An in-depth review of the Salomon S/LAB Pulsar 4, the lightweight, dual-foamed technical racing trail running shoe from the S/LAB division of Salomon. After thorough testing in harsh conditions, we’re not quite sure if other reviewers received the same shoe. It’s one of the most capable trail running shoes I’ve tested — stable, efficient, and far more versatile than its 3.5 mm lugs suggest. Contrary to some reviews, its contaGRIP outsole handles mixed, wet, and even boggy terrain with surprising assurance. Light, agile, and built for speed, it also offers enough comfort and control for longer, steadier efforts.
Salomon S/LAB Pulsar 4 Technical Specifications
Stack Height: 31/25mm
Drop: 6mm
Midsole: Dual-layered optiFOAM (EVA) and optiFOAM+ (PEBA/EVA blend)
Outsole: contaGRIP
Lug Depth: 3.5mm
My Experience with Salomon
I really want to like — no, love — a Salomon shoe. The brand’s always had a certain aura about it. I don’t know why. Maybe it was the magazines, the TV ads, or something I saw growing up — rugged mountain athletes, effortlessly cool in their Salomon gear. Somewhere along the way, that image stuck: aspirational, functional, built to perform.
Unfortunately, my experience with Salomon’s footwear has never lived up to that image. Maybe the marketing was just too good. Before running took over, I was an avid climber, hiker, and trekker, so one of my first tastes of Salomon came in the form of walking shoes — the X Ultra 360, if I remember right. I don’t know what I expected, but it wasn’t that. It was one of the most rigid, unforgiving shoes I’ve ever tried on. I couldn’t imagine wearing them for a walk to the local park, let alone on long, multi-day tours of the UK’s hills. Then, fancying a change from hammering the tarmac, I decided it was time to give trail a go. My first outing was in the Salomon Ultra Glide 2, and while it’s not fair to blame the shoe for the entirety of the disgust I felt toward trail that day, they definitely didn’t help.
Fortunately, a lot’s changed since that day (like my ability to handle hills), which is why I’m back with another trail review. I’m sure many might write-off a brand after a couple of negative experiences. Instead, I decided to go the other way and splash out on something from their S/LAB range. The prices certainly give the impression that they’re the crème de la crème of trail running footwear, so let’s see if that’s really the case.
What is S/LAB by Salomon?
Salomon say the S/LAB range
“delivers top performance without compromise so you can attack any challenge with the most advanced gear by your side. With every aspect diligently designed, our premium range of footwear, clothing, and gear brings better efficiency, power, and precision to your sport.”
S/LAB is the result of close collaboration between Salomon’s designers and their world-class team athletes. Honestly, they might want to add a lexicographer to that team, because the naming convention is — at least to a Salomon outsider — utterly bizarre. There’s the S/LAB Ultra Glide 1.5, the S/LAB Ultra V2, and the S/LAB Ultra 3. You might think they — particularly those last two — are related. But from what I can tell, none of these shoes are variations of the same model.
Confused, I eventually went with the S/LAB Pulsar 4. In the end, it was a toss-up between the Pulsars and the Genesis, but the differences between the S/LAB and regular Genesis were as difficult to navigate as the Ultra naming convention. On paper, they seemed to share the same midsole — maybe the compound’s been tweaked for the S/LAB version, but I couldn’t find any mention of that anywhere. I could see the upper was noticeably different, but I wasn’t convinced it justified the price jump for me personally. Honestly, at this point, I’m convinced Salomon expects customers to hold a PhD in Salomonology before clicking “add to cart.”
The Pulsar 4 at least offered some clarity, so despite the colourway reeking of my football team’s fiercest rivals, I swallowed my pride and went with them.
Salomon S/LAB Pulsar 4: Fit and Quicklace
This being my first Pulsar, I haven’t experienced the foot-smothering lasts that have until now been synonymous with the model. Version 4 doesn’t feel like a notably narrow shoe (though I do have narrower-than-average feet). Compared to the OG Pulsar, it’s a smidge wider at the forefoot, some ~13mm or so in the midfoot, and has a further ~10mm of width at the heel — making it a viable option for, well, a wider number of runners.
