Salomon S/Lab Sense 7 and 7 SG

$220 Weight: 199 g (7.0 oz.) Drop ratio: 4 mm

The engineers and designers at Salomon’s Annecy Design Centre in France have done it again with this update. For those not familiar with this cult classic, the S/Lab Sense model is created with heavy input from Kilian Jornet, one of the greatest ultrarunners in history. Version seven is the most Kilianesque version yet of this super-light, aggressive trail racing flat. The team have figured out how to get the shoe down in weight (to a shocking sub-200 g for the test size), while retaining its rugged DNA. After all, Jornet (and those who are looking for a swift ultra shoe) still needs some protection from roots, stones and ankle-twisting descents out in the mountains. One of the ways they shaved off the excess was by cleaning up the lug pattern and lightened them up. This update also features a comfier integrated sock liner, and a thinner, more minimal heel counter, which still provides enough stability to lock the foot in place during even the nuttiest switchback. The SG (“soft ground”) version has bigger, more spaced out lugs for sloppier runs. It’s a perfect shoulder season racing alternative, or very fast winter runner. Available in fall 2018.— MD