Over the past two years, I've tested both the original Salomon Genesis and new Salomon Genesis 2 while hiking the high desert mountains of New Mexico (USA). Made for all-mountain running, the Genesis is softer underfoot than most Salomons while giving men and women enough support for rocky terrain. In a nutshell, it's a versatile shoe—better for running than hiking but still plenty hike-able. My Salomon Genesis 2 review offers a hiker's take on its support, weight, fit, comfort, weather protection, and overall value.
Hiking through New Mexico's hoodoos, tent rocks, and goblins in the Salomon Genesis
This post includes affiliate links. If you click on these links and buy something, the retailer may share a small percentage of the sale with Hiking Feet—at no cost to you. That's a free and easy way for you to support this site's free and independent content.
Salomon Genesis 2 Review
After reviewing the Salomon Genesis in 2025, I've tested the updated Salomon Genesis 2 in 2026. Since this is a hiker site—not a runner site—I hiked 50 miles in this trail running shoe. My test hikes included the easy desert washes of Bear Canyon (7 miles, 1000'), two trips up and down the weathered granite switchbacks of the Piedra Lisa Trail (4.5 miles 1000') and Pino Trail (9.4 miles, 2800'), rock scrambling in Embudito Canyon (8 miles, 2400'), and a high-country hike outside Santa Fe (6.5 miles, 2100'). Overall, I have more than 100 miles of first-hand experience testing the Salomon Genesis and Genesis 2.
As always, my reviews are 100% independent (not sponsored by brands or PR agencies) and draw upon my extensive hiking experience (17,000 miles since 2011) and my experience managing footwear at Appalachian Outdoors.
The activeCHASSIS (bright red) adds flexible support
Support
You won't confuse the Salomon Genesis 2 trail running shoe with true hiking shoes, like the Salomon X Ultra series. Still, Salomon's activeCHASSIS—a thermoplastic frame—adds lateral support while still allowing the shoe to flex easily around the balls of the foot.
Even though support isn't this shoe's calling card, the Salomon Genesis 2 handled mountain terrain. After rolling my ankles several times in the last trail runner I tested, the Genesis handled those same trails without compromising my ankles. I hiked through some rock gardens and eroded rock features in New Mexico's Sandia Mountains without worrying much about my ankles in the Genesis 2.
That said, it's NOT one of the sturdier trail runners I've tested—and not supportive as Salomons with the brand's stiffer Advanced Chassis. The Salomon Genesis 2 is more of a versatile trail shoe than a supportive one.
The Genesis 2 wis the second lightest Salomon I recommend
Weight
Most hikers who choose trail runners over hiking shoes do so for the weight savings. At 12.3 ounces per shoe (men's size 12.5), the Salomon Genesis 2 is in the lighter half of the trail running shoes I recommend for hikers. It's roughly 10 ounces lighter (per pair) than the average hiking shoe (in my size).
If you're looking for a lightweight trail running shoe that can handle hiking, the Salomon Genesis 2 should be on your list.
The Salomon Genesis 2 fits average width feet well
Fit
The Salomon Genesis 2 runs true to size with standard width and a standard-sized toe box. In other words, it's not as narrow in the toes as traditional Salomons or extra-roomy.
I have moderately wide feet and got a good-enough (but not great) fit by sizing up a full size from my everyday shoe size. Hikers with more standard-width feet will probably want to size up a 1/2 size from their everyday shoe size. The Genesis 2 is not available in wide.
The Genesis 2 has moderately thick midsoles for cushioning
Comfort
The Salomon Genesis 2 is more comfort-oriented than most Salomons I've owned. The shoe's lightweight, optiFOAM EVA midsoles give the Genesis a cushier ride than traditional Salomons. By my standards, the shoe's midsoles straddle the borderline between a max cushion and moderate cushion shoe with a stack height of 34mm (heel)/26mm (toe). Salomon's ActiveCHASSIS is not as stiff as the AdvancedCHASSIS—which the average hiker will probably find more comfortable, too.
I've sold more Salomons than any other brand, but some people find them too firm or stiff for comfort. That shouldn't be the case with the Genesis 2, with its softer, more approachable build.
Non-waterproof shoes work well in high desert mountains
Weather Protection
Living in the arid, high deserts of New Mexico, I opted for the non-waterproof Salomon Genesis 2. As expected, my test pair took on water when I hiked a soggy trail soaked by summer monsoon thunderstorms. That being said, most hikers prefer a non-waterproof trail runner because it wears cooler and dries quicker than waterproof hiking footwear.
The Genesis 2 isn't as ventilated as many trail runners I've tested, but my feet were noticeably cooler in the Genesis than they were in the GORE-TEX hiking boots I tested when I wore two different pairs on the same trail in the Jemez Mountains.
If you want a waterproof trail running shoe—Salomon offers a GORE-TEX version of the Genesis 2. That's a plus. In my experience, GORE-TEX is more reliable and breathable than other brands' proprietary waterproofing.
The updated Genesis 2 has more aggressive tread
Traction
The biggest difference between the original Salomon Genesis and 2nd generation Genesis is traction. Salomon opted for a slightly more aggressive tread in the 2026, which I definitely noticed on my steeper test hikes.
The Salomon Genesis 2 has sharper climbing and braking lugs. During my field tests, these lugs had more bite on steep trails with dirt, gravel, and loose rock. I could descend the steep switchbacks of the Pino, Piedra Lisa, and Embudito trails faster in the Genesis 2 than I could in the Genesis 1. I wouldn't specifically pick the Genesis for rock scrambling, but I successfully scaled a steep desert rock formation in my pair without any issues.
Overall, I like this tread best on mixed terrain.
The Salomon Genesis 2 passed all my test hikes
Value
With a MSRP of $150 ($170 for GORE-TEX), the Salomon Genesis 2 is the rare shoe that hasn't significantly increased in price for 2026. It's at or slightly below the going rate for premium trail running shoes. Since my test hikes didn't reveal any big concerns with the Genesis 2, I consider $150 more than a fair price in today's (inflationary) market.
Click on the buttons below to see current prices and color options:
Men's Salomon Genesis 2
Check current price, styles, and colors:
Women's Salomon Genesis 2
Check current price, styles, and colors:
Salomon Genesis 2: Pros & Cons
Every shoe has its trade-offs, but the pros of the Salomon Genesis certainly outweigh the cons:
Should you buy the Salomon Genesis for hiking?
Based on my first-hand testing, I'm happy to recommend the Salomon Genesis 2 for fast hikers and typical day hikers who prefer a versatile trail running shoe. It's not as sturdy as Salomon's X Ultra hiking shoes or as light and comfy as the Salomon Ultraglide 4 trail running shoe. Likewise, it's not the best fit for wide-footed hikers (like me) or tough terrain that calls for highly specialized tread. But the Genesis tested well well and raised no red flags for me. My biggest take-away is that the Salomon Genesis 2 is a versatile trail runner that's more approachable than some of Salomon's more technical hiking and running shoes.
Conclusion
I haven't added the updated Salomon Genesis 2 to my list of the Top 10 trail running shoes for hikers because it doesn't have a truly standout feature. But that's potentially its strength, too. The Genesis 2 is supportive but not too stiff, comfy but not too soft. Its traction should be dependable on most types of terrain, too.
If this review has you stoked on the Genesis 2, please consider purchasing your pair through the buttons below. That's free for you, but it may send me a few bucks— just a little to compensate me for the thousands of unpaid hours I've spent testing footwear and publishing free content for hikers I'll never meet.
If this site hooked you up, I'd appreciate you hooking me up, too. Thanks!
