If your running takes you beyond smooth paths and onto rocky, technical and unpredictable terrain, your shoes need to offer more than just cushioning. They need to give you confidence when the ground gets rough.
Enter the Salomon Genesis 2 — a new generation of trail running shoe designed to combine stability, protection, grip and agility across a wide variety of terrain.
Whether you're heading into the hills for a technical trail run, tackling a mountain route or building towards your next off-road adventure, the Genesis 2 is designed to keep you moving with confidence.
What is the Salomon Genesis 2?
The Salomon Genesis 2 is a technical trail running shoe designed for rocky, technical and mixed terrain. It sits within Salomon's trail running range as a versatile option for runners who want a shoe capable of handling challenging terrain without feeling overly cumbersome.
The second generation brings several important updates, including a fully integrated activeCHASSIS™, wider midsole platform, redesigned Matryx® upper and reworked outsole lug geometry. The result is a shoe that aims to provide greater stability and traction while maintaining the dynamic feel needed for technical trail running.
What's new on the Salomon Genesis 2?
Salomon has made several changes to the Genesis 2 compared with the previous generation.
1. Redesigned activeCHASSIS™
One of the biggest updates is the new, fully integrated activeCHASSIS™.
Rather than simply adding stability at the expense of movement, the system is designed to provide guidance while allowing the foot to move naturally across uneven terrain.
That's particularly useful when you're running over rocks, roots, steep sections and constantly changing surfaces where stability and agility are equally important.
Salomon describes activeCHASSIS™ as providing increased guidance while maintaining agility and freedom of movement.
2. A wider midsole platform
The Genesis 2 also features a wider midsole platform, helping create a more stable foundation underneath the foot.
This is particularly valuable on technical trails where your foot may land at different angles and you need confidence from every step.
The increased platform works alongside the activeCHASSIS™ to give the shoe a secure, planted feel without turning it into a rigid or restrictive trail shoe.
3. Durable and breathable Matryx® upper
The upper has also been updated with a new, lighter Matryx® construction.
Matryx® combines individually coated high-tenacity Kevlar® fibres with technical yarns to create a material that's lightweight, breathable and resistant to abrasion.
That's a useful combination for trail runners. Technical trails can be hard on footwear, so having an upper that can withstand contact with rocks and rough vegetation while remaining breathable is a big advantage.
4. Reworked All-Terrain contaGRIP® outsole
Trail shoes live or die by their grip, and Salomon has redesigned the outsole of the Genesis 2 with 4mm lugs and updated lug geometry.
The All-Terrain contaGRIP® outsole is designed to provide traction across wet, dry, hard and loose surfaces.
This makes the Genesis 2 particularly versatile for UK trail running, where conditions can change dramatically during a single run.
Dry rocky paths, muddy sections, loose gravel and wet ground can all feature on the same route — so having an outsole designed for multiple surfaces is important.
How cushioned is the Salomon Genesis 2?
The Genesis 2 uses Salomon's optiFOAM™ midsole, designed to provide lightweight cushioning and protection while maintaining a performance-focused feel.
It has a 33.5mm heel stack and 25.5mm forefoot stack, giving it an 8mm drop.
The cushioning isn't designed to completely disconnect you from the trail. Instead, it provides protection while retaining enough connection with the ground to help you navigate technical terrain.
For runners who prefer a trail shoe that still feels agile and responsive rather than extremely soft and maximal, this is an important characteristic.
Is the Salomon Genesis 2 good for technical trails?
Yes — this is where the Genesis 2 really comes into its own.
Salomon specifically categorises the shoe for rocky, technical and mixed terrain, with a high level of foot protection.
The combination of:
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ActiveCHASSIS™ guidance
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Wider midsole platform
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4mm lugs
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All-Terrain contaGRIP®
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Protective cushioning
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Durable Matryx® upper
makes it well suited to runners who regularly encounter challenging terrain.
It's designed to give you the confidence to tackle steep climbs, technical descents and uneven surfaces without feeling like you're wearing a heavy hiking shoe.
Who is the Salomon Genesis 2 for?
The Genesis 2 is a particularly good option for runners who want a versatile technical trail shoe.
It's worth considering if you:
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Run regularly on rocky or technical trails
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Want a shoe for mixed mountain terrain
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Need reliable grip across changing conditions
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Prefer a secure, stable feeling underfoot
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Want protection without excessive weight
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Enjoy technical descents
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Are training for mountain races or trail events
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Want one trail shoe that can handle a variety of surfaces
At 281g, it's not an ultra-minimal trail shoe, but it strikes a good balance between protection and agility.
Salomon Genesis 2 vs a traditional trail running shoe
One of the biggest strengths of the Genesis 2 is its versatility.
Some trail shoes are designed primarily around soft, muddy ground. Others prioritise lightweight speed or maximum cushioning for ultra-distance running.
The Genesis 2 sits somewhere in the middle.
It's protective enough for technical terrain, agile enough for faster trail running and versatile enough to deal with different surfaces.
That makes it particularly appealing for runners who don't want to own a different shoe for every type of trail.
Salomon Genesis 2: Key specifications
| Feature | Salomon Genesis 2 |
|---|---|
| Terrain | Rocky, technical & mixed |
| Trail type | Technical running |
| Weight | 281g |
| Drop | 8mm |
| Heel stack | 33.5mm |
| Forefoot stack | 25.5mm |
| Lug depth | 4mm |
| Cushioning | Soft & protective |
| Support | ActiveCHASSIS™ |
| Midsole | optiFOAM™ |
| Outsole | All-Terrain contaGRIP® |
| Upper | Matryx® |
| Fit | Regular |
Specifications from Salomon.
The verdict: Is the Salomon Genesis 2 worth considering?
If you're looking for a Salomon trail running shoe that can handle technical terrain without sacrificing agility, the Genesis 2 is one to have on your radar.
The combination of the redesigned activeCHASSIS™, wider platform, protective optiFOAM™ cushioning, durable Matryx® upper and reworked contaGRIP® outsole makes it a genuinely versatile option for off-road running.
It's not trying to be the lightest trail shoe or the most cushioned. Instead, the Genesis 2 focuses on something arguably more useful for technical running:
confidence.
When the trail gets rocky, steep, wet or unpredictable, having a shoe that you trust underneath you can make all the difference.
Looking for your next pair of trail running shoes?
The Salomon Genesis 2 is available at Running Bear. If you're unsure which trail shoe is right for your terrain, distance or running style, our team can help you find the right fit.
Shop the Salomon Genesis 2 at Running Bear and get ready to take on the trails.