Salomon
S/Lab Phantasm 3
Product Judgment
Strong
8.3
Category: Race
Release year: 2025
Price Judgment
Overpriced
Common retail price: ~$250
Availability: Widely Available
Description
Salomon’s flagship road racing shoe built for speed on the road. Combines carbon propulsion with a lightweight upper and smooth rocker. Reviews highlight its balanced super-shoe character and efficient ride.
Ride feels smooth, light, and efficient rather than brutally aggressive. Carbon plate and foam create a controlled, rolling propulsion that rewards quick turnover. Upper is airy and race-ready, while the platform remains stable enough for confident pacing on roads.
Best for runners seeking a smooth, lightweight super shoe for road racing and fast workouts. Excels at tempo runs, half marathons, and full marathons for efficient midfoot strikers. Less suited for those wanting the most aggressive rebound or maximum stability, but a strong option for balanced race-day speed.
Performance Scores
Comfort
7Light upper and race cushioning are comfortable enough for race efforts, though not plush.
Energy Return
8Carbon plate and responsive foam provide strong but controlled propulsion.
Stability
7Balanced geometry offers fair stability for a carbon racer.
Durability
6Race-day outsole and upper are decent but not intended for heavy training mileage.
Fun to Ride
8Efficient and quick, but less wild than the bounciest super shoes.
Run Fitness
Daily
3Race geometry and plate make it unsuitable for daily running.
Long
8Cushioning and smooth rocker work well for long race-pace efforts.
Tempo
9Lightweight plate and smooth transitions excel for fast workouts.
Race
9Purpose-built for road racing with efficient propulsion and low weight.
Recovery
2Firm, propulsive design is not comfortable for easy recovery efforts.
Pros & Cons
- Lightweight race feel
- Smooth, efficient propulsion
- Balanced super-shoe stability
- Breathable race upper
- Less explosive than top rivals
- Limited training durability
- Not ideal for heel strikers
Low weight and airy upper enhance speed and reduce fatigue on race day.
Carbon plate and rocker create smooth, efficient transitions at fast paces.
More stable than many extreme racers while remaining genuinely fast.
Minimal upper keeps the shoe light and well-ventilated in warm conditions.
Ride is fast but not as explosively bouncy as the very top super shoes.
Race-focused construction is better reserved for key workouts and races.
Geometry and stability favor efficient midfoot/forefoot runners more than heel strikers.
Specifications
Best for paces
3:00-4:45 min/km
Drop
7 mm
Stack height
38 mm heel / 31 mm forefoot
Weight
219 g
Drop
7 mm
Stack height
38 mm heel / 31 mm forefoot
Weight
219 g
Pronation
N/A
Width
medium
Terrain
Road
Technologies
Energy Foam+, Energy Blade carbon plate, Reverse camber rocker
Plate
Carbon
Best for paces
3:00-4:45 min/km
Comparable Models
Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4 is firmer and more controlled, while S/Lab Phantasm 3 feels softer and lighter.
View details
Nike Vaporfly 4 is lighter and sharper, while S/Lab Phantasm 3 offers more underfoot softness and stability.
View details
Nike Alphafly 3 has a more structured marathon-racing platform, while S/Lab Phantasm 3 is lighter and more direct.
View details
ASICS Metaspeed Sky Tokyo is lighter and more minimal, while S/Lab Phantasm 3 has a softer and more stable platform.
View details
Saucony Endorphin Pro 5 is smoother and more stable, while S/Lab Phantasm 3 feels lighter and less structured.
View details
Hoka Rocket X 3 is firmer and more stable, while S/Lab Phantasm 3 feels softer and lighter.
View details
New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v5 is softer and broader, while S/Lab Phantasm 3 is lighter and more precise.
View details
Puma Deviate Nitro Elite 3 is firmer and more direct, while S/Lab Phantasm 3 feels softer and more controlled.
View details