Overall, the Matryx upper, classic Quicklace System, and tongue provided a very satisfactory fit that performed best on moderate to technical trails, kind of reminding me of the original S/Lab Sense shoes. There’s a premium sockliner all the way through to the heel for comfort, while the tongue also provides enough padding and breathability to enhance comfort.
As someone who ran in many of those first generations, the Salmon S/Lab Pulsar 4 fit feels both classic (performance) and updated (comfort) at the same time, though I do have some quirks regarding the final fit.
Before I get to those quirks, know that the new layered midsole makes a massive difference for the latest Pulsar. It pairs updated foams with a wider, more stable platform and slightly less aggressive rocker — a switch that makes it more S/Lab Sense-like. The combination created a more confident, comfortable, and controlled underfoot feel on various terrain.
At 31/25 mm of foam, this fell into the more moderate stack range, where we have many other versatile fan favorites. Options like the Saucony Peregrine 15, VJ Maxx 2, The North Face Vectiv Sky 2, and Altra Mont Blanc Speed all have a very similar stack and boast the ability to go far and on a variety of terrain.
