To trail-runners, versatility is everything. Yet so few trail running shoes offer the versatility and performance that so many crave. Enter the Salomon Sense Ride 3, an innovative cross-over trail runner that perfectly marries performance and versatility for a shoe that lives up to the hype. Whether you’re novice or full of years of experience, you’ll find that a great versatile
pair of shoes can take you from technical terrain to the pavement of your own neighborhood with total ease. Let’s take a look at what the Salomon Sense Ride 3 brings to the table.
A Sensitive Shoe with Ample Foot Protection
Make no mistake, the Salomon Sense Ride 3 is a shoe that offers key protection without sacrificing the sensitivity runners need on more advanced trails. Thanks to generous cushioning in the shoe’s midsole, you’re well protected from any detritus you’ll encounter on the trail. An advanced upper offers key protection from rocks/roots systems, while a rugged toe cap keeps your toes protected from harm. This is a shoe that easily works on technical trails. There is ample cushioning but you’re still going to feel the trail beneath your feet, making this a shoe that’s designed for those with sensitivity in mind. Bear in mind, that there is more cushioning on the heel of this shoe than on the midfoot. The idea is to allow runners to feel at one with the trail.
Traction that Bites Down
Whether you’re running technical trails or a gravel path, you’re still going to need some form of traction to take hold and keep you safe. The Salmon Sense Rid 3 isn’t going to give you aggressive traction on wet or muddy trails, but they will do their job on dry trails. While the shoe itself is designed to handle most surfaces due to a great lug pattern, it works best on dry surfaces. With that said, the innovative ContraGrip sole does offer small lugs with adequate spacing. They work well on rocky terrain and seem to handle rocks with ease.
A Shoe with Plenty of Wiggle Room
A great trail shoe fits your foot like Cinderella’s glass slipper. It should feel as if the shoe itself is made for you, not the other way around. The Salomon Sense Ride 3 earns high marks for offering a very specific fit that is also quite comfortable. While the fit isn’t as wide as many trail offerings, there is plenty of wiggle room for toe splay when you land, making this a more stable shoe. The heel is padded, but not overly so. There is also some minimal arch support and a nice wide platform. Overall, this is a shoe that hugs the foot without making the foot feel constricted, even after a long run when swelling kicks in.
Excellent Bang for the Buck
We get it, trail shoes are expensive. That’s why this versatile crossover offers up excellent value. If you’re someone who wants a trail running shoe that can easily maneuver on technical trails, rocky ascents, and even roads, you’re getting everything you want in one shoe. With durable construction and a high level of quality, the price is well within reason and you’ll find that overall this is a shoe that goes the distance.
SEE ALSO: Salomon Sense Ride 3 GTX