Review: Salomon DRX DEFY GRVL

Unearthing the missing link.

Are gravel shoes the next big thing? South Africans endurance adventurers will be familiar with gravel bicycles which provide riders with new riding experiences. Some will argue that the compromise in speed on the road and in comfort off road isn’t worth it, but few would argue that if you valued speed on gravel roads or safety/stability on tar roads, and you only had space or budget for one bike, then a gravel bike would be the answer.

If however, you love single-track mountain biking or full gas road racing, a gravel bike would frustrate you on both surfaces.

Much the same applies here in running where trail adventurers would find a gravel shoe ineffective off-road and road runners would find the shoe uncomfortable on tar, especially over longer distances for both. If, however, you run shorter distances and tend to enjoy running through urban parks including getting to and from the open spaces on tar, pavements and grassy verges, this shoe deserves a good look.

It’s a shoe suited to the person who prefers running off the road but not up steep technical mountain trails. To run in parks, on sand roads and pavements where the scenery is greener, the air is cleaner and surfaces less jarring. A happy place for many hiker-runners, available in more conservative olive ('moss'), clay/ginger or striking tomato red & charcoal colourways.

This is not the first mixed terrain shoe we have wear tested but it does feel like the team at Salomon who developed the first trail shoes have got closer to a shoe that’s comfortable enough on road yet still has the traction and support that uneven surfaces demand.

In simple terms the Salomon DRX DEFY GRVL doesn’t have the thick bouncy cushioning midsole and soft compliant upper of a modern road shoe, nor do they have the hard wearing deep-lugged outsole or rock resistant robust upper of a modern trail shoe. This is a gravel shoe, an omni-surface shoe for shorter distance, urban space running and walking. If you do that on your easy recovery days or prefer hiking mellow trails at a slower pace, this is one to add to your shoe quiver.

The recently-launched Salomon DRX Defy GRVL is the first all terrain shoe we didn't hate on tar. Out of the box we hit an undulating tar, brick and cement road run and while the lack of deep foamy cushioning was immediately apparent there was nothing like the football studded boot sensation of an all out trail shoe. No blisters or desperate searching for soft sand or grass. That's a step forward.

The second wear test was on an urban trail which was neither technical nor steep. The shoe was surprisingly stable and offered effective non-slip traction. The combination of light and responsive energyFOAM, delivering premium cushioning and rebound, propelling you forward with each stride and the activeCHASSIS guidance system focuses on the rear part of your foot to create a secure feeling as your feet strike the ground, guiding your natural movement for a balanced stride. A rear foot medial side light rubber insert bridging the upper and midsole and the non stitched overlay on the medial side provides both stability, much like a support rail system for anti roll protection off road, plus wear protection against sharp rocks.

As a bigger runner used to 36mm plus cushioning with minimalist outsoles you'd expect to feel uncomfortable on the road or unstable and uncomfortable on trails, but for less than 10km or longer walks these shoes tick all the required boxes.

Let’s take a look at what makes up this surprisingly effective new gravel shoe:

Trail grip underfoot and relatively quiet smoothness underfoot in tar is courtesy of the specially-designed gravel grip lugs. The DRX Defy GRVL adds a contaGRIP outsole with well positioned, minimalist contact spot shallow 2.5mm lugs so that you can easily transition from pavement to trails and vice-versa.
Weighing in at just 249 grams size 10.5 (euro 45), they’re relatively light which is a big reason why they don’t feel clunky on the road while the active chassis rail system provides an effective stability factor without compromising weight, which is all important on the road. Channeling the body’s natural movement in a subtle manner with light guidance in the rear works especially well off road.
The other key component is the installation of responsive energy foam cushioning. Salomon’s light and responsive Energy Foam, the ‘reactive cushion’,provides cushioning and rebound for a relatively comfortable multi surface ride.
The machined upper is light and breathable with a foot hugging fit, even for a relatively wide foot, and the matrix design fabric tongue fabric keeps laces from pressing on your feet. The collar and tongue feature soft and plush fabric, while the upper uses Salomon’s sensiFIT construction to create that snug feeling. The tongue is not gusseted (i.e. it hangs loose) so the matric fabric also helps keep it in place.
The understandable downside of a lightweight shallow-lug gravel shoe is the lack of a toe bumper for unexpected rocks or roots which can lurk even on gravel roads or park pathways.
The DRX's have an 8mm (34mm-26mm) drop which is pretty much average for road and trail shoes so will suit most people.