Salomon S/Lab Phantasm 3

The Salomon S/Lab Phantasm 3 is a race shoe designed for aerodynamic speed. Priced at $280, it competes with shoes like the Hoka Cielo X1 3.0 ($275) and the ASICS Metaspeed Ray ($300). In this updated version of the Phantasm, Salomon introduced a new upper intended to reduce wind resistance, featuring a thin wrap around the ankle and laces, along with a lighter PEBA-based foam. While the shoe is about 30 grams lighter than its predecessor, it’s hard to believe the new upper design provides any noticeable performance benefit, and it certainly requires more effort to get on than a traditional lacing system. Once on, the shoe fit true to size and was reasonably comfortable. The heel is very narrow, however, and did feel somewhat unstable. Unfortunately, out on the run, we found the performance to be quite lackluster for a race shoe. The foam was incredibly soft with little to no energy return, the geometry didn’t promote a quick toe-off or assist with leg turnover, and the carbon fiber plate failed to provide any real snap or bite. It simply doesn’t feel like a race shoe because you have to work too hard to get down to race pace. If you’re looking for a racer with a soft yet responsive foam and a comfortable upper, try the Hoka Cielo X1 3.0. If you want the fastest and most aggressive racer on the market, consider the Puma Fast-R 3. Unfortunately, we just can’t recommend this one to anyone.