Salomon
S/Lab Spectur
Salomon's carbon-plated S/Lab trainer-racer, with a PEBA-based Energy Foam+ top layer over EVA and a winged energyBLADE plate on a wide base. Reviewers found it smooth, stable and versatile across paces, but heavy and short on pop for a race-day shoe.
About the S/Lab Spectur
Salomon describes the S/Lab Spectur as bringing race-day exclusivity to an inclusive package. It is a road racing shoe for asphalt, built around a full-length carbon plate that Salomon calls energyBLADE Carbon, with a specific weave for tuned rigidity.
Its midsole pairs two foams: optiFOAM+, a PEBA and EVA blend, and optiFOAM, a lightweight EVA. Reverse camber geometry, which Salomon credits to its ski heritage, curves the midsole, and the stack reaches 38.5 mm at the heel with an 8 mm drop. Compared with the S/Lab Phantasm 3, Salomon's ultra-lightweight racer with an aerodynamic gaiter upper and a 6 mm drop, the Spectur adds the EVA layer and more drop. The non-S/Lab Spectur 3 uses a fibreglass energyBLADE instead. A Road contaGRIP outsole with flat, wide lugs, a seamless upper with a soft collar and a recycled moulded EVA sockliner complete the build.
Specs and features from salomon.com and our own spec data. A factual overview, not a review.
Video reviews
Watch Salomon S/Lab Spectur reviewsOpens YouTubeWhat the critics say
81/100 review score
- RunRepeat 77/100
- Road Trail Run 8.5/10
The reviews in briefRunRepeat's Jens Jakob Andersen and Believe in the Run's Thomas Neuberger and Robbe Reddinger found the Salomon S/Lab Spectur smooth, stable and comfortable, but too heavy to feel quick on race day, with modest energy return in RunRepeat's lab. Road Trail Run's Ben David found it livelier and bouncier, if roomy for a racer.
- Positive: Smooth, stable ride that works across a range of paces
- Positive: Secure upper with no heel slip
- Positive: Grippy, durable outsole
- Mixed: Tongue needs straightening each time you put it on
- Negative: Heavy for a carbon-plated racer
- Negative: Energy return underwhelms for the price
Paraphrased from published reviews. Read them in full:
The numbers
- Race day
- Type
- 258 g
- Weight
- 38.5 mm
- Heel stack
- 8 mm
- Drop
- Carbon plate
- Plate
- Inherently stable
- Support
Weight for a men's US 9 / UK 8.5.
What it feels like
Fit
True to size
Testers disagree on length: one Road Trail Run tester found it long and suggests half a size down, while others were happy true to size; the throat is a little narrow.
What Reddit runners say
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On TikTok
S/Lab Spectur on TikTokShort reviews and wear tests from runnersWhere to buy the S/Lab Spectur
RRP around £200. Tap through for today's price.
Salomon S/Lab Spectur
In short
Choose this if you want a stable, carbon-plated shoe for tempo runs and marathon days that also handles easier paces. It's heavy for a racer and lacks real pop, so speed chasers should look at the Phantasm 3.
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