Being a huge fan of the Salomon Speedcross 2, I was hugely excited for the updated Speedcross 3, especially since Salomon has reduced the heel to toe drop in the SC3. Upon doing research for the SC3 I stumbled upon an intriguing new shoe being built by Salomon. Enter the Fellcross. Similar in design to the super successful Speedcross, the Fellcross builds upon a very similar platform. The Fellcross is advertised to be built for fell racing, a type of trail running popular across the pond that from what I understand consists of lots of mud, as well as steep ups and downs.
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| Awesome traction from this heavily lugged outsole |
What really caught my eye about the Fellcross was the 6mm heel-toe drop advertised by Salomon and confirmed by runningwarehouse.com. This shoe seems to maintain the solid build that Salomon shoes are known for, yet still carries very little weight (10.2oz). It feels super durable, and while the lugged outsole is similar in appearance to the Speedcross, it seems to be made from a firmer rubber that seems to wear more slowly than the Speedcross. To be honest, I only got these shoes yesterday, but I am already very impressed. After signing up for Oil Creek this week I decided that I needed a more protective, cushioned shoe to use in a rugged 100 mile trail race, I still love my mt101s, but after getting knocked around a bit on some rocky descents last weekend I decided I wanted a little more shoe for rugged terrain.
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| I can't fold my Speedcross2 like this! |
Yesterday I took the Fellcross to my local training grounds and ran 15 miles while jumping on top of roots I usually avoid and trying to find sharp rocks to step on. A little masochistic I know, but I wanted to test the protective nature of these shoes. I did the same 15 mile loop today and was again very impressed with the amount of protection afforded by the Fellcross. They handled everything I could throw at them, but I will take them to the Potawatomi for the true test. I hope to update this review once that is complete. I can already tell this shoe EXCELS at providing excellent traction in sand as well steep climbs on rocky trail.
*** I have put in just over 100 miles in the Fellcross now and I am still very happy with my purchase. Longest run so far has been 27 miles and I never felt irritated. I have even taken them climbing on the treadmill! Much more comfy ride on the treadmill compared to the speedcross 2. Only new complaint is that they quicklace system must be tucked tightly behind the tongue as the tongue is much more compact than the speedcross***
Compared to the Speedcross 2 the Fellcross is much much more flexible, and importantly for my gait, allows a much cleaner forefoot/midfoot landing to promote a quick cadence.
This is the shoe that the Speedcross 2 should have been. Even with the low heel to toe drop these shoes still bomb downhills like the Speedcross 2, but due to the firmer rubber lugs, dont have quite the amount of cushion. I think they might run a little large, but I am comfy with a small amount of room to spare in my normal size 10.5.
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| Crease forms that can rub the arch the wrong way. |
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My only complaints about this shoe is that if the Salomon quicklace system is pulled too tightly a crease develops between the midfoot overlays that caused me to blister slightly, this was remedied after loosening the shoes a little. I always quicklace my Salomon shoes too tight :). The biggest downside to the shoe is the pricetag. Being in Salomon's S-LAB series, this shoe retails at 160$$$$. I picked my pair up for 115$ using the runblogger discount from runningwarehouse. I guess in the shoe business you can pick any 2 of the 3. Light, Comfortable, and Cheap. The Fellcross gets the first two!
***** My Fellcrosses lasted all summer and all fall. In total I think I put around 1200 miles on them. The upper and outsole are still in great shape. I did notice that the midsole became a little bit softer over the miles and the lack of a rockplate began to be noticed. Sadly, after a supremely muddy woodstock 50 mile in them, one of the "eyelets" where the quicklace system pulls through began to tear which was followed by fraying in the quicklace kevler. Suffice to say, these shoes are about done. I have since duct taped them to me feet on days that I really want a mud specific shoe, which certainly works. *****
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| Torn quicklace |
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| Well over 1000 miles on this pair |
