Salomon Pulsar Trail
Buy Salomon Pulsar Trail at today's best price (men's/women's)
6 minute read
Overview
The Salomon Pulsar Trail is a trail running shoe designed for those who seek a blend of speed and versatility on varied terrain. This shoe is known for its responsive cushioning and stability, making it a suitable choice for runners who transition between road and trail.
Key Features:
- Energy Surge Midsole: Provides a balance of softness and responsiveness, ensuring smooth transitions and a bouncy feel.
- Energy Blade Technology: Assists in propulsion (the act of driving or pushing forward), transferring energy to propel runners forward without compromising speed.
- All Terrain Contagrip® Outsole: Delivers confidence-inspiring grip on wet, dry, hard, or slippery surfaces, enhancing the shoe's adaptability.
- EndoFit Upper: Offers a snug fit with a breathable mesh construction, ensuring comfort and protection on the trails.
The Salomon Pulsar Trail is an ideal choice for runners who prioritize a mix of cushioning and efficiency for diverse running experiences. Its trail-ready design offers protection and traction, making it suitable for long-distance adventures and fast-paced workouts alike.
With an average review score of 81%, it's rated just above the median rating of similar running shoes. Based on our monitoring of prices across the internet, it's currently just above the median price of running shoes today.
Verdict
The consensus on the Salomon Pulsar Trail
The Salomon Pulsar Trail has garnered attention for its ability to handle a variety of paces and distances, offering a stable and protective ride. Its QuickLace system and Energy Blade plate contribute to excellent foot lockdown (securing the foot in place) and a stable ride. While the grip on wet terrain may not be its strongest feature, the shoe's overall performance is commendable, especially considering its price point. The Pulsar Trail's breathability and durability have been praised, with the shoe scoring high in lab tests. It is a solid choice for runners seeking a versatile trail shoe that can also handle occasional road use. The Salomon Pulsar Trail is a well-rounded option that delivers on both comfort and performance for trail enthusiasts.
Comparable Shoes
The Salomon Speedcross 6 is a more aggressive trail shoe compared to the Pulsar Trail, offering superior grip and protection for technical and wet terrain. It's a better option for runners who prioritize maximum traction and stability in challenging conditions.
The Hoka Torrent 3 is another trail shoe that provides a similar level of cushioning to the Pulsar Trail but with a different shape and design. It's a favorite for runners seeking a soft and plush cushion, especially for ultra-distances.
The Salomon Sense Ride 5 is a trail shoe that offers a firmer midsole and more agility, making it suitable for runners who prefer a firmer and more responsive ride on technical terrain.
The Brooks Cascadia 17 is a solid alternative for runners who need a shoe with a bulletproof platform and more traction for technical terrain, compared to the Pulsar Trail.
Special versions of Salomon Pulsar Trail
The Salomon Pulsar Trail Pro is a variant of the original Pulsar Trail, designed with a higher stack height and a firmer layer for a stiffer and faster ride. It shares the same energy foam as the Pulsar Trail but is geared towards runners looking for a more performance-oriented shoe for speedier workouts and races.
5 Salomon Pulsar Trail Pros & Cons
3 Pros
2 Cons
In Depth
Upper
The Salomon Pulsar Trail's upper is crafted from a lightweight and breathable engineered mesh, providing a comfortable and secure fit. The internal adjustment sleeve ensures a precise fit, while the Quicklace system allows for easy adjustments on the go. The upper's design incorporates recycled materials, reflecting Salomon's commitment to sustainability.
Midsole
The Energy Surge foam midsole of the Salomon Pulsar Trail offers a responsive and protective underfoot experience. The R.Camber rocker shape enhances the shoe's propulsion, allowing runners to reach faster speeds with ease. The midsole's balance between firmness and softness ensures a comfortable ride on both road and trail surfaces.
Outsole
Featuring the All Terrain Contagrip® compound, the outsole of the Salomon Pulsar Trail provides reliable traction on a wide range of surfaces. Its durability and confidence-inspiring grip make it suitable for wet, dry, hard, or slippery conditions, ensuring runners can tackle diverse terrains with confidence.
Size/fit
The Salomon Pulsar Trail offers an average upper width, accommodating a variety of foot shapes. The toe cap is designed to provide ample room for toe splay (the ability to spread the toes), contributing to the overall comfort of the shoe. Runners can expect a true-to-size fit with a secure and supportive feel.
Comfort
Comfort is a standout feature of the Salomon Pulsar Trail, with its cushioned midsole and gusseted tongue providing a plush feel. The shoe's design prioritizes long-distance comfort, making it an excellent choice for runners embarking on extended trail adventures.
Cushioning
The cushioning of the Salomon Pulsar Trail is designed to offer a balance of softness and responsiveness. The Energy Surge midsole foam works in tandem with the Energy Blade TPU plate to provide a bouncy and efficient ride, suitable for a variety of trail conditions.
