Saloman Sonic 3 Balance Shoe Review
The Saloman Sonic 3 Balance is the first Saloman shoe I’ve ever tried. I knew Saloman made great trail shoes, but until now, I hadn’t tried any Saloman running shoe. The Saloman Sonic 3 Balance came out in February of 2020, so I decided to give it a whirl. It’s a relatively light but energetic trainer.
Salomon has several road shoes, including the Salomon Sonic Balance, Sonic Confidence, and Sonic Accelerate. Salomon is the name followed by Sonic, followed by the shoe model.
Salomon uses more technical terms than any other brand out there. Maybe all of the rest of the running industry combined.
Saloman Sonic 3 Balance Quick Facts:
Saloman Sonic 3 Balance Heel to Toe Drop: 8 mm drop
Weight: 9.8 oz
Saloman Sonic 3 Balance Fit:
The Saloman Sonic 3 Balance fit is true to size. Since it was my first experience even trying a Saloman shoe on, I wasn’t sure what to expect. Typically I wear between a women size 10-11 wide and the Saloman Sonic 3 Balance size 10.5 fit well.
Like most brands, Saloman uses an engineered mesh upper, which improves breathability and durability.
Unlike other brands, Salomon uses a lightweight “SensiFit upper,” which are laminated in the same color melted into the inside of the shoe. I don’t know if I have seen that in any running shoe. The SensiFit cradles and the foot and is effective in locking in the midfoot. I was surprised and assumed it was some sort of gimic.
Inside of the Saloman Sonic 3 Balance is the “Endofit bootie,” which just secures the foot. The Endotfit Bootie and Sensifit mold to the foot over time to create a customized fit. Even though I’ve only run about 50 miles in the Saloman Sonic 3 Balance, I’ve noticed it beginning to mold to my foot. I’m impressed with the overall fit of the Saloman Sonic 3 Balance.
Finally, according to Salomon, the molded ortholite insole provides superior cushioning. While I didn’t notice a huge difference, the insole is cushioned.
In all, the Saloman Sonic 3 Balance fit is one of the better shoes I’ve tried in the last year. I didn’t have any rubbing and it felt good right out of the box.
Saloman Sonic 3 Balance Ride:
The Saloman Sonic 3 Balance ride is different from any other running shoe I’ve tried. It also gets slightly confusing because there are so many different technical terms that come along with the Salaman Sonic 3 Balance name.
What is the Saloman Sonic 3 Balance made up of? First is the “OptiVibe System.” which is a combination of ” JPAD memory foam” and the “Infuse Olefin white midsole,.” Well, doesn’t that sound scientific?
Basically, all of that technology in the OptiVibe System allows the Saloman Sonic 3 Balance to absorb impact, while also being responsive and slightly stable. This also helps reduce vibration on foot strike to decrease muscle fatigue without affecting your overall ride.
So why “Saloman Sonic 3 Balance”? What makes it “balanced”? According to Salomon, the Geometric Decoupling axis is centered to deliver balanced but effortless propulsion forward to optimize your road running.
The Saloman Sonic 3 Balance feels responsive and bouncy from the get-go. If you’ve run in adidas or Saucony, the Saloman Sonic 3 Balance will feel similar. I’ve also found that even if I run at a slightly faster pace, the energy return is higher, I feel better.
Initially, I figured the Saloman Sonic 3 Balance would make a great easy run or daily run trainer. Still, the Saloman Sonic 3 Balance responds well to faster runs and faster foot strike. Eventually, I can see it used as a tempo or long term, fast-paced shoe. In the heel counter, the JPAD viscous memory foam insert. This allows the Saloman Sonic 3 Balance to take impact and feel soft while also feel responsive.
The traction of the Saloman Sonic 3 Balance is good. I’ve run a few times in the rain and had no issues with slipping and sliding. According to Saloman, they use “Contagrip” for maximum traction. The forefoot rubber is softer than the heel rubber. It would make sense a brand that started in trail running would have a good grip for their road running shoes as well.
Saloman Sonic 3 Balance Conclusion:
I’m pleasantly surprised by the Saloman Sonic 3 Balance. I intended to try the Saloman Sonic 3 Balance because I haven’t tried a Salomon running shoe before, but it responds well on the roads. It will fit nicely into a faster pace, long run, or tempo shoe when my body makes it to that. For now, it’s a great daily trainer shoe. I don’t have any complaints, and I believe the fit of the Saloman Sonic 3 Balance is one of the best fits I’ve seen for a while in running shoes.
Current Rotation:
Easy/Daily Runs: Saloman Sonic 3 Balance, Hoka One One Elevon 2, Brooks Glycerin 18, Mizuno Rider Waveknit 3, Nike Vomero 14, New Balance 1080 v10, Diadora Mythos Blushield Blushield Hip 5, Asics Cumulus 21
Speed Work: New Balance FuelCell Rebel, Reebok Float Ride Run fast Pro, Nike Pegasus Turbo 2
Long Runs: Brooks Ricochet 2 Shoe Review, New Balance FuelCell Rebel, Altra Escalante 2.0, Hoka Cavu 2
Races: New Balance Fuelcell 5280, Nike Next%, Reebok Run fast Pro
You Can See All Current Shoe Reviews Here.
Looking to learn more about running shoes? In my ebook I talk about why you need a good running shoe, the anatomy of a shoe, neutral vs stable, and even myths of running shoes.
Questions for you:
Have you tried the Saloman Sonic 3 Balance?
What’s your favorite running shoe?