SALOMON SLAB PHANTASM: KILIAN’S JORNET ROAD RUNNING SHOE

Posted by Héctor Rubio on October 20, 2020 in trail running gear, trail running spain | 3 Comments

SALOMON SLAB PHANTASM. The Kilian Jornet asphalt “flying” shoe. Our PRODUCT REVIEW section presents the weapon with which Kilian will made his road running debut on Saturday at Hytteplanmila. As usual throughout the SLAB range, this model targets elite runners, by motor and by technique.
It has been launched with a price of 180 € and a weight of 199 grams, drop of 6mm with just 14-20mm to the ground, a very innovative damping baptized as Energy Surge and Contagrip FA sole. With it, we have already seen Kilian mark 29m42s in a 10k training on asphalt … after completing a full vertical kilometer before. Let’s go now with the analysis made by our colleague @mayayo.

SALOMON SLAB PHANTASM
KILIAN’S JORNET LIGHTWEIGHT ROAD RUNNIG SHOES.

The Salomon Running range for asphalt continues to evolve. In fact, this weekend had a key appointment, with Kilian’s Jornet and his first 10km in Norway.

The story started in 2015 with the first Salomon Slab Xseries. Afterwards, came the Sonic saga, which is still under developments with the model Y and that has evolved to the SLab Phantasm with which racers like Kilian, Davide Magnini or Tofol Castanyer are already rolling in the asphalt races for a while. Have a look at the Salomon’s SLab Phantasm “great-grandmother” for asphalt below and let’s continue directly with the technical data of the newcomer.

KEY CHARACTERISTICS SALOMON SLAB PHANTASM

Weight: 199 g. It’s not the lightest on the market, but it’s still a very light weight shoe, just to go to the top in competition.
Drop: 6mm. With 2mm extra over the previous trail/asphalt competition shoes of the brand.
Upper: A single layer of mesh close to the foot providing maximum feeling and seamless.
Reverse camber shape: Looking for a bounce effect, a concept already common in recent years.
Toes high 14mm heel 20mm. To feel every meter of asphalt and support with the maximum precision.
Width sole toes 10.5cm heel 7cm. Sharpened like never before, in the style of cross country shoes.
Lazing through classic flat shoelaces. Salomon did’t bet here for its classic Quicklace cable.
Midsole Energy Surge. Combination EVA and fiber looking for durable cushioning and energy return.
Contagrip FA sole: Special rubber for increased friction on hard and flat surfaces.
Price: € 180

Analyzing its features, perhaps the most striking are the En Surge comfort, as well as the new design with reverse camber and of course the brand’s new Contragrip FA asphalt rubber. Let’s see these three features in detail.

Reverse Camber: looking for a bounce effect that we have already seen in many shoes, both asphalt and mountain, being in fact Hoka the first that made it a relevant differential fact among the elite of mountain running. Salomon introduces it as “Inspired by Salomon’s skiing legacy”. Wherever it comes from, this curved midsole geometry seeks to help us feel like floating around the terrain.

The Contagrip FA sole combines the use of flat and wide studs looking for a friction grip on hard, flat surfaces with a compound that balances strength and adhesion. A bet to find a new ideal for road running.

ENERGY SURGE MIDSOLE

It’s an Infuse Dow foam with less EVA and more olefin than the Optivibe Infuse midsole we’ve already seen on today’s Sense Pro/4, Sense Ride 3 and all three Sonic 3 road models. However, here it comes without the Optivibe vibration reduction insert of those models. Most notably, Salomon afirms that his firmness is less. Aim at about 45 or 10 points less on the scale than the previous Optivibe midsoles, which were quite dense to the touch.

The original product is manufactered by DOW, whose own trade name for it is INFUSE. It is an olefin block copolymer (OBC) that can be used as a standalone OBC or mixed with other foams (such as EVA) to fine-tune sensation and performance. The key benefits that this Energy Surge include: Smoother Durometer (Comfort) Significantly lower compression configuration (durability) Significantly faster recovery of compression configuration (bounce).

Here you can see how was Kilian’s experience with the shoes last weekend.

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Posted by Héctor Rubio @hekruca for Trailrunningspain