There’s definitely a snug entryway for the foot to wiggle into. A bit of a squeeze, but hardly a struggle. Once your feet are in, you’re rewarded with an exceptionally comfortable upper — an endoFit sleeve that hugs the foot, and an Egyptian Cotton-like soft heel collar that feel every bit as luxurious as you’d expect from a £200 shoe.
Onto the laces. It’s not my first rodeo with the Quicklace system. I remember thinking it was such a cool feature when I saw other hikers and runners with their pull toggles. But honestly, it’s the type of gimmick you think will change your life until you use it and realise the old way wasn’t so bad after all. A neat solution to a problem that, as it turns out, didn’t really need solving.
The problem with Quicklace is that it lacks finesse for micro-adjustments. It’s always a tad too tight or a tad too loose. While that hasn’t been the case with this pair, I suspect that’s only because the S/LAB Pulsar 4s are Cinderella’s slipper to my feet. The S/LAB Ultra Glide 1.5s, on the other hand, another shoe I’m currently testing, don’t quite conform to my feet as well — which means it’s back to Quicklace roulette: too tight or too loose. For that Goldilocks-porridge fit (because I couldn’t resist), you’d better hope your feet match the shoes perfectly.
Although I’m not personally fond of the system, credit where it’s due: Quicklace on the S/LAB Pulsar 4 is superb. Once the preferred tightness is dialled in, the tassel slots cutely into the lace pocket and remains there, tightness and all, for the remainder of the run. While that perfectly dialled-in fit may depend on a harmony between your feet and the shoe’s last, Quicklace does the basics exceedingly well (though, so do normal laces).
I would like to see Salomon give consumers the choice of regular laces or Quicklace, though. One of my (probably irrational) anxieties is the system somehow breaking during a race or when you’re out in the hills miles away from any support. If that were to happen and you were unable to re-tie your shoes, it’s going to be a long, potentially dangerous day. Maybe it’s unlikely, but it’s a thought that could prevent me from choosing the S/LABs in such scenarios.
Salomon S/LAB Pulsar 4: Dual-Density optiFOAM Ride
The Salomon S/LAB Pulsar 4 uses a dual-foam midsole setup that blends firmness with subtle rebound. Closest to the foot sits optiFOAM+, a PEBA/EVA blend, which sits above a base layer of standard EVA optiFOAM. This combination produces a moderately firm ride that works equally well on both soft and hard ground.
That balance is rare. Performance on soft terrain usually comes at the expense of performance on hard, and vice versa. But Salomon has managed to strike an effective middle ground. The EVA base layer forms a stable platform, preventing that energy-sapping “sink” you get with softer foams on soft surfaces. The upper PEBA-EVA layer adds just enough bounce to stay efficient on harder surfaces, while providing a comfortable ride for longer efforts.
Additionally, I’ve found that firmness bolsters the Pulsar 4’s agility. It creates a stable base from which to propel oneself over technical terrain. The Pulsar has always been known for its agility, partly due to its stereotypically narrow build. By increasing the platform size and thus opening up the Pulsar 4 to runners without needle-thin feet, there was a risk that its days as an agile technical racer were numbered. But, with the addition of the winged sidewalls, Salomon has managed to counteract any loss in agility by improving stability. Still agile, yet far more versatile than its predecessors.
If you’re looking for trampoline-like bounce, the S/LAB Pulsar 4s are going to leave you disappointed. According to RunRepeat, the shoe delivers “47.7 % rebound in the heel and 57.6 % in the forefoot.” Even without the lab data, those figures feel on point — the ride has some spring to it, but nothing wild. But the S/LAB Pulsar 4s demonstrate how flawed it can be to judge trail performance solely by lab-measured energy return. In my view, RunRepeat makes this error by concluding “these results expose a performance-limiting midsole that doesn’t match its premium price.”
But trail running doesn’t happen in a lab. Energy-return percentages ignore the complexity of off-road conditions — how stability, grip, and surface transitions all affect efficiency. Far from performance-limiting, the Pulsar 4’s dual-foam design enhances performance in the real world. Their versatility on a plethora of surfaces make them one of the best-performing shoes I’ve used. Raw rebound numbers only tell half the story. Were those figures higher, the S/LAB Pulsar 4s would struggle on softer terrain.
