Salomon S-Lab Phantasm Review
Mountain-Inspired Speed Built to Conquer the Roads
Likes
- Super lightweight design
- Grippy outsole
- Nimble ride
Dislikes
- Lacks upper support
- Lacing system struggles with lockdown
What's New
The Salomon S-Lab Phantasm has everything runners need for race-day success. The Energy Surge midsole is extremely lightweight with a soft yet responsive underfoot feel. The rockered midsole is also impressively efficient, providing smooth heel-to-toe transitions that will launch runners forward. To complement the midsole, Salomon has designed a single-layer mesh upper that is extremely lightweight and breathable. Inspired by the mountains and Salomon's top athletes, the Phantasm will help runners in their pursuit of a new 5K PB.
The Bottom Line
The Phantasm is equipped with Salomon's most innovative technologies, and the S-Lab team deserves praise for their quality craftsmanship with this shoe. Built with speed as the focus, this shoe will have runners pushing the pace confidently.
The Energy Surge midsole is without a doubt the highlight of the S-Lab Phantasm as it is incredibly lightweight with a firm yet responsive underfoot feel. The ride is also extremely efficient, smoothly rolling runners from heel to toe. All these features work together to make it easy for runners to attack the roads at top speeds. Despite not being the softest shoe, the Phantasm's midsole provides just enough underfoot cushioning to protect runners from the harsh impact of the roads while keeping them comfortable throughout their shorter, faster efforts. The single-layer mesh upper construction is incredibly lightweight and provides fantastic breathability, however the upper could use some further refinement in future versions. Our tester reported issues with lockdown as a result of the poor lacing system and an overall lack of structure throughout the entirety of the upper.
Although the Phantasm has some room for improvement and is not the most exciting model in a class of impressively fast shoes, it does have a lot to offer runners seeking their next pair of racing flats.
Shoe Performance
Shoe Softnessi
FirmSoftRide/Energy Returni
Less SpringyMore SpringyUnderfoot Protectioni
LowHighFlexibilityi
RigidElasticUpper Supporti
StructuredAdaptableSpecifications & Fit
How It Fits
| Toe Box | Width: Narrow| Height: Medium to low |
| Midfoot Volume | Medium to low |
| Heel Width | Medium to narrow |
| Arch Height | Medium |
Shoe Specs
| Weight | Unisex: 7.0 oz (size 9) |
| Stack Height | 20 mm (Heel), 14 mm (Forefoot) |
| Terrain | Road |
| Stability | Neutral |
| Sizing | True to size |
Our In-Depth Look
Shoe Softnessi
The Phantasm is constructed with an Energy Surge midsole, and despite the relatively low stack height, this racing flat offers a comfortable level of soft cushioning underfoot. Salomon built these shoes for speed, so they are not plush and may not deliver the soft, pillowy feel that some runners may be searching for.
Matt: "The Salomon Phantasm leans on the firmer road racer side. It is not a plush shoe by any means, but it has the right amount of cushioning for its intended use, which is on race day and faster training efforts. The firm, nimble ride helps me pop off the ground and get the most out of each stride, and I enjoyed using this shoe at faster paces on the road."
Ride/Energy Returni
Salomon crafted the Phantasm for capturing new race-day personal bests and outfitted these racers with bouncy Energy Surge foam, an R-Camber-inspired rocker, and a super-lightweight upper. These racing flats are not only fast but are extremely efficient, as the Energy Surge midsole works harmoniously with the rockered geometry to swiftly propel runners from heel to toe.
Matt: "The Phantasm provides a solid energy return and offers a super-efficient rockered ride that has a nice extra snap at toe-off. This makes for a great ride that helps me run fast and efficiently."
Underfoot Protectioni
Even if the cushioning feels soft underfoot, this is not the most protective shoe due to the Energy Surge foam only being stacked 20mm high. That said, the Phantasm is a racing flat constructed to deliver top-level speed, so it is expected that some protection is sacrificed for speed. Given its class, this shoe has quality protection.
Matt: "Because of the lower stack height, the Salomon Phantasm does not have a crazy amount of protection, but again, this shoe is made for short and fast road efforts, so when it comes to protecting my legs during road races or fast training workouts, this shoe does the trick."
Flexibilityi
The Phantasm features flex grooves from heel to toe that contribute to incredibly smooth transitions through the gait cycle. This flexibility is combined with a unique R-Camber-inspired rocker to create a highly efficient ride that will have runners nipping at the heels of their personal bests.
Matt: "Since there is no plate in the Phantasm, this shoe offers an ample amount of flex. The rocker geometry provides an efficient ride, but the little bit of added flex allows my feet to move more naturally when running fast."
Upper Supporti
The Phantasm's upper disappears on foot, as the minimalistic single-layer design is so light it feels like it is barely there. The fit is surprisingly spacious, and while most runners should not have any issues with lockdown, those with narrower feet may need to find creative solutions to get the secure hold they desire. The laces could also be improved, as they struggle to remain tight and secure.
Matt: "I thought the upper of the Phantasm was pretty sloppy. The single layer of mesh is basically see-through, and the lacing system doesn't have the lockdown the shoe needed to have. The forefoot also seemed a little loose and unstructured. I prefer a more snug fit, but the upper on this shoe fit a little too loose for me, especially when trying to go fast."
Salomon S-Lab Phantasm
Individual Thoughts
Overall, I think the Salomon Phantasm is a unique take on a traditional road-racing shoe. This shoe offers an efficient ride along with lightweight breathability, and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a fast, nimble running shoe. That said, customers will have to be mindful of fit, as the Phantasm's upper really needs to be manipulated to get a secure lockdown.