Salomon Genesis 2: Everything You Need To Know

Sep 15

4 min read

A stable trail shoe built for mixed terrain, with the confidence to handle rocky, technical ground too.

The Genesis has always been one of Salomon's more versatile trail shoes, and the Genesis 2 pushes that further still. It gets a fully integrated activeCHASSIS and a wider midsole platform, aimed at runners who want extra stability without giving up comfort.

It's built for mixed terrain, so you get confidence on rocky, technical descents without losing the comfort you need to keep running for hours in an ultra.

281g

Weight

8mm

Drop

4mm

Lug Depth

Is the Salomon Genesis 2 Suitable for Mixed Terrain?

Yes. On rocky or unpredictable ground, what matters most is stability underfoot and grip from the outsole, without losing comfort. The Genesis 2 leans on a built-in chassis to get that balance, rather than just piling on more cushioning.

What Makes the Salomon Genesis 2 Different?

What Terrain Is the Genesis 2 Built For?

It's built for mixed terrain, think rocky, technical singletrack one minute and easier, harder-packed trail the next. The chassis is there for the uneven, unpredictable bits, while the cushioning takes over once the ground settles down.

Who Is the Genesis 2 For?

It's a genuinely versatile shoe. Built with mixed terrain in mind, it adds extra stability for the rockier, more technical stretches you'll hit along the way, but it's cushioned enough that it works just as well for short runs as long ones.

Genesis 2 Technical Specifications

Weight

281 g (per shoe)

Stack Height

33.5 mm heel / 25.5 mm forefoot

Drop

8 mm

Midsole

optiFOAM™ EVA foam

Outsole / Grip

All-Terrain contaGRIP®

Lug Depth

4 mm

Upper

Matryx® (Kevlar®-reinforced)

Chassis

activeCHASSIS

Lacing

quickLACE™

Ideal Terrain

Mixed terrain, rocky and technical capable

Why Should I Buy the Genesis 2?

How Stable Is the Salomon Genesis 2?

This is the big change from the last version. The activeCHASSIS sits built into the shoe itself, adding guidance and stability right when you need it, when the ground turns loose or uneven, so your foot stays supported through the whole stride.

What Is the Width Like on the Shoe?

Paired with the activeCHASSIS, the wider platform gives you a sturdier base to land on. On mixed terrain, that extra width is often the difference between hesitating on a rocky descent and just running it, especially once things turn technical.

Matryx® Upper Tough Enough for Anything the Trail Throws at You

The Matryx® fabric is individually coated with high-tenacity Kevlar®, so it shrugs off abrasion from rocks, roots and general trail debris while staying light and breathable. It's a real step up in durability from a standard mesh upper, without the weight penalty you'd expect to come with that.

Lug Depth and Pattern for a Variety of Trails

The 4 mm lugs have reworked geometry for this version, and the outsole handles a wide range of surfaces, wet, dry, hard or loose, so grip doesn't really change much between terrains or seasons.

A Fit That Feels Like Part Of Your Foot

An internal sleeve hugs your foot at the key contact points for a locked-in fit, and it works with the quickLACE™ system to keep everything secure without adding bulk or pressure points.

Stability Where You Need It,

Agility Where It Counts

Is The Genesis 2 Right For You?

Best for: Runners covering mixed terrain, rocky and technical in places, easier going in others, who still want enough cushioning underfoot to go the distance.

Advantages of Genesis 2

Feels noticeably more stable on rocky, uneven ground, thanks to the activeCHASSIS
Matryx® upper holds up well against rocks and trail debris
Still cushioned enough for long days when the terrain eases off
Locked-in fit from the internal sleeve and quickLACE™ system

Considerations of Genesis 2

Wider platform and chassis mean a bit more weight than a minimal trail shoe
Probably more shoe than you need if you mostly stick to smooth, groomed paths

Who Is The Genesis 2 Intended For?

Runners training on mixed terrain, rocky, technical or just unpredictable underfoot

Anyone wanting more stability without the shoe feeling clunky

Runners who need an upper that can take a beating in rough conditions

The Genesis 2 Performance and Ride

On mixed terrain, the Genesis 2 feels noticeably more planted than a standard cushioned trail shoe, especially once things get rocky or technical. The activeCHASSIS and wider platform work together to cut down the wobble you'd normally get on loose rock or uneven singletrack, without making the shoe feel stiff or disconnected from what's underfoot.

The optiFOAM™ midsole gives a soft, protective ride, soaking up impact over rocky sections, and the All-Terrain contaGRIP® outsole holds its own whether the ground is wet, dry, hard-packed or loose. The Matryx® upper adds a bit of extra confidence too. You stop thinking about foot protection when the trail throws sharp rocks or roots at you, which is really the point.

Is The Genesis 2 Worth Buying?

The Genesis 2 does what its reworked chassis and platform set out to do: give you a stable, confident ride over mixed terrain, rocky and technical bits included. The activeCHASSIS and wider midsole keep you steady, the Matryx® upper takes whatever the trail throws at it, and the contaGRIP® outsole holds grip through every surface change. If you want a shoe that lets you move with confidence over changing ground, without giving up comfort, this is it.

Salomon Genesis 2: Common Questions

Is the Genesis 2 good for mixed and technical trail?

Yes. It's built for mixed terrain, and the wider platform plus the built-in activeCHASSIS give you the stability to handle rocky, technical sections once the ground gets loose or uneven.

Is the Genesis 2 heavy compared with other trail shoes?

At 281 g per shoe, it sits right in line with other stability-focused trail shoes. That extra structure comes from the chassis and wider platform, not from extra bulk in the upper.

Does the Genesis 2 work for smooth, non-technical trail?

It can, but its real strengths show up on rocky, unpredictable ground. On smooth, groomed paths it might feel like more shoe than you need, compared with something lighter and more cushioned.

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