Developed with the S/Lab World Championship circuit, the Genesis packs an 8mm-drop 34/26mm EnergyFoam stack into just 258g with a 4.5mm Contragrip outsole and a Matryx weave upper. It is durable, breathable, and surgically precise across everything from fast alpine racing to multi-hour ultras.
Skip it — or buy it
Verdict: buySkip it if
You want maximum deep-cushion plushness for smooth fire roads. EnergyFoam protects over 34/26mm, but the Genesis tunes precision over pillow softness.
You mainly run deep, wet mud needing 5mm+ cleat lugs. The 4.5mm Contragrip lugs grip everything except saturated boggy terrain.
You want a budget-friendly first trail shoe. At $200, S/Lab construction is priced for committed racers, not casual trail users.
Buy it if
You want elite World-Circuit traction and stability at a 258g payload. Matryx armor plus 4.5mm Contragrip teeth at 258g is the lightest complete trail package.
You want a stable, confident descent shoe with a wide forefoot platform. The proven race-fit geometry plus an 8mm drop keeps descents planted and precise.
You want breathable durability for repeated race circuits. Matryx weave provides durability and is breathable without the extra weight.
What the community says
Synthesized from 18 wear-test videos and 190+ Reddit runner logs.
- n=20
Premium S/Lab pricingModerate
S/Lab hardware is 30%+ above comparable mainstream trail racers.
- n=16
Snug precision fitModerate
The narrow S/Lab race fit may pinch wider foot shapes on long days.