Salomon S/LAB Pulsar 4 Outsole: contaGRIP Slips on What?
Salomon’s contaGRIP outsole has long been one of the most trusted in trail running, which is why I struggled to accept Believe in the Run’s claim that they “slipped on pretty much anything with moisture or a top layer of sandy mix.” Despite having had my own gripes with the brand over the years, I couldn’t quite fathom how contaGRIP could be that bad — bad enough that a hint of moisture would send you sliding. Surely there are quality-control measures in place to stop a shoe that flawed from ever reaching market?
The thing is, I didn’t know. I hadn’t run in enough Salomons to say for sure. I knew Vibram Megagrip and INOV8 G-Grip were the dog’s testes, but I never imagined the gap was so wide that Salomon were struggling to make an outsole capable of coping with mildly wet terrain.
With 3.5 mm lugs, it’s clear that this shoe isn’t designed for running in puddles as deep as paddling pools or deep bogs of thick mud. But after reading BITR’s review, that’s exactly what I did. You could say I went a little off-piste in pursuit of answers. Usually, I’d choose a shoe to match the route and the conditions of the day. But for this review, whatever the trail, whatever the weather, the S/LAB Pulsar 4s were on my feet. Sensible? Perhaps not. But I really did want to see exactly where the Pulsars fell short.
My first run in the S/LAB Pulsar 4s was on a damp but manageable day — not dry, not a swamp, just that classic British in-between. The route: a 10K loop starting on White Edge, cutting across the moorland to Curbar and Froggatt, then finishing along the wide hardpack beside the Longshaw Estate before climbing through the woodland toward Wooden Pole. It’s one of my go-to testing routes — a sampler platter of everything the Peak District can throw at you: rock, grass, grit, and mud.
Given what I’d read beforehand, I wasn’t expecting much. But contaGRIP had other ideas. Stable on wet rock, sure-footed on grass, even composed on the odd patch of mud — the grip was outstanding. Midway across the moor, I found myself trying to remember the lug depth, convinced they must be 5 mm. They’re not, of course — they’re 3.5 mm — but that says a lot about how confidently they handled. Not bad for a shoe designed primarily as a fast technical racer.
Still, I wondered whether I’d got off lightly. Maybe it just hadn’t been wet enough to expose the issues BITR had mentioned. Luckily (and by “luckily,” I mean predictably), I live in the UK. A few days later, the rain arrived in full force, turning the start of White Edge into its usual bog-ridden self. Perfect testing conditions. Or not. This is the kind of ground that calls for something like the INOV8 Mudtalon — not a 3.5 mm-lugged racer — but I wanted answers.
What I got instead was another surprise. The Pulsar 4s didn’t just cope; they thrived. No slipping on wet rock. No drama on slick grass. Even the mud was more manageable than it had any right to be. You’d genuinely be forgiven for thinking the Pulsar 4 had deeper lugs. The only time they faltered was on the untouched sludge — that clay-heavy stuff that no shoe short of a fell-specific model would conquer. That’s not a failure of contaGRIP; it’s just the wrong tool for that job.
As for Believe in the Run’s “sandy mix” gripe — that one I can partly get behind. They don’t bite into loose sand perfectly, but again, 3.5 mm lugs. That’s to be expected. It’s the same experience I’ve had, on the exact same sections of trail, in the NNormal Kjerag 02. They also run a 3.5 mm pattern (quite a similar one, actually) but swap contaGRIP for Vibram Megagrip. It’s not the compound, it’s the depth and pattern.
Since those early outings, I’ve logged plenty more miles in similarly unpredictable conditions and still can’t understand how BITR’s experience differs so drastically. Either I’ve got miracle shoes or they’ve got a dud pair. Or maybe there’s something else going on.. But we’ll get to that in our final verdict.
Salomon S/LAB Pulsar 4 Durability: No Chunks Missing Here
In Salomon’s own words, a pair of running shoes should typically last between 500–800 kilometres, though they rightly caveat that figure with the usual variables — foot strike, weight, and running style all play their part in wear and tear. While the S/LAB Pulsar 4 sits firmly in the race-day category, there are plenty of design cues that suggest it’s built to last longer than you might expect.
