I’ve been super curious about the Salomon S/Lab Phantasm 2. We know Salomon has been a powerhouse on the trails, but the road scene? That’s been a slower climb. But over the last few years, Salomon has produced a lot of awesome road shoes that leave me wanting to try more. Plus the most requested brand to review is almost always Salomon.
Now with the Salomon S/Lab Phantasm 2, the brand finally enters the true super shoe chat. It features a bouncy PEBAX midsole, a full carbon plate, and a higher stack with a rare 9mm drop.
Before trying the Salomon S/Lab Phantasm 2, I had a few questions:
- Is the Salomon S/Lab Phantasm 2 good? Yes. It is definitely Salomon’s fastest shoe for the roads yet.
- Does the Salomon S/Lab Phantasm 2 fit true to size? Most runners will find that it fits a half size long…which is probably fine but will cause problems for the marathon.
- Is the Salomon S/Lab Phantasm 2 fast? Yes, as mentioned it’s Salomon’s fastest shoe for the roads yet. I have been really happy with it.
Now let’s get into an honest shoe review of the Salomon S/Lab Phantasm 2.
Quick Facts
- Price: $250
- Weight: 7.7 oz (unisex)
- Stack Height: 37.5 mm heel / 28.5 mm forefoot
- Drop: 9 mm
Salomon S/Lab Phantasm 2 Upper and Fit
Right off the bat, the S/Lab Phantasm 2 runs a half-size long. If you’re racing a 5K or 10K, size down. If you’re heading into marathon territory and know your feet swell, true to size will likely work. For me, I like the extra space, and honestly, it’s rare that a shoe fits this way. I’ve stayed within my regular shoe size.
The upper is made from a lightweight, breathable mesh that’s more forgiving than it looks, but it’s not plush. Think racing flat vibes with minimal structure. Salomon made a choice to reduce the weight of the shoe, and a lot of that comes from the upper. It’s breathable, which is a huge concern for me in the Mojave Desert summer.
The gusseted tongue is super thin but stays put, and the heel collar is cushioned without being bulky. There’s no stiff heel counter, which is great if you’re sensitive to that kind of structure. The best running shoes disappear off your feet, and I haven’t had any issues with the Salomon S/Lab Phantasm 2 since I figured out sizing.
In running shoes, I wear between a women’s size 10–11 wide, and the 10.5 fits the best. If I was only using these for short races, I may even go into a size 10, but since I’ve done a good amount of long runs, my feet do appreciate the extra space.
Salomon S/Lab Phantasm 2 Ride
This midsole is where the magic happens, and this is where the Phantasm 2 shines. Salomon uses a PEBAX-based Energy Foam+, and it’s the real deal. There’s a massive difference between this and their older midsoles. I never felt “fast” in previous Salomon shoes but I do in the Salomon S/Lab Phantasm 2. At slower paces, it’s tame and stable enough to warm up in. It doesn’t feel clunky like some carbon plated models do. But once you start moving? It bounces. When you are getting into faster paces, it feels fast.
It responds best to long, sustained efforts…think tempo runs, half marathons, and up. Shorter intervals, like 400s, don’t showcase the foam as well. I found it easier to feel the rhythm at moderate to fast paces, not sprint efforts. The plate adds stiffness in the right spots, and combined with the high stack, you get a very noticeable forward roll when you’re cruising.
Despite the listed 9mm drop, it doesn’t feel that steep. I was kind of concerned about that because I’ve had high hamstring issues from other carbon plated models with a big stack height. The foam compresses enough that it’s closer to 6–7mm in practice, which makes heel-to-toe transitions feel smooth.
Where does the Salomon S/Lab Phantasm 2 fit into my rotation? Like any carbon-plated shoe, it’s made for fast runs, and I don’t really use it for easy runs. In fact, I really think the Salomon S/Lab Phantasm 2 shines for long tempo efforts and marathon-paced work over 400s or track workouts. There are just better shoes for shorter distances.
My first run in the Salomon S/Lab Phantasm 2 felt awesome. I felt like I was easily running faster with no extra work. Since then, I’ve done some fun workouts and felt amazing. Each run has felt great, and I really feel Salomon did an excellent job with this one. In fact, I’m asking myself: why didn’t I try the Salomon S/Lab Phantasm 2 sooner?
Outsole
The outsole uses strategically placed rubber with some exposed foam. It’s not made for technical terrain or slick corners, but it holds up well on roads and groomed paths. I’ve taken the Salomon S/Lab Phantasm 2 out for some workouts on the easy trails with n issues. It’s clear Salomon started as a trail shoe brand because the traction on their carbon-plated shoe is awesome. I wouldn’t be worried to run in rainy conditions or inclement weather.
Like any carbon-plated shoe, I expect the Salomon S/Lab Phantasm 2 to last around 100 miles. So far, I’ve put about 50 miles on it and haven’t had any issues.
Salomon S/Lab Phantasm 2 Conclusion
Salomon has finally made a true road racing shoe that can go toe-to-toe with the big players. The S/Lab Phantasm 2 has the foam, the plate, the stack, and the speed. I’m really impressed with it and it’s one of my more favorite shoes of the year.
Who Should Buy the Salomon S/Lab Phantasm 2
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Runners with neutral mechanics who don’t need extra stability
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Athletes looking for a bouncy super shoe for tempo runs, races, or long intervals
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Those who prefer a higher drop (9mm) in a plated shoe
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Road racers who want a firm, responsive ride at faster paces
Who Should Not Buy the Salomon S/Lab Phantasm 2
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Runners who need stability in the heel or midfoot
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Athletes wanting a sprint shoe. I think the Salomon S/Lab Phantasm 2 shines as a half marathon and above shoe.
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Those wanting an easy run shoe. There are better options, even from Salomon.
My Current Shoe Rotation:
Easy/Daily Runs: Mizuno Neo Zen, Topo Magnifly 5, Antepes Muscle Runners, New Balance 1080v13 Shoe Review , Newton Gravity 12, ASICS Superblast 2
Speed Work: 361 Degrees Furious Future 2.0 Nike Tempo Next%, Reebok Float Ride Run fast Pro, Nike ZoomX Streakfly, Nike Alphafly 3
Long Runs: Topo Specter 2, 361 Degrees Eleos Shoe Review
Trail Running/Hiking: 361 Futura, Hoka Tecton X2 Shoe Review Speedland SL: PDX,
Races: 361 Degrees Furious Future 2.0, ASICS Metaspeed Edge Paris, New Balance Fuelcell 5280, Reebok Run fast Pro ,Nike Vaporfly 3 ,
Curious about how I do gear reviews? You can read about that here.
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, a shoe’s anatomy, neutral vs. stable, and even myths of running shoes.
Questions for you:
Have you tried Salomon?
What is your favorite racing shoe?