this, I was out running in Salomon S-lab Speed yesterday, and I caught myself thinking that I didn’t feel like I was wearing any running shoes. That should be a really good sign that the shoe fits properly and does what it was designed to do. I find with some trail running shoes that they quickly become a bit heavy and constricting on the feet, but the S-lab Speed doesn’t. Yesterday’s trip was also a struggle through deep puddles or whatever you want to call them out in the terrain, but I think the shoe has a unique way of draining the water away from the feet. The upper is very resistant to dirt and moisture, and that of course helps a lot..
One last thing in this description of the trip is actually something that has nothing to do with the run, but I still read many posts about whether you can throw your running shoes in the washing machine (you can’t). And especially with trail running shoes, it can be tempting when you come home with a shoe that is covered in mud and soil. But here Salomon S-lab Speed deserves high praise. In the vast majority of cases, it can be washed with a damp cloth and warm water. I have done this by letting it dry, and then the next day it is ready to be wiped off. Another plus for this fantastic running shoe.

Size selection
I would definitely categorize this running shoe as normal in size. I “normally” wear 43 1/3 in Salomon running shoes and or casual shoes. The shoe is built and manufactured over a unisex last, which means that the shoe on a wider man’s foot may seem a bit narrow, while on a very narrow woman’s foot it may seem a bit larger. These are the things you struggle with a bit when Salomon makes it in one and not two last widths. Just to put some pictures on, I don’t think I have a narrow foot myself, and I didn’t feel it was fitted very tightly, I still had the space I think there should be at least for the toes in a trail running shoe.
You are also very welcome to use our size guide

Good protection for your toes
Advantages and disadvantages
Benefits
Lightweight running shoe
Super cute sockliner
The grip
Bodices
Disadvantages
Fragile outsole
The price
Sockliners
Unisex model

Analysis part 1: Who can and who should use Salomon S-lab Speed
This analysis part is very much geared towards what kind of runner you should be if you choose to try out the Salomon S-lab Speed.
Which running style
Fortunately, we don’t have to talk so much about running style when we’re dealing with a trail running shoe. And that’s of course also true for the Salomon S-lab Speed. Pronation support or not is not considered in the production of a trail running shoe. Of course, there is still support in the shoe, but not the kind of support that is supposed to actually slow down pronation if you have this tendency. When you run trail, your feet have to work in a different way, they have to work more freely and naturally, and that’s why you almost never see specific pronation wedges in trail running shoes.
Fit
The Salomon S-lab Speed sits really well on your foot. It sits close to the foot of a trail running shoe, so you should definitely be prepared for that. You will also definitely notice that it is a lower cut on the upper, and you will immediately notice that when you are out running in the shoe. Or maybe that is wrong, you do not notice it, and that is how you notice it. The upper seems low, compared to, for example, the Salomon Speedcross, and when you run you do not feel the upper, which actually gives you quite good support anyway, even though it is a little lower.
- Size: Unisex
- Heel: Tight fit
- Midfoot: normal
- Forefoot: Narrow/men, Wide/women
- Shoe tip: high (toecap)
- Arch structure: low
- Shoe shape: semi-curved
Surfaces and conditions
First of all, it has to be terrain and trail surfaces. No asphalt at all, the shoe can’t handle that. Or rather, the outsole can’t. But loose and preferably wet surfaces are the Salomon S-lab Speed’s absolute preferred surface. But on the other hand, you also get a very aggressive grip.

Price level
It is (unfortunately) on the high end. I think that if you compare price to quality, it all ties together 100%. But for a trail running shoe, a starting price of 1400,- is very high. And when you also have to compare it a little to the fact that it is a speed and competition trail running shoe we are dealing with.
Weight of Salomon S-lab Speed
Men’s model size UK9, which corresponds to a size 43 1/3, is the starting point for this weight analysis of the Salomon S-lab Speed. The low upper – which is coated – is the reason why you get a relatively lightweight running shoe if I have to judge it. The picture below shows a Salomon S-lab Speed shoe with dried mud that only weighs 269 grams. And I think that is definitely on the approved side. In any case, it is not the weight that will weigh you down, and when you read the review, and you can see and read that the upper also does not bind unnecessary mud and dirt when you are out on the trail, it is just a typical win-win situation for a trail runner.