There’s the Matryx® upper — a “high-performance textile designed to resist abrasion with individually coated high-tenacity Kevlar® and technical yarn.” Then there’s profeelFilm, which helps protect both the midsole and your feet from sharp rocks and roots. Even the midsole itself, including the PEBA-blended layer, uses EVA, a compound known for its long-term resilience and structural integrity.
With only around 50K on my pair, I can’t claim this is the most durable shoe out there — not yet. But so far, so good. The outsole, upper, and midsole all look as fresh as they did straight out of the box (albeit with a lot more mud than they shipped with).
And trust me, I’ve been paying close attention. Why? Because Believe in the Run claimed that after their very first run there were “literal chunks of foam missing” from the optiFOAM+ (PEBA) layer. They did caveat that by saying the terrain was particularly technical. But still… really?
Yes, there’s a fair amount of exposed foam on the Pulsar 4, so I could understand if a small piece from the heel wedge caught on a jagged rock. But if chunks truly went missing after one outing, where are the photos? For a claim that bold, a little visual evidence would go a long way.
I’ll be sure to update the durability section as the miles tick down or if I similarly encounter any defects.
Salomon S/LAB Pulsar 4 Final Verdict: Welcome to the Rotation!
When I set out to test and review the Salomon S/LAB Pulsar 4, I had no intention of mentioning other reviewers. But my experience sits in such stark contrast to Believe in the Run’s that it almost feels like we tested entirely different shoes. I suppose that’s the point, though — every runner’s different, so naturally, so are their experiences.
I don’t think there’s anything disingenuous about BITR’s take. They didn’t even score the shoe badly (11/15, if you’re wondering). What these contrasting results highlight, though, is the need for reviewers to offer far more detail — testing conditions, terrain, weather, mileage — all the things that actually shape how a shoe performs.
Phrases like “anything with moisture” are too vague to be useful. I’m happy to believe the Pulsar 4’s grip didn’t meet their expectations, but what kind of surface are we talking about? Was it one or two slips on a certain rock type, or a full run spent sliding around like Bambi on ice? The difference matters.
And if you’re going to say you lost “literal chunks of foam” after a single run — show us! Without photos or context, how are readers supposed to gauge what that really means? I’ve seen plenty of “should I return these?” posts where the supposed damage turned out to be a scuff you could barely spot. Some people are just dramatic — which is fine — but if you’re influencing buying decisions, you owe your audience clarity.
As for me, the S/LAB Pulsar 4 has earned a top spot in my rotation. It’s one of the most versatile trail shoes I’ve tested — equally comfortable on soft and hard terrain, agile enough to dance through technical sections, yet stable and cushioned enough for the long grinds. It’s more than the stripped-back technical racer it was built to be, yet it fulfils that role flawlessly too.
These 3.5 mm-lugged trail racers had no business performing this well in the conditions I threw at them. So credit where it’s due: without BITR’s review, I might never have realised how capable they really are. That said, I’m not suggesting anyone should buy them for bog-hopping — you shouldn’t. There are better, purpose-built shoes for that (see: INOV8 Mudtalon V2, with its 8 mm lugs). But for mixed terrain, the Pulsar 4’s contaGRIP outsole handles a whole lot more than “a bit of moisture.”
So maybe don’t believe everything you read.
Sometimes, you just have to believe in the run you actually do.
Salomon S/LAB Comparison Table
With so many Ultra models muddying the water, I thought it might be useful to provide some clarity about Salomon’s S/LAB range. There’s obviously more to each shoe than covered in the table, but hopefully it provides a practical starting point.
