completely agree this is such a great shoe for 100 milers, got me round UTMB 2022, and just does the job so well with zero issues. feet looked amazing at the end, the lockdown, stability and grip really help in technical terrain where more stack can put stress on ankles. Would love to try the genesis but the s/lab ultra also looks interesting for those who like more stack.
The Genesis replaced the Ultra 3 v2 in my rotation, so much so that I nearly forgot I had purchased it as an impulse buy. At least for me in the Colorado Foothills with moderate to technical trails, the Genesis may be my favorite training shoe - and I plan to race my next 100 miler in it, on my 60th birthday. It’s just a much more comfortable ride without losing stability. As much as I like the new upper on the 3 v2 , the feel can be harsh for anything beyond 13.1. As for fit, however, I agree that the v2 is a tad bit long BUT the Genesis is even longer - so much so that I went down half a size in the Genesis. Really appreciate you reviewing this unsung new model of an admittedly classic and impressive shoe. Happy trails!
Good to know that the Genesis runs even longer! Glad you still appreciated this review, and it's definitely still a great shoe. There's got to be someone out there who will still prefer this slightly firmer feel than the softer Genesis. That person isn't me though 😅
@@ConversationalPace I may have done that by substituting the Salomon footbeds in the Ultra 3 v2 with Inov-8 Boomerangs! Definitely makes for slightly softer ride albeit firmer than the Genesis.
So I have v1 of this shoe and loved almost everything about it BUT… I had one small obstacle and one big durability issue. First one is that the shoe (for me) took much longer than usual to break in due to this shoe being quite narrow for my foot (and I would say my foot is typically a little towards the narrow side of things already… but just a little). I loved them so much that I preserved and they did eventually get comfortable. The second one will likely keep me from getting another pair. Sadly the durability on the outsole was just not there. I wore entirely through the outsole in a single season (and while I ran fairly regularly each week I am by no means the goat and I was not putting this shoe through anything terribly hard wearing. The outsole just did not last. Loved it while it lasted but it is just too thin and soft wearing. Thanks for the solid review. You definitely called it like it is.
Yeah it's a bummer that the outsole couldn't have been more durable, but I also understand that would increase weight and possibly stiffness. I imagine it was a compromise that Salomon made since this is an S/lab shoe and that line is centered around race day performance
I’m in no way a serious trail runner but I picked up the S/Lab Ultra 3’s (non V2 version) at half price last year and just recently got the S/Lab Genesis for almost half price too here in Australia The genesis have a very similar sock like fit that with a bit more room, and they added a touch more space in the lace garage as well as a pull tab which makes getting the laces tucked in laughably easy now The Genesis has a slightly different front flex point and obviously is a touch lighter and more cushioned so is great for easier trails where the Ultra can feel a bit dull
Sounds like if/when I get my hands on a Genesis, it will replace the Ultra 3 in my rotation. Thanks for watching! Also, great find, getting them for half off!
I’ve seen some people unofficially call that medial post Anti-Fatigue! First gen Arcteryx Norvan LD, older ASICS Fuji Trabuco models, as you said TOPO, and older versions of the Mafate Speed/EVO Mafate all had variations of this! I think even SLAB Pulsar had this feature too!
Yes, definitely something that a handful of brands have tried. It would be super interesting to get one of those shoes without the medial post and see if it actually feels any different. Thanks for watching!
Another great review, well done. I love the fit of this shoe and the ride is superb. If only they had the pull tabs and the lace pocket of the Genesis!!!! It would be close to trail perfection 🤙
I waited a year for Salomon to have the Genesis in my UK size 12. They’ve arrived but I am holding back from wearing them at the moment. I know strange but it just has to feel the right time. I guess would have been a good shoe for the Black Brecon 50 miler on Friday night/Saturday daytime with an equal 3800 metres of ascent and descent. Good show 👍
Salomon usually updates most of it's shoe line around February of every year and with the Genesis coming up on a few years old now, my fingers are crossed for an updated version, and we'll be quick to review that one!
