REASONS TO BUY
Robust traction
More affordable
Middle ground in the Salomon line
Plush
REASONS TO AVOID
Lacks breathability
One-pull lacing system isn't great
Salomon Thundercross - Women's Review
With its aggressive lugs and pillowy midsole, this trail shoe excels on tough terrain, offering exceptional grip and comfort for serious runs
For combined performance and comfort, the Thundercross is at the top of the heap.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
RELATED: Best Trail Running Shoes for Women
Our Verdict
Salomon makes seriously capable shoes for serious terrain and serious runners. The Thundercross is the hybrid design we've all been anticipating. Rugged and equipped with 4.1 mm lugs with edges in all directions, the Thundercross is also built with unending comfort in mind. The Energy Foam midsole is resilient, providing a comfortable crashpad for repetitive footfalls. While the Thundercross provides extreme protection, the SensiFit upper runs warm, which isn't always preferred on spicier days. Runners anticipating long distances on technical terrain will love the pillowy midsole and spiky lugs on the all-new Thundercross.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Salomon Thundercross - Women's | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  Best Overall Trail Running Shoe for Women |  Best Wide Toe Box Option |  Best Bang for Your Buck | Best for Rough Terrain | |
| Price | $97.96 at Backcountry Compare at 2 sellers | $185.00 at REI Compare at 2 sellers | $111.93 at REI Compare at 3 sellers | $140.00 at REI Compare at 3 sellers | $142.78 at Amazon Compare at 3 sellers |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | This shoe blends rugged performance with plush comfort, making it perfect for long runs on technical terrain or for days when you aren't sure where the trail will take you | Offering exceptional traction, comfort, and versatility, this shoe combines a nimble build with rugged protection, making it ideal for trail runners of all levels | Though not the most agile, this shoe shines in comfort, traction, and all-day trail durability | With a reliable build, lightened weight, and road-shoe fit, this shoe remains a go-to for trail runners who value consistency over flashy upgrades | If 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 Thundercros... | Hoka Mafate Speed 4... | Topo MTN Racer 3 -... | Saucony Peregrine 1... | La Sportiva Bushido... |
| Comfort and Fit (25%) | |||||
| Traction (20%) | |||||
| Stability (15%) | |||||
| Foot Protection (15%) | |||||
| Weight (15%) | |||||
| Sensitivity (10%) | |||||
| Specifications | Salomon Thundercros... | Hoka Mafate Speed 4... | Topo MTN Racer 3 -... | Saucony Peregrine 1... | La Sportiva Bushido... |
| Measured Heel Stack Height | 26 mm | 36 mm | 32 mm | 30 mm | 28 mm |
| Measured Heel-to-Toe Drop | 3 mm | 3 mm | 6 mm | 4 mm | 7 mm |
| Rock Plate | No | No | No | Yes | 1.5 mm dual-density compressed EVA rock-guard in forefoot |
| Measured Lug Depth | 4.1 mm | 5.3 mm | 4.3 mm | 5.6 mm | 3.8 mm |
| Measured Weight | 8.04 oz | 7.96 oz | 7.80 oz | 7.80 oz | 9.11 oz |
| Upper | Anti-debris mesh | Jacquard mesh | Mesh | Mesh | Air mesh / thermal adhesive microfiber / high frequency welded ripstop overlays |
| Midsole | EnergyFOAM | ProFly+ | ZipFoam | PWRRUN foam | 4 mm LaSpEVA / Compression Molded MEMlex |
| Outsole | All Terrain Contagrip rubber | Vibram Megagrip with Litebase | Vibram | PWRTRAC | Bi-Compound FriXion XT 2.0 V-Groove3 |
| Sizes Available | 5 - 11 US regular | 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 | 5 mm | 4 mm | 5 mm | 4 mm | 6 mm |
Our Analysis and Test Results
Unlike many Salomon models that feel overbuilt and too technical for everyday running, the Thundercross offers versatility for most occasions. While its lugs and shape feel a bit too serious for road runs, its 4.1 mm lugs, grippy outsole, and agility-focused shape make it a mountain running superstar.
Versatile and budget-friendly, the comfort and performance of the Thundercross make it an awesome overall trail shoe.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
Comfort and Fit
Since we have so many kind, positive things to say about the Thundercross, I'll start with the negative. I am definitively not enamored with Salomon's signature one-pull lacing system. Time and time again, I find that the lace pocket lacks functionality for stashing the floppy lace ends. The extra cushioning on this shoe seems to prevent the lacing system from getting gunked up as readily as others, but better technology exists, and I wish Salomon would include it in their mountain-ready shoes.
