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Salomon Speedcross 6 - Women's Review

With an aggressive outsole and exceptional protective features, this trail running shoe is a great choice for the sloppiest terrain
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Salomon Speedcross 6 - Women's Review (The Speedcross 6 is built to keep out everything you run through and keep your feet floating easily over uneven terrain.)
The Speedcross 6 is built to keep out everything you run through and keep your feet floating easily over uneven terrain.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
Price:  $145 List
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Manufacturer:   Salomon
By Ally Arcuri ⋅ Review Editor  ⋅  Apr 23, 2025
67
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#24 of 33
  • Comfort and Fit - 25% 5.5
  • Traction - 20% 9.0
  • Stability - 15% 5.0
  • Foot Protection - 15% 9.0
  • Weight - 15% 5.0
  • Sensitivity - 10% 7.0
Length Sizing
Runs Small
Runs Large
Width Sizing
Runs Narrow
Runs Wide

Our Verdict

The Salomon Speedcross 6 is a shoe with a reputation for being a beast on the trail. With thick, well-spaced lugs and plenty of protection, this version of the Speedcross is a shoe for runners looking to sink their feet into sloppy trails. The grippy ContraGrip outsole bites down into the earth for confidence and security. The cushioning around the upper makes it comfortable for those it fits, and its relatively light weight feels easy and breezy on the trails. If you want a semi-narrow shoe that can help you leave the competition in the soggy dust, this is the one for you. To see how it stacks up versus the competition, check out our review of women's trail running shoes.
REASONS TO BUY
Amazing traction
Very protective
Durable outsole
Specific fit
REASONS TO AVOID
High heel feels less stable
Narrow fit won't suit everyone
Lugs wear down on pavement

Compare to Similar Products

 
Awards  Editors' Choice Award
Best Overall Trail Running Shoe for Women
Top Pick Award
Best Wide Toe Box Option
Best Buy Award
Best Bang for Your Buck
Top Pick Award
Best for Rough Terrain
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Bottom Line This is the shoe you want if you need something rugged to tackle slippery, muddy, and otherwise messy trailsOffering exceptional traction, comfort, and versatility, this shoe combines a nimble build with rugged protection, making it ideal for trail runners of all levelsThough not the most agile, this shoe shines in comfort, traction, and all-day trail durabilityWith a reliable build, lightened weight, and road-shoe fit, this shoe remains a go-to for trail runners who value consistency over flashy upgradesIf a well-tractioned powerhouse of a shoe is what you're after, this 7mm-drop, stacked-with-tech shoe is the one for you
Rating Categories Salomon Speedcross... Hoka Mafate Speed 4... Topo MTN Racer 3 -... Saucony Peregrine 1... La Sportiva Bushido...
Comfort and Fit (25%)
5.5
9.0
9.0
8.0
7.0
Traction (20%)
9.0
8.5
8.0
8.0
9.0
Stability (15%)
5.0
8.0
7.0
7.0
8.0
Foot Protection (15%)
9.0
7.5
7.0
8.0
8.5
Weight (15%)
5.0
6.5
6.4
6.4
3.5
Sensitivity (10%)
7.0
8.0
6.5
6.5
9.0
Specifications Salomon Speedcross... Hoka Mafate Speed 4... Topo MTN Racer 3 -... Saucony Peregrine 1... La Sportiva Bushido...
Measured Heel Stack Height 33 mm 36 mm 32 mm 30 mm 28 mm
Measured Heel-to-Toe Drop 13 mm 3 mm 6 mm 4 mm 7 mm
Rock Plate Not disclosed No No Yes 1.5 mm dual-density compressed EVA rock-guard in forefoot
Measured Lug Depth 6.0 mm 5.3 mm 4.3 mm 5.6 mm 3.8 mm
Measured Weight 8.54 oz 7.96 oz 7.80 oz 7.80 oz 9.11 oz
Upper Textile/synthetic Jacquard mesh Mesh Mesh Air mesh / thermal adhesive microfiber / high frequency welded ripstop overlays
Midsole Energy Cell+ ProFly+ ZipFoam PWRRUN foam 4 mm LaSpEVA / Compression Molded MEMlex
Outsole Salomon Mud Contagrip Vibram Megagrip with Litebase Vibram PWRTRAC Bi-Compound FriXion XT 2.0 V-Groove3
Sizes Available 5 - 11 US
regular and wide
5 - 11 US 6 - 12 US 5 - 12 US regular, wide, GTX 5.5 - 11 US regular, wide
Heel Tab Type None Finger loop Extended heel pull Finger loop Finger loop
Claimed Heel-to-Toe Drop 10 mm 4 mm 5 mm 4 mm 6 mm

Our Analysis and Test Results

With a more comfortable, redesigned upper, the improved Salomon Speedcross 6 is a shoe we love for mountain running. It has grippy lugs that extend up to the toe cap and a heel cup that is plush and narrow. Featuring a one-pull lacing system and a measured heel-to-toe drop of 13 mm, the Speedcross 6 is one of the most rugged shoes in our lineup.

salomon speedcross 6 for women - even on softer terrain, the speedcross 6 is one of the best because...
Even on softer terrain, the Speedcross 6 is one of the best because of its incredible ability to shed mud and soft, wet sand.
Credit: Ally Arcuri

Comfort and Fit


The Speedcross 6 didn't earn the highest marks for this category because it is not for everyone. Runners whose feet fit comfortably in this shoe will adore its snug sensation, but the fit is certainly not universal.

