Read this Salomon S/Lab Phantasm 3Review: Carbon Plated Racing Shoe for Road Runners
I’ve been a huge fan of Salomon, and they have only gotten better over the last couple of years. I was a big fan of the previous version, and when I first saw photos of the Salomon S/Lab Phantasm 3, I was mostly confused. Why change a shoe so much that it is almost unrecognizable? That said, I was not disappointed. The Salomon S/Lab Phantasm 3 has proven to be a solid option.
The S/Lab Phantasm 3 is a carbon plated road racing shoe designed for speed-focused workouts and race day performance from the 5K through the marathon. It uses a PEBA-based midsole and a full-length carbon plate to prioritize efficiency, quick turnover, and lightweight cushioning on the road.
This shoe is built for racing on pavement, and Salomon is positioning it as a maximal cushioning, carbon-plated road racer with a 6 mm drop. If you are a runner looking for a daily trainer that does everything, this is probably not your shoe. But if you want a fast running shoe, the Salomon S/Lab Phantasm 3 is worth considering.
First Impressions of the Salomon S/Lab Phantasm 3
The first thing you notice is the upper. It uses an integrated sleeve design that wraps around the ankle and covers the laces. It looks slick, but also looks like it could be annoying at the exact moment you are already annoyed (parking lot, race morning, cold hands, bib half pinned). Picture this: you’re in a rush to get to your race line start and now your fiddling with fitting the shoe perfectly to your foot so it is actually aerodynamic. Throw in it’s winter and you might be cold…there’s a lot going on.
I’ve never been a huge fan of this style of upper because they are usually frustrating. Never forget the Brooks Levitate that cut my ankles into oblivion.
Anyway, moving on.
Underfoot, this is a modern super shoe setup: supercritical PEBA-based foam (Salomon calls it optiFOAM+) paired with a full-length carbon plate (energyBLADE).
Plus, if you’ve been paying attention to road racing lately, Salomon athletes have had some serious results in this shoe. It was the shoe Courtney Dauwalter ran a 2:38:54 marathon in, and the shoe Futsum Zienasellassie wore when he won the United States Marathon Championships. Clearly, it’s working.
Now, let’s get into an honest review of the Salomon S/Lab Phantasm 3.
Key Questions I Had Going In
Is the Salomon S/Lab Phantasm 3 a carbon plated shoe?
Yes. It uses Salomon’s full-length energyBLADE carbon plate.
What is the drop on the Salomon S/Lab Phantasm 3?
It has a 6 mm heel-to-toe drop.
What is the stack height of the Salomon S/Lab Phantasm 3?
It is listed around 39 mm heel and 33 mm forefoot.
Is the Salomon S/Lab Phantasm 3 good for marathon racing?
Yes. The Salomon S/Lab Phantasm 3 is designed as a fast marathon racing shoe. The PEBA-based foam and carbon plate are tuned for long-distance performance. You will still need a good daily trainer to pair with it.
Is the Salomon S/Lab Phantasm 3 legal for racing?
Yes. The stack height falls within World Athletics regulations for road racing shoes, making it legal for competitive events.
Can you use the Salomon S/Lab Phantasm 3 for half marathon racing?
Yes. It feels especially well-suited for half marathon and marathon efforts where efficiency and smooth turnover matter more than pure softness.
How does the Salomon S/Lab Phantasm 3 compare to other carbon plated racing shoes?
It feels lighter and more aggressive than many marathon racing shoes, particularly at faster paces, with a unique aerodynamic upper that sets it apart.
How much does the Salomon S/Lab Phantasm 3 cost?
$280 in the United States.
Salomon S/Lab Phantasm 3 Quick Facts
Price: $280
Men’s weight: 7 oz
Stack height: 39 mm heel / 33 mm forefoot
Drop: 6 mm
Intended use: Road racing and speed work, marketed as a speed-focused road racing shoe
Salomon S/Lab Phantasm 3 Upper and Fit
You can’t really get past the upper of the Salomon S/Lab Phantasm 3 because it stands out immediately. In a good way, I think. You definitely won’t see another shoe on the starting line like it.
The upper wraps around the ankle and covers the laces, and it is clearly performance-driven. It is designed to be aerodynamic. I had some serious concerns with this upper going in, including:
Is it breathable?
Yes. It has been warm in the Mojave Desert lately, and my feet need to breathe. I haven’t had any issues with breathability. This is always a huge concern for me and if a shoe doesn’t breathe well I can probably only get a month or two out of it with our weather. But, that’s not an issue here.
Is it easy to get into?
Surprisingly, yes. I fully expected it to be a pain to put on, but I haven’t had any issues. It fits comfortably without rubbing or irritation.
