Salomon S/LAB Genesis 2 First Look: The Evolution of a Modern Trail Classic
Photo : Salomon Oficial
Specs at a Glance
Price$200 USD
Weight284 g (Men's US 9)
Stack Height31 mm / 25 mm
Drop6 mm
Lugs4.5 mm
UpperMatryx® Micro with integrated gaiter
MidsoleDual-density optiFOAM² (TPU-based)
OutsoleAll Terrain Contagrip®
Best ForTechnical mountain trails, ultras, alpine racing
When Salomon launched the original S/LAB Genesis, it quickly earned a reputation as one of the most capable technical trail shoes on the market. It wasn't the softest, the highest stacked or the most aggressive racer. Instead, it became known for something much harder to engineer: balance.
Three years later, Salomon has returned with the S/LAB Genesis 2.
While Hold W Club hasn't tested the shoe yet, the first independent reviews have started to arrive—and they all point in the same direction. This isn't a cosmetic update. It's a meaningful refinement of one of the most respected mountain running shoes currently available.
What's New?
Rather than redesigning the shoe from scratch, Salomon focused on improving the areas that mattered most.
The headline change is a completely updated dual-density optiFOAM² midsole, replacing the original EVA-based setup with a more responsive TPU-based compound. Early testers consistently describe the ride as livelier without sacrificing the stability that made the first Genesis so confidence-inspiring on technical terrain.
The geometry has also changed.
The heel stack has been lowered from 33 mm to 31 mm while maintaining a 25 mm forefoot, reducing the drop to 6 mm. Combined with a noticeably wider platform, reviewers report improved stability and better ground contact, particularly on uneven mountain trails.
Salomon has also updated the Matryx upper, refined the chassis, and retained features such as the integrated gaiter and Quicklace system that defined the original shoe.
What Reviewers Are Saying
Perhaps the most interesting takeaway is the consistency.
Across Trail Runner Magazine, RoadTrailRun and other experienced reviewers, the same themes appear repeatedly:
More energetic ride than the original.
Better stability despite feeling quicker.
Outstanding performance on technical terrain.
Still prioritises precision over maximum cushioning.
A shoe that feels equally suited to racing and long mountain adventures.
Several reviewers even argue that the Genesis 2 has become one of the most versatile technical trail shoes currently available—not because it excels in one specific area, but because it performs consistently well across a wide range of mountain terrain.
Not For Everyone
The praise isn't universal.
Most reviewers agree that runners looking for maximum cushioning should probably look elsewhere. The S/LAB Genesis 2 remains a relatively low-stack, precision-focused mountain shoe designed for control rather than softness. It has also gained a little weight compared with the previous version, although reviewers generally feel the improved ride quality justifies the increase.
The premium price—around $200—also puts it firmly at the top end of the trail shoe market.
Hold W Club's First Take
Without putting kilometres into the shoe ourselves, it's impossible to say whether the S/LAB Genesis 2 truly improves on the original.
What we can say is this: the early verdict from respected reviewers is remarkably consistent.
Salomon hasn't tried to reinvent one of its most successful mountain shoes. Instead, it has refined the formula with a more responsive midsole, improved stability and updated materials while preserving the precise, technical character that made the original such a favourite among mountain runners.
That's usually a good sign.
We'll reserve final judgement until we've tested the shoe ourselves, but based on the first wave of independent reviews, the S/LAB Genesis 2 already looks like one of the standout technical trail shoes of 2026.
