Article by Sam Winebaum
Salomon Pulsar Trail ($130)
Introduction
The Pulsar Trail is Salomon’s new mid range all around trail runner. It shares multiple new technologies with the S/Lab Pulsar and Salomon’s new road shoes, including:
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Energy Surge foam a highly responsive EVA/Olefin copolymer block foam with here in two densities with a softer foam underfoot and a firmer layer above the outsole
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Energy Blade plate with here a flexible TPU plate for protection and propulsion
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R-Camber geometry for a smooth roll from heel to toe off.
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Contagrip rubber with here a multi trail surface 4mm lug array.
While sharing these technologies each 2022 Salomon shoe through variations in all 4 of the technologies has so far delivered very distinctively different experiences aligned with the purpose of each shoe. To date I have tested the Pulsar, Pulsar SG for trail and the Glide Max, Phantasm, and Phantasm CF all unique in their ride and fit characteristics. These new lines represent a complete departure from past Salomon models in each category and so far all have been superb.
The Pulsar Trail so far feels like Salomon’s new ultra worthy option sitting between the far lighter narrower platform Pulsars and the door to trail ride focused UltraGlide and can be thought of as a more modern, lighter, more agile and faster on the smooth Sense Ride 3 /4 with more forefoot cushion stack and a 2mm lower drop.
Pros:
Highly cushioned, forgiving and stable ride.
Flexible, relatively agile, well protected forefoot with a long more mellow plate impulse than carbon with more trail feel. The Energy Blade goes beyond just rock protection.
Very solid heel hold
Upper volume for sure more accommodating than older Salomon yet secure and adaptable to most foot shapes,
Quick lace and upper wrap actually effectively assisting in varying fit for swelling feet, narrower feet. Easy to use Quicklace garage.
Cons:
Bottom firmer foam layer could be softer, not so much for softer cushion, there is plenty of ultra worthy cushion here, but for better terrain contouring particularly at the heel.
Stats
Weight 9.95 oz / 283g US9 sample
Stack Height: 32.6mm/26.6mm (6mm drop)
$130. Available now .
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