| Model | Stack Height (heel/forefoot) | Drop | Midsole Foam | Outsole | Lug Depth | Weight | Retailers 🛒 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S/LAB Ultra Glide 1.5 | 41 / 35 mm | 6 mm | EnergyFoam + EnergyFoam+ | Contagrip (RelieveSphere geometry) | 4 mm | 306 g (10.8 oz) | SportsShoes |
| S/LAB Ultra V2 | 28.5 / 20.5 mm | 8 mm | EnergyCell+ + Energy Save | All Terrain Contagrip | 4.5 mm | 290 g | SportsShoes |
| S/LAB Genesis | 33 / 24 mm | 8 mm | Energy Foam | All Terrain Contagrip | 4.5 mm | 258–281 g | SportsShoes |
| S/LAB Pulsar 4 | 31 / 25 mm | 6 mm | optiFOAM + optiFOAM+ (dual-density) | All Terrain Contagrip | 3.5 mm | 250 g (8.9 oz) | SportsShoes |
| S/LAB Ultra 3 | 29 / 21 mm | 8 mm | EnergyCell+ + Energy Save | Contagrip | 4 mm | 284 g (10.0 oz) | SportsShoes |
You Might Be Interested In
See which trail running shoes made our best trail running shoes (2025) list and whether the S/LAB Pulsar 4 is one of them..
Check out our review of another technical trail racer — and one of our favourite trail running shoes — the NNormal Kjerag 02.
All that talk about bogs got you in the mood for a mud-churning shoe? Read our review of the excellent all-rounder, the INOV8 Trailtalon Zero (Mudtalon Speed V2 review coming soon!)
Fancy some new trail gear? Check our ‘best of’ round-up.
Partner Discount Codes
We’ve partnered with a number of brands to bring our readers a couple of exclusive discount codes. They’re all brands we use, rate, and respect. We will never advertise anything we don’t believe in, nor those that compromise our values. So, if you see a link anywhere within our reviews, just know — you’re in good hands. If you use our links, we may earn a small commission. But, if you’re planning on buying something from these brands anyway, using our links costs doesn’t cost you a penny more yet goes a long way to supporting the Gritty Runners project. We spend a lot of time fully testing and writing about the gear we review, and a number of overheads to keep us alive. Your support is needed and appreciated. However, more than anything, we’re just so stoked that you’re here enjoying our content.
Eastnole – If strength, stretching, pain relief, and recovery are the name of the game, check out Eastnole’s Yoback – a device initially designed for, erm, your back, with a plethora of benefits for runners. From calf raises to exercises targeting the tibialis anterior, and routines for the relief of plantar fasciitis, it’s a tool we absolutely love. Get 15% off with code GRITTY15.
Veloforte – Creating energy gels, bars, chews, and recovery drinks, Veloforte are favourites in both the running and cycling scene. We’ve teamed up with them to bring our readers a huge 20% discount. Click here to browse (the code’s already applied). If you don’t see the discount, simply enter code GRITTYRUN-AV20 at checkout and save yourself a fair few quid!
INOV8 – A must have for muddy adventures. The Mudtalon V2 is our current favourite. It’s an absolute weapon! Browse the collection here.
Janji – Our all-time favourite running clothing and apparel brand, Janji create unique pieces for road and trail runners alike. They’re functional, stylish, made with premium materials, focused on sustainability, and charitable — donating 2% of proceeds to support clean water projects. We’ll be doing a brand spotlight review soon and we hope to bring you a discount code, too. For now, please enjoy their collection by clicking here. We recommend the Run All Day and Circa Daily tees (currently on sale), as well as the women’s 3″ AFO Middle Shorts.
Purendure – THE best tasting energy gels in the game. It’s hardly surprising — they’re actually made of real-ingredients. Get 15% off with GRITTY15.
Runderwear – When you’ve got a brand name as good as they have, you should know the product quality is sure to match. We’re currently testing their running boxers, sports bra, anti-blister socks, and ultra-light socks. The quality is unmatched and the prices very reasonable. Check them out here.
Harrier Trail Running – Born in the UK, Kate, the founder of Harrier, set out to bring high-quality trail running gear at affordable prices. We’ve got the Exmoor waterproof and Kinder vest in our kit bags, and we love them both. Harrier also manufacture trail running poles, trousers, soft flasks, and a whole lot more. They put together starter kits, too. So if you’re just getting into trail running and ultras, you should definitely check them out. Click here (code included) or enter GRITTY10 for 10% off at checkout.
