Salomon Sense Ride 4 Review
Ride the Trails With Strong Sensibility
Likes
- Durable
- Substantial protection
- Reliable traction
Dislikes
- Runs large
- Slightly firm cushioning
What's New
There are only minor updates featured on the new Salomon Sense Ride 4, including a streamlined upper and enhanced overall fit. The single-layer mesh design is very breathable and offers a spacious feel that is fairly untraditional for a Salomon shoe. The Optivibe midsole is highly protective and helps keep legs fresh, while the Contagrip MA outsole delivers quality traction that will inspire confidence on the trails.
The Bottom Line
With excellent traction, durability, and comfort at a reasonable price point, the Salomon Sense Ride 4 is a great go-to option for trail running pros and beginners alike. It inspires the confidence to tackle a variety of terrain and has the durability to last for many miles.
The upper has been updated, but it remains very comfortable on foot and incredibly secure. Though, our testers would recommend considering going half to a full size down in these shoes. Salomon's Quicklace system locks runners in, and a lace garage tucks laces away so that they won't be a nuisance while running. The Sense Ride 4 provides a close-to-the-ground feel while simultaneously delivering enough cushioning for comfort and protection. Our testers would not describe this shoe as plush, as it falls on the firmer side of the scale, but this contributes to the midsole's responsive energy return.
Shoe Performance
Shoe Softnessi
FirmSoftRide/Energy Returni
Less SpringyMore SpringyUnderfoot Protectioni
LowHighFlexibilityi
RigidElasticUpper Supporti
StructuredAdaptableSpecifications & Fit
How It Fits
| Toe Box | Width: Medium to narrow | Height: Medium |
| Midfoot Volume | Medium to low |
| Heel Width | Medium |
| Arch Height | Medium |
Shoe Specs
| Weight | Men's: 10.8 oz (size 9) | Women's: 8.9 oz (size 8) |
| Stack Height | 30 mm (Heel), 22 mm (Forefoot) |
| Terrain | Trail |
| Stability | Neutral |
| Sizing | True to Size |
Our In-Depth Look
Shoe Softnessi
Liz: "The Sense Ride 4 has classic Salomon cushioning. There is just enough softness for comfort, but it definitely leans on the firmer side compared to many of the other, more modern trail running shoes on the market. Runners are definitely going to get a softer underfoot feel from a HOKA, Altra, or even ASICS trail shoe. Though, runners who enjoy good ground feel and a stable ride will appreciate the reliable cushioning from these shoes."
Risa: "The Salomon Sense Ride 4 has a moderate amount of cushioning underfoot. It is on the firmer side, but I found it to be comfortable. Personally, I like feeling more connected to the ground on trails, which is the experience this shoe provides as opposed to what you get in something like a max-cushion HOKA."
Ride/Energy Returni
Liz: "I do not consider the Sense Ride 4 to be a bouncy, highly responsive shoe. That said, the midsole doesn't feel sluggish in the slightest, and because there isn't much squish there, it feels like the energy I put into the shoe efficiently propels me forward."
Risa: "I felt that the Sense Ride 4 had a responsive energy return. While running up and down hills, I never felt weighed down by the shoes. I also noticed that my legs didn't feel very fatigued after my testing runs."
Underfoot Protectioni
Liz: "The Sense Ride 4 provides a nimble, connected-to-the-ground feel and does so while also protecting runners from the harsher aspects of the trail. The shoe allowed me to navigate rockier and more technical terrain with ease. I also felt that my feet were more protected from the rocks and debris than they were in shoes like the Brooks Catamount, Altra Timp 3, or Skechers Razor TRL. The Sense Ride 4 has the connected feel of a lower-stack trail running shoe, but I felt that it offered enough cushioning for comfort over longer distances and all-day efforts."
Risa: "The Sense Ride 4 was cushioned enough to keep my feet happy on runs up to 3 or 4 miles, but I like to wear a softer shoe for any run that is longer than that. The Nike Pegasus Trail is my current favorite for longer trail efforts. However, the Sense Ride 4's connected-to-the-ground feel instilled a lot of confidence while navigating through trails."
Flexibilityi
Liz: "The flexibility of this shoe enables it to practically disappear on foot while you are running. The Sense Ride 4 provided very smooth transitions through the stride but also enough torsional rigidity to be very stable as well. I never felt like my feet, ankles, or arches had to work hard to remain stable over uneven terrain or steep climbs."
Risa: "The Salomon Sense Ride's midsole has a decent flex, and I felt that it helped me move smoothly and quite naturally through my gait cycle."
Upper Supporti
Liz: "I know that many runners either love or hate Salomon's Quicklace design, but I personally love it! I really enjoy that I never have to worry about my laces coming untied while I am running. The Quicklace system also delivers a secure and comfortable lockdown that does not falter out on my runs. In the past, I've had issues with small-diameter laces cutting into the top of my foot, but the padded tongue of the Sense Ride 4 offered enough protection from the laces without feeling too hot or bulky."
Risa: "The Sense Ride 4's upper felt supportive and protective, while the mesh material was very breathable and always kept my feet cool. This was my first time running in a Salomon shoe, and I liked the unique lockdown provided by the Quicklace system. I also appreciated the shoelace garage. Though, as someone with narrower feet, I found the shoes to be too roomy through the midfoot and forefoot, even when I tightened the laces down."
Women's Salomon Sense Ride
Individual Thoughts
The Sense Ride 4 does not perform as well as some of the other more innovative trail shoes on the market today, and it lacks the "wow" factor. Because of this, I could see these shoes getting overshadowed by other trail options like The North Face VECTIV Enduris, ASICS Trabuco Max, and Skechers Razor Trail. Regardless, the Sense Ride 4 is a versatile, reliable, and durable shoe at a slightly more accommodating price than the others referenced above. The Sense Ride 4 is a great choice for runners looking for a comfortable (though not soft) trail companion that can handle a variety of paces and trails. And given its durability, the Sense Ride will last forever. I thought the Sense Ride had a wonderful balance of comfort and performance features, and it will perform great as a hiking shoe as well as a trail running shoe. Looking at the upper, I appreciated how secure the Sense Ride was, and it should have the adaptability to fit a variety of feet as well. That said, be advised, as the Sense Ride was long for me; I would recommend going down a half size, especially if you are deciding between sizes.
Shoe Softness
FirmSoftRide/Energy Return
Less SpringyMore SpringyUnderfoot Protection
LowHighFlexibility
RigidElasticUpper Support
StructuredAdaptableI enjoyed running in the Sense Ride 4 on my shorter runs. I felt light on my feet and was confident on everything from dirt roads to rocky mountain terrain. However, getting blisters under the balls of my feet and arches after only running 3 to 4 miles was a dealbreaker for me. I don't typically have this issue, but I believe it was caused by having too much room in the midfoot and toe box. I went a half size down from my normal running shoe size, and I probably could have been able to go a full size down. While this shoe was not a great fit for me, I could see it working well for people with medium to wide feet who are looking for a smooth and responsive trail shoe.