Review: Salomon Sense Ride 3

Written by

Jim Coulson

Fast Road and Trail Runner. Career Firefighter.

This expert review is written by

Jim Coulson

Fast Road and Trail Runner. Career Firefighter.
Jim Coulson is a career firefighter, husband, and father of two children hailing from the foothills of Colorado.

Jim has been an avid road and trail runner since the age of 12, and loves to race locally and around the state a much as possible.

A native Coloradoan Jim enjoys its trails, mountains, and outdoors taking advantage of all they have to offer as much as possible.

Weight

We usually consider 10 ounces a "medium" weight for a running shoe: less than 10 and we are entering the lightweight category and above 10 the shoes start to be heavy.

Heel-to-toe drop

Heel drop is the measurement in mm of the difference between the height of the heel and the toe of the sole.

A lower drop (0mm - 5mm) promotes running on mid-foot and fore-foot, while higher drops (8mm - 12mm) are more traditional and meant to support a heel-striking gait.
Expert score
9/10

Expert Review: Salomon Sense Ride 3

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Quick overview

Best for
Regular training, long, slow training runs, ultra distances, 50 miles and greater
Terrain
Best for moderate trails, technical trails, rocky areas, muddy areas, through creeks and streams, through snowy or icy sections
Grip
The Sense Ride 3 provides excellent grip and traction on all kind of terrains and surfaces
Lack Traction
Average Traction
Provide Traction
Cushioning
The Sense Ride 3 is maximally cushioned
Little cushioning
Medium cushioning
Highly cushioned
Weight

10.5

 oz
298 g
Heel to toe drop
Drop

8

 mm

Pros and cons according to our running expert

Pros and cons according to our running expert

  • Excellent traction
  • Very secure upper, stable protective under foot platform
  • Trail-specific features at a lower price point
  • Heavier
  • Not as agile as its predecessor

Our verdict

The Sense Ride 3 is a superb daily trail shoe that transitions well between road and trail. The Ride is at home over longer distances on technical rocky terrain where grip and protection are key.

Introduction Salomon Sense Ride 3

The Sense Ride returns with a third installment and big changes. This version is a lot less race oriented that its predecessors gravitating to a more all around trail runner.

The Ride is still firm underfoot but is slightly softer due to a new Optivibe cushioning system borrowed from Salomon’s road shoes.

Rear Raised midsole sidewalls and a new supportive upper give greater protection and stability.

The Contrarip MA outsole is back with a burlier set of lugs that are smooth on any surface, but aggressive enough to handle technical muddy trails and steep climbs.

Cushioning Type
The Sense Ride 3 is a perfect mix of... Read more responsive and plush: good shock absorption
Responsive
Plush
Cushioning Amount
The Sense Ride 3 is maximally cushioned
Little cushioning
Highly cushioned
Flexibility
The Sense Ride 3 is quite rigid and does not... Read more flex easily
Rigid
Flexible
Stability
The Sense Ride 3 offers great stability for... Read more runners who needs the most support for
Not particularly stable
Very stable

Impressions Salomon Sense Ride 3

Salomon Sense Ride 3 - Pair

Salomon Sense Ride 3 – Pair

At first glance the changes between the Sense Ride 2 and 3 were unmistakable. The midsole is the first thing that jumps out as it’s more generous, but blends nicely into a revamped upper.

Once on I could immediately feel the rear foot hold created by the raised midsole walls. Underfoot feel is firm but with a bit of bounce and not a lot of flex.

The fit was true to size and I really appreciated the rounded toe box that had the just right amount of width and depth.

The weight of the Ride 3 has increased over the 2 which was noticeable just holding the shoe, but once on felt negligible.

Spring in Colorado means a lot of changing weather depending on the day which can really test the capabilities of a trail shoe, and the Ride preformed flawlessly no matter the terrain or conditions.

The smooth and protective ride was excellent but what I really appreciated most was its traction. The aggressive lugs held well in the sloppiest of conditions and climb like a bear.

Protection Salomon Sense Ride 3

Salomon Sense Ride 3 - Sole

Salomon Sense Ride 3 – Sole

A lot of the changes to the Ride have really been a benefit in the protection category of the shoe. The biggest benefit has come from the Optivibe midsole.