The low weight of the Salomon S-lab Speed INCLUDING mud
Type of trail running shoe
Salomon S-lab Speed is a trail running shoe that Salomon recommends for loose or wet surfaces. And that makes perfect sense when you look at their unique outsole design with its unique grip.
Care and maintenance of S-lab Speed
It is perhaps even more important to care for and maintain your running shoes when you are dealing with a trail shoe. There is a lot of soil and mud that can get into the shoe and thereby help to make it stiff. As with all other running shoes, it is always a good idea to put the Salomon S-lab Speed to dry when you get home from your trip. It is also advisable to remove the insole so that the shoe can be well ventilated. Fortunately, the S-lab Speed from Salomon is relatively easy to work with on the upper. As previously illustrated, the upper is easy to clean from dried mud and soil. This is done with warm or lukewarm water and a resistant cloth.
Drops and heights on the forefoot and heel
There is a low drop in the shoe. For the simple reason that trail running shoes should have a low drop, because if you get too far off the ground, there is a greater risk that you can twist your ankles. Your foot and leg positions are somewhat different when we look at trail running versus “regular” running.
The low 4mm drop means that you are very close to the ground, and that is also why the Salomon S-lab Speed feels like it is one with your foot, and you don’t actually notice that you are wearing the shoe.
Lady:
Heel height: 20mm
Forefoot height: 16mm
Master:
Heel height: 20mm
Forefoot height: 16mm
It is the same shoe for men and women – so of course the drop is the same.
Analysis Part 2: Technical Review of Salomon S-lab Speed
The part of the analysis (together with analysis part 3) where a little technical terminology comes into play. Here we look at which features are built into the shoe. The Salomon S-lab Speed is reviewed from the upper to the outsole with all its specifications.
The outsole
The very unique outsole with ContaGrib outsole. It is made of “studs” that are both in different sizes and shapes, but also turned so that you get perhaps one of the most aggressive grips in a trail running shoe in Denmark. There is ample opportunity to give it maximum gas both up and down hills and around the tight curves. At least it is not grip on the surface that you will lack.

The very special outsole of the S-lab Speed
Midsole
Actually a classic midsole from Salomon. It does what it is supposed to. However, I would really like to point out that it is a midsole that is low and relatively flexible. It is a natural structure of a midsole for the Salomon S-lab Speed, which as a whole is very supple and flexible. So it would be going against the ideals of the shoe to make the midsole stiffer. It fits like a glove to the aggressiveness of the shoe.
Heel
Fits well and protects as it should. But as the whole shoe is a whole, the heel is also low. So if you come from a pair of regular asphalt running shoes, you will notice a somewhat different heel. But you should take it easy, it makes sense after a few 100 meters of running in the shoe, and you get used to it very quickly.
Forefoot
At the time of writing, it has not been that long since the Salomon Speedtrak was tested here at Iloebesko. There was significantly more space in the forefoot. But the Salomon S-lab Speed has a little less space. Not so much less that I think it squeezed my toes, but still a little less. There may be a reason for that. The shoe is a unisex running shoe so it is enough to accommodate both male and female runners. In addition, the forefoot on the upper is equipped with a ToeCap, which is this protection that protects your toes on branches and stones..
The forefoot of the shoe, like the rest of the shoe, is very flexible and aggressive. You really get to act quickly in the terrain, the shoe follows you very well.

