Salomon Thundercross Trail Running Shoe Review

by Sara Fillman · Published February 20, 2024 , 7:32 am · Updated May 2, 2025 , 2:00 pm

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Salomon has long been my go-to for trail running shoes. I have loved them for the aggressive tread and the long lasting wear in a shoe that fits. Up until recently, my favorite has been the Speedcross with it’s nimble traction and speedy feel. Since stepping into the ultra-marathon world in 2017, I have been wanting a little more cushion for my long race journeys. In 2023, Salomon released the Thundercross Trail Running Shoes. Thank you, Salomon! If I had to describe the shoe to a Salomon junkie, I would say they are a luxurious combination between the Speedcross and the Sensi-Ride, but with a lot more cushion.

I finally got my hands on a pair in December 2023. The shoes are available in Gortex if that fits your need. I decided that the non-GTX was my first choice for trying out these new shoes.

The Quality You Expect From Salomon

It was evident the moment that I held the Thundercross Trail Running Shoes in my hands that it was the same durable construction that I had come to expect from Salomon. The durable rubber rand is there to protect your foot from toe to heel. The uppers are a tightly woven fabric that does an amazing job of keeping out the sand and grit while having exceptional breathability. The upper is multi-layer and extends to the top of tongue eliminating any seams in the contact points with the top of your toes and foot.

The insole is Salomon’s Ortholite. It has a great heal cup that neatly tapers into the side of the shoe. This eliminates any rub points in those really long runs. The outer sole of the Thundercross has 5mm, multidirectional lugs that are super tough. I have about 50 miles on these shoes in a variety of terrain at the time of this review. I can see zero wear on the lugs! Salomon is consistent with their quality outer sole and I’m certain they will endure the beatings I plan to give them. The laces are Salomon’s Quicklace lacing system and the excess easily tucks away to the stretchy pocket on the tongue.

Fit And Comfort: Salomon Thundercross Trail Running Shoes

Salomon introduced their Sensifit when they released the Sensi-Rides many years ago. The Sensifit has evolved and creates a glove like fit with the Thundercross. Each attachment point for the lacing system branches off into two. When tightening your shoe, you will feel gentle, even comfort exactly where you want it. The description of the Thundercross describes the fit as normal width. I have quite narrow feet so I was thankful for the Sensifit to bring the shoe in nice and snug without any puckers or bunched up material in upper mid-foot. I would describe the toe-box as normal-roomy. My narrow foot had plenty of space and I found they were much more roomy than the Speedcross that I was used to.

The midsole of the Thundercross is springy and reactive. With only a 4mm drop, I honestly didn’t expect so much cushioned comfort. I was pleased to find that these shoes performed like a minimalist shoe but provided the maximum amount of cushion. They are well balanced and lightweight. I had zero trouble with heel slippage or sore spots on the top of my arch. Speaking of the arch, the Thundercross have a medium height arch. While there was not any of the fit particulars that I would say were outside of the norm, that is exactly what makes this shoe so perfect. It is created for a wide range of foot shapes and is versatile in fit and intended use.

Versatility in All Conditions

I had the opportunity to test out the Thundercross in a variety of conditions. In the snow, the Thundercross excelled in traction! Also, with the exceptional amount of cushion, I could actually use these trail shoes on the snowy, paved bike paths in my area, without feeling the impact of the unforgiving asphalt. Aside from snow in western Michigan, another trail runners foe is sand dunes. I make sure to include some sandy routes in my testing trials since that is something very important to me. The fine woven upper resisted the sand wonderfully! Despite miles of soft sandy hills, I didn’t once have to empty my shoes or clean out the grit from between my toes to continue.

Lastly, and no less important than sand, is the ability for my trail shoes to shed water. While I didn’t completely submerge my shoes during the testing, I did have a few cold, rainy runs. While I didn’t expect them to be waterproof (I didn’t choose Gore-Tex model), I was pleased to find that the high reaching rand kept the water and mud out of my shoes from the side. The minimal amount of water that did come in through the uppers was easily shed and the breathability dried the shoes quickly. After my runs, the removable insole made these a breeze to dry completely.

Technical Specs: Direct From Salomon

Best use: Muddy Terrain
Fit described as “standard.”
Cushion described as “maximal.”
Drop: 4mm (Forefoot stack height: 27.2mm, Heel stack height: 31mm)
Weight: 256 grams
Lug Depth: 5mm
Lacing system: Quicklace
Available sizes:
- Women: 5-11 (including half sizes)
- Men: 7-14 (includes all half sizes except 13.5)
Available Colors: SO MANY! Salomon offers seven color variations for women and six color variations for men. The names were quite long so I will let you check out the website to make your selection.

Final Thoughts on the Salomon Thundercross Trail Running Shoes

Salomon has nailed exactly what I was searching for in my long distance trail shoe. They bring together the lightweight, speedy feel of a minimalist shoe with the stable comfort of maximum cushion. With the trend in high cushion shoes being big and clunky, I was so happy that Salomon was able to create this perfect combo without too much bulk. The smooth ride on the new Thundercross reduced fatigue in my legs and the overall feel of my run. They possess excellent traction in snow, mud and sand and the comfort of these shoes is incredible. Nice work, Solomon!

Salomon reaches a broad audience with the Thundercross, not only in the function and performance but also with the style. They offer a wide variety of colors combinations, including some pink accents for the men and some more masculine color combos for the women. I like the variety and think everyone will find something that fits their style. The Salomon Thundercross is reasonably priced at the recommended $140 price point. If you would like to learn more or order a pair of your own, head over to www.salomon.com or www.rei.com. Go have some fun!