Salomon Genesis 2 vs S/LAB Genesis 2: Everything You Need To Know
Updated: Sep 17
Same DNA, two different levels of performance. Here's how Salomon's Genesis 2 and S/LAB Genesis 2 stack up.
Rocky, technical trail meets its match with the Salomon Genesis 2, and for 2026 there are two ways to get it. The Salomon Genesis 2 is the all-round trail shoe at £140. The S/LAB Genesis 2 is Salomon's top tier at £180, built for runners who race and train hard.
Same activeCHASSIS stability, same Matryx upper family, same All-Terrain contaGRIP grip. The S/LAB steps it up with a lighter Matryx Micro upper, a lower 6mm drop, and a dual-foam optiFOAM2 midsole the standard shoe doesn't get.
Should I Buy The Salomon Genesis 2 Or The S/LAB Genesis 2?
Go for the Salomon Genesis 2 for a stable, durable trail shoe that does it all at a lower price. Go for the S/LAB Genesis 2 if you race, train hard on technical terrain, and want the lightest, most dialled-in version of the platform for £40 more. Both tackle the same rocky, technical trail and share the same core stability tech, so it comes down to how far, how often, and how competitively you run.
Salomon Genesis 2 vs S/LAB Genesis 2: In Numbers
Price
Salomon Genesis 2 vs The S/LAB Genesis 2
£140
Genesis 2
£180
S/LAB Genesis 2
Weight
Salomon Genesis 2 vs The S/LAB Genesis 2
281g
Genesis 2
272g
S/LAB Genesis 2
Heel-To-Toe Drop
Salomon Genesis 2 vs The S/LAB Genesis 2
8mm
Genesis 2
6mm
S/LAB Genesis 2
Lug Depth
Salomon Genesis 2 vs The S/LAB Genesis 2
4mm
Genesis 2
4.5mm
S/LAB Genesis 2
Salomon Genesis 2 vs S/LAB Genesis 2: Full Spec Comparison
Spec | Salomon Genesis 2 | S/LAB Genesis 2 |
|---|---|---|
UK price | £140 | £180 |
Weight | 281g per shoe | 272g per shoe |
Drop | 8mm | 6mm |
Stack height (heel/forefoot) | 33.5mm / 25.5mm | 31mm / 25mm |
Cushioning | Soft and protective | Soft and protective |
Foot protection | High | High |
Lug depth | 4mm | 4.5mm |
Outsole | All-Terrain contaGRIP | All-Terrain contaGRIP, reworked lug geometry |
Midsole | optiFOAM EVA | optiFOAM + optiFOAM2 (dual-density) |
Upper | Matryx | Matryx Micro (lighter weave) |
Chassis | activeCHASSIS | activeCHASSIS |
Lacing | quickLACE | quickLACE |
Extra features | Standard build | profeelFILM ground filter, endoFit sleeve, integrated gaiter, protective toecap, medial protective pad |
Width | Regular | Regular |
Recommended use | Mixed, rocky and technical trail, 2–3 runs a week | Mixed, rocky and technical trail, ultra-distance racing, 2–3 runs a week |
Specs sourced from Salomon's official UK product pages. Stack height and dual-foam construction on the S/LAB Genesis 2 confirmed against independent lab testing. Swipe the table sideways on smaller screens to see every column.
What Is The Difference Between The Outsole On The S/LAB Genesis 2 And The Salomon Genesis 2?
Both run Salomon's All-Terrain contaGRIP outsole. The S/LAB Genesis 2 goes deeper: 4.5mm lugs against 4mm on the standard shoe, plus a reworked geometry for more ground contact. The result is a sharper bite on loose, technical ground, while the standard Genesis 2's shallower lugs handle mixed and hard-packed trail without feeling overbuilt.
Salomon Genesis 2 vs S/LAB Genesis 2: Best For, Advantages And Considerations
SALOMON GENESIS 2
Advantages Of The Salomon Genesis 2
The activeCHASSIS keeps the foot steady on uneven ground.
The Matryx upper adds structure and durability.
It costs £40 less than the S/LAB Genesis 2.
