Salomon Speedspike CS – Big test and video guide

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Price comparison Salomon SpeedSpike CS

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

What to note in particular about the Salomon Speedspike CS

Salomon has had a running shoe for ice and snow on the market for many years. And as one of the only ones, they choose to build these small metal spikes directly into the sole. There are both pros and cons*. Their older model, the Salomon Spikecross, has been on the market for a long time, and has also sold well – when you look at it in relation to the conditions it is built for. Denmark is not the most snow- and ice-covered country in the world, and this is where it has its primary strength, or is it?
We don’t think you need to limit your SpeedSpike or Spikecross to snow and ice.

*The alternative to built-in metal spikes is a sole containing metal spikes that you then wear over your regular running shoes. This has the advantage that you do not limit your use of running shoes quite as much, but the disadvantage is that the feel of the surface is greatly reduced. So in that way you can argue that it is brave, in terms of sales figures, for Salomon to build these spikes into the soles. Because when a running shoe is limited in its use, it will automatically sell less.

So what you should especially notice about the Salomon SpeedSpike is of course the heart of the shoe, namely the sole. It is built as a rough sole, which if it were not for the spikes it contains, would be perfect for the very demanding and rough terrain where there is a lot of wetness and lots of mud..
Therefore, we might be going a bit against the crowd when we say that the shoe can easily be used in that terrain as well. Even though Salomon and many others attribute it as a primary winter running shoe where there is snow and ice. You just have to note that there are some precautions you will have to take if it is.

Asphalt or similar surfaces are prohibited. It’s that easy. If you want to run trails in Salomon Speedspike without it being winter with ice and snow, you need to make sure the surface is soft enough all the way around. No hard passages, because then you will destroy the spikes you paid for in this running shoe.

It is also worth noting that the Salomon SpeedSpike has a 6mm drop, which in my opinion is a more reasonable drop compared to its predecessor, if you can call this Spikecross. It has a drop of 11mm.
With the Salomon Speedspike you get a very robust trail running shoe that can withstand some beating, so if you are a fan of difficult terrain and don’t want to spare your shoes in that direction, then the Spikecross could also be something for you.

What have others said about the running shoe?

We have collected a few opinions about the Salomon Speedspike CS here.

Walther Petersen, Better grip is hard to find

Tove Hansen, A lot of money, I regret a little

Palle Pilgaard, Robust shoes

Cool facts about the shoe

First run in Salomon SpeedSpike

Might as well say it right away. The Salomon SpeedSpike was allowed to stand for a long time before the test was carried out. And why is that? Isn’t it always great to receive new running shoes and then get out and try them out? Yes, it definitely is! But the weather in Denmark is just not very wintery. Snow and ice are always waiting. That’s why it was a different test than originally planned. And that’s why we also conclude something different about the Salomon Speedspike than others write..
I admit that at the time of writing I have not tested the Salomon SpeedSpike in its absolute terrain. Because when Salomon writes that they have developed the SpeedSpike for winter weather conditions, they probably mean snow on the streets and alleys, as well as the risk of icy passages. So we haven’t been there yet.
The closest thing is probably an icy morning in the forest, and it probably doesn’t quite feel the same.

What’s the next best thing to testing snow running shoes with spikes? Well, it has to be extremely muddy conditions, where the little metal spikes don’t get damaged, and even probably have a bit of an effect (Read: Of course they do)
So the first trip in Salomon SpeedSpike was my usual trail test run around our local Nor. Or that’s actually not entirely correct, because I had to cut some of the route so that these hard asphalt passages were not part of the trip. So it turned out to be 8 kilometers in the terrain. 4 kilometers out and 4 kilometers back. A morning trip where there were lots of damp and slippery passages. Salomon SpeedSpike handled the trip with flying colors. There was one place where it had to give up. Down a relatively steep hill with mud. The shoe slipped, but I don’t think you should put too much emphasis on that. Even a tank would have slipped at that point (Exaggeration helps understanding)

Was a little nervous that the Salomon Speedspike was a little too narrow for me after the first run. When I finished there was a little soreness in both the arch and the outside of the foot (middle). A sign that the shoe had squeezed a little. It has since gone away, so it must be attributed to the fact that the shoe was new and just needed to be run in..
But otherwise, I had the feeling that Salomon had once again hit the mark. A good walk without noticeable discomfort, and a running shoe with really good protection. As we also describe in our video, it is a huge advantage that the toe of the shoe is as robust as it is. When you run in deep mud and water, you hit both stones and large branches, and it is wonderful that the shoe takes the biggest hit.

