Article by Sam Winebaum
Salomon S/Lab 2024 Kit: S/Lab Speed Short Sleeve Tee ($90) , S/Lab Speed Short 3” ($95), S/Lab Speed Belt ($55)’
In the article, I test Salomon's 2024 S/Lab Speed kit. Thoroughly tested and now worn by Salomon’s trail and road elites and each is packed with high effective fabric technologies and features to provide comfort and improved performance in tough conditions. The purpose of the S/Lab at Salomon is to create pinnacle products developed with close input from their elite runners. All items were personal purchases.
S/Lab Speed Short Sleeve Tee ($90)
After running in literally hundreds of tech tees over the years, I can say, without a doubt after running it dozens of days this spring and summer in everything from heat to as a base layer in near freezing conditions, that the Speed Short Sleeve is the “best” top I have ever owned. And on a number of levels.
First, it is made in what Salomon calls a Knit Flow construction. Very soft, thin and with a tiny bit of texture its performance in terms of breathability, temperature regulation and moisture removal is clearly amplified for me by its 37.5 treatment.
“37.5® Technology optimizes your body's microclimate, to maintain an ideal core temperature..while drying 5 times faster than a similar fabric.
”37.5® Technology permanently incorporates ultra-porous volcanic minerals and coconut-derived activated carbon into fabrics.”
What does 37.5 do?
“ The temperature regulating materials powered by 37.5 Technology work by absorbing the infrared (IR) energy your body naturally emits, which energizes our active particles to speed evaporation and remove humidity next to your skin.
The billions of micro-pores in 37.5 active particles massively increase the surface area of fibers and other materials to remove moisture at the vapor stage”
Tall claims right?
Well, 37.5 in combination with the Knit Flow fabric this is exactly what I have felt on multiple runs in high heat and humidity. Yes, the fabric gets soaked with sweat but it never seems to heat up and get uncomfortable. Further, it dries incredibly fast even when totally soaked as claimed.
I have found it more effective than singlets in heat as it also provides some cooling sun protection at the shoulders and it more effective than the S/Lab Speed Singlet with a similar but not the same fabric (thinner a bit less profiled) but with the same 37.5 treatment.
Next it has Biobased Ionic + Botanical antimicrobial technology.
“This proprietary citric-based formula changes the pH value on the fabric. The combination of Citric Acid, Ionic+ ingredients, and Oxygen inhibits the growth of bacteria and disrupts cell division and replication processes, leaving the fabric clean of microbes
I “thoroughly” tested this going for 5 runs with the shirt when new without washing, just drying in the sun.
After 5 runs it was truly still “fresh” and good for more. Best ever in that test.
Since I have repeated for 3 or so days. Then more days with a simple rinse and dry in the sun and fresh as can be. It’s only actually been in the washer twice in a month of almost daily use (rinse, dry and wear). Truly remarkable and effective.
I also tested it in near freezing with at times heavy rain and wind as a base layer during our recent Tour du Queyras. Dry as a bone at the end of long wet days with no chill during the day.
Fit
I have had prior S/Lab Tees with 37.5 but the fit and performance is a step above here.
The fit is more generous at my usual medium and has fully taped seams. There has never been binding or sticking in any conditions.
In the past, I often sized up to large in S/Lab for more room and to prevent chafing (especially nipples) but absolutely no need to do so here.
Impeccably crafted in Salomon usual S/Lab apparel and race vest factories in Tunisia, I expect long long life as with all S/Lab apparel from this Tee which is well worth its $90 price tag. No piling or wear so far on the shoulders even after wearing a 15lb pack during several days of our trek.
I like it so much I am purchasing a second one in the gray white and getting rid of most of my other “high” performance tees. I do wish they had less prominent branding. I have also tested and reviewed the nearly as high performance and comfort Salomon Sense Aero Tee (RTR Review) also with 37.5 which is less expensive at $70.
S/Lab Unisex Belt ($55)
I always run with my iPhone to take pictures and video of scenery, shoes, etc.. Rarely have I used a belt relying, most often on the stretch mesh pockets at the waist of most often Salomon S/Lab 6” shorts or similar Sense Pro. I even still run in the OG Kilian S/Lab short now well over 10 years old and apart from a bit faded it is as good as new otherwise, including mesh waist pockets..
