When a shoe will get a full redesign, it might go considered one of two methods: it both solves issues you didn’t notice you had or it overcomplicates a very good factor. With the Salomon S/Lab Pulsar 4, Salomon clearly went all-in.
From the upper stack top, up to date foams, and a extra structured higher, this model in some ways looks like a special shoe altogether. I used to be curious to see how these modifications added up on actual mountain terrain.
As a mountain runner, Salomon footwear have all the time been on my radar. However once I noticed they’d collaborated with Swiss ski mountaineer and skyrunner Rémi Bonnet to create a racing shoe, I knew I needed to give the Pulsar 4 a strive.
I put this shoe by a number of weeks of various path circumstances – climbing, descending, quick intervals, and some straightforward miles – and it shocked me greater than as soon as.
Some options made speedy sense. Others took a little bit getting used to. However what stood out most was how dialed this shoe felt when issues bought steep or technical. If charging technical descents is in your listing for the yr, look no additional for a shoe that can allow you to meet your targets.
- Extensive Ft: Salomon usually runs slim, however these really feel additional slim. No large masses allowed.
- Technical Trails: This shoe was designed for technical trails the place good grip is required. The cosy match means the shoe strikes proper with you so you already know precisely the place you’re stepping – or pushing off.
- Lengthy Runs: The excessive stack top and cushion makes this an amazing shoe for lengthy days within the mountains.
- Entrance of the Pack: Designed for prime efficiency, this shoe is a good possibility for runners profitable races and setting FKTs.
The Salomon S/Lab Pulsar 4 is the shoe for any runner wanting to maneuver quick within the mountains.
Salomon S/Lab Pulsar 4 Overview
I examined this shoe throughout a few full weeks of coaching runs. I may take it or depart it for simple runs, however actually loved it for on-trail speedwork, because of the bounciness offered by the dual-foam development.
Unsurprisingly, the place these footwear actually shine is on technical terrain. The sticky rubber felt safe on rocky descents and the cosy match gave me complete confidence over foot placements.
I actually observed this once I ran in my New Steadiness Recent Foam Hierros the day after a check run within the Pulsar. In contrast with the Hierro, within the Pulsar, my foot didn’t slide round in any respect – both contained in the shoe or on rock slabs.
Salomon invested in a number of modifications from the earlier mannequin, together with the next stack top and drop (beforehand 4mm), extra structured higher to accommodate extra selection in foot shapes, a wider toe field, and bouncier foams… they usually actually hit the jackpot!
Salomon S/Lab Pulsar 4 Specs
- Weight: 8.82 oz Unisex
- Stack Top: 34mm
- Heel Drop: 6 mm
- Solely out there in 1 colour
- Not out there in large
- Out there on www.salomon.com for $220
Purchase Salomon S/Lab Pulsar 4
Fast Take
- Nice for technical trails
- Cosy, safe match
- Gentle and bouncy cushion
- Very slim and no large possibility
- Only one colour possibility
- Not in a position to modify lacing sample
A fast notice on type: Nearly all of my girls’s trainers and apparel are pastels and funky colours. Solely providing this unisex shoe in brilliant crimson/orange was definitely a selection by Salomon. I want I may say I’ve been thoughtfully pairing it with black shorts… however I’ve been actually leaning into the ability conflict.
Salomon S/Lab Pulsar 4 Professional Match
This can be a slim shoe – typical of Salomon. Even with a barely wider toe field than earlier fashions, the Pulsar 4 nonetheless feels significantly cosy, even on my already slim ft.
The sock-like higher hugs the foot and retains the heel securely in place, permitting for extremely exact foot placement on technical terrain. That stated, it takes a minute to place the shoe on, and the built-in insole leaves little room for personalisation. In the event you’re proper on the sting of what this shoe can accommodate width-wise, orthotics could also be a no-go.
The Quicklace system provides to the cosy match. In idea, it permits for fast changes on the go. In follow, I nonetheless needed to cease solely to re-tighten mid-run (although I’ll admit that might simply be person error). The shortage of adjustable lacing patterns could also be a dealbreaker for runners who want extra flexibility for issues like heel locks or stress reduction. In the event you’re vulnerable to numb toes, this may not be your match.
On a constructive notice, the tongue is thoughtfully designed with an inward reduce, which I actually appreciated. Not like different footwear which have left me scraped and blistered when carrying low socks, these saved my ankles comfortable.
Salomon S/Lab Pulsar 4 Really feel
Getting this shoe on takes some effort, however as soon as it was tightened up, it felt like my ft had been getting a supportive hug – cosy, however not suffocating. The stack top feels larger than it’s however not like different footwear with the next stack, the Pulsar felt extremely steady. I used to be by no means involved about rolling an ankle or sliding round contained in the shoe.
Different Salomon footwear I’ve run in have felt actually stiff and heavy however – regardless of weighing greater than earlier fashions – these footwear felt mild and bouncy, even simply strolling round my home.
I used to be happy to see a higher-drop path shoe, particularly one designed for efficiency. At 6mm, I felt snug charging up hills and blasting by velocity periods with out worrying about my achilles tendons.
Comparable Footwear to the Salomon S/Lab Pulsar 4
The S/Lab Pulsar 4 isn’t for everybody, however for runners who crave precision on technical terrain, it delivers. In the event you’re a mountain runner on the lookout for a shoe that will help you PR your subsequent race or set your subsequent FKT, look no additional.
83%
When a shoe has grip this good and means that you can decide up the tempo it’s going to get a excessive score from us. Nonetheless, the slim match and unisex sizing hold us from making it a go to path shoe for everybody.
Who Tried it?
Hello there! I’m Alyssa, a path runner and sports activities dietitian based mostly in Golden, Colorado. By winter, I log about 15-20 miles per week whereas mixing in cross-training on (fats and thin) skis. By summer time, I’m making the most of all that Colorado has to supply, logging 30-50 miles per week, chasing mountain views and steep vert. For ramblings about working, images of my border collies, and my favourite vitamin suggestions for runners, comply with me on Instagram @alyssaoutside_rd or attain out to me at www.peaktopeaknutrition.com.
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