Genesis
Road-to-trail Salomon shoe for runners mixing pavement approaches with light dirt singletrack.
Available in Men's and Women's sizing.
- Road-to-Trail
- Trail
- Daily Trainer
- 8mm Drop
- 280g
- Best forTrue road-to-trail.
- Runner typeNeutral gait
- SurfacesRoad, Trail
Overview
Road-to-trail Salomon shoe for runners mixing pavement approaches with light dirt singletrack.
A Salomon Genesis trail shoe for agile trail days when you want Salomon fit and grip without an ultra-max stack. Skip it for road weeks or deep mud-specialist outsoles.
- True road-to-trail
- Secure Salomon fit
- Mixed-surface grip
Kitletics Review · 8.4 Good
Salomon Genesis is a road-to-trail shoe. Road-to-trail Salomon shoe for runners mixing pavement approaches with light dirt singletrack. I'd shortlist it for true road-to-trail. The trade-off is less plush than max-cushion trail tanks — Salomon Sense Ride 5 is the cleaner compare when that is most of your week. It fits buyers who actually need a road-to-trail shoe, not a one-product rotation.
Read Kitletics Review →At a glance
- Weight
- 280 g
- Drop
- 8 mm
- Heel Stack
- 32 mm
- Cushioning
- Moderate
- Stability
- Neutral
- Terrain
- Road, Trail
- Plate
- No
- Category
- Running Shoes
- Best for
- True road-to-trail
Pros & cons
Pros
- True road-to-trail
- Secure Salomon fit
- Mixed-surface grip
Cons
- Less plush than max-cushion trail tanks
- Not a road daily trainer
Key technologies
Energy Surge
Energy Surge
Contagrip
Contagrip
Kitletics Review
A buying decision based on structured product data and evidence — not invented star ratings or fake user reviews.
Kitletics Review
Verdict
Salomon Genesis is a road-to-trail shoe. Road-to-trail Salomon shoe for runners mixing pavement approaches with light dirt singletrack. I'd shortlist it for true road-to-trail. The trade-off is less plush than max-cushion trail tanks — Salomon Sense Ride 5 is the cleaner compare when that is most of your week. It fits buyers who actually need a road-to-trail shoe, not a one-product rotation.
Pros
- moderate cushioning for the sessions it was built for
Cons / Trade-offs
- Less plush than max-cushion trail tanks
- Not a road daily trainer
Best for
- True road-to-trail.
- Balanced ride that still fits road-to-trail shoe sessions.
- Neutral road-to-trail shoe.
- Secure Salomon fit.
Not ideal for
- Those looking for less plush than max-cushion trail tanks.
- Those looking for road daily, not trail geometry.
- Those looking for Salomon Sense Ride 5 when a road-to-trail shoe is not the weekly job.
- People who need road daily trainer.
How it performs
What it is
Road-to-trail Salomon shoe for runners mixing pavement approaches with light dirt singletrack. Salomon Genesis is built for a specific job in the category — use that job as your first filter. I'd shortlist it when you want true road-to-trail, secure Salomon fit or mixed-surface.…
Key specs
Here are the numbers that matter for the Salomon Genesis: • Drop: 8 mm • Cushion Level: moderate • Stability: neutral • Terrain: road, trail • Width Options: standard • Grip: trail • Plate: No • Plate Material: none • Cushion Feel: balanced • Ride Character: smooth • Energy.…
Fit & Comfort
If you already run in Salomon dailies, start with your usual length in the Salomon Genesis and judge width and volume on an easy jog — not standing still in the shop. Width is standard only. That suits average-to-narrow feet who already like this brand’s last. If you need wide.…
Cushioning
Cushioning on the Salomon Genesis is tuned for its daily role first. Match that lane to your week before you buy on foam names alone. On the numbers: 8 mm drop. If your week is mostly easy miles, prioritise protection. If your week is workouts and races, a firmer or plated shoe.…
Key specs that matter
| Spec | Value | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 280 g | Affects how lively or protective the shoe feels on easy miles. |
| Drop | 8 mm | Influences stance and load distribution — preference, not a quality score. |
| Heel Stack | 32 mm | Contributes to cushion depth under the heel on landings. |
| Forefoot Stack | 24 mm | Affects forefoot protection and how the toe-off feels. |
| Stability | Neutral | Indicates guidance geometry versus a pure neutral ride. |
| Terrain | Road, Trail | Defines primary surface suitability (road, trail, mixed). |
| Width Options | Standard | Official widths available — separate from subjective toe-box feel. |
Should you buy it?