Even more so than on previous versions, the Speedcross 6 feels narrow and has a narrow midfoot. I have average-width feet and found it fantastic amid sloppy terrain. We hesitate to recommend the Speedcross to runners who have wide feet or who just prefer a bit more space to let their feet squirm. Despite its narrower-than-average midfoot, the toe box provides adequate space for toes to splay, flex, and adjust while running.

salomon speedcross 6 for women - if you have a narrow foot and love to run technical trails (unlike...
If you have a narrow foot and love to run technical trails (unlike the trail pictured), the Speedcross might be a shoe that works for you.
Credit: Ally Arcuri

The plush tongue and heel collar are wonderfully comfortable. I love that Salomon kept some cushion and didn't strip down these comfortable and protective elements in this version. The Speedcross features a Quicklace, one-pull lace system, which has historically been a style we criticize. To be clear, I still don't love it, but the well-cushioned tongue prevents the thin laces from digging into the top of your foot. The lace pocket has been redesigned, but it still is not particularly functional. The back of the padded heel collar rises a bit high on the Achilles and might not suit the anatomies of all runners' ankles, but I love how the collar dips down to accommodate protruding ankle bones.

salomon speedcross 6 for women - once you secure your laces, it is nearly impossible to tuck the...
Once you secure your laces, it is nearly impossible to tuck the excess into the lace pocket. We keep hoping for Salomon to redesign this feature.
Credit: Ally Arcuri

My main gripe with the Speedcross 6 is that it doesn't breathe. This is not surprising considering how well the upper deflects sand and fine particles. I never had any serious troubles with our feet heating up, but I also did most testing in the early mornings and late evenings in coastal California. This will be my go-to winter trail running shoe because of its capabilities, but I would have to pause before recommending the Speedcross to runners who reside in steamier climates.

salomon speedcross 6 for women - the lack of breathability in the speedcross is one of the reasons...
The lack of breathability in the Speedcross is one of the reasons why it is so good at deflecting debris.
Credit: Ally Arcuri

Traction


The Speedcross 6 shines when it comes to traction, which is obvious at first glance. The aggressive lugs make the shoe look like a baby crampon, and while we won't be climbing any icy faces in these shoes any time soon, the traction they provide in most instances is next level.

The ContraGrip rubber and bi-directional lug pattern make for a shoe that bites into the trail, even when the trail feels soft underfoot. The lugs are pretty widely spaced, which seems to provide a better grip than some shoes that feature a more crowded lug pattern.

The main downfall in this arena is that the lugs on the Speedcross wear down pretty quickly when running on paved surfaces. I would never recommend this trail shoe as a crossover shoe anyway, but it is a bummer to see a rugged running shoe losing steam after running a few miles to the trailhead through the neighborhood.

salomon speedcross 6 for women - the burly three-pointed lugs grip in all directions to ensure that...
The burly three-pointed lugs grip in all directions to ensure that your feet stay where you place them.
Credit: Ally Arcuri

Stability


With recent updates, the Speedcross has become noticeably more stable. The forefoot is a bit more spacious, with a slightly larger landing platform. The heel cup cradles the ankle in such a way as to keep it from slipping or sliding around, even if that is what you are doing across a snowfield.

The stability of the Speedcross 6 is good, but not great. It is better than it used to be, but we hesitate to recommend this trail runner to anyone with a history of ankle-rolling injuries. The 13 mm drop makes it less stable than a shoe with a lower heel-to-toe differential and a slightly wider support base. The side walls are high and inflexible, which helps aid in this stability. I definitely noticed a difference running in these shoes when compared to some of our more stable choices, but I also found that the benefits of the Speedcross far outweighed its average stability. But take that statement with a grain of salt since I never once rolled an ankle while testing this shoe.

salomon speedcross 6 for women - the narrow-ish shoe body and high heel height initially feel a bit...
The narrow-ish shoe body and high heel height initially feel a bit strange. But once your body adjusts, the Speedcross is far more stable than it looks.
Credit: Ally Arcuri

Foot Protection


The Speedcross 6 has a firm toe bumper, one of the more notable protective features I look for in a trail running shoe. The bumper even has a few sticky lugs on the underside, which adds extra protection and helps give this shoe its rugged appearance.

