While the coronavirus lockdown has kept most of us in place and close to home, one of the things that we've been able to do during this time is to continue to exercise. That includes getting outside and going for a walk, run, or bike ride. That has made this the perfect time to test some new road running shoes, as nightly jog has been the perfect therapy for the unusual times we now find ourselves living in. Recently, that has meant hitting the road in a pair of Salomon Sonic 3 Confidence shoes, which I've found to be a comfortable and confident option for more casual runners, but perhaps not as well suited for the high-mileage crowd.
I always like to preface any review that I write for footwear with the reminder that everyone's feet are different and the level of comfort and stability that you get from a shoe may vary greatly from what I experience. Everyone has very personal preferences when it comes to what they put on their feet, perhaps more so than anything else that we wear. That's why I always urge readers to try on a pair of boots or shoes before buying in order to see how well they actually feel. What works for one person, may not work for another. This is especially true when it comes to running shoes.
All of that said, the moment I pulled on the Sonic 3 my feet felt right at home. This was a shoe that felt great straight out of the box, with a nice level of cushioning and support. I essentially needed no break in time whatsoever and immediately went out the door for a 6 mile (10 km) run. Afterwards, my legs and feet felt fresh, which is usually a positive sign that I'm going to have a good relationship with my running shoes.
With a weight of about 9.4 ounces (268 grams), the Sonic 3 hits a solid middle-ground when it comes to not being particularly heavy, but also not falling into the minimalist category. This "just right" section of the running shoe market tends to suit me well in a road shoe, and Salomon has nailed it with this model in terms of not feeling bulk or heavy, yet still providing the cushioning and energy return that you need. As a result, I always felt quick and nimble wearing this shoe, even as the heat and humidity where I live has begun to steadily climb upwards with the arrival of late spring.
As you would expect from a running shoe with the Salomon name on it, the Sonic 3 is packed with some good proprietary technology designed to keep us running as efficiently as possible. That includes the company's SensiFit system, which offers excellent support of the foot from the midsole to the laces. A shoe with SensiFit cradles the foot in such a way that you'll think it was made specifically for you. This is especially nice in a pair of running shoes that aren't particularly expensive either. The Sonic 3 also comes equipped with Salomon's Optivibe technology, which uses a combination of foams to both lessen the impact of running and propel the runner forward at the same time. This is meant to help decrease muscle fatigue and it works well throughout the life of the shoe, which unfortunately I found to be shorter than I would have liked.
As I mentioned, out of the box the Sonic 3 felt great and provided plenty of comfort. However, it felt to me like the shoe began to lose some of its cushioning and compression faster than I would have expected. As runners, we're typically told to replace our running shoes after every 300-500 miles (482-804 km). As a bigger runner, I tend to lean towards the lower end of that estimate. This is especially true because I tend to be a high mileage runner as well, hitting more than 160 miles (257 km) per month. With the Sonic 3, I felt like the support and cushioning began to give out after less than 200 miles (321 km), as fatigue and muscle pain began to set in not long after I hit that mark. Again, your mileage may vary (pun intended!), but it is important to point this aspect of the shoe out.
Still, because the Sonic 3 is such a comfortable and easy-to-run-in shoe, I find myself wanting to recommend them. For more casual runners, who don't put a lot of milage on each week, this would be great option. After all, this model does deliver on our expectations for how a Salomon shoe should fit and feel. They even happen to be quite durable, wearing well in every way except for maintaining their support-an admittedly important aspect of any type of footwear.
Priced at $130, this is also not an entry-level running shoe, but it isn't overly expensive either. In fact, I'd say the Sonic 3 are priced right for what they deliver and make a nice entry into the Salomon ecosphere for first time buyers of the brand. As road shoes go, they do their job very well, providing a nice level of comfort and support. In my case however, I only wished they did their job just a little longer.
Find out more about the Salomon Sonic 3 Confidence here.