The Contragrip compound that Salomon uses has excellent grip in wet conditions. The shoe cushioning is pretty decent, considering the weight of the shoe. I found it to be ample. These shoes seem perfect for my 8-12 mile runs on semi-aggressive trails with an odd wintery mix of conditions. The toe cleat is nice for that those short and fast bursts up small, steep climbs. GORE-TEX is perfect for a trail running shoe; this breathable membrane is great for keeping water out whilst allowing moisture to pass through and it's super lightweight. Although the Salomon shoe provides plenty of support and grip for trail runs, they are not mountaineering boots. With foot protection classed as light, what they lose in grip and ankle stability, they make up for with a lightweight and flexible feel, allowing you to move swiftly on the run.

The insole of any shoe is important as it gives your foot that comfort that it desires while it pounds the ground. This shoe hit my training cycle right at the perfect time. My long Ultras are done for the year, and my mileage has tapered off a bit, but the trails around Missoula are still pretty run-able.The Supercross 3 GTX has a Contragrip rubber outsole, giving you maximum traction on mixed terrain. The aggressive chevron lug pattern offers multi-directional grip, which is perfect for softer ground and surfaces with loose dirt. The breathable uppers provide your foot with flexibility, a feature I find to be most endearing in running shoes. The upper is fabric and is injected with lateral bands of smooth rubber that tie into the reinforced rubber of the lacing system. These created a strong girdle of support around the foot without adding a bunch of unnecessary weight. I was bowled over by the appearance of the Salomon Supercross 3 gtx; they are a really attractive shoe that doesn't have too much bulk. Salomon always boasts a fabulous outsole, it grips like teeth to the ground and is great on both wet and dry ground. The lugs with deep penetration offer superb grip on soft surfaces such as mud or loose dirt.

The Salomon Supercross 3 is a great competitor in the trail-running field, but it does come with some things that you may want to consider. These aren't great for mixed terrain so be mindful of that. A dedicated trail running shoe to be certain, the Supercross finds its home on a variety of terrain and even felt pretty good on a gravel pedestrian trail. With five different color options, the Supercross will also fit nicely into the color palate of any runners wardrobe. Fit of the Supercross The foot protection is light so this is not a shoe that I would recommend for heavier trails. It is the ideal shoe for softer terrain that doesn't have too much debris hanging about. However, Salomon does recommend this shoe is for occasional use, which usually means once or twice a week. This fact suggests the Supercross 3 is not as durable as some of Salomon's other ranges. With their high heel counter and a large 10mm drop, we don't feel these shoes are the most stable, especially when bombing downhill, as we are here in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado. That didn't stop us from putting them to the test, but we think they could do with a little bit less under the heel.Boasting maximum cushioning and GORE-TEX to keep the wet out, the Salomon Supercross 3 is a great option for a lighter trail run that doesn't require too much protection from loose and uneven ground. You can see the massive difference between the height of the foam underfoot in the forefoot and the heel. The heel is very protective, while the forefoot is rather sensitive. You can also see that while there are a lot of overlays on the upper, the crease point on the forefoot is left exposed to abrasion and early tearing. Nothing is more uncomfortable than feeling the sweat gathering in your shoe and festering whilst you pound the ground! The shoes upper felt a little bit chilly on the cold days I had it out, but it is December in Montana, so go figure.