Salomon S/Lab Spectur running shoes

The Salomon S/Lab Spectur Running Shoe is a versatile carbon plate running shoe that Salomon recommends primarily for racing and faster training. I think it’s a very good initiative that Salomon is thinking about those who want to be fast in their race, but are not elite runners and for whom comfort is as important as speed. With the S/Lab Spectur running shoe, Salomon is also thinking about runners who don’t have a separate running shoe for racing, but have a fast shoe that they use for racing and training. So the Salomon S/Lab Spectur is an all-in-one shoe that’s comfortable, fast and, if you’re not aiming for a sub-3:30 marathon, a perfect and enjoyable companion for a marathon race. Salomon’s top race shoe, the S/Lab Phantasm 2, is lighter and faster than the Spectur, but the Spectur is more comfortable, more stable, and a little cheaper, so it’s primarily for those who don’t want to win a race, but want to participate and enjoy every minute of it.

I’ve written before about how a running shoe is not only good for your body, but also for your soul. Running shoes are also a placebo. I also tell beginner runners to buy expensive shoes because that way they’ll be motivated and won’t give up running once they’ve spent a lot of money on a running shoe. It’s the same with racing shoes. I see a lot of runners in races in shoes that are much faster than their own paces, even elite racing shoes. And before I think that they are spending unnecessarily, I always remember that it is also a word for our soul, our subconscious. It gives us strength and confidence. The S/Lab Spectur race running shoe allows you to run a sub-3 hour marathon, and if that’s enough for your soul, your body will appreciate running a race in a shoe that’s not too aggressive but comfortable.

Salomon S/Lab Spectur upper

The upper of the Salomon S/Lab Spectur Running Shoe is made of a lightweight and soft mesh material that has good breathability. The upper is narrow in the middle of the foot, but the toe box is wide, the shoe is a little longer than the true size, so it might be worth buying a half size smaller (especially if you have a narrow foot). The tongue of the shoe is wide, padded (maybe a little too much) and not fixed. Even though it doesn’t slide sideways easily due to the lack of fastening, it’s worth adjusting and smoothing it out before a run to prevent it from wrinkling. The S/Lab Spectur has a traditional lacing system, but like most Salomon running shoes, it locks and holds the foot extremely well. The upper foam layer of the midsole folds over the upper, forming a wall to better hold your foot in place and improve the stability of the shoe.

Salomon S/Lab Spectur midsole

The Salomon S/Lab Spectur Running Shoe Midsole is a hybrid, half way solution between everyday and racing running shoes. It features a 3-layer midsole. On top is a softer Peba-based foam called energyFOAM+, which Salomon uses in their race running shoes. Underneath is a carbon composite plate with two wings that bend upwards to improve the stability of the shoe. The bottom layer is the EVA-based (EVA + olefin) foam used in everyday Salomon shoes called energyFOAM. While the top layer is soft, dynamic and lightweight, the bottom layers are slightly stiffer, giving the shoe good shock absorption and stability. The carbon composite energyBlade sheet between the two foams provides additional energy and dynamics, as well as stability, but is not as stiff as a carbon fiber plate. The midsole has a curved geometry that Salomon calls R-Camber technology. The curved midsole makes transitions faster and smoother. The midsole is wide at the front of the foot and splits in two at the heel to provide support in both directions. Both solutions increase the stability of the shoe. With these solutions, the midsole is both soft and comfortable, dynamic, allowing you to run fast for long periods of time, and stable, which is not always the case in top racing shoes, but can be very important for those with less strong shin and ankle muscles.

Salomon S/Lab Spectur outsole

The Salomon S/Lab Spectur Running Shoe Outsole is segmented and does not cover the entire midsole, which saves weight and allows the shoe to remain more flexible. The outsole is made from Salomon’s proprietary ContaGrip rubber compound. This rubber compound is used in many of their running shoes and is constantly being improved. Wear resistance is good and traction is not a problem, but be careful in sharp turns on wet surfaces.

Summary

The Salomon S/Lab Spectur Running Shoe is a versatile, fast running shoe that can be used for both racing and training. It is best suited for those whose marathon pace is around 5-5:30 min/km and / or a half marathon pace around 4:45-5 min/km or slower. Of course, you can run faster in this shoe with the proper muscles, and this shoe can be a good choice if you want comfort and stability along with performance. This shoe is not the lightest or fastest running shoe for racing, but Salomon has other solutions for that (Phantasm 2). The S/Lab Spectur is primarily for people who don’t want to win a race, but want to take it easy and finish safely. In addition to racing, the shoe is also suitable for fast training and can be used in a variety of ways.