@@ConversationalPace Thanks for the feedback, I was unaware of it being a few years old. I thought this was a 2023 release, and just didn’t get much attention for what ever reason. Although I believe, “correct if I’m wrong” this is the shoe Genesis that Courtney D wore this year in here Triple Crown 👑 quest? Again thanks for the feedback. Continue the great content and reviews 🤙🏽
You are correct, Courtney wore the Genesis for States, Hardrock, and UTMB this year. The shoe she wore at UTMB this year might have been different from a regular Genesis, but it's very hard to tell in the pictures. Thanks for watching!
In my opinion Salomon isn't that consistent with their sizing. S/lab pulsar is small, sense 4 pro long and narrow and compared to them the ultra 3v2 is big in all directions. The collar and lace garage are great although the garage should have a pull tab just like other Salomon shoes. I think that this shoe is very easy to get into compared to s/lab pulsar or tying up about any traditionally laced shoes. For me the biggest downside are the gaping holes at the sides of the laces - loads of debris getting in. Also the sole at the heel is a bit too wide twisting my ankles unnecessarily in rock gardens and on slanted terrain. Midsole bounce also leaves some room for improvement. After 350km the outsole is still good although the edges of the lugs aren't that sharp anymore. Drainage could also be better. Next version should come with softer foam and without removable insole. Bought it for 120€ four months ago - great value! Btw, energy cell is the main midsole material and pu part is called energy save. Great analytical review yet again!
I saw he was wearing something interesting and am so curious if its just a 1 off "Ludo" shoe, or something that's actually in the works for a future release
The v2 is a pretty good and cheap move to keep the pls do not change my shoes crowd happy.For all others we have the Genesis line (proto version from Courtney at UTMB seems pretty similar with a potentially different foam in the forefoot), which brings softness,a nice flex point and a do it all attitude in a relatively light package. And they just released a new Slab Ultra which brings the line into new cushion and protection territory with a fiberglass plate basically brings the SLab Ultra line into 2023 with a 240€ price point. Any chance you are gonna review the new Ultra? I’m waiting for a proper discount on this one until I try it but it seems to be a pretty damn good shoe.
I love the sock like fit cause it keeps my feet from getting blisters and keeps debris out in the slab pulsar. Also debating wether to get these or the pulsar 2 ..i feel like the pulsars are great up to 50k in testing and feel like i could probably go longer with that great midsole. The only thing that seems to stand out with the ultras is perhaps the stability? That's my only minor gripe with the pulsar as well as the durability of the outsole
The Ultra3 is going to have better stability over the course of a long run or race due to the firmer foam, midfoot shank, and the added width. You pay a bit of a weight penalty, but for me, is worth it, as I am only good up to about 30k in the Pulsar. Thanks for watching!
Stoked to find these reviews, great channel, i grew up in ashland and its cool to find some rvr crew representing. Quick question regarding this shoe vs the s/lab genesis (if youve run in it) i have the ultra 3 and also find it quite stable for an 8 drop shoe, would you say that carries over to the genesis?
So cool you came across the channel! The Genesis is a bit wider at the base than the Ultra 3, so even though it's a little higher off the ground and softer, I found the stability to feel similar. If I was really splitting hairs and running really fast over technical terrain, I would opt for the ultra 3 due to being a bit lower to the ground. Thanks for atching!
I haven't considered this shoe much, but is Matryx new with this V2 or was it used previously? And topo removing the medial plug on the MTR3 messed up the shoe for me for any longer run. Come to think of it, I did have an earlier iteration of this slab shoe line, with the rigid plastic 'wings' in the upper, very glad they've evolved beyond those. I have the Genesis as well, my one complaint being it's quite snug, especially in the forefoot, and I prefer e.g. the Xodus Ultra 1 instead for a long event as it has more midfoot/toebox room, as well as more forefoot cushion. As I recall, the older slab ultra model i had was also less snug than the genesis, but overly firm for my taste nowadays. BTW, I see significant forefoot lug wear in the Genesis: One lug torn completely off, exposing the midsole, and small chunks from most of the others, and this is after 55miles.... I'd likely choose the slab ultra over the genesis on harder more technical surfaces and scrambling. Also you got rid of the ads, big thanks for that!
