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Salomon Updates Its S/Lab Genesis Trail Runner for the First Time in Four Years

Slight tweaks to the high-performance shoe improve comfort, protection and long-distance capability.

Black athletic shoe with knit upper, multicolor stitching, and "SILAB | GENESIS 2" text on the side.Salomon
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Ethan Brehm

By Ethan Brehm

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In a day and age when most high-performance trail runners have become pretty specialized, Salomon’s S/Lab Genesis is unusually versatile.

The shoe debuted in 2022 as a lightweight, ultra-durable trail shoe that could hit any type of terrain, from technical trails to rocky mountains. Extremely abrasion-resistant, it was built with a Matryx upper, a breathable material woven with Kevlar-reinforced yarns.

Black and red Salomon trail running shoe with mesh upper and active chassis sole.
Salomon finally updates the S/Lab Genesis trail runner for the first time in four years.
Salomon

In fact, the S/Lab Genesis was so good that it didn’t really need a sequel for a while — four years to be exact. Now, the French footwear icon has decided it’s time to present us with a second-generation model. Luckily it doesn’t change too much of what made the original so special.

Black Salomon trail running shoes with red accents worn with white crew socks on legs.
This time around, the shoes are better equipped for longer distances and have been upgraded for durability and comfort.
Salomon

Energy efficient

Keeping the core idea of the S/Lab Genesis, the S/Lab Genesis 2 still manages the impossible feat of being lightweight yet incredibly durable. But this time around, everything has been leveled up.

The original Genesis is known for being a confidence-inspiring trail shoe but it could’ve been better for long distances. For the sequel, Salomon swapped the EVA foam in the midsole with a dual-density optiFoam² for improved energy return.

Pair of black Salomon S/LAB Genesis 2 trail running shoes with red accents, shown from top and side views.
One of the biggest upgrades is the upper, which now uses a Matryx Micro, featuring tighter-woven Kevlar yarn.
Salomon
Rear view of a black athletic shoe with textured sole and red interior lining.
The midsole has also been upgraded to a dual-density optiFoam² for improved energy return.
Salomon

“This refined platform enhances rebound and dynamism while maintaining stability over long hours,” according to the brand. “The foam compresses smoothly on impact and recovers quickly, supporting fluid transitions across varied terrain.”

For a more natural ride, the heel drop has also been reduced from 8mm to 6mm.

Close-up of black Salomon shoe with red plastic support and knit fabric upper.
The implementation of activeChassis tooling removes the rock plate from last time in favor of something that can stabilize your foot and ankle when hitting trail hazards.
Salomon

Rock and not roll

Another crucial update here is the implementation of Salomon’s proprietary activeChassis. Compared to the outgoing Profeel Film, which served as a glorified rock plate underfoot, activeChassis does a bit more. Instead of absorbing any harsh impacts, the tooling helps keep your foot and ankle stable when you do hit any rocks or roots. 

Black and red Salomon shoe sole with aggressive multi-directional lugs for traction.
Salomon also revised the contraGrip outsole for better performance on “wet rock, loose gravel, steep climbs and fast descents.”
Salomon

Likewise, the All-Terrain contaGrip outsole has been revised for better performance on “wet rock, loose gravel, steep climbs and fast descents.” It still has 4.5mm lugs like before.

The last “major” change on the S/Lab Genesis is the upper. It’s now been updated to a lighter Matryx Micro, which is still breathable like before, but has a tighter Kevlar weave for even better abrasion resistance.

All told, the result is a slightly heavier shoe. Instead of ~9.1 ounces per shoe, the 2nd-gen model is ~9.5 ounces. For comparison, these are still notably lighter than Hoka’s Speedgoat 5.

Availability and pricing

Priced at $200, the S/Lab Genesis 2 lands August 5 on Salomon’s website, along with the slightly heavier Genesis 2 and Genesis 2 GTX.

About the Author: Ethan Brehm is an associate editor at Gear Patrol writing about footwear, watches, spirits, EDC and more. When he’s not shopping for his next G-Shock, he spends his time watching movies and planning a future road trip with his family. He firmly believes CDs sound better than vinyl.

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