Breathability
The engineered mesh upper of the Salomon Pulsar Trail ensures good breathability, allowing air to circulate and keep feet cool during runs. This feature is particularly beneficial for runners who tackle trails in warmer conditions.
Stability
The Salomon Pulsar Trail boasts excellent stability for neutral runners (those who do not overpronate or underpronate), thanks to its wide platform, TPU plate, and low-stacked midsole. This stability is crucial for maintaining balance and control on uneven trail surfaces.
Durability
Durability is a key aspect of the Salomon Pulsar Trail, with the shoe's robust construction and high-quality materials ensuring it can withstand the rigors of trail running. The substantial rubber outsole and protective elements contribute to the shoe's longevity.
Grip
The Salomon Pulsar Trail's outsole features short, well-designed lugs that excel on easy trails and provide solid grip on surfaces like grass and gravel. While it may not be the best choice for highly technical terrain, it performs admirably on most trail conditions.
Who should buy the Salomon Pulsar Trail?
The Salomon Pulsar Trail is well-suited for runners who seek a shoe that can handle both trail and road surfaces with ease. It's an excellent option for those who enjoy long-distance runs and require a shoe with a comfortable fit, responsive cushioning, and reliable traction. Runners who appreciate a shoe with sustainable design elements will also find value in the Pulsar Trail.
Who should not buy the Salomon Pulsar Trail?
Runners who frequently tackle highly technical terrain with wet conditions may want to consider alternatives, such as the Salomon Speedcross 6 or its Gore-Tex variant, the Speedcross 6 GTX, for better grip and protection. The Pulsar Trail's performance on such challenging surfaces may not meet the needs of runners who prioritize maximum traction and stability in muddy or slippery conditions.
Salomon Pulsar Trail: What's it good for?
The Salomon Pulsar Trail is ideal for trail running on a variety of surfaces, from easy trails to moderate technical terrain. It's also well-suited for long-distance runs, providing the necessary comfort and cushioning for extended periods. With its versatile design, the Pulsar Trail can serve as a reliable road-to-trail option, making it a great choice for runners who transition between different running environments.
4 Salomon Pulsar Trail FAQs
What makes the Salomon Pulsar Trail suitable for both trail and road running?
The Salomon Pulsar Trail features a versatile design with responsive cushioning and a durable outsole that provides reliable traction on various surfaces. Its ability to handle transitions between road and trail makes it an excellent choice for runners who encounter mixed terrain during their runs.
Is the Salomon Pulsar Trail environmentally friendly?
Yes, the Salomon Pulsar Trail incorporates recycled materials in its upper construction, reflecting the brand's commitment to sustainability and reducing environmental impact.
How does the Salomon Pulsar Trail perform on wet and slippery terrain?
While the Salomon Pulsar Trail offers good traction on most trail conditions, its grip on wet and slippery terrain may not be as strong as some specialized trail shoes. Runners who frequently encounter such conditions might consider shoes with more aggressive lugs and waterproof features.
Can the Salomon Pulsar Trail accommodate different foot shapes?
The Salomon Pulsar Trail has an average upper width and a toe cap that provides room for toe splay, making it suitable for a variety of foot shapes. Runners can expect a comfortable and secure fit.
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| bestDeal | Show prices | |||||
| priceBand | Price band | |||||
| similarity | Similarity | Very similar | Very similar | Very similar | Very similar | Very similar |
| released | ReleasedDec 2021 | Dec 2023 | Oct 2023 | Aug 2023 | Dec 2023 | |
| expertReviewScore | Expert Review Score | |||||
| Weight | WeightM: 281 g W: 244 g | M: 289 g W: 255 g | M: 266 g W: 235 g | M: 301 g W: 298 g | M: 303 g W: 258 g | |
| Forefoot | Forefoot27 mm | 27 mm | 27 mm | 33 mm | 25 mm | |
| Heel to toe drop | Heel to toe drop6 mm | 4 mm | 4 mm | 6 mm | ||
| Heel | Heel33 mm | 31 mm | 31 mm | 39 mm | 25 mm | |
| Terrain | TerrainTrail | Trail | MudTrail | Trail | MudSnow/iceTrail | Trail |
| Brand | BrandSalomon | Altra | Salomon | Saucony | Merrell | Altra |
| Shoe Type | Shoe TypeBreathableComfortableMaximalist | BreathableLow dropZero drop | Low drop | Low drop | ComfortableMaximalist | BreathableLow drop |
| Rock plate | Rock plate | |||||
| Rocker | Rocker | |||||
| Techs | Techs | Vibram | OrthoLite | |||
| Environmental Characteristics | Environmental Characteristics | Sustainable | ||||
Common characteristicsNeutralNeutral pronationFore/Midfoot strikeHeel strikeHigh archOrthotic friendlyRemovable insole |