This newer midsole foam combo uses a Dow Infuse Olefin midsole that shares space with a more dense rubberized EVA heel insert which Salomon calls the JPAD.

JPAD’s primary purpose is to reduce shock and vibration with the hope of lessening fatigue.

Optivibe is more stiff and maybe a little less nimble but the trade for improved protection and dampening seems worth the sacrifice.

A segmented ProFeel rock plate is again placed in the forefoot and extends further forward than in the Ride 2.

The change provides greater forefoot protection without affecting flexibility making this a more attractive shoe for ultra distances.

Rockplate
The rock plate in the Sense Ride 3 provides... Read more great protection from sharp rocks on the
Not present
Solid protection
Lugs
The Sense Ride 3 provides excellent grip and... Read more traction on all kind of terrains and surfaces
Lack Traction
Provide Traction
Water resistance
The Sense Ride 3 provides a decent protection... Read more from splashes and puddles
Poor
Water Resistant

Durability Salomon Sense Ride 3

Salomon Sense Ride 3 - Lateral Side

Salomon Sense Ride 3 – Lateral Side

In terms of durability I don’t think that there is any question about ruggedness. The new debris-resistant mesh is solid and slightly more dense than the 2.

This one piece design paired with the Sensi Fit overlays create not only a supportive and well structured upper, but one that has, to this point, proven to be pretty bombproof.

The Contragrip outsole not only performs well on any terrain but is durable showing no signs of wear after a variety of surfaces, conditions, and 70ish miles.

Responsiveness & Speed Salomon Sense Ride 3

Salomon Sense Ride 3 - Heel

Salomon Sense Ride 3 – Heel

The Sense Ride 3 may not be the fastest shoe you can get a hold of but is certainly one of the most stable and aggressive.

With the added benefits of the raised midsole and revamped upper these have also added weight.

This weight gain makes the ride 3 not nearly as fast and or quite as nimble as before, but does have some responsiveness when driven a harder pace.

I think that the trade for improved dampening and cushion over speed is as the confidence I have in this shoe is worth it.

The outsole is more aggressive and slightly deeper which improved traction making it really agile and quick while climbing.

while not really designed to race hard and fast in the Sense Ride 3 would be a solid choice for competition at ultra distances.

Comfort and Fit Salomon Sense Ride 3

Salomon Sense Ride 3 - Top

Salomon Sense Ride 3 – Top

The Sense Ride 3 fit me true to size. The raised midsole and beefier upper give the shoe an assured hold especially in the rear.

The SensiFit overlays provide great support, structure, and lock down of the midfoot. I love the Endofit booty and the firm yet and non-binding fit it provides.

The shoe has an adequate toe box that, along with the rest of it, isn’t overly generous but would be accommodating to those with wider feet.

Breathability is somewhere in the middle, I found them warm enough on cooler days and not suffocating when the temperature started to climb.

The quicklace system works very well perfectly snugging down the upper fast, easy, and efficiently on the fly. The lacing garage stows the laces away effectively but stuffing them isn’t as easy as it could be.

Sizing
The Sense Ride 3 has average sizing: buy the... Read more usual size
Buy size smaller
Buy size bigger

Conclusion Salomon Sense Ride 3

Salomon Sense Ride 3 - Closeup

Salomon Sense Ride 3 – Closeup

I really love the consistent and predictable performance the Sense Ride 3 offers. The shock absorption and dampened vibration are just as Salomon describes.

The Ride 3 is clearly tuned for door to trail and longer technical outings.

As stated earlier its not a speedster by any means but its all day comfort, traction, and durability make it a solid all mountain daily runner that has landed a place in the top of my trail lineup.

Price comparison:
Salomon Sense Ride 3

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Reviews Read what other runners say

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Marrin

I run over 40km per week, I use them primarily for running
Really nice too go trailshoes.

Christian

I run 20 - 40km per week, I use them primarily for running
All in all a very good shoe. ... Read more The tongue construction, material-wise, is a dealbreaker for me personally. A thick, non-breatheable tongue has left my feet hot, sweaty and stressed.

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