Racing shoes
Product 2020
Woman, Man
Who can use such an exclusive shoe? Beyond its very high price (180 euros, we are gradually approaching a pair of running shoes costing 200 euros…), its program makes you want to discover it, in competition only. Let’s venture into a comparison with motor racing. The S/Lab Sense 8 Sg is like having a race chassis designed for a specific circuit, with the pilot’s personal settings. It’s super-efficient for the team pilot, but confusing for others. The Salomon S/Lab Sense 8 Sg cultivates this spirit: they are designed for a rather short course, not very technical, requiring little cushioning or protection, for lightweight runners. The kind of track where this shoe’s lightness, 210 grams in 42 2/3, can make the difference to get onto the podium. For other types of tracks or for average runners, forget them.
We will discuss its design and conception later. Let’s focus on the sensations offered by this Salomon S/Lab Sense 8 Sg. It’s a direct shoe, super-snug fitting: like a second skin. You can also ask yourself if there’s any point in wearing socks (which would need to be very thin in any case). Your feet aren’t restricted, and they are precisely positioned. You feel almost like you’re wearing ballet shoes: they’re thin, light, precise but the foot support is limited (even if they are a snug fit). You also have the feeling there’s not much protection, which is the case: the delicacy of the materials in no way compensates for a meeting or a run in with rocks or roots. However, you can admire some nice bruises under the ankle bones.
What struck us next was the extremely thin sole at the heel: almost two centimeters less in width compared to other trail shoes. Aside from the fact that this is a way to lose weight, you wonder why this technical choice? Because, suddenly stability is reduced and you observe a lateral drift if the foot does not land well or the ankle twists a little. This technical choice can be explained by the fact that this Salomon favors forefoot runners who reduce the heel strike?
On easy rolling profiles however, it is quite possible to run it midfoot and occasionally with heel strike. The rebound is very good as the ground contact is very direct although Salomon states that the forefoot cushioning has been improved. But overall the filtration is not very noticeable, these shoes must be mastered by developing precise foot sttriking, which is not possible to produce over long distances.
In descents, at full speed, you are reassured by the sole’s grip but we quickly feel aggressive stones underfoot.
In terms of grip, like the cushioning, we have already experienced better on other models. On wet or limestone slabs and rocks this could be improved. Remember that SG stands for “soft ground”, meaning a shoe that is comfortable on wet and loose ground.
Like the Salomon S/Lab XA Amphib 2, the S/Lab Sense 8 Sg has fine forefoot water drainage. It’s effective and suddenly we did wonder if these shoes could be good on some swimruns.
The overall design of this Salomon S/Lab Sense 8 Sg, the materials are reminiscent of the ME: SH program, which had no future with the Annecy brand. We find the legitimate concern to offer a thin structure, as snug fitting as possible. It succeeded. The Salomon S / Lab Sense 8 Sg is extremely fluid, you might even say futuristic. As a result, it makes all other shoes look outdated, whether you like the design or not. The hunt for lightweight has been carried out down to the tiniest detail. Developers determined their level of compromise between strength/efficiency and weight. By that we mean that they are fragile competition shoes that aim for performance above all else. And that’s what you get.
There are practically no visible seams, just where the laces straps are attached. The assemblies are not free from a few traces of glue, but on the whole they are a quality product.
And of course, we immediately notice the upper designed as a thin elasticated sock that rises well above the ankle. Despite a few small folds, it protects you well from any twigs, stones sneaking in.
Putting them on is not as difficult as you would imagine. Your foot slides easily into the base of the shoe and we are surprised by the relative comfort: no pressure points, friction, despite how thin the upper is.
The stone guard is not very rigid but enough to face most situations.
The Quicklace does the job as usual, powerful and fast. One of our laces got blocked, be careful not to pull the blocker too high as the runner covered end can get stuck. Tighten the lace in two-times the front then the rest. You get perfect pressure distribution.
The Quicklace storage pocket is too lowdown, so you need to make sure you open it before fully tightening the lace.
Salomon has pushed certain limits by launching a clearly prototype race shoe on the market with its design, weight, foot envelopment and unique sensations. The price is the question, durability and usage of such a product specific shoe that is for a specific targeted clientele who run on shortish race routes that aren’t too technical..
Having these superb Salomon S/Lab Sense 8 Sg, we purchase a small part of the Team Trail Salomon spirit.
4 mm 
We used this equipment over a long period of time
These are our thoughts after intensive use:
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