Salomon Sense Ride, $120
High-end features on a
beginner-friendly shoe
Weights: 9.7 oz. (men), 8.1 oz. (women)
Heel-to-Toe Offset: 8mm; 27mm (heel),
19mm (forefoot)
Details you fi nd on Salomon’s
top-of-the-line trail shoes, like
its Premium Wet Traction Con-
tagrip outsole, and a seamless,
welded upper, carry over into this
wallet-friendlier shoe. (We realize
$120 is still a lot to pay for a shoe,
but it’s the current state of running
shoes.) Testers enjoyed the classic
Salomon quick-pull laces that help
create a sock-like fi t, along with
the wide forefoot/narrow heel
combination—the two help this
shoe feel remarkably nimble. We
also liked the “springiness” of the
shoe’s midsole foam, and the pro-
prioceptive feel this shoe affords—
we could feel the trail beneath our
feet enough to run in control, but
not so much that our feet or legs
experienced any pain.Altra King MT, $140
Inspired by fell running, ready for slop
Weights: 8.5 oz. (men), 7 oz. (women)
Heel-to-Toe Offset: 0mm; 19mm (heel),
19mm (forefoot)
This shoe, with its 6mm lugs (big,
in comparison to other shoes)
made of Vibram MegaGrip, is
ready to charge sloppy, muddy,
slick terrain. The traction proved
stellar over hill and dale and back
again, and the silhouette of the
shoe—its zero-drop platform and
super-wide toe box in a light-
weight package—made testers
feel like they were running almost
barefoot but with traction, foot
protection and springy cushion.
The shoe’s Velcro midsole strap
helped keep us from sliding
around too much within the
full-volume shoe, especially on
off-camber trails. And the abun-
dant but lightweight overlays on
the upper protected feet from trail
snags. Add a gaiter to the built-in
gaiter strap, and the sloppiest
conditions are no match for this
shoe. Note: We advise easing into
a zero-drop platform.Salomon Sense Ride, $120
High-end features on a
beginner-friendly shoe
Weights: 9.7 oz. (men), 8.1 oz. (women)
Heel-to-Toe Offset: 8mm; 27mm (heel),
19mm (forefoot)
Details you fi nd on Salomon’s
top-of-the-line trail shoes, like
its Premium Wet Traction Con-
tagrip outsole, and a seamless,
welded upper, carry over into this
wallet-friendlier shoe. (We realize
$120 is still a lot to pay for a shoe,
but it’s the current state of running
shoes.) Testers enjoyed the classic
Salomon quick-pull laces that help
create a sock-like fi t, along with
the wide forefoot/narrow heel
combination—the two help this
shoe feel remarkably nimble. We
also liked the “springiness” of the
shoe’s midsole foam, and the pro-
prioceptive feel this shoe affords—
we could feel the trail beneath our
feet enough to run in control, but
not so much that our feet or legs
experienced any pain.Inspired by fell running, ready for slopThis shoe, with its 6mm lugs (big,stellar over hill and dale and backfeel like they were running almostthe upper protected feet from trail
snags. Add a gaiter to the built-inshoe. Note: We advise easing into[MOST BANG
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