Stable enough to make technical terrain feel almost boring (compliment)

Bungee laces mean you can hose these down without losing your mind

The single best “I’ve never run trails before” shoe you can buy right now

The Case for Running on Dirt

I know what you’re thinking. Trails are for people who wear vests with too many pockets and have opinions about trekking poles. And sure, some of that is true (a lot of that is true; some trail runners can be insufferable, ask anyone around me). But trail running is also one of the most effective ways to build proprioception (your ability to sense your place in space), challenge your stabilizer muscles, and completely forget that you’re exercising because you’re too busy not falling into a creek.

What you wear on your feet matters enormously, and the Salomon Pulsar Trail is one of the most thoughtfully engineered entry points into the discipline that I’ve tested.

Pros

Grippy and stable

Great lacing system

Easy to clean

Simple to adjust

Cons

A bit snug in the…