Note the low build on the Salomon S-lab Speed
Upper part
The coated upper is both flexible and breathable. But all running shoes are soon to be breathable in the upper so it’s nothing special. Where you have to stop and look at the Salomon S-lab Speed is the membrane or coating that is pulled over the shoe. It protects really well against dirt and grime on the trip, and it’s just ultra easy to clean after use. A fantastic invention.
Analysis part 3. Features in Salomon S-lab Speed
A brief overview of the shoe and its various but many features built into the shoe. This is where you as a user can get an overview of the words that Salomon uses about their various systems in the shoe.
ContaGrip
This is the system Salomon uses in their very popular outsoles. ContaGrip is the name for what goes into and grips the surface when you move around the track.
Ortholite
It is the system that maintains the good “indoor climate” in your running shoes.
Tongue Cover
It is an extra protection placed on top of the shoe’s mesh. When you run in mud and other wet elements, this cover helps to prevent mud, moisture, etc. from getting into the shoe itself.
SensiFit
It’s actually a name for the upper. Salomon has just chosen to call it Sensifit. It’s a system that helps provide the high level of comfort that is always found in Salomon running shoes.
ToeCap
It is the harder material on the toe of your Speedtrak. It is the feature that makes your toes a little better protected against impact and pressure. When you run trails there is a risk of hitting both rocks and or branches.
Quicklace
If you are used to running in Salomon trail running shoes, then you have certainly come across the Quicklace system before. It is a lacing system that is easy and very smooth to work with. You can operate your laces with gloves etc. And it is actually about tightening your shoe by pulling a moment down towards the shoe. Works perfectly, and is ultra easy to work with.
LacePocket
It’s the small pocket that sits in the tongue of your Salomon Speedtrak. This feature is solely designed to hold the excess laces when you have tightened your Quicklace laces.

Analysis part 4. The crooked angle
Here there is room for the slightly odd angles about the Salomon S-lab Speed. The things that don’t belong in the technical part of the test of the shoe.
Get Salomon S-lab Speed on sale and deals
It was mentioned earlier in the test that the Salomon S-lab Speed is a relatively expensive running shoe, so we would like to point out here in an odd angle that if you find this running shoe for under the magical thousand kroner, it’s probably a really good idea to grab it. Because then you’ve definitely made a really good deal.
I hope you don’t mind the colors.
Salomon does this with some of their signature running shoes – they make them in one version and one color. This is also the case with the Salomon S-lab Speed. You have to be able to accept the colors black and red because you don’t get any other options unless you want to start spray painting yourself in the shed.
… oh wait you can get other colors
On your laces. At the time of writing, Salomon is producing at least a replacement kit for their quicklace laces, and you can get them in many different colors. So that way you have the opportunity to “pimp” your Salomon S-Lab Speed
Comparisons to S-lab Speed from Salomon
You should definitely look at both. Salomon S-lab Sense orSalomon Speedtrak if you are looking for alternatives within the same brand. If you want some comparisons from other brands then it is really obvious to look at MudClaw series from Inov8.It is – as the name suggests – a mud-happy series that allows for aggressive trail running at a high and competitive pace.
Summary
Definitely a trail running shoe I would prioritize having in my closet (and it will stay there). It fits perfectly, it has the aggressive grip that I really like, and it’s just really well put together. The price doesn’t deter me (I’ve already bought it) and luckily it’s a shoe just to my taste, so I’ll definitely run these Salomon S-lab Speed to pieces. I seriously think it’s a trail running shoe that only needs a few small adjustments right now to become the ultimate speed and pace trail running shoe.
Price comparison on Salomon S-lab Speed
We keep an eye on the best prices for you. Below we have collected some of the best prices right now on this Salomon S-lab Speed.
| Reseller | Leveringstid | Country | Total price | Read more |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4-5 dage |
|
1,139 DKK | Til butik |
|
5-7 dage |
|
1,353 DKK | Til butik |
|
3-5 dage |
|
1,375 DKK | Til butik |
|
1-2 dage |
|
1,400 DKK | Til butik |



