Salomon makes great shoes—there’s really no denying it. In the trail sphere, which is arguably their bread and butter, they’ve managed to push the boundaries of both style and performance, especially within their S/LAB series. That’s where their innovation really runs wild.
See all our posts on Salomon here!
Looks
Similar in looks to others in the Pulsar line—presumably by design—this is more of an everyday trail running shoe. One noticeable difference is in the color options. Whereas the S/LAB Pulsar 4 is locked into a straight red-and-white look, the Pulsar offers a bit more variety right out of the gate.
At launch, it comes in four colorways: a black with red-accents (reviewed), as well as black/green, yellow/grey, and white/blue.
Construction and Fit
I’ve enjoyed quite a few shoes from the S/LAB collection, but as someone who runs trails without being consumed by them, I’ll admit that sometimes these models feel like more shoe than I realistically need.
And honestly, if I wasn’t a shoe reviewer, I’d probably think twice before dropping $200+ on a trail shoe—no matter how amazing—given that my usual trail mileage (when not on the hook for reviewing trail shoes) hovers around 30 miles a month. Some of our bloggers log that in a weekend, if not a single day.
If you’re more like me—the non–shoe-reviewer version of me—you’re probably looking for something that can comfortably handle trail runs, whether casual or challenging depending on the day, without wrecking your budget. And that’s where I think the Salomon Pulsar comes in.
Specs
- Stack Height: 29mm / 23mm
- Drop: 6mm
- Lugs: 4mm
- Weight: 9.9 oz (Men’s US 9)
Upper
The upper feels familiar, with a design that closely mirrors what we’ve seen in other models from the line, like the Sense Ride 5. It feels breathable and lightweight, while still providing nice hold and coverage. There’s comfortable padding in the heel and just the right amount on the tongue for a secure fit.
Salomon’s signature Quicklace system is back—a feature many runners swear by and one I can appreciate for its convenience. That said, I still prefer the simplicity and grip of traditional or sawtooth laces.
Midsole
In a running world where just about everything seems to be going “max,” the 29mm/23mm stack here feels refreshingly low. I’ve really enjoyed Salomon’s road shoe midsoles this year, and it’s great to see the same Optimfoam2 carried over into this trail option. Honestly, I’ve loved the feel of this foam across the lineup—it’s soft and welcoming without going overboard.
The platform might look a little narrow at first glance (especially if you’re a wider-footed runner), but once you get moving it feels more accommodating than it appears. That said, if you’re someone with a full-volume foot, this shoe may not check all your boxes.
Outsole
The outsoles in Salomon are always great. Those 4mm lugs dig in nicely and provide all the grip I’d want for the kind of mixed terrain I usually find myself on. Salomon’s Contragrip rubber has never let me down, and the full coverage setup here feels like it’ll take a beating and keep on going.
This one really feels like a sweet spot in the lineup—a trail shoe that’s built with all the right tech yet comes in at a price that makes it easy to say yes to. If you’re looking for a dependable daily driver that over-delivers for the cost, this is worth lacing up.