More trips in SpeedSpike, but still no snow

As I wrote in the above section, snow and ice are not everyday fare in Denmark. Therefore, the subsequent trips in the Salomon SpeedSpike also took place in muddy terrain instead of on snow and ice surfaces. It is of course a great shame that we have not had the opportunity to test it on the surfaces that Salomon prescribes. On the contrary, it has made us more convinced that the Salomon SpeedSpike is not ONLY a running shoe for ice and snow. You can easily run the more wet and advanced trails in them. Just keep in mind that asphalt or other hard surfaces are prohibited.

The subsequent trips for me in the Salomon Speedspike were actually very similar to the first. However, I would like to point out that even a too hard gravel path can contribute to the small spikes at the bottom of the shoe having the wrong effect. One time you could both hear and feel that the surface was too hard. And when the spikes don’t get into the surface, they almost have the opposite effect, and I felt a bit like Bambi on ice.
Besides that, I can sense a bit of irritation that you have to constantly think about the route, now that you choose to use it the way I do. While other trail running shoes (at least most of them) can handle intermediate passages on asphalt or similar, with the Salomon Speedspike you have to carefully consider where you run, due to the metal spikes in the sole.

But it’s probably a bit wrong to judge the shoe purely on that basis, because running in mud is not something Salomon invented. We invented that ourselves. The shoe is built from the best materials and the best technologies, and I’m 110% sure that if you use it in the recommended conditioners, it’s unique in its field.

Size selection

In my opinion, Salomon Speedspike has a normal size guide, and there is basically nothing you need to pay attention to. I use normal in running shoes 43 or 43½. But you can’t always count on that, so for many years (experience says it gives the best result) I have bought running shoes according to the centimeter measurement. 27½ centimeters in Salomon’s size register corresponds to a size 43 1/3, so at that point you can conclude that they are normal in size.
You could argue that the shoe isn’t the widest in the world, but I think it makes up for it in length. My feet were a bit sore at first due to the width, but after 2 or 3 wears I didn’t notice that fact anymore..
You are also very welcome to use our size guide

Advantages and disadvantages

Analysis part 1: Who should run in the Salomon Speedspike CS

This analysis part is based on who and how we recommend the running shoe be used.

Which running style

In short, the Salomon SpeedSpike is categorized as a neutral running shoe. But as with almost all other trail running shoes, it makes no sense to get hung up on what running style you are. Because when you run trail, your feet are very rarely in a position like they are on the road, and therefore it would not make sense to, for example, support your feet on the inside. In fact, you could argue that it would have the opposite effect.

Fit

The fit of the Salomon SpeedSpike is basically nothing special to note. As with all other Salomon running shoes, you should be a little aware that they do not make the widest running shoes. And another thing that is also worth mentioning is the slightly high “nose” on the shoe. It is in that condition because it has this hard protective edge, which minimizes the risk of blows to your toes.

• Size: Regular
• Heel: Regular fit
• Midfoot: Tighter fit
• Forefoot: Medium fit
• Toe: High
• Arch structure: low
• Shoe shape: semi-curved

Surfaces and conditions

If you look directly at the surfaces and conditions that Salomon recommends using the Salomon SpeedSpike in, then there is no doubt that it is a winter running shoe that, with the spikes it has on the bottom, is designed to grip such surfaces..
But we think, as you have also been able to read throughout the test, that you can easily use the Salomon SpeedSpike on, for example, muddy surfaces. It requires a few different precautions. Not difficult ones, but it means that you can use the shoe several days a year.

Price level

If you go out and buy Salomon SpeedSpike without it being on sale or on sale, you’ll be spending 1,400,- That’s a lot of money in itself, if you only look at the amount. If you start looking at the technologies and features in the shoe, and then it comes up against a suggested retail price of 1,400,-, then it suddenly starts to make sense..
Salomon doesn’t make the cheapest trail running shoes, but they are probably some of the best. And that kind of thing costs money. And if you only use it on ice and snow, I can see that (in Denmark) it’s a lot of money, for the relatively few days you can actually use the shoe’s capabilities. But you might be lucky enough to find the shoe on sale online.

What does the Salomon SpeedSpike weigh?

333 grams for a size 43 1/3. That’s a relatively high weight for a running shoe. And you could also wish it were a little lighter, but then it would probably compromise the properties that the shoe contains and signals.

Care and maintenance of trail running shoes

Unfortunately, we all know it. We’re done running, our bodies are used up, and it may have been a bit cold. So the top thing on the wish list is a hot bath and not washing and maintaining your running shoes. But especially with trail running shoes like the Salomon Speedspike, it’s extra important to get them treated right away. If you’ve run in mud, it’s important to rinse the worst mud off the shoe, let it dry, and then you can brush off the last of it. If you run in snow and on ice, it’s also a good idea to rinse the shoe free of dirt before selling if that’s an issue..
In addition, the usual maintenance of running shoes applies of course. Take out the insole after each run and let the shoe dry naturally. If you rinse it, or it is very wet after the run, it is tempting to place the shoe near the heater, by a radiator or in front of the wood-burning stove. But the fact is that the shoe is best left to dry naturally.