Buy if
- You're looking for true road-to-trail.
- You want a balanced ride that still fits road-to-trail shoe sessions.
- You prefer a neutral road-to-trail shoe.
- You want secure Salomon fit.
Skip if
- You need to avoid less plush than max-cushion trail tanks.
- You're primarily looking for a road daily, not trail geometry.
- You prefer Salomon Sense Ride 5 when a road-to-trail shoe is not the weekly job.
- Less plush than max-cushion trail tanks
Final verdict
Salomon Genesis is a road-to-trail shoe. Road-to-trail Salomon shoe for runners mixing pavement approaches with light dirt singletrack. I'd shortlist it for true road-to-trail. The trade-off is less plush than max-cushion trail tanks — Salomon Sense Ride 5 is the cleaner compare when that is most of your week. It fits buyers who actually need a road-to-trail shoe, not a one-product rotation.
Alternatives to consider
SalomonSense Ride 5Why choose this instead: Want better value?
8.0 · GoodFrom € 140Compare →
BrooksCascadia 18Why choose this instead: Want better value?
8.8 · Very GoodFrom € 133Compare →
NikePegasus Trail 5Why choose this instead: Versatile road-to-trail
8.6 · Very GoodFrom € 143Compare →
Related guides
How we assessed it
How we assessed the Salomon Genesis: this is Expert Research. We used manufacturer specifications (280 weight, 8 mm drop, Energy Surge), the published role as a road-to-trail shoe, and a comparison set (Sense Ride 5, Cascadia 18). We have not personally tested this product. Feel claims and scores are research-informed, not a wear diary.
Review type: Expert Research Review.
Read how we review products →
Specifications
- Weight
- 280g
- Drop
- 8mm
- Heel Stack
- 32mm
- Cushioning
- Moderate
- Stability
- Neutral
- Terrain
- Road, Trail
- Plate
- No
Geometry
| Weight | 280 g |
|---|---|
| Heel Stack | 32 mm |
| Forefoot Stack | 24 mm |
| Drop | 8 mm |
Ride
| Cushioning | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Cushion Feel | Balanced |
| Stability | Neutral |
| Energy Return | Moderate |
| Flexibility | Moderate |
| Ride Character | Smooth |
Construction
| Upper | Engineered mesh |
|---|---|
| Midsole | Energy Surge |
| Outsole | Contagrip |
| Plate | No |
| Plate Material | None |
Use
| Terrain | Road, Trail |
|---|---|
| Training Types | Easy, Long |
| Recommended Distance | Daily, Trail, Ultra |
| Surface | Trail, Mixed |
| Weather Suitability | Dry, Wet, All Season |
| Race Legal | Yes |
Fit
| Width Options | Standard |
|---|---|
| Arch Support | Medium |
| Grip | Trail |
| Durability | Moderate |
| Breathability | Moderate |
Other
| Fit / Sizing | Men, Women |
|---|
Where to buy
Showing offers for Netherlands. Prices may change at the retailer.
Amazon.nl
in stockMarketplaceNLLast checked 12 September 2026€ 143View on Amazon
Kitletics may earn a commission when you buy through some retailer links. This does not affect our recommendations. Affiliate disclosure
Sources & evidence
Transparency behind this Kitletics Review — not a substitute for the buying decision above.
Verified specification
Official product specifications
Used to verify identity, published measurements, materials and official features.
Verified 12 September 2026
Editorial research
Independent expert reviews & Kitletics editorial analysis
Used to cross-check ride, fit, category placement and buying trade-offs. Not a Kitletics personal wear-test.
Verified 12 September 2026
Road vs Trail Running Shoes
Why road and trail shoes are not interchangeable — grip, protection and intended terrain.
Read guide →Running Shoe Finder
Find shoes that match your running, goals, fit preferences and budget.
Shoe Rotation Planner
Plan a shoe rotation around your training — coverage, gaps and what to add next.
Running Pace Calculator
Calculate pace, finish time and distance with race splits.
Product data verified 12 September 2026. Prices checked 12 September 2026.
Independent & Transparent
We don't sell gear. Guidance is independent, labelled honestly, and evidence-led.
Always Up to Date
Products, prices and new releases are continually reviewed.
Real Prices
Regional retailer offers with last-checked timestamps — not invented MSRP.
Find What Fits You
Smart tools match gear to your sport, goals and budget.