11 месяцев назад
In my opinion ultra 3v2 has roomier toebox than xodus ultra 1. Xodus might have more room at midfoot and heel. I wasn't able to get snug fit in it partly because of stretchy and slippery materials. It was also too rigid and clumsy on technical trails. Salomon wins any day!
This is the first time the Matryx upper has been used on the S/lab Ultra. For me, it was a big upgrade. I don't have a very wide foot, so I'm not sure if it's tighter than the previous version or not, but I am able to get a great lockdown on the shoe. That's a bummer about the lug coming off on the Genesis. Sounds like it could be either a defect, or you're taking the shoes on some pretty gnarly terrain and need a harder rubber compound. As for the ads, you must have gotten lucky or something, as I didn't change any settings 🤣
Yeah with me I think that’s what I’m thinking with Solomons. If you can give me 1,000,000 mm wide or sometimes in the toebox I’d be very happy. I recently picked up a pair of the sense pro force which I wanted before you said the sense pro one and I got these I can take them to a 50 K but after that my front of my toes are kind of just hurting because it’s not comfortable but up until that it’s a wall and I just keep saying kind of I could just get a little bit more room out of it or maybe get my feet to be a little smaller and just years of minimal running made my feet wider, and, I guess that’s why I was kinda interested in the normal shoe or something cause I love the S laps but there is sometimes when I used to have my lab I think since seven I took that to 50 miles and I said that’s probably it for me. I don’t know about them all anybody else but when I bought the pulsar Trail, I sent it right back. I hated that shoe but some people I guess like it Solomon. Listen give me a little more room.
The Salomon Thundercross that we just reviewed was one of the widest Salomons we have ever tested out. You should check out our reivew of that one if you are looking to still get that Salomon performance in a wider package. The Nnormal Tomir would be the wider of the two models and might be worth checking out as well, although I don't have any personal experience with the Tomir. Thanks for watching!
I would say these are just OK on the roads. The lugs are pretty spread apart so wouldn't last too long and the firmer cushion might feel a little harsh.
It is weird how little info there is when the shoe has been out for what, almost 2 years? I keep thinking there has got to be an update around the corner to review, but I might have to reach back out to Salomon for a timeline to see if it's still worth reviewing or not
Thanks for watching! We did review the NB Summit Unknown V3, which I thought was nearly awesome. The only issue I had with it were with some of the material choices on the upper, and the V4 seems to have sorted that out.
Question regarding racing and shoes. I’ll be running the Bryce Canyon 50k this May then Palisades 100 and Wasatch 100. I’m mainly, right now, trying to nail a solid racer for Bryce and wanted your thoughts. I’ve been racing in the Tecton X but it’s getting trashed so I was looking at the Tecton x2. However, I’m thinking about trying something new. Right now, I train in the speedland gs:tam but looking for a faster shoe for the 50k. Bryce is very runnable and I’m looking at a 5hr goal time. Thoughts on anything to try? I was looking at the Adidas Agravic Speed Ultra but that’s not out yet…
I think that Hoka TX2 might be the faster option, and if you know they work well for you, that would be a reliable and fast option. This ultra 3 doesn't have as much pop as the Hoka, but it performs better in more technical terrain.
I have had two pairs of the v1 of this shoe, and the upper have disintegrated on both. The upper around my bunions have started to unravel - also in the crease of the toe bend. Any other had these issues? My first pair was replaced under warranty. I'm considering buying the v2, but a little hesitant regards to durability of the upper...
You should see a pretty great increase in durability with this new upper. I have never actually come across a Matryx upper with any rips or tears in it. It's pretty magical stuff!
The guy with the black cap very often interrupts the other guy. Very disturbing to the conversation. As if his input is more important, which it is not. Really bad behavior.