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S/Lab Genesis 2
Today's tracked prices
- 01Alpine Trek1d ago£171.95£180.00−4%
- 02Snowleader.co.uk1d ago£173.90£180.00−3%
- 03SalomonLIVE£180.00
- 04Centurion Running StoreLIVE£180.00
- 05DerbyRunner1d ago£180.00
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Price history
Our verdict
The S/Lab Genesis 2 is Salomon at its most race-focused: a lightweight trail running shoe built for short to mid distance racing, from a sharp 10k on the fells to a technical half or a fast 50k. At 249g it is genuinely light for a shoe with a 31.9mm heel, and the low 7.8mm drop keeps you connected to the ground so you can read the trail and react. There is no plate here, and that is deliberate. This is a shoe about precision, grip and control rather than pop off a carbon spring. You get a snug, locked-in Salomon fit and aggressive traction that bites on loose, wet and steep ground. In our view it sits at the premium racing end of the market, and the price reflects that. If you want a plated trail racer the Hoka Tecton X 3 is the obvious rival, but for pure connected feel and grip the Genesis 2 is hard to beat.
Key features
- Aggressive trail tractionBites hard into loose, wet and steep ground so you can attack descents and climbs with confidence
- Low 7.8mm dropKeeps you connected to the trail so you can read the terrain and react quickly at speed
- Lightweight 249g buildFeels quick and unweighted underfoot, so your legs stay fresher when you push the pace
- Locked-in race fitHolds your foot securely through hard corners and off-camber sections with almost no internal slip
- Firm, responsive platformGives a direct, efficient feel that rewards fast, precise turnover rather than soaking up your effort
Who it suits
Who should buy it
- Trail racers who want maximum grip and control on technical, wet and steep terrain
- Runners chasing fast times over short to mid distance trail races
- Neutral runners who prefer a low, connected ride with strong ground feel
- Experienced trail runners who value a precise, locked-in race fit
Who should not buy it
- You have wide feet or want a roomy toe box for long descents
- You need stability or motion control for overpronation
- You want a soft, plush shoe for easy daily miles
- You are shopping on a budget, as this sits at the premium end
Best uses
Extra information
Fit & sizing
The Genesis 2 fits true to size for a race shoe, but it is built snug. This is a precise, performance last with a locked-down midfoot and a secure heel, exactly what you want when you are cornering hard on off-camber trail. The toe box is on the narrower side of average, so runners with wide feet or those who like room to splay on long descents may find it tight late in a race. If you are between sizes or planning long ultra efforts where feet swell, we would size up a half. Lockdown is excellent, with almost no internal slip once the lacing is dialled in, so heel lift is rarely an issue. Runners who want a genuinely roomier trail fit for daily miles are better served by something like the Salomon Sense Ride 5. For racing, though, the close fit is the point.
Performance breakdown
Ride & feel
The ride is fast, low and connected. With a 7.8mm drop and a firm-ish feel underfoot, you sit close to the trail and get a lot of ground feedback, which is exactly what makes this shoe come alive when you are moving quickly over technical terrain. It is not a soft, plush cruiser and it does not try to be. Hold race effort and it rewards you with quick, precise turnover and confident foot placement. Drop the pace right down for easy days and it feels firmer and less forgiving than a dedicated daily trainer. This is a shoe that wants to be run fast.
Cushioning
With 31.9mm at the heel and 24.1mm up front, the Genesis 2 carries enough stack to take the edge off rocky ground without ever feeling tall or vague. The cushioning leans firm and responsive rather than soft and absorbing, which keeps the platform stable and quick underfoot. For short and mid distance racing that firmness is a strength, giving you a direct, efficient feel. Over very long ultra distances or on relentless hardpack, heavier runners may want more underfoot forgiveness than this offers. For its intended racing brief, the balance of protection and ground feel is well judged.
Stability
This is a neutral trail shoe, so there is no medial post or dedicated support structure. Stability instead comes from the low drop, the moderate stack and the excellent foot lockdown, which together keep you planted and in control on uneven ground. The relatively low, wide-feeling platform and secure upper mean the shoe resists rolling on off-camber sections better than the stack number alone suggests. Runners who need genuine motion control for overpronation should look elsewhere, but for neutral runners the Genesis 2 feels sure-footed and confidence-inspiring at speed.
Upper & comfort
The upper is a race-tuned, close-fitting build focused on security over plushness. It wraps the foot precisely and holds you in place through hard turns and steep descents, with minimal hot spots once you have set the lacing. There is not a lot of soft padding, in keeping with the lightweight racing intent, so it feels more purposeful than luxurious. Breathability is good, which helps on warm efforts and in wet conditions where you want water to drain and the foot to stay locked. For racing it is comfortable in the way a race shoe should be: you stop noticing it and just run.
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FAQ
Specifications
| Category | Trail Race |
| Surface | Trail |
| Drop | 7.8mm |
| Heel Stack | 31.9mm |
| Forefoot Stack | 24.1mm |
| Weight | 249g |
| Carbon Plated | No |
| Stability | No |