Salomon vs Asics
Transparency Note
- OD's Designer Clothing stocks Salomon — we are an authorised UK stockist
- We do not stock ASICS
- This comparison uses publicly available ASICS specifications and independent running reviews
- We'll tell you when ASICS has an advantage — our goal is an honest guide, not a sales pitch
Salomon and ASICS are two of the most respected names in trail running — but they come from very different places. Salomon is a French mountain sports company built on alpine skiing and outdoor pursuits. ASICS is a Japanese running science company with roots in road running biomechanics. Both make excellent trail shoes, but they're not the same shoe for the same runner.
1 | Brand Origins — French Alpine vs Japanese Running
Salomon — Annecy, France, 1947
Started making ski bindings in the French Alps. Built an entire ecosystem of mountain sports products — skis, boots, bindings, then trail running shoes. Mountain DNA is in every product: grip first, protection second, cushioning third. Salomon trail shoes are engineered by people who grew up running on technical alpine terrain. The brand's headquarters remain in Annecy, at the foot of the Alps.
ASICS — Kobe, Japan, 1949
Founded by Kihachiro Onitsuka with a mission to improve Japanese youth health through sport. The name is an acronym of a Latin phrase: "Anima Sana In Corpore Sano" — a sound mind in a sound body. ASICS built their reputation on road running science — GEL cushioning, pronation control, and biomechanical research. Their trail line is strong but trail running is not their origin story.
2 | Contagrip — Salomon's Outsole Technology
Contagrip is Salomon's proprietary outsole rubber compound, and it's the reason Salomon trail shoes have such a strong reputation for grip on technical terrain. Developed and tested in the Alps, Contagrip is specifically engineered to maintain friction on wet rock, mud, roots, and loose scree — the conditions that matter most for UK trail running.
Contagrip MA (Multi-terrain)
The standard compound — balanced between grip and durability. Found in the XA Pro 3D and X Ultra series. Versatile enough for mixed terrain including dry trails, grass, and packed gravel.
Contagrip TA (Technical/Aggressive)
Used in the Speedcross and Pulsar Trail. Deeper lug pattern for soft ground, mud, and wet technical trails. Sacrifices some durability on hard surfaces for maximum grip on soft terrain.
Contagrip FD (Fast/Distance)
A harder compound for longer distances on more consistent terrain. Better durability, slightly less maximum grip than TA. Used in ultra-distance trail shoes.
Wet Rock Performance
The most important test for UK trails. Contagrip outperforms most alternatives on wet slate and limestone — the dominant trail rock types in areas like the Lake District, Peak District, and Yorkshire Dales.
3 | GEL Technology — ASICS Cushioning System
ASICS GEL is a silicone-based gel compound placed in the heel and/or forefoot of the midsole to attenuate impact shock. It's one of the most recognised technologies in running — and it's been in ASICS shoes since 1986. For trail, ASICS also employs their Flytefoam midsole foam alongside GEL for a balanced cushion-to-weight ratio.
GEL Cushioning
Attenuates impact at heel strike. Particularly effective for runners with a heavy heel strike on hard-packed trails and road-to-trail routes. The GEL deforms on impact and returns to shape, providing both shock absorption and some energy return.
Flytefoam Midsole
ASICS's proprietary foam used in combination with GEL. Lighter and more responsive than traditional EVA foam. Provides the bulk of cushioning with GEL acting as the impact-specific supplement at high-load zones.
AHAR Outsole
ASICS High Abrasion Rubber — a durable outsole compound used across their trail range. Harder and more durable than Contagrip on hard surfaces, but less effective on wet technical terrain.
Pronation Control
ASICS has more pronation-control and stability options than Salomon. If you overpronate significantly, ASICS has a wider range of biomechanical support options specifically for trail running.
4 | Trail vs Road-to-Trail — Who Wins Where?
| Terrain Type | Salomon | ASICS |
|---|---|---|
| Technical mountain trail (wet) | Excellent. Contagrip on wet rock is class-leading. | Good. Less optimised for wet technical terrain. |
| Soft ground / mud | Excellent (Speedcross). Purpose-built for this. | Adequate. Trail lugs less aggressive than Salomon. |
| Hard-packed trail / gravel | Very good. XA Pro / X Ultra handle mixed surfaces well. | Excellent. GEL cushioning excels on harder surfaces. |
| Road-to-trail mixed routes | Good — X Ultra handles road sections but not optimised for long road stretches. | Excellent. ASICS trail shoes are designed for road-to-trail transitions. |
| Long distances (25km+) | Very good. Salomon trail shoes are built for duration. | Excellent. GEL + Flytefoam cushioning for longer runs on consistent terrain. |
| Pronation support | Limited options. Salomon focuses on neutral trail shoes. | Excellent. Multiple stability options across the trail range. |
5 | Best Models Compared
Salomon Speedcross 6
Salomon's most iconic trail shoe. Deep chevron lugs, aggressive Contagrip TA compound. Purpose-built for soft ground and mud. Not recommended for hard-packed gravel. ASICS equivalent: none — Salomon wins this category outright.
