Salomon S/Lab Pulsar 4 Review | Hard charging technical shoe

When a shoe gets a full redesign, it can go in one of the two ways: it solves problems that you didn’t know you had or it is a good thing. With the Salomon S/Lab Pulsar 4, Salomon clearly went all-in.

From the higher stacking height, updated foams and a more structured upper, this version feels like a different shoe in many ways. I was curious how these changes were added to the real mountain site.

As a walloper, Salomon shoes always visited my radar. But when I saw that they had worked with Swiss Ski Mountaineer and SkyRunner Rémi Bonnet to make a racing shoe, I knew I had to try the Pulsar 4.

I have set this shoe for a few weeks of varied trail conditions – climbing, descending, fast intervals and a few easy miles – and it surprised me more than once.

Some functions were immediately logical. Others were a bit used to it. But what stood out the most was how chosen this shoe felt when it became steep or technical. If loading technical descents for the year is on your list, you do not have to search further for a shoe that will help you achieve your goals.

The Salomon S/Lab Pulsar 4 is the Shoe for every runner who wants to move quickly in the mountains.

Salomon S/Lab Pulsar 4 Overview

I tested this shoe during a few full weeks of training runs. I could take it or leave it for simple runs, but really enjoyed it for on-trail speedwork, thanks to the resilience offered by the Dual-Foam construction.

It is not surprising, where these shoes are really shining on technical terrain. The sticky rubber felt safe on rocky descents and the cozy fit gave me totally confidence about foot placements.

I really noticed this when I ran into my New balance fresh foam hierros The day after a test run in the Pulsar. Compared to the Hierro, in the Pulsar, my foot did not shove around at all – either in the shoe or on rock plates.

Salomon invested in many changes from the previous model, including a higher stacking height and drop (formerly 4 mm), more structured upper to accommodate more variation in foot forms, a wider toebox and bounce foams … and they really touch the jackpot!

A short remark about style: most of my women’s running shoes and clothing are pastel colors and cool colors. Offering this unisex shoe in bright red/orange was certainly one choice by Salomon. I wish I could say that I carefully linked it with black shorts … but I really leaned in the powerful collision.

Salomon S/Lab Pulsar 4 Pro Fit

This is a narrow shoe – typical of Salomon. Even with a slightly wider toebox than earlier models, the Pulsar 4 still feels particularly good, even on my already narrow feet.

The sock -like top hugs the foot and keeps the heel in place, so that Incredibly precise foot placement on the technical field. That said, it takes a minute to set up the shoe, and the built -in insole leaves little room for adjustment. If you are directly on the edge of what this shoe offers, Orthesen can be a no-go.

The Quicklace system contributes to the well -fitting fit. In theory, it quickly makes adjustments possible on the way. In practice I still had to stop completely to resume halfway through the run (although I will admit that this could just be user error). The lack of adjustable veteren patterns can be a dealbreaker for runners who need more flexibility for things such as heel locks or pressure lighting. If you are susceptible to numb toes, this may not be your match.

Positive is that the tongue was carefully designed with an inward cut, which I really appreciated. Unlike other shoes that have left me and blisters when wearing low socks, they kept my ankles satisfied.

Salomon S/Lab Pulsar 4 Feel

Turning this shoe takes some effort, but as soon as it was tightened, it felt like my feet got a supportive hug – cozy, but not stifling. The stack height feels higher than it is, but unlike other shoes with a higher stack, The pulsar felt incredibly stable. I was never worried about rolling a single or sliding around in the shoe.

Other Salomon shoes that I have done have felt really stiff and heavily, but – despite the weighing of more than previous models – these shoes felt light and resilient, even just walking around my house.

I was happy to see a trail shoe with a higher drop, especially one that is designed for performance. At 6 mm I felt at ease to charge hills and by shining speed sessions without worrying about my Achilles tendons.

The S/Lab Pulsar 4 is not for everyone, but for runners who crave precision on technical field, it delivers. If you are a lying runner who is looking for a shoe to help you with your next race or to adjust your next FKT, don’t search further.

Who tried?

Hi! I am Alyssa, a trail runner and sport dietician based in Golden, Colorado. By winter I log around 15-20 miles a week while mixing in cross training on (fat and low-fat) skis. By the summer I benefit from everything that Colorado has to offer, log in 30-50 miles a week, the back view of the mountains and steep vert. For Ramblings about running, photos of my cross borders www.peaktopeaknutrition.com.

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