Design

The Sense Pro 4 are nothing if not user friendly. As a lightweight trail shoe that combines aggressive traction, demanding trail runs and hikes are a breeze.

Receiving a massive rebuild from the bottom up, the Sense Pro 4 ensures a more effective ride and snugger fit. Starting with the Contagrip® MA outsole, the Sense Pro 4 makes it easy to tackle just about any terrain.

This rubber compound suits various surfaces, including loose, wet, and dry. As a result, your feet will tackle downhill descents, muddy, boggy, rocky terrains or mountainous landscapes with resistant traction.

Including more well-placed lugs in the Sense Pro 4 also means better traction. In addition, even in sloppy, unpleasant terrain, you should still be able to get all the grip and push off needed because of the Optivibe™ combination of foams. Filtering out rocks and stones and providing a more stable ride is also easy with the addition of the Profeel Film rock place.

Finally, let's not forget the Quicklace system in place for the laces. Ok, so not everyone is a fan, but this system makes taking the shoe on and off and achieving a more secure and stable fit all that bit easier.

Although the Sense Pro 4 is an impeccable all-rounder for many different outdoor activities, I'm unsure its lightweight nature will suit carrying heavy packs on multi-day hikes. In addition, the boots may be slightly too slight and lack the stability for this, lacking the necessary balance and comfort.

Comfort

I'd bet you a month's pay that you still feel like you're wearing your slippers even after wearing these babies for an entire six-to-eight-hour hike. Why?

Because the Optivibe™ technology in the midsole allows for a considerable reduction in shock absorption, which immediately ups the comfort level as rocks and stones don't have the opportunity to dig into your feet.

You know this dense midsole works when hammering steep, complex descent and rocky paths, with the midsole absorbing all the shock.

Extra comfort also comes from the sturdy and protective Contragrip MA rubber soles. Although the sole isn't as high as other shoes, it is more than dense enough to absorb sharp stone and rocks, protecting your feet and adding extra comfort. Again, the comfort level is off the charts for such a light and flexible shoe.

Lastly, the sizing seems just about right, meaning you would typically order the size you do in other Salomon shoes. However, this is a slim fitting shoe, and some have commented that the forefoot is a little narrower.

So, if you have wide feet, perhaps check your size with Salomon or wear the shoes in the house before venturing out to find they are too narrow and you're unable to return them.

Materials

The materials of this shoe make it what it is, starting with the water repellent, soft hydrophobic upper sole, which allows for extra protection as it repels light rain and showers.

There's nothing like a refreshing, soul-cleansing run in the rain, and the Sense Pro 4 make that possible. Even if water did manage to seep in, the upper of the Pro-Sense 4 is quick-drying so that you won't be wet for long.

Materials such as the Contragrip rubber sole, Optivibe, Profeel Film, the Molded OrthoLite® sockliner single mesh layer close to the foot all work incredibly well together to provide the comfort needed for all-day hikes.

As light as the Sense Pro 4 might look, they are still hardy and durable due to this rubber sole and welded synthetic upper materials.

Durability

The number of miles you can do in this Salomon range without injury or risk to the shoe's integrity is just outstanding. In addition, they certainly look and feel durable.

The Contragrip MA rubber outsole adds immediate durability due to its naturally durable and abrasion-resistant qualities, whereas the Molded OrthoLite® Sockliner creates extra durability for long-lasting performance.

However, a couple of other reviewers have noticed the quick lace is prone to breakage. Salomon has reacted to this quickly, saying, "Your eyelets should not be doing that, and it may be a material defect".

In addition, each customer has been reminded of their 2-year limited warranty policy and was asked to contact customer services to resolve the issue.

So, if you do have any problems, they are more than happy to fix them, so this didn't seem like a big issue in my eyes.

With the slim fit and heel-to-toe drop of 4mm, some might require something beefier and broader. The Salomon Wildcross solves both problems with a double, 8mm toe drop and a roomier fit in the toe section. While both the Sense Pro 4 and Wildcross are very similar in all other respects, the Wildcross weighs slightly heavier at 290g.

If the toe box in the Wildcross is still too narrow, the Topo Athletic Ultraventure Pro comes with a wider fit and toe box, but with only a 5mm drop and the same 290g weight. Again, these shoes are very similar, but the Topo shoe is perhaps not as comfortable. However, the Ultraventure Pro sports a Vibram soler and vegan mesh upper, but the choice is ultimately yours.

I'm sure you'll agree that this is the softest, most responsive, and lightweight trail shoe that Salomon has released in some time. You won't find a better all-rounder mountaineering and trailblazing shoe.

Walking with a smile is easy with an excellent balance of lightweight design, breathability for hot days, support, and soft cushioning, all without compromising speed or flexibility.

This Salomon upgrade should see you safe for scrambles, alpine hikes, all-day hikes or just a nice walk in the park. Of course, it would be nice if Salamon included some other color options, but other than that, there is very little bad to say about this outdoor shoe.

If you are looking for a solid and comfortable all-rounder, this is the one for you.