Drop height in Salomon Speedspike

The shoe has a drop of 6mm. It’s not the lowest drop, but low enough that you can easily practice a slightly more aggressive running style on the midfoot or forefoot.

Drop heights:
Forefoot height: 24mm
Heel height: 18mm

Analysis Part 2: Technical Review of Salomon Speedspike

The more technical review of the Salomon Speedspike CS. That’s what’s hidden in analysis part 2. We promise not to use too many technical terms, so it’s understandable for everyone.

The outsole

The outsole of the Salomon Speedspike is really the heart of it, and certainly also the one that can be read in the name. It has a regular “rough” trail running shoe, which if it didn’t have spikes, would be ideal for trail running in mud and very soft terrain (That’s also why we recommend it can easily be used there). In that sole, 15 so-called “spikes” are placed which are the ones, if you use it in winter conditions, are the ones that “cut themselves down” in the ice and snow and create a more secure grip. In addition, the sole or outsole of the Salomon Speedspike with Contagrib which is the technology that Salomon uses on the vast majority of their shoes, to ensure optimal grip on the surface.

Midsole

The midsole is made of Light Weight Muscle. It is incredibly similar to a “regular” EVA sole, but of course various weight reductions have been made. Compared to a road running shoe, not as much emphasis is placed on a midsole for a trail running shoe. At least not when it comes to softness and responsiveness. The softer surface helps you with that.

Heel

The heel cap is soft and stable. It holds the foot nicely in place during the transition, and the lining inside the heel is well adjusted. Not too much and not too little. I haven’t had a single time where I’ve considered changing anything in the heel area, and that’s usually a good sign.

Shock absorption

There are no separate cushioning pads in the Salomon SpeedSpike. You should see cushioning and the midsole as a unit, and it is what creates the softness in the shoe. As previously mentioned, cushioning and softness are not the same issue in a trail running shoe, as you usually run on softer surfaces. If you come across rocks and stones, softness in the midsole is okay.

Forefoot

As I mentioned earlier, I actually thought the Salomon Speedspike looked a bit clumsy when I received it. The forefoot in particular looked strangely square and stiff. But it is not. It flexes just fine as it should. And right at the front of the foot you will be happy with the protection that is included in the shoe. Against impacts from possible stones, branches or roots.
There is Clima Salomon as extra protection on the shoe. This helps ensure better resistance to wind and weather, and a little more warmth in the shoe.

Upper part

The upper is not in the finest mesh. But that is only because they have looked at the conditions in which it will be used. You will probably experience that the upper feels a little thicker than normal. But if you run in sub-zero temperatures (ice & snow) then you will appreciate the little extra warmth that a slightly thicker mesh gives you..
The lacing system is QuickLace as you know it. Easy and straightforward. Can easily be adjusted in the terrain with gloves on. A small lock that you pull down towards the shoe, and then locks the laces. If you want, the excess laces can be passed through a Lacepocket that sits on the tongue (the soft piece that protects the top of your foot from the laces).

Comparisons to Salomon Speedspike

You can’t help but take a look at Salomon’s own models. Not because they are similar in construction, but because they have metal spikes, you should take a look atSalomon Spikecross.If, on the other hand, you would rather have one that is similar in fit and appearance, then you should take a look at Salomon Speedtrak.

Summary

I’m not in heaven, but it’s certainly not like I’m thinking “what a shit.. shoe” If I had to place the Salomon Speedspike CS on a bare model, it would be the soft middle product. It solves the task as it should. What speaks against it going higher is that I think it’s a relatively big minus that it is basically only intended for snow and ice. The fact that it can be used on mud pulls a little the other way, although it’s annoying that you have to think about the correct route every time in terms of not wearing out the spikes.
In terms of fit, materials and technologies, I have nothing to complain about with the Salomon Speedspike. As usual, Salomon has thought carefully before releasing a new trail running shoe.

Price comparison on Salomon Speedspike

We keep an eye on some of the best prices on the market for you. So below you can always find Salomon Speedspike CS on offer or maybe even on sale. We work with many different partners who will all want to give you a good deal.

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

If you are interested in reading more about the Salomon SpeedSpike CS, you can find out more details (if this is possible) directly at Salomon’s own website.
If there is anything you think you need to know about Salomon SpeedSpike, we would love to hear from you. No one is perfect and our tests are carried out by us. Maybe there is an angle we have not covered that you think could be interesting. So please do not hesitate to write to us. Contact information can be found at the bottom of our website.