ASICS Gel-Trabuco 12
ASICS's flagship trail shoe. GEL heel and forefoot cushioning, AHAR outsole, breathable upper. Best for hard-packed and mixed terrain trail running with road sections. Not designed for mud or technical mountain terrain.
Salomon XA Pro 3D
All-terrain trail shoe. Moderate lug depth, Contagrip MA, Sensifit upper, Quicklace system. Bridges the gap between hiking and trail running. Popular for fell running and UK mixed terrain. Wider fit than Speedcross.
ASICS Gel-Venture 9
ASICS's entry-level trail shoe. Good value, good durability, adequate grip for light trails. Not a performance trail shoe — better for light hiking or occasional trail use. No Salomon equivalent at this price point.
6 | Which Should You Choose?
Choose Salomon If:
- You run on technical terrain — mountains, fells, rocky trails, wet roots and slate
- Your trails include significant mud or soft ground (Speedcross is unmatched here)
- You prioritise grip and protection over maximum cushioning
- You run in the Lake District, Peak District, Yorkshire Dales, Scottish Highlands, or similar UK terrain
- You want a shoe designed by people who actually run in these conditions
Choose ASICS If:
- Your trails are predominantly hard-packed gravel, dirt roads, or mixed road-to-trail routes
- You need pronation control or significant stability support
- You run longer distances on consistent terrain where cushioning outweighs grip
- You're coming from road running and transitioning to light trail
- You want a dedicated road-to-trail shoe rather than a technical mountain shoe
For UK Trail Conditions
UK trails — particularly in the north — are predominantly wet, technical, and mixed. For British trail runners, Salomon's Contagrip technology on wet rock and mud is the more relevant capability. ASICS trail shoes excel in the drier, more consistent conditions found more often in southern Europe and North America.
7 | Shop Salomon at OD's Designer Clothing
OD's Designer Clothing is an authorised UK stockist of Salomon. We carry trail running shoes, hiking shoes, and outdoor footwear in-store at 44 Barrow Street, St Helens.
Visit or Call
44 Barrow Street, St Helens, WA10 1RY | Mon–Sat 9am–5pm | 01744 730985
8 | Frequently Asked Questions
Are Salomon trail shoes better than ASICS for UK trails?
For most UK trail conditions — particularly in the north of England, Wales, and Scotland where terrain is wet, technical, and mixed — Salomon has the advantage. Contagrip's performance on wet rock and soft ground is specifically suited to the conditions UK trail runners encounter most often. ASICS trail shoes are more optimised for hard-packed and dry terrain, which is less representative of typical British trail running conditions.
What is the difference between Salomon Contagrip and ASICS AHAR?
Contagrip is a soft, high-friction rubber compound optimised for grip on wet and irregular surfaces — it excels on wet rock, mud, and roots. ASICS AHAR (High Abrasion Rubber) is a harder, more durable compound optimised for longevity on hard-packed surfaces. Contagrip wins on grip. AHAR wins on durability on hard surfaces. For technical UK trail running, Contagrip is the more relevant technology.
Do Salomon trail shoes run true to size?
Salomon sizes in French (EU) measurements. They are known to run slightly narrow and approximately half a size shorter than UK sizing in some models. The general recommendation is to size up half a size from your UK road running shoe size when buying Salomon trail shoes. See our dedicated Salomon sizing guide for full conversion tables.
Is Salomon a good brand for beginners to trail running?
Yes. The XA Pro 3D is widely regarded as one of the best beginner trail shoes available. It combines protection, grip, and comfort in a versatile package. It's forgiving on mixed terrain, has a wider fit than the Speedcross, and works for both light hiking and trail running. The Quicklace system is also helpful for beginners — it provides a secure, hassle-free fit on the trail.
Does OD's stock ASICS?
No. OD's Designer Clothing does not stock ASICS. We are an authorised UK stockist of Salomon. We've written this comparison to help you make an informed choice — if Salomon isn't right for your specific needs, we'd rather you know that than buy the wrong product.