Lightweight and comfortable trail shoes for year-round, all weather running. GORE-TEX® Technologies Salomon's Men's Speedcross Vario 2 GTX®provide great grip and comfort on various surfaces, with a full GORE-TEX® membrane for added protection. After speaking with other users, I learned that the bungee pull could be frustrating with cold hands and slippy conditions—fairly typical after a trail run. I have to say, it makes sense, and I do like the lacing option of the Vario 2.

The most important thing to know about this sole unit is that the cushioning is quite firm. Most most runs, I personally enjoy that, and when I took the shoe on an 8-mile mountainous route, and felt great the whole time. Pronounced lugs and a hard-wearing Contagrip sole make the shoe look rugged and ready for muddy stuff. Performance of the Speedcross Vario 2 I’d bought them for a cross country race that day, so I had no time to break them in. I’ve since competed in several other events and run in them socially, and they sit well with me.

Durability

Lacing up and first run, the shoes were excellent. They felt reasonably light, not much heavier than a road shoe. It also includes my favorite part of the upper from the Pro, the tongue cover. Although a simple thing, and a small detail, it is something like this that gives you confidence in a company.

As a mostly city runner, who lives far away from mountains or forests that require constant high-level grip, these shoes fit my daily needs more than do the Pros. Designed with a less aggressive tread with siping, the wet traction ContaGrip® sole unit uses shallower and wider lugs that let you head out in confidence.A trail shoe is a different proposition to a regular road shoe. You want to be reassured in its sturdiness and durability, but you don’t want to feel like you’re running around in clogs—tough gig! This shoe has traction to spare on most trails, although on the most technical ones I tried to take it slipped from time to time after going through wet areas. However, this was just a little concern. The first run I did in them was on a cement/gravel trail, going 5 miles and feeling good the whole time. Salomon SpeedCross Vario Sole Info This is where the Vario 2 derives its character. A lighter, smoother’ more friction-based sole’ is what connects you to the ground in these.

The sole unit of this shoe uses Salomon’s Molded Eva, Lightweight Muscle and Injected Eva cushioning to make sure your feet are padded throughout the run. The sole itself uses Salomon’s Constagrip technology.

Unboxing the Speedcross Vario 2’s, I found them sturdy but not too heavy. They feel rigid but not overly unwieldy and not noticeably heavier than a well-cushioned pair of road shoes. When it has been cold and wet, these shoes protected my feet well. I did feel them getting a bit damp, but that was later on in a wet cross country race, so it’s hardly surprising.

The cushioning in the sole has a very conditional 11mm (20mm-9mm) heel-toe drop. This makes for a familiar and comfortable ride for most runners. Interestingly, these Vario 2 versions of the popular Speedcross come with laces while the standard versions have a bungee pull.The traditional lacing system has worked well for some people allowing them to keep the shoes snug and secure. These have made my rotation, even while in the city, as I can transition in them from cement to gravel/crushed limestone and feel great grip and stability the entire way. The midsole is injected EVA foam and relatively thin compared to some more cushioned runners. It is ready for muddy stuff One reviewer noted, if you are a biker who doesn't like to be clipped in, these shoes are a good option.