Runr – A fitness and lifestyle brand for people passionate about running, Runr make some of the coolest-looking, functional headwear for runners. Think caps, beanies, headbands. Get 10% off when you use our link or code GRITTY10.
Soar – A brand that likely needs no introduction. Soar are new to us, so at the moment we don’t have a discount code for them. But, if you’re interested in buying any of their pieces — some of the highest quality currently on the market — using our link would do us a big favour and help us bring you a discount in the future!
Runna – The number one running training app, the number of people who’ve found success with Runna is, quite frankly, ridiculous! Use code GRITTY for two weeks free and find out why.
Bristol Fungarium – It might sound a little off-brand to feature a functional mushroom company, but Bristol Fungarium manufacture the highest quality, organically grown and produced in the UK, functional mushroom tinctures. What’s this got to do with running? Well, things like Cordyceps have been shown to bolster the cardiovascular system. Reishi is brilliant for sleep and recovery, something all runners could do with more of! Get 10% off with our link.
SunGod – Spotted on the faces of the best runners and cyclists around, SunGod make functional and fashionable sports sunglasses. They might not be cheap, but that’s because they’re made of the highest quality materials and offer a lifetime guarantee. If you end up breaking them, SunGod will repair them. Can’t say fairer than that. Click here to view their running-specific glasses.
Housekeeping
Why You Should Trust Us
Most of the items we review are purchased with our own money. On the rare occasion a company sends us a product to review, we will make this clear within the review for complete transparency. If a company does send us an item to review, they have no control over the outcome of the review, and our opinion of any such item is entirely our own. We have never and will never accept money for a positive review. We personally conduct in-depth tests of each item to provide our readers with our thoughts. This is a timely process, and because we generally don’t receive the items for free, we pay full retail price and are subject to the same release dates as the general public. As a result, we have neither the time nor the budget to test and review every shoe or piece of gear like many of our competitors (though, we would absolutely love to!) If there’s a particular piece of running gear or a shoe you would like us to review, please reach out and we will try to accommodate this request.
How to Support Us
If you click through to a retailer and purchase an item through one of the links on our website, we may earn a small commission from that transaction. Similarly, if we provide a unique code for a purchase or free trial, this may also earn us a small commission. This does not increase the price of the item or service for you, though sometimes it may decrease it! Using our codes or clicking our links goes a long way to keeping the site alive and increasing the number of items we can review. If you enjoy our content and are looking to purchase something we have reviewed, we would greatly appreciate you using our links.
How to Get Involved
As a very small team, it’s impossible for us to test and review every shoe or piece of gear that comes onto the market. If you’re a bit of a running shoe (or gear) geek and would like to review anything for us, please reach out to us at team@grittyrunners.co.uk and we would be happy to consider working with you.
Partner Discount Codes
We’ve partnered with a number of brands to bring our readers a couple of exclusive discount codes. They’re all brands we use, rate, and respect. We will never advertise anything we don’t believe in, nor those that compromise our values. So, if you see a link anywhere within our reviews, just know — you’re in good hands. If you use our links, we may earn a small commission. But, if you’re planning on buying something from these brands anyway, using our links costs doesn’t cost you a penny more yet goes a long way to supporting the Gritty Runners project. We spend a lot of time fully testing and writing about the gear we review, and a number of overheads to keep us alive. Your support is needed and appreciated. However, more than anything, we’re just so stoked that you’re here enjoying our content.
Eastnole – If strength, stretching, pain relief, and recovery are the name of the game, check out Eastnole’s Yoback – a device initially designed for, erm, your back, with a plethora of benefits for runners. From calf raises to exercises targeting the tibialis anterior, and routines for the relief of plantar fasciitis, it’s a tool we absolutely love. Get 15% off with code GRITTY15.
Veloforte – Creating energy gels, bars, chews, and recovery drinks, Veloforte are favourites in both the running and cycling scene. We’ve teamed up with them to bring our readers a huge 20% discount. Click here to browse (the code’s already applied). If you don’t see the discount, simply enter code GRITTYRUN-AV20 at checkout and save yourself a fair few quid!
INOV8 – A must have for muddy adventures. The Mudtalon V2 is our current favourite. It’s an absolute weapon! Browse the collection here.