With the now very different 2024 S/Lab 3” short, a very minimal easy on the waist short with essentially 2 gel storage in a hip pocket, it is clear Salomon elites needed some basic storage and carry for fluids, some nutrition, maybe keys and a phone, and poles.
Enter the S/Lab Belt. A slip over the legs dual layer mesh belt has a phone sized zip pocket (my iPhone 15Pro in solid case with magnetic Pop Socket fits fine), a large stretch mesh pocket that can hold a 500ml soft flask and 2 smaller mesh pockets for gels, keys, etc..
As with Tee, I have worn it every day since buying it more than a month ago. The size medium fits my 32” waist just fine. It was a big snug initially and after many uses is now a touch looser and just about right.
It comes with a set of elastic cords and hooks to the belt to secure poles. I have not tried this as I rarely fold poles and the cord system seemed complicated and has no installation instructions. The rear non zip pocket has small pads I assume to “cushion” the poles from the back. I wonder if simple elastics with pulls permanently installed might be a more elegant solution.
During my daily runs I put my phone in the rear zip pocket, car keys in one of the small pockets and a 500ml flask upfront.
No bounce just a slight low down jiggle of the bottle. I tried the same load with the bottle out back and phone up front and had too much flask bounce. I also tried without the phone on board as a “counter balancing” weight and there was a bit too much flask bounce. Phone alone no issues whatsoever with bounce in either larger pocket.
I do think with use it has stretched and if one was on the border of a smaller size going that way might be a good idea. I also think its top and bottom edges could be a touch stiffer to prevent folding down on the go,
Bottom line: The best run belt I have ever tested. Very light, very decent capacity, easy to find mesh pockets with their web tabs, and very comfortable. Comfortable yes belt alone but when combined with the 3” Speed Shorts with their easy friendly waist and the belt worn above higher around the stomach a superb combination.
S/Lab Speed Shorts 3” ($95)
As I said above the 2024 Speed Shorts take a different direction from prior S/Lab shorts. In 2023 (also available now as the 2-1) there was an equally light somewhat longer short with a non permanently attached “short short” tight with a single leg pocket on the tight and a rear stretch mesh pocket on the outer short. The mesh pocket was loose and was not suitable for much more than gloves or a hat.
The 2024 edition is very very light with a super easy going loose waist with drawstring between the drawstring and silicone strips on the sides. They “miraculously” stay up. I say miraculously as fit is so easy at the waist as it seems literally impossible they would not fall down but they haven’t even when soaked with sweat.
The right leg has a red drop in-pocket, good for a couple gels that’s it. To increase carry the obvious answer is the belt above.
As with the Tee, the Speed Shorts have the magic 37.5 treatment and are made of a 4 way Aqua Tech stretch woven fabric from Payen of France. Breathability and drying is excellent and I expect this fabric to last just as well as my other S/Lab shorts have for many years. I do think the $95 price tag is a bit steep.
While I miss the mesh waist pockets of prior S/Lab shorts (but still have several) the belt adds yet more of the capacity one might need for races or longer runs, the load held higher than in those shorts while the short stays comfortable and easy fitting lower down at the hips.
Bottom Line: Super light, easy fitting, and stretchy the S/Lab Speed 3” is a road and trail race and summer runs in heat delight.
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Sam is the Editor and Founder of Road Trail Run. He is in his 60’s with 2024 Sam’s 52th year of running roads and trails. He has a decades old 2:28 marathon PR. These days he runs halves in the just sub 1:40 range if he gets very, very lucky. Sam trains 30-40 miles per week mostly at moderate paces on the roads and trails of New Hampshire and Utah be it on the run, hiking or on nordic skis. He is 5’9” tall and weighs about 164 lbs, if he is not enjoying too many fine New England IPA’s
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2 comments:
Is there any meaningful difference you found between the Sense Aero and S/Lab Speed tshirts given they both use 37.5? I'm looking for a new tshirt for very high heat/humidity and open to either of these, would rather buy the cheaper if there's virtually no difference....
Wore Salomon for years until I found Karpos. Have you tested their stuff?
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