Salomon Women’s Speedcross 4 W Trail Runner

Last updated: April 23, 2021

Salomon Women’s Speedcross 4 W Trail Runner
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We looked at the top Women's Trail Running Shoes and dug through the reviews from some of the most popular review sites. Through this analysis, we've determined the best Women's Trail Running Shoe you should buy.

Overall Take

The Salomon Women's Speedcross Trail Runner is a tough shoe with a strong rubber sole. It provides superior cushioning to keep the runner comfortable from 10 to 100 miles. Keep in mind that it does not come in wide sizes. In our testing, we found these shoes to be lightweight and comfortable, and we especially liked the drawstring closure. They were very grippy and good for our posture.

In our analysis of 50 expert reviews, the Salomon Women's Speedcross Trail Runner placed 14th when we looked at the top 15 products in the category. For the full ranking, see below.

From The Manufacturer

The 4th edition of our iconic and aggressively lugged trail runner for tearing through technical, soft ground with speed. Salomon was born in 1947 in the heart of the French Alps and the birthplace of modern alpinism. Driven by a passion for skiing and design innovation, Francois Salomon and his son George designed and perfected much of the first modern ski equipment. During the following 60 years, Salomon’s commitment to innovative design and passion for mountain sports created a vast range of revolutionary new concepts in boots, skis and apparel and brought innovative solutions to footwear, apparel and equipment for hiking, adventure racing, mountaineering and trail running. Through performance-driven design, Salomon enhances mountain sports by converting new ideas into action and expanding the limits of possibility.

Expert Reviews


What experts liked

The Speedcross 4 makes a great lightweight backpacking shoe even though they are designed as trail runners. I’m usually a pretty lightweight backpacker, and as such I prefer trail runners over big bulky boots any day.
Strong construction has held up exceptionally well. The laces, mesh uppers and outsole are all in great shape.
They’re lightweight, have ample cushioning and come in a ton of great color choices.
From its quick-lace system on up, the finished product in the hand is a refined specimen of perfect stitching, weld-ons, bumpers, and protective rubbery fabric on the front. Its rip-stop grid upper integrates seamlessly to the toothy sole.
The stitched midfoot overlays are directly connected to the QuickLace System, which is made from sturdy Kevlar fibers. They function together to hold the foot securely and with excellent comfort.
The fit of this shoe is very dialed in as well, and the combination of Salomon’s Sensifit overlays and Quicklace system make this a great shoe for any run in less than ideal conditions.
The EVA heel cup on the sock liner helps support my heel a bit better in the Speedcross 4 and adds a bit of cushioning around it, which certainly enhances comfort as the miles pile up.
Good enough grip to tackle the muddiest and steepest terrain, and enough cushioning for anything from 10k to 100 miles.

What experts didn't like

The only grievance I with the Speedcross 4 is the fact that they do not come in wide sizes, and that’s me just being unselfish! They are strictly designed for those of us blessed with narrow feet.
As with prior Speedcross models, the shoe does not ventilate particularly well, nor does it drain very quickly. It’s happiest in higher elevations and not in the summer heat.
The fit is somewhat narrow, so try these on first if you have wider feet.
The high stack height and prominent lugs may cause some issues on uneven and rugged terrains.
Runners with higher volume feet and wider forefeet may have difficulty finding a good fit in the Speedcross 4.
The other point of difficulty for some people I know, is the overall height of the shoe. At 30mm/20mm, you’re up off the ground a ways compared to other shoes in the same category, which causes some tipping and rolling of ankles for those who prefer a lower-to-the-ground shoe.
With a 10mm differential between heel and forefoot (drop) it is a little high at the ankle for some runners who enjoy that low profile, close to the ground feel.

Our Expert Consultant

Stephanie Mansour   
Certified Personal Trainer, Health and Wellness Expert

Stephanie Mansour, host of “Step It Up with Steph” on public broadcasting, has been coaching women for over a decade on how to lose weight and make it last. She has a Bachelor of Arts in communications with an emphasis on women’s studies and psychology from the University of Michigan. She holds certifications in life coaching, personal training, yoga and Pilates.

View our Women's Trail Running Shoe buying guide for in-depth advice and recommendations.

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