Earlier this year Salming Running released their first Trail shoe, also called T1. After Boston Marathon I have spent more time on the rocky trails of northern NJ, mostly parts of the Appalachian Trail that runs a few miles from my backyard. I have also raced in the Salming Trail. Men's version comes in a Swedish blue/yellow and the womens in purple/yellow. I'm a Salming Ambassador and received the shoes as part of my ambassadorship.
Upper
Salming carry over the EXO Skeleton technology to most of their shoes. So also the T1. Combined with nylon mesh, the foot is really locked down. I have not experienced any kind of side movement. The shoe is also wrapped in something that Salming calls the "RocShield". This also helps to keep the foot in place and serve as protection for you feet. With the rocky parts of NJ, I'm pleased to see this protection and it has protected my feet well against sharp rocks. If you have run the NJ part of Appalachian Trail, you know your feet are going to get beat up. The main material is a breathable nylon. I thought this would be a problem, in humid hot weather but so far it has been breathing enough for my feet and keeping debris out.
Pros: Foot is really secured and locked down. Upper protect your feet against debris and sharp rocks really well.
Cons:With the EXO Skeleton and the RocShield their is not much stretch in the upper. If you run a longer race and your feet starts swell, your feet don't have much room to expand.
Midsole
T1 carries over the same midsole compound as the rest of Salming shoe line up, "RunLite", also the same drop 5mm. At first I thought the ride felt very stiff but the midsole has "loosen up" and offers a great smooth ride over the trails. T1 does not offer a rock plate for protection. As mentioned above the trails of nothern NJ is very rocky. So far my feet has been protected enough from the thickness and firmness of "RunLite". Their is nothing else going in the midsole, no medial post or transition zone. With no rockplate and a smooth feel, T1 would also be able to handle roads well, or serve as your "winter shoe".
Pros: "Runlite" gives a great feel for the trails and offer enough protection for my feet without getting beaten up. Very versatile can handle roads as well as very technical trails.
Cons: Some trail runners will look for the rockplate. It could be a great addition to the shoe, but will most likley take away the great feel the shoe has over the trails.
Outsole
A light weight rubber serve as the material for the lugs. The rubber offers a great grip and the lugs a spread out in way so mud or debris does not stick to your outsole. The grip has been great over the rocky trails here in NJ and over really steep inclines. The sides lugs of the outsole is a bit "sharp" at timews, the lugs can feel a bit to aggressive on rocky and very technical trails.
Pros: Great grip and drainage. No worries over wet rocks.
Cons: Outer lugs can feel a bit aggressive on technical trails, at times they bite the trails and rocks to good.
Overall
I have really enjoyed the Salming Trail T1. It gives you the same feeling as the rest of Salming shoe line up. The feel is a responsive and firm ride and low to the ground feel. I have been throwing really tough trail runs on these shoes, rocky and technical trails. For my feet the Salming Trail has been protective enough due to the "Runlite" midsole, sure you can feel the trail and that something I enjoy. I dont want my feet to be overprotected and the shoe to be built as a tank. Salming Trail is a great shoe that can handle really tough trails and a good enough for some road mileage.
Other Reviews:
http://runblogger.com/2015/06/salming-t1-review-a-nice-trailmountain-hybrid-shoe.html
http://gunksrunner.blogspot.com/2015/04/shoe-review-salming-trail-t1.html
