Best Salomon Road Running Shoes – Guide Spring 2025

17 February 2025 6  min reading
Salomon Road Running Shoes - spring 2025

Although Salomon is widely known for trail running, its lineup for road runners keeps growing. The lineup includes shoes for a variety of purposes: from soft shoes perfect for everyday training, through models that make you feel more stable, to shoes designed for professional runners looking to achieve maximum performance.

Salomon running shoe categories

The Salomon asphalt shoe collection has fewer segments than the trail shoe collection. This is understandable, considering that Salomon’s lineup of asphalt shoes is still much smaller than that of trail shoes. The producer distinguishes the following in its lineup:

  • SPEED RUN are fast shoes designed for fast running and/or competition
  • EVERYDAY RUN are shoes for everyday running, basically what we call training shoes
  • INSPIRED RUN are inspirational shoes, including a shoe designed to be fully recyclable, the Index.03

Similar to the approach used for trail shoes, the brand distinguishes between different levels of sophistication in each segment. This gives us:

  • S/LAB, or Salomon Laboratory, is the most advanced line, designed for runners who are looking for uncompromising solutions and the highest functionality.
  • PERFORMANCE AND RACING is a professional line that is suitable for runners of all skill levels. They work well both during training and in competitions.
  • TRAINING, shoes for runners of all levels who are not looking for speed but a shoe that will allow them to run safely above all else
  • RECREATIONAL, shoes that are not necessarily running shoes, for those who run occasionally

The table below shows which models belong to each group:

PACECOMFORTSUPPORTINSPIRED RUN
S/LAB PRO
RACING CONCEPT
Salomon S/Lab Phantasm 2 - Made in France
S/Lab Phantasm 2
Salomon S/Lab Spectur - białe
S/Lab Spectur
PERFORMANCE
AND RACING
Salomon DRX Bliss 2 - jasnozielone
Spectur 2
TRAININGSalomon Aero Glide 3 - proto
Aero Glide 3
Salomon Aero Blaze 2 - czerwone
Aero Blaze 2
Salomon DRX Bliss 2 - białe
DRX Bliss 2
Salomon DRX Defy - zielone
DRX Defy 2
Salomon DRX Defy Gravel - czarno-czerwone
DRX Defy Grvl
RECREATIONALSalomon Index 03 - białe
Index.03

Running shoe models

Salomon S/Lab Phantasm 2

Salomon S/Lab Phantasm 2 - Made in France

The S/Lab Phantasm 2 is Salomon’s fastest street running shoe. It is ultra-light, extremely fast and designed for the fastest runners to break their personal bests. It combines the softest and most flexible EnergyFoam+ with a full-length EnergyBlade plate made of carbon fiber. This creates a very fast yet very soft shoe, as it is also one of Salomon’s highest shoes. In addition, it is one of the lightest and best fitting shoes available. There is not much space inside, but when running fast, a better fit is usually more important than loose space.

  • Stack height: 37.5/28.5mm
  • Drop: 9mm
  • Weight: 219g
  • Regular price: 250 EUR

Salomon S/Lab Spectur

Salomon S/Lab Spectur

The second of Salomon’s fast start shoes. Designed for slightly slower runners, those who are not elite marathoners but are still ambitious and fast amateurs. You could say that it is a slower shoe compared to the S/Lab Phantasm 2. It also uses the EnergyBlade plate made of carbon fiber in its construction, but it is slightly smaller and located mainly in the front part of the shoe. This makes it a shoe not only for slower runners, but also for those who land on the rear part of the foot, under which there is only foam. This foam, like in the fastest model, is responsive and lightweight EnergyFoam+.

  • Stack height: 38.5/30.5mm
  • Drop: 8mm
  • Weight: 235g
  • Regular price: 220 EUR

Salomon Spectur 2

Salomon Spectur 2

The Salomon Spectur 2 is a well-cushioned shoe designed for running on hard surfaces such as hard surfaces, sidewalks, and gravel roads. It combines the power of a full-length fiberglass plate (slightly less responsive than those made of fiberglass) with exceptional stability, providing the confidence and durability needed for dynamic runs. In addition, the contoured midsole geometry and resilient EnergyFoam in the midsole make for a smooth ride and plenty of soft cushioning.

