REASONS TO BUY
Protective
Well-tractioned
Stable
Plush heel collar
Balanced sensitivity and stability
REASONS TO AVOID
Heavier
Wider fit won't suit everyone
Less protective
Forefoot creases quickly
Salomon Sense Ride 5 - Women's Review
A plush and responsive trail shoe that has great traction and is suitable for runners who like a wider fit
The Sense Ride has a wider profile than a lot of the shoes we tested.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
Our Verdict
Recent updates to the Salomon Sense Ride have made it a shoe that we are happy to recommend. With a 29.6mm stack and a responsive bounce, this plush runner is ready to take on moderately technical trails with ease. The Sense Ride has a wide landing platform, multidirectional lugs across its Contragrip outsole, and a breathable mesh upper. With a wider-than-average fit, this is a great shoe for distance enthusiasts who want a shoe with plenty of plush cushion. Comfortable for trail running, backpacking, hiking, and dog walking, the Sense Ride has the grip and comfort to be the perfect shoe for you.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Salomon Sense Ride 5 - Women's | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  |  | |  | |
| Price | $140 List $97.49 at REI | $129.95 at Backcountry Compare at 2 sellers | $112.46 at Backcountry Compare at 3 sellers | $64.98 at Backcountry Compare at 2 sellers | $100 List Check Price at REI |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Pros | Protective, well-tractioned, stable, plush heel collar, balanced sensitivity and stability | Comfortable, great traction, affordable, durable, packs out to fit your foot shape | Supremely comfortable, spacious toe box, far more durable than previous models, great stability | Light, very protective, excellent mud shed, superior traction, surprisingly stable | Affordable, responsive, beginner-friendly, familiar fit |
| Cons | Heavier, wider fit won't suit everyone, less protective, forefoot creases quickly | Might be too cushioned for some runners, slightly less sensitive | Zero-drop isn't for everyone, might be too soft for some | Narrow fit, runs small, rigid construction, takes time to break-in | Less aggressive traction, runs slightly narrow |
| Bottom Line | A plush and responsive trail shoe that has great traction and is suitable for runners who like a wider fit | A great all-around trail shoe that hosts some of our favorite protective features, all for a relatively affordable price | This zero-drop trail runner takes trail running comfort to a whole new and ultra-protective level | Stable and deliciously sticky, this contender is just a crusher all the way around, built for training runs and long distances alike | An affordable shoe that is perfect for novice runners who want to take their trail legs for a spin |
| Rating Categories | Salomon Sense Ride 5 | Hoka Torrent 3 - Wo... | Altra Lone Peak 7 -... | Dynafit Feline SL -... | Brooks Divide 3 - W... |
| Foot Protection (25%) | |||||
| Traction (20%) | |||||
| Sensitivity (15%) | |||||
| Stability (15%) | |||||
| Comfort and Fit (15%) | |||||
| Weight (10%) | |||||
| Specs | Salomon Sense Ride 5 | Hoka Torrent 3 - Wo... | Altra Lone Peak 7 -... | Dynafit Feline SL -... | Brooks Divide 3 - W... |
| Measured Weight (per shoe) | 8.71 oz (size 7) | 7.48 oz (size 7) | 8.22 oz (size 7) | 9.45 oz (size 7) | 8.04 oz (size 7) |
| Stack Height (Heel, Forefoot) | 29.6 mm, 21.3 mm | 21 mm, 16mm | 25 mm, 25 mm | Not disclosed | 20 mm, 12 mm |
| Heel-to-Toe Drop | 8.3 mm | 5 mm | 0 mm | 8 mm | 8 mm |
| Upper | Textile/synthetic | Mesh | Mesh | Mesh, continuous nylon | Mesh |
| Midsole | Energy Surge foam | EVA | Altra EGO Foam | Feline SL midsole | EVA |
| Outsole | Contragrip rubber | Rubber | MaxTrac rubber | Sticky Pomoco Outer | TrailTrack rubber |
| Rock Plate? | No | No | Yes | Not disclosed | No |
| Wide Version Available? | No | No | No | No | No |
| Sizes Available | 5 - 11 US | 5 - 11 US | 5.5 - 12 | 5 - 11 US | 5 - 12 US |
Show full specification detailsHide full specification details
Our Analysis and Test Results
Sitting at just under 30mm with an 8.3mm drop, the Sense Ride 5 is a stable shoe with great weight distribution. The cushion is responsive and springy, though the shoe's body is a bit wide, which can make the overall ride feel mushy if it doesn't fit your feet correctly.
Performance Comparison
The Sense Ride is suitable for moderate to tough trails, but the protection features are geared towards less technical runs.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
Foot Protection
The new-and-improved Sense Ride provides a comfortable balance between flexibility and protection. It has a rubber toe cap that is similar to those on other shoes built for moderate terrain. The upper mesh is well-woven and does a pretty good job keeping sand and debris out, though it's not the most impermeable we have seen. The outsole of the Sense Ride does not contain a rock plate, which is part of what allows the shoe's base to be so flexible and responsive. The 29.6mm of stack offers good underfoot protection without going overboard and inhibiting trail feel. For a shoe that is made for rugged trails, the Sense Ride lacks some of the burlier features that many other options have. However, it has quite a bit more cushioning throughout, providing a softer version of foot protection.