The 4mm contaGRIP lugs handle mixed and hard-packed trail comfortably.
Considerations For The Salomon Genesis 2
It sits heavier and higher off the ground than the S/LAB Genesis 2, so you get less ground feel.
It doesn't get the dual-foam midsole or reworked lug geometry the S/LAB Genesis 2 has.
It isn't built for the deepest, most technical racing terrain.
S/LAB GENESIS 2
Advantages Of The S/LAB GENESIS 2
It uses a lighter Matryx Micro upper for a closer, more breathable fit.
Its lower 6mm drop gives more ground feel and a flatter foot strike.
It adds a dual-foam optiFOAM2 midsole tuned for performance.
Its deeper 4.5mm lugs, with reworked geometry, give sharper grip on loose ground.
Independent testers rated it stable and easy to manoeuvre on technical singletrack, with standout grip on loose, grainy gravel.
Considerations For The S/LAB Genesis 2
It costs £40 more than the standard Salomon Genesis 2.
Its gains matter most at higher training or racing intensity, so casual runners may not notice the difference.
Is The S/LAB Genesis 2 Worth The Extra Money?
For competitive or high-mileage runners, yes. The lighter upper, lower drop and dual-foam midsole are real performance upgrades, not S/LAB branding for its own sake. For casual or occasional runners, the standard Salomon Genesis 2 gives you the same activeCHASSIS, the same Matryx family, and the same contaGRIP outsole for £40 less. Unless you're chasing that lighter weight and lower drop specifically, you're unlikely to notice the difference on an ordinary trail run.
How Does The Fit Differ On The Salomon Genesis 2 vs The S/LAB Genesis 2?
Both sit in a Regular width on a similar last, so true-to-size fit carries across. The real difference is the upper: the S/LAB's Matryx Micro weave wraps the foot more closely and breathes a little better, while the standard Genesis 2's Matryx upper adds a touch more structure. Independent testers rate the standard Genesis 2 true to size with room for the toes to splay, a fair baseline for the S/LAB too given the shared last.
How Should I Choose Between The Salomon Genesis 2 And The S/LAB Genesis 2?
Choose Salomon Genesis 2 If:
You train often on mixed trail
You want the lowest entry price into the Genesis platform
You don't need the lightest, lowest-drop shoe on the market
You want a slightly more structured, protective upper
Choose S/LAB Genesis 2 If:
You race, or train specifically for ultra-distance events
You want the lightest, most responsive version of the Genesis
You prefer a lower, less-ramped 6 mm drop for more ground feel
You're comfortable paying £40 more for marginal gains
Same Chassis.
Same Grip.
Different Level Of Performance.
Salomon Genesis 2 vs S/LAB Genesis 2: The Verdict
These aren't two different shoes, they're two tunings of the same one.
These aren't two different shoes, they're two tunings of the same one. Same activeCHASSIS, same Matryx-family upper, same contaGRIP grip, so nobody's missing out on Salomon's core Genesis tech. The S/LAB Genesis 2 is lighter, lower to the ground, and built for competitive and ultra-distance runners chasing every marginal gain. The standard Salomon Genesis 2 gives most runners the same dependable, stable ride for £40 less, and remains the smarter pick unless you're training or racing at a level where those margins genuinely count.
Salomon Genesis 2
All-round stability and grip for mixed, rocky and technical trail.
S/LAB Genesis 2
Salomon's elite-tier Genesis, built for ultra-distance and technical racing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the S/LAB Genesis 2 a completely different shoe to the Salomon Genesis 2?
No. Same platform, same activeCHASSIS, same Matryx family, same contaGRIP outsole. The S/LAB is a lighter, sharper tuning, not a separate shoe.
Can beginners wear the S/LAB Genesis 2?
Sure, no elite fitness required, but it's priced and specced for competitive and high-mileage runners. Beginners will get equally good performance from the standard Salomon Genesis 2 for £40 less.
Does the lower drop on the S/LAB Genesis 2 change how it feels to run in?
Yes. At 6 mm against the standard shoe's 8 mm, the foot sits flatter and closer to the ground, for more ground feel and a more natural gait, especially over longer distances.
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