  • Stack height: 38.5/30.5mm
  • Drop: 8mm
  • Weight: 250g men’s, 214g women’s
  • Regular price: 180 EUR

Salomon Aero Glide 3

Salomon Aero Glide 3 - proto

Salomon’s flagship road shoe, which has undergone a significant transformation compared to the previous edition. It is the most cushioned and secure shoe in the brand’s lineup, designed for running on hard surfaces. Equipped with completely new EnergyFOAM Evo foam and an improved upper, it makes for exceptional comfort. Its midsole is the highest among Salomon’s asphalt models, making it the perfect choice for those looking for maximum comfort during long-distance, easy training sessions.

  • Stack height: 40/32mm
  • Drop: 8mm
  • Weight: 245g men’s, 205g women’s
  • Regular price: 160 EUR

Salomon Aero Blaze 2

Salomon Aero Blaze 2

The basic model of Salomon running shoes for hard surfaces. It makes for good, but moderate cushioning (for runners weighing up to 80 kilograms). This is thanks to the EnergyFoam used in the midsole. Equipped with a classic, two-layer mesh upper. It can be very comfortable footwear for everyday running for people who run less regularly.

  • Stack height: 32/24mm
  • Drop: 8mm
  • Weight: 229g men’s, 196g women’s
  • Regular price: 140 EUR

Salomon DRX Bliss 2

Salomon DRX Bliss 2

Salomon asphalt shoe with stabilization. This is provided by the ActiveChassis element, which takes the form of two “rails” at the junction of the midsole and upper. These limit unwanted sideways movement of the foot, both outward and inward. Suitable for people with excessive pronation as well as neutral feet. In terms of cushioning, it is only slightly less soft than the AeroGlide. An interesting and very versatile option for everyday training in urban conditions.

  • Stack height: 34/26mm
  • Drop: 8mm
  • Weight: 266g men’s, 221g women’s
  • Regular price: 160 EUR

Salomon DRX Defy 2

Salomon DRX Defy

The twin brother of the DRX Bliss model with slightly less stability, which is also provided by ActiveChassis technology. However, it is more minimalistic and the stabilizing element is located only on the outside of the foot. This makes the stability even more dynamic and suitable for runners with both excessive pronation and neutral feet. In terms of cushioning, it is on the same level as the DRX Bliss and suitable for runners weighing up to approximately 90 kilograms.

  • Stack height: 34/26mm
  • Drop: 8mm
  • Weight: 235g men’s, 199g women’s
  • Regular price: 140 EUR

Salomon DRX Defy Grvl

Salomon DRX Defy Gravel

A hybrid of a street running shoe and a gravel road running shoe. It has exactly the same construction as the DRX Defy, so it’s a shoe with medium support and very good cushioning. It is an excellent shoe for everyday running at a moderate pace. However, what sets it apart from the DRX Defy is the outsole – deeper and more aggressive, which will provide traction outside the city on gravel roads. This makes it a very versatile and universal shoe. On city streets and sidewalks, it offers adequate cushioning and comfort, while off-road it provides solid (though not outstanding) traction. It is an excellent choice for runners who cover a variety of surfaces.

  • Stack height: 34/26mm
  • Drop: 8mm
  • Weight: 239g men’s, 203g women’s
  • Regular price: 140 EUR

Salomon Index.03

Salomon Index.03

Index 03 is the second edition of a shoe designed entirely with recycling and easy disassembly in mind. To recycle these shoes, you must register them. This can be done using the QR code on the tongue of the shoe. The lightweight (but not necessarily soft) Infiniride foam in the midsole and the geometry of the midsole improve performance and smoothness. The upper is made of a thin mesh material for high breathability and comfort. A shoe for occasional runners.

  • Stack height: 29/20mm
  • Drop: 9mm
  • Weight: 249g
  • Regular price: 150 EUR
Pawel Matysiak
Post author Pawel Matysiak

I am an amateur runner and have participated in 1000-meter runs on the treadmill, half marathons, marathons, and ultra-marathons. I give professional advice on choosing the right running shoes. I have more than I can count at home.

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