The toe cap is flexible and offers plenty of protection, but isn't as rigid as many of the others on more rugged shoes.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
Traction
The traction metric is typically where Salomon-made shoes shine, and the Sense Ride is no exception. The Contragrip outsole is sticky and grippy, and the well-placed, 3.5mm lugs help keep you firmly planted on loose earth. The lugs at the forefoot have eight edges each, providing grip linearly and laterally. The lugs that coat the rear of the outsole are mostly diamond shaped and placed at an angle to provide additional grip through the heel. The rearmost lugs extend to the very edge of the outsole and face forward; the varied angles and shapes of the lugs make the outsole of this shoe suitable for most terrain types, though there are shoes that performed slightly better on really muddy trails.
The well-designed traction pattern is super grippy on loose trails and switchbacks.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
Sensitivity
For such a plush trail running shoe, the Sense Ride 5 is remarkably sensitive. The flexibility and levity of the outsole allow for a good trail feel, which is uncommon in well-padded shoes. Since the Sense Ride doesn't have many additional protective features, it can achieve this strong sensitivity. If you are looking for a shoe that balances sensitivity, cushion, and stability, this is a good one. If you are in the mood to hit the trails in a shoe with the best sensitivity, there are better options. But for well-rounded trail intel, the Sense Ride is a great choice.
For a well-cushioned shoe, the Sense Ride offers surprisingly good sensitivity.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
Stability
One of the things that our testers love most about Salomon shoes is their stability. They vary in drop heights, with the Sense Ride sitting at an 8.3mm drop. The heel cup tapers in just slightly, creating a snug fit that cradles the heel. The wider fit means your foot has plenty of room to spread and engage, further adding to stability. Since most of the stack is made of comfortable cushioning, it gives just enough to prevent ankle rolls and missteps. For a shoe that feels stable and encourages proper flexing and spreading of your toes, the Sense Ride is a great shoe to check out.
The width and unintrusive lateral structure of the Sense Ride made it really stable.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
Comfort and Fit
The updates to the Sense Ride have made it significantly more comfortable than it was in previous iterations. Instead of being a wide flat shoe, the Sense Ride now has a bit more in-house height with more lateral structure via rubberized overlays. The heel cup and tongue are plush and well-contoured for a fit that begins to feel customized after a few runs. Narrow-footed runners may not like the extra midfoot space, but those with wider feet will feel like this shoe was designed specifically for them. With a more flexible outsole than many of the highest-scoring trail running shoes, the Sense Ride moves and bends with you. The only issue we found with this comfortable fit is that since the shoe flexes with your feet as you run, the upper shows signs of wear and creasing more quickly than we'd prefer. But if you are a wide-footed runner who wants a comfortable, well-tractioned shoe with a lightweight upper, the Sense Ride is a good shoe to try out.
The Sense Ride is flexible, but this flexibility led to the shoe showing signs of wear in the forefoot far earlier than some of its competition.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
Weight
The Sense Ride 5 weighs 8.71 ounces per women's size 7 shoe. This is slightly higher than average but not exceptionally so. The weight is well distributed, though it is apparent that the majority of the weight rides in the back half of the shoe. The extra bit of heel lift and cushion is great for heel strikers and neutral runners. The upper mesh is lightweight and breathable, and even though the forefoot feels lighter than the rear, the Sense Ride still feels balanced and comfortable on the trails.
Though the weight rides towards the back of the shoe, the overall ride feels balanced.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
Should You Buy the Salomon Sense Ride 5?
The updates to the Sense Ride have taken it from a shoe that our testers disliked to one that we enthusiastically recommend. If a wider-fitting shoe with lots of cushion sounds like a match for you, this could be a great choice for you. With balanced sensitivity, stability, and excellent traction, the Sense Ride is one of those shoes that we tend to recommend across the board, even though it doesn't stand out in any one metric specifically.
If you want a well-cushioned, well-tractioned, and wide-fitting shoe that prioritizes comfort, the Sense Ride might be the perfect shoe for you.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
What Other Trail Running Shoes Should You Consider?
For a similar feel to the Sense Ride with a slightly narrower midfoot, we recommend the Salomon Pulsar Trail. With a somewhat less pronounced drop and a bit more cushion, the Pulsar Trail is great for tackling light to moderate terrain. For an ultra-cushioned experience, check out the Altra Lone Peak 7, a leader in comfort for the zero-drop crew. If you like the idea of cushion but want a shoe that is durable enough to hold up to the demands of super rugged running, the Hoka Torrent 3 is our favorite.
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Ally Arcuri
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