Now, let's talk about the highlights. The Thundercross manages to combine the capabilities of a rugged trail shoe with a remarkable level of comfort, making it stand out as a comfortable powerhouse. Its EnergyFoam midsole is a game-changer, delivering a resilient, springy bounce that feels both dynamic and enjoyable, which is a rarity among ultra-capable trail shoes — a rarity we deeply appreciate. The comfort doesn't stop there. The plush tongue enhances the upper experience, providing a soft, secure feel without adding unnecessary bulk or compromising the shoe's overall performance. This careful balance between rugged functionality and cushioned comfort makes the Thundercross a versatile choice for trail runners seeking both durability and an enjoyable ride.
Even though we aren't delighted by the one-pull lacing system, the plush tongue and stretchy gussets help make the Thundercross's upper one to love.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
Traction
Standing at 4.1 mm tall, the lugs are slightly above average in height but excel in their thoughtful design. Sharp edges point in every direction, ensuring reliable grip and total confidence on diverse terrain. The varied pattern works seamlessly with their depth to provide exceptional traction, while the overall construction promotes a responsive and agile running experience. The lugs are a bit too tall to comfortably cross over into road running territory, so we recommend using the Thundercross exclusively on trails.
The Thundercross has an outsole that is readily equipped for rugged terrain, but it doesn't mind taking it easy on more mellow trails.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
Stability
Many of Salomon's rugged trail shoes tend to ride high, leading to a somewhat unstable feel. However, the Thundercross, with its plush 26 mm stack, offers a refreshing change. While not specifically a stability shoe, its ample cushioning and thick sidewalls deliver more support than anticipated. The Thundercross strikes a balance that will appeal to most neutral runners, combining agility and capability with a nimble, streamlined fit. Its lower-to-the-ground profile and supportive sidewalls inspire confidence on the trails, blending stability with a responsive feel.
Runners who want stability with a protective and comfortable ride will love the combination of features offered by the Thundercross.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Foot Protection
The Thundercross is purpose-built for mountain running and offers a simplified design without a dedicated rock plate, relying instead on its 26 mm stack height for a balanced blend of protection and ground feel. Its undercarriage isn't the most protective we've seen, but it gets the job done without weighing you down. The midsole is forgiving, though Salomon makes a few other options with more dedicated rigidity in their soles. The moderate stack of the Thundercross is paired with a thick, rubbery toe cap. This is one of the hallmark features of alpine-ready shoes. You're about to kick granite? They are ready to save you. The rubbery countenance of the Thundercross carries on across the shoe, providing ample water protection. This feature is highly protective when it comes to wet external elements, but it causes the shoe to run a bit hot when the temperatures soar.
The balance of protection and comfort is pretty prime, though the upper does run a bit warm.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
Weight
We often see the most well-equipped shoes weighing in at the higher end of the spectrum, and the Thundercross is no different. The “spectrum,” though, is skewing lower and lower with each passing season. At 8.04 ounces per women's size 6.5 shoe, the Thundercross isn't heavy, but it also isn't the lightest. It offers a great weight-to-protection ratio despite it being on the slightly heavier side. Runners who want comfort, protection, and traction won't mind toting the extra ounces of the Thundercross.
Not the lightest and not the heaviest, the Thundercross balances weight and functionality near-perfectly.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Sensitivity
Ultra-rugged shoes often struggle in this area, and while the Thundercross isn't the least sensitive trail running shoe I've tested, it's far from the most responsive. With a generous layer of EnergyFoam in the midsole paired with a Terrain Contagrip rubber outsole, much of the trail's texture is muted. While it offers slightly more trail feel than some of Salomon's burlier models, its focus on comfort comes at the expense of sensitivity. For runners who prioritize a plush, rugged shoe over a precise ground feel, the Thundercross is a well-equipped and satisfying option.
Runners seeking an ultra-sensitive ride won't like what the Thundercross offers, but it offers just enough to allow your body to adapt to the trail features as you perceive them.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Should You Buy the Salomon Thundercross?
When it comes to a plush and well-equipped shoe, the Thundercross is on our short list of recommendations. Runners who want to tackle mountainous terrain in relative comfort will love the ride the Thundercross provides. An added bonus is that this shoe is affordable. While affordability is relative, the Thundercross is on the lower end of the price spectrum, making it an accessible and rugged choice. When we look critically at the value, comfort, and functionality of this shoe, it leaves very little for us not to recommend.
The Thundercross offers a little bit of everything for a great price, making it a shoe that we are happy to recommend to most trail runners.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
What Other Trail Running Shoes Should You Consider?
The Salomon Speedcross 6 is another mountain-equipped shoe, though it stands above the Thundercross in terms of capability, with 6.0 mm lugs and an even denser upper. The Thundercross offers more comfort and cushion in comparison. The Saucony Peregrine 15 delivers strong comfort but with a more traditional road shoe shape. Finally, the Hoka Mafate Speed 4 is another nimble running shoe, though its fit is completely different. With a lower ground feel and a bit more outsole flexibility, the Mafate feels like a stripped-back version of an alpine-ready shoe.
—Ally Arcuri
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