Janji – Our all-time favourite running clothing and apparel brand, Janji create unique pieces for road and trail runners alike. They’re functional, stylish, made with premium materials, focused on sustainability, and charitable — donating 2% of proceeds to support clean water projects. We’ll be doing a brand spotlight review soon and we hope to bring you a discount code, too. For now, please enjoy their collection by clicking here. We recommend the Run All Day and Circa Daily tees (currently on sale), as well as the women’s 3″ AFO Middle Shorts.
Purendure – THE best tasting energy gels in the game. It’s hardly surprising — they’re actually made of real-ingredients. Get 15% off with GRITTY15.
Runderwear – When you’ve got a brand name as good as they have, you should know the product quality is sure to match. We’re currently testing their running boxers, sports bra, anti-blister socks, and ultra-light socks. The quality is unmatched and the prices very reasonable. Check them out here.
Harrier Trail Running – Born in the UK, Kate, the founder of Harrier, set out to bring high-quality trail running gear at affordable prices. We’ve got the Exmoor waterproof and Kinder vest in our kit bags, and we love them both. Harrier also manufacture trail running poles, trousers, soft flasks, and a whole lot more. They put together starter kits, too. So if you’re just getting into trail running and ultras, you should definitely check them out. Click here (code included) or enter GRITTY10 for 10% off at checkout.
Runr – A fitness and lifestyle brand for people passionate about running, Runr make some of the coolest-looking, functional headwear for runners. Think caps, beanies, headbands. Get 10% off when you use our link or code GRITTY10.
Soar – A brand that likely needs no introduction. Soar are new to us, so at the moment we don’t have a discount code for them. But, if you’re interested in buying any of their pieces — some of the highest quality currently on the market — using our link would do us a big favour and help us bring you a discount in the future!
Runna – The number one running training app, the number of people who’ve found success with Runna is, quite frankly, ridiculous! Use code GRITTY for two weeks free and find out why.
Bristol Fungarium – It might sound a little off-brand to feature a functional mushroom company, but Bristol Fungarium manufacture the highest quality, organically grown and produced in the UK, functional mushroom tinctures. What’s this got to do with running? Well, things like Cordyceps have been shown to bolster the cardiovascular system. Reishi is brilliant for sleep and recovery, something all runners could do with more of! Get 10% off with our link.
SunGod – Spotted on the faces of the best runners and cyclists around, SunGod make functional and fashionable sports sunglasses. They might not be cheap, but that’s because they’re made of the highest quality materials and offer a lifetime guarantee. If you end up breaking them, SunGod will repair them. Can’t say fairer than that. Click here to view their running-specific glasses.
Housekeeping
Why You Should Trust Us
Most of the items we review are purchased with our own money. On the rare occasion a company sends us a product to review, we will make this clear within the review for complete transparency. If a company does send us an item to review, they have no control over the outcome of the review, and our opinion of any such item is entirely our own. We have never and will never accept money for a positive review. We personally conduct in-depth tests of each item to provide our readers with our thoughts. This is a timely process, and because we generally don’t receive the items for free, we pay full retail price and are subject to the same release dates as the general public. As a result, we have neither the time nor the budget to test and review every shoe or piece of gear like many of our competitors (though, we would absolutely love to!) If there’s a particular piece of running gear or a shoe you would like us to review, please reach out and we will try to accommodate this request.
How to Support Us
If you click through to a retailer and purchase an item through one of the links on our website, we may earn a small commission from that transaction. Similarly, if we provide a unique code for a purchase or free trial, this may also earn us a small commission. This does not increase the price of the item or service for you, though sometimes it may decrease it! Using our codes or clicking our links goes a long way to keeping the site alive and increasing the number of items we can review. If you enjoy our content and are looking to purchase something we have reviewed, we would greatly appreciate you using our links.
How to Get Involved
As a very small team, it’s impossible for us to test and review every shoe or piece of gear that comes onto the market. If you’re a bit of a running shoe (or gear) geek and would like to review anything for us, please reach out to us at team@grittyrunners.co.uk and we would be happy to consider working with you.
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