Fit-wise, this feels more race-snug than daily-trainer forgiving. The platform is built for speed, and the upper concept is clearly about reducing drag, not maximizing toe splay. That said, I don’t think it runs particularly narrow. As someone with wider feet, this is not the narrowest racing shoe I’ve tried recently.
In running shoes, I wear between a women’s size 10–11 wide, and the size 11 fit well. I expected more issues and didn’t go into this with the most open mindset, but I was surprised by how well it worked for me.
Salomon S/Lab Phantasm 3 Ride
This is a carbon plated super shoe with PEBA-based foam, so the baseline expectation is fast, quick turnover, and that rolling sensation that makes me feel like it’s time to run fast. No sluggish feelings here.
I was curious whether it would feel soft or firm. Was it really aerodynamic or just marketing fluff? I had a lot of questions. When I picked up the box, my first thought was how light it felt. Salomon added more optiFOAM+ PEBA midsole, yet the Phantasm 3 is about 10 percent lighter than its predecessor.
The 6 mm drop combined with the energyBLADE carbon plate creates a more aggressive rocker shape, which helps with turnover and responsiveness. It simply feels faster.
Compared to other carbon plated marathon racing shoes, the Salomon S/Lab Phantasm 3 feels lighter and more aggressive, especially at faster paces.
Outsole and Traction on Roads and Wet Conditions
Salomon uses contaGRIP, and I haven’t had any issues with traction. If you’ve read my shoe reviews before, you know my dislike of exposed midsole because of how it affects durability.
Most super shoes try to save weight by removing as much rubber as possible. The Salomon S/Lab Phantasm 3 still offers good traction, and I’ve had no issues running in inclement weather or doing workouts on light desert trails. I’m not falling due to lack or traction.
I expect the Salomon S/Lab Phantasm 3 to last around 150 miles, which is roughly one-third longer than many other carbon plated racing shoes (usually carbon plated footwear lasts around 100 miles at best).
How the Salomon S/Lab Phantasm 3 Fits Into a Racing Shoe Rotation
As you’ve gathered from the review, this is not a daily trainer. It is designed for race-day speed and workouts, and at $280, it should stay in that lane. I feel fast when I run in it and it has definitely moved to the top of my fast-shoe lineup.
I first ran in the Salomon S/Lab Phantasm 3 during an hour workout. I’ll admit my body didn’t feel amazing that day, and during the first few warm-up miles I didn’t love the shoe. I was moving slower, and this shoe is not built for easy miles.
Once I got into the workout, though, I was impressed. The miles felt smooth, and I never felt like I was working harder because of the shoe. That was a big surprise.
Since then, I’ve logged several workouts in it, and they have all felt good. I’ve had no issues, and it has quickly become one of my favorite racing shoes.
I think it’s a great option across a wide range of road distances, from the 5K all the way up to the marathon. It is light enough to feel good during a hard, fast 5K, but cushioned enough to still feel comfortable late in a marathon. There are not many carbon plated running shoes I would say that about.
Salomon S/Lab Phantasm 3 Conclusion
The Salomon S/Lab Phantasm 3 is built around efficiency. It places a strong emphasis on aerodynamics, and it does make me wonder if this is where racing shoes are headed next. Is it ahead of its time, or just uniquely Salomon?
For runners looking for a fast, carbon plated road racing shoe with a unique aerodynamic upper, the Salomon S/Lab Phantasm 3 stands out as a serious race day option. In all, the Salomon S/Lab Phantasm 3 genuinely surprised me, and I’ve become a big fan.
Who Should Buy the Salomon S/Lab Phantasm 3
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You want a modern carbon plated racing shoe that feels smooth at half marathon to marathon effort
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You want something a little different from what everyone else is wearing
Who Should Not Buy the Salomon S/Lab Phantasm 3
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You hate unconventional uppers
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You have a very wide foot
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You want a daily trainer
My Current Shoe Rotation:
Easy/Daily Runs: Reebok Floatzig Tread, Salomon Aero Glide 3, Mizuno Neo Zen, Topo Magnifly 5, Antepes Muscle Runners, adidas Adizero Evo SL, Newton Gravity 12, On Cloudboom Max
Long Runs: Topo Specter 2, adidas Prime Strung X3,
Trail Running/Hiking: 361 Futura, Speedland SL: PDX, Hoka Tecton X 3
Races/Speedwork: ASICS Metaspeed Ray, Adidas adizero adios pro 4, 361 Degrees Furious Future 2.0, ASICS Metaspeed Edge Tokyo, Puma Fast-R Elite 3, Nike Vaporfly 4
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Questions for you:
What is your favorite racing shoe?
Have you tried Salomon racing shoes before?