Salomon Spectur running shoes

The Salomon Spectur running shoe is a versatile running shoe with a very good price/value ratio, suitable for everyday runs as well as faster runs, showing its prowess on faster runs, aided by two different densities of foam and a fibreglass insert in the midsole. Although fast, it’s not too lightweight due to the thick cushioned upper. Not the best to wear in summer, but a very comfortable running companion in colder weather.

The upper of the Salomon Spectur running shoe is made of a thick, densely woven mesh material that’s flexible and stretches well to keep the foot in place. However, the upper is heavy and less breathable, so the Spectur is more comfortable to run in colder weather. The entire upper is very cushioned, which adds to the sense of comfort, helping to keep the foot secure but warm. The heel collar is sufficiently stiff, well padded, holds the heel well and is comfortable. The tongue is also padded and thick, which can slip more easily than thinner tongues. The upper has SensiFit technology, which means that the upper is reinforced where the most force is applied when running

The midsole of the Salomon Spectur running shoe is made from an EVA foam called Energy Surge, with a fibreglass fork-shaped disc in the middle, which Salomon has named Energy Blade, and is clearly visible on the side of the midsole (thin orange line). The fibreglass fork starts from the middle of the sole towards the front of the foot, so it’s most noticeable when kicking off the front of the foot to help with kick. The density and softness of the foam under and above the Energy Blade is not the same. The top layer is softer, which gives you more comfort, and the bottom layer is harder, which makes the shoe more dynamic, faster and more stable. The midsole geometry helps to roll over quickly and smoothly, with the toe leaning upwards (Salomon’s tried and tested Reverse Camber geometry). The average midsole height is 24.5mm with a 6mm drop, which encourages the runner to land more on the front of the foot, and the fibreglass insert also gives extra dynamism on the front of the foot, but encourages a heel landing at slower speeds due to the heavier heel section. The combination of the two-layer foam and fibreglass insert creates a rather stiffer midsole.

The outsole of the Salomon Spectur running shoe almost completely covers the midsole, with only a small midfoot window that is not covered to provide more flex. The shoe grips well on dry surfaces, but not so well on wet surfaces, which may be because the outsole pattern can only provide poor traction. If the outsole was less but more grooved, the shoe would be lighter and have better grip.

Over all, the Salomon Spectur running shoe is a cheap running shoe with a lot of ability for its price. The fibreglass insole and dual density foam in the midsole make it dynamic, suitable for faster runs as well as everyday runs. The upper is very comfortable, very cushioned, which makes the shoe not so breathable and a bit heavy.