Our review: A solid all-rounder that delivers decent traction, comfort and support for a range of distances
Buy for women from SportsShoes.com (£139.99 £97.99), Alpine Trek (£139.95 £104.96)
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Salomon has long been a master when it comes to trail running shoes, with many pro athletes wearing the brand’s footwear.
Does that expertise show in the Thundercross? It’s time to find out…
First impressions
The Thundercross looks like a typical Salomon shoe, with its mesh upper, aggressive outsole and Quicklace system, while the brand’s typical pattern is also on show.
I didn’t find our black version all that exciting to look at, but style is subjective, and there are several other colourways for men and a selection for women.
There’s a toe bumper up front for protecting the feet, though it’s not as solid as other trail running shoes we’ve tested, and there’s no loop at the back to help get the shoes on or off if they’re muddy.
Will they fit me?
The fit of the Thundercross felt true to size and should suit a range of foot types. There’s a lot of space in the toe box for splaying, which is nice to see.
The brand’s Quicklace system is employed here and it works to good effect. If you’ve used it before it’ll need no introduction, but if you haven’t, you simply pull the end of the lace taught and then push the tab down to your foot.
The excess lace can then be tucked away in a dedicated pouch.
However, if you normally like to adjust the tightness of your lacing along the length of the shoe, there are better shoes out there for you.
Generally, though, I achieved a good fit with ease.
What’s the grip like?
Pretty darn good. The 5mm multi-directional lugs have that classic Y shape that’s seen on the popular Speedcross range, and they deal with soft terrain very well here.
They didn’t seem to perform quite as well as the Inov-8 TrailFly Ultra G 280 or La Sportiva Mutant, but they held their own.
The shoe came unstuck at times on particularly wet and deep mud, but there aren’t many shoes that could deal with that.
On most other terrain, the Thundercross should be more than adequate.
How’s the ride?
“Ultra plush cushioning for smooth support over long distances and changing terrain.” That’s what Salomon had to say about the Thundercross.
While there is a reasonable amount of support and cushioning, I wouldn’t go as far to say the latter felt plush.
Yes, there is certainly a good bed of cushioning there, but it’s not as soft as the Nike Pegasus Trail 4.
I’d suggest there’s a good balance here between cushioning, support and ground feel, as any pointy stones or jagged roots are also noticeable underfoot, though not overly so.
The ride feels stable and my feet felt well planted with each step.
While there’s not a huge amount of rebound or bounce to the Thundercross, it felt reasonably nimble, and the shoe is not all that heavy (324g per shoe, UK 11).
Best suited for…
Anyone looking for a versatile trail running shoe to act as a good all-rounder. It’ll tackle a wide range of terrain and distances and is comfortable.
Facts at a glance: Salomon Thundercross
RRP: £140
Uppers: Synthetic/textile
Outsole: Rubber Contragrip
Lug depth: 5mm
Midsole: Energy foam
Drop: 4mm
Weight: 324g per shoe (UK 11)
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Not quite what you're after? Find more reviews in our full roundup of the best trail running shoes.
