Salomon Thundercross trail running shoes

The Salomon Thundercross trail running shoe is a versatile, affordable trail running shoe that’s suitable for both harder trail runs and easier runs, even long distances. Compared to the most popular member of the Cross family, the Speedcros, the Thundercross is a softer, more comfortable trail shoe that beginner trail runners can use with confidence, but advanced runners will love for its versatility and agility.

The main material of the Salomon Thundercross trail running shoe upper is a soft stretch mesh material, complemented by several additional layers. The forefoot and forefoot protection are filled with a rubber layer, which is also flexible. The toe part of the shoe is roomy and comfortable, but the toe protection could be a bit stronger and more effective. To increase the effectiveness of the foot support, Salomon also uses SensiFit technology in the Thundercross trail running shoe, which means that the upper is reinforced more where the forces are most effective during running. The shoe uses a quick lacing system, which most runners like, but not everyone does. Together with the thick cushioned tongue, the speed laces are no-end and hold the foot very well. Although the tongue is not fixed, it does not slip easily and provides adequate protection against debris. The heel section is also rigid, with a separate outer plastic cover at the midfoot. As it is padded on the inside, the heel provides good foot support and is comfortable despite its rigidity. The Thundercross upper is more about comfort, which is very useful for longer runs.

The midsole of the Salomon Thundercross trail running shoe is made from Salomon’s Eregy Foam, an Olefin/Eva foam, so it’s also softer and more dynamic than a plain Eva foam, and more energetic and softer than the previous Energy Cell foam. The sole height of the shoe is high for trail running shoes, 27 mm in the front and 31 mm in the back. The drop is 4 mm, which may seem low, but for trail running shoes this is an advantage. The midsole does not have a separate rock protection, but there is no need for it as the midsole is thick and the outsole covers the entire sole. This is good in that it makes the shoe more flexible and softer, but it’s not a perfect solution against sharp rocks, and it makes the shoe easy to twist sideways, which is not always good in tough terrain.

The outsole of the Salomon Thundercross trail running shoe covers the midsole in its entirety, which is necessary because it gives the softer midsole some stiffness and protection. The Contagrip rubber has 5 mm high 3-branch spikes that face in different directions for proper traction. The outsole is similar to the Speedcros 6 outsole for tough terrain, but the Thundercross is slightly wider in the forefoot, which is necessary for the higher midsole. On almost all dry terrain, the shoe has perfect grip, with only the wetter rocky terrain feeling slippery. Opinions are divided on the durability of the outsole, but this depends largely on use and the weight of the runner.

Over all, the Salomon Thundercross trail running shoe is a comfortable, dynamic and very versatile trail running shoe. The midsole and upper make it less suited to very difficult, technical terrain, but the outsole makes it a good choice for muddy, snowy, difficult terrain. For its price, it’s impressive in terms of knowledge and versatility, so if you’re just buying a trail running shoe to use on all types of terrain, distances and paces, the Salomon Thundercross is one of the best choices.