This shoe is no joke. The “ultra” in its name doesn’t refer to any bells and whistles (though it does have several) but rather what the shoe was designed to do. This bad girl was created for the competitive ultra runner. The S/Lab Ultra 2 is a unisex trail runner that can live up to not only competing in these long distance races, but training for them as well. There is firmer EnergySave foam in the forefoot for protection from rougher ground while the softer EnergyCell+ foam runs through the midfoot for extra softness and support. The upper is a combination of engineered mesh for breathability and Salomon’s Sensifit construction, which is a lightweight overlay that acts as further protection against the elements and provides support. The brand’s Quicklace system provides additional support and a custom fit by using a buckle that is pulled up to cinch the Kevlar cords that act as laces. That same buckle is then pushed down to lock the fit in place and the buckle is stored in a tiny pocket in the shoe’s tongue. Last, but not least, the outsole is made up of Salomon’s Contagrip technology, with a harder density rubber compound along the outside of the sole for durability and a lower density compound up the middle for traction and flexibility. Multidirectional lugs run throughout for superior grip of any terrain. This shoe is considered the crème de la crème of Salomon’s fleet and gives you the best technological advantages with the brand’s reputation for high-quality outdoor equipment. A competitive ultra runner really couldn’t ask for more.