Lara Dunn liked the Salomon Genesis Gore-Tex shoes but says they have one Marmite feature.

Designed as a technical trail running shoe, the Salomon Genesis Gore-Tex shoes are also well-suited to those looking for footwear for faster paced hikes and active runs.

Lara Dunn’s verdict

The flexibility of the shoe means it’s best suited to those confident in their movement on more challenging terrain, or else kept to well-established trails and paths.
Pros
  • Ultra lightweight
Cons
  • very cushioned heels
Quick specs
Price: $170 / £160 (available from Salomon)
Weight: 526g pair, UK5.5
Material: Synthetic and textile upper
Features: Quicklace system, All Terrain Contagrip outsole, EVA midsole, EndoFit internal sleeve for improved fit
Waterproof? Gore-Tex membrane
Sizes: UK3.5-9.5
Men’s Version? Yes
www.salomon.com

Ultra lightweight and very flexible, they have a shape, build and features aimed at enabling rapid and comfortable progress whatever the terrain. A tough reinforced fabric upper with a protective toe rand is backed up by a Gore-Tex membrane for weatherproof protection.

The Quicklace system cinches the fit in to firmly envelope the foot and finishes nice and high up on the forefoot to make it more secure. Those with low volume feet though may find they have a lot of lace left over to tuck into the handy pocket on the tongue.

One of the most noticeable features of these shoes is the highly cushioned and voluminous – almost oversized – outsole. The levels of cushioning this offers are superb and in action, the bouncy heel area helps to drive the foot forward effectively. That said, the comfort and impact resistance of that soft heel that some users might love area might also not appeal to others. It’s a love or hate type feature that only trying the shoe will decide.

The aggressively lugged outsole is also designed to help propel the foot forward, whilst shedding mud and allowing traction as it goes. It‘s effective and grippy on a variety of surfaces and conditions and it actively encourages moving swiftly in a way that brings a child-like energy to a simple hill walk.

For runs, it helps prevent fatigue, thanks to the rebound, and for fast hikes it injects fun and bounce. The flexibility of the shoe means it’s best suited to those confident in their movement on more challenging terrain, or else kept to well-established trails and paths.

Testing conditions

Lara wore the shoes during variable non-snowy winter and early spring conditions on a variety of walks – with and without a pack – in the Malvern Hills, Brecon Beacons and Black Mountains. She usually takes a UK5.5 shoe and has a medium width foot but narrow heels, and weights are taken from her own digital scales.

This review was first published in the June 2025 issue of The Great Outdoors magazine.