The Speedcross 6 is advertised as a 10 mm drop shoe; however, when we measured this aspect, we got 13 mm. When assessing the protective prowess of a trail running shoe, we often consider how plush the midsole is since this is a major line of defense when it comes to protecting the soles of your feet. The heel stack height of this shoe sits at 33 mm, which is quite high, with the toe measuring in at 20 mm — significantly lower. It is worth noting that Salomon claims the stack height is 32 mm at the heel and 22 mm at the toe. However, these measurements aren't standardized across the industry, which may explain why our standard in-house findings differ.

salomon speedcross 6 for women - one of our favorite ways to test for a sand-deflecting upper is to...
One of our favorite ways to test for a sand-deflecting upper is to hit the beach and see how much we accumulate in our shoes during the course of our run. The Speedcross 6 left us with nearly clean feet, even after 6 sandy miles.
Credit: Ally Arcuri

If you are a heel striker, you will love the plush heel of the Speedcross. If you are a midfoot striker, you will likely notice that the more flexible design provides far less protection from sharp rocks than many cushier trail runners. Much like its predecessor, this version of the Speedcross has a welded overlay bumper that runs the width of the shoe. I love this for the protection it provides, not just from wet terrain but also from rogue sticks, thorns, and anything else you might encounter at ground level on the trail.

salomon speedcross 6 for women - though the extra stack height in the heel feels a little strange at...
Though the extra stack height in the heel feels a little strange at first, it is well worth getting used to if messy runs are in your future.
Credit: Ally Arcuri

Because of how tight the upper weaving is, I never had any trouble with sand getting in through the exterior of this shoe. The synthetic material is designed to keep sand and particulate matter out, and its performance shows this. When we purposefully tried to kick sand up into the heel of the shoe, we succeeded — but only barely. Because the heel cup is snug and well-padded, there isn't a ton of space for sand to infiltrate in that location.

salomon speedcross 6 for women - the toe cap lugs and tough rubber make the front edge of the...
The toe cap lugs and tough rubber make the front edge of the Speedcross 6 super protective.
Credit: Ally Arcuri

The Speedcross 6 does a great job of deflecting the elements when needed, but it certainly isn't waterproof. This trail running shoe is a showstopper for wet, sloppy weather, so as you can imagine, my feet got wet while we tested. If a muddy run with some raindrops is in your future, you can count on the Speedcross to keep you upright and dry. Though expected because of its textile, I was pretty stoked about how quickly the upper nylon mesh dried after getting saturated.

salomon speedcross 6 for women - out in the field testing the water-resistance of the speedcross 6.
Out in the field testing the water-resistance of the Speedcross 6.
Credit: Ally Arcuri

Weight


The Speedcross 6 weighs in slightly better than the average trail shoe, but not by much. Each women's size 6.5 shoe is 8.54 ounces, which is about what we would expect from a trail running shoe.

The kicker with the Speedcross is that it is so well-featured that of course it weighs more. Just looking at the lugs and ankle padding gives you an idea about why this shoe weighs more. That said, the weight is well-distributed, which makes it feel lighter while running. If you want an ultralight shoe, this might not be it. But if you want a shoe that can handle the grittiest of trail adventures, make peace with the extra ounce and utilize all that the Speedcross has to offer.

salomon speedcross 6 for women - from technical terrain down to sandy, coastal bluffs, the speedcross...
From technical terrain down to sandy, coastal bluffs, the Speedcross 6 is a shoe that shines.
Credit: Ally Arcuri

Sensitivity


Much like prior versions, the Speedcross 6 is somewhat of an anomaly. It provides a tall heel stack that dampens the sensation of whatever is underfoot, but since it has a 13 mm heel-to-toe drop, the forefoot side of the shoe is surprisingly sensitive. The Speedcross offers plenty of sensitivity and magically combines this with comfort and protection. When it comes to trail shoes, this is not the most likely combination since so many focus on one element or the other.

The Speedcross won't be the shoe you reach for if you want to get super intimate with the trail beneath your feet. But if you want a shoe that provides enough information to keep your body adjusting on a dime, this is an excellent shoe. The Speedcross didn't earn the highest sensitivity marks due to its well-cushioned heel, but if you like an ultra well-tractioned shoe with some sensitivity, you have met your match.

salomon speedcross 6 for women - while not the most sensitive trail running shoe on the market, the...
While not the most sensitive trail running shoe on the market, the Speedcross strikes a great balance between ample protection and ground-feel.
Credit: Ally Arcuri

Should You Buy the Salomon Speedcross 6?


The Speedcross 6 is a reliable steed that shows up to work. It is a fantastic shoe if your runs are littered with scree, snow, puddles, and steep, unending climbs. If you are a new trail runner seeking a shoe to suit your needs, this one might be too much. And if your runs occasionally take you down warm, paved paths, we recommend steering clear of the Speedcross. But if dirty mountainous terrain is your jam, this is a shoe to seriously consider.

salomon speedcross 6 for women - sadie is wondering when she'll get to join for a muddy, rainy trail...
Sadie is wondering when she'll get to join for a muddy, rainy trail run.
Credit: Ally Arcuri

What Other Trail Running Shoes Should You Consider?


The Salomon Thundercross is a dialed-back version of the Speedcross. With a bit more cushion and slightly less intense lugs, the Thundercross is better for a wider variety of situations. If you want a shoe that can crossover to roads, even occasionally, we recommend looking at the Hoka Challenger 7. The Challenger provides a better cushion and has lugs that don't wear down quite as readily. If you want a shoe that offers the sensitivity of the front half of the Speedcross but with a less aggressive heel-to-toe differential, the 7-mm-drop La Sportiva Bushido III is the way to go.

Ally Arcuri