Salomon, the brand that started trail running shoes, has introduced a gravel shoe, the DEFY GRVL.
This shoe is 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.
Any outdoor loving southern African will have seen the explosion of gravel bicycles in recent years, which make so much sense in a country with dangerous traffic on often potholed roads.
These bikes are nearly as fast as road bikes but more comfortable on bumpy tar and are much faster & nearly as comfortable as mountain bikes on gravel. There is a growing market for this new niche with thousands of miles of gravel roads, especially with so many riders loving the idea of going off road and away from it all, but without the risks of being too remote or trying to master technical mountain trails.
In a gravel running shoe you need shallower lugs to grip the ground but more traction than a road shoe outer sole. These also make the shoe more comfortable than trail specific shoes that can feel like soccer boots on hard surfaces. You also need a more robust upper for wet grass, jutting roots or rocks, and more stability with angular surfaces. It’s a hybrid shoe between pure road and pure trail. A happy place for many hiker-runners.
The New DRX running shoe range provides comfort and guidance from paved roads to dirt roads. The expert Salomon designers in Annecy France who created their first hiking boots in 1992, to the first XA Pro trail running shoe in 2002, are now offering a road running range with everything from cushy training shoes to carbon-plated supershoes and deep cushioned trail shoes which we just saw unveiled in Chamonix at UTMB.
In recent years, Salomon has built a wide range of road running products, including the Aero Glide with dynamic comfort featuring mellow cushioning for training, the DRX Bliss for dynamic support that creates a guided, confident stride, and options for all runners looking to go fast with the S/LAB Spectur and S/LAB Phantasm 2.
With the growth of road running, trail running, and everything in-between, including races like The Speed Project, the frontier between road and trail running is becoming more and more subtle, creating a place where endurance and exploration are blending seamlessly. It is common to find mixed terrain on a run, including dirt roads, gravel paths, and unpaved trails, which makes for a more varied and challenging experience. Versatility, resilience, spirit of adventure, this is GRVL: standing for Gravel - escaping the monotony of paved routes and embracing the unpredictability of the natural landscape.
The DRX range gets an update with the DRX Bliss 2 and the DRX Defy featuring an activeCHASSIS for confidence at every landing. The DRX Defy GRVL adds a contaGRIP outsole with 2.5mm lugs so you can easily transition from pavement to trails and vice-versa. Each model is engineered with advanced technology in the bottom unit, with a combination of an activeCHASSIS on both sides to create stability and confidence, paired with a lightweight, bouncy midsole offering support, comfort, and performance.
Salomon’s light and responsive Energy Foam, the ‘Reactive Cushion’ provides cushioning and rebound for a dynamic run. The activeCHASSIS system channels your body’s natural movements, offering light guidance at the rear of the foot for a balanced, natural stride. Inspired by gravel bike treads, the Gravel Grip outsole is designed for a superior grip, allowing smooth transitions from asphalt to gravel and back again. Drop: 8mm (34mm – 26mm) and Weight 239g size 8.5
The collar and tongue feature soft and plush fabric, while the upper uses Salomon’s sensiFIT construction to create a snug feeling all around your foot.
For those seeking a guided, responsive run on mixed surfaces, the DRX Defy offers comfort and support. Ideal for both short runs and longer training sessions. If you find neither your road nor trail shoes suit your local run route, give these a whirl.
RSP R2999, you can view sizing here.
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