Salomon has enlisted aero wizards from Swiss Side to build a running shoe that truly cuts through the air. The S/Lab Phantasm 3 pairs a seamless ‘cache‑coeur’ wrap that tucks the laces under the tongue with a sculpted midsole designed to reduce aerodynamic drag by up to 28 percent.

During wind‑tunnel testing, this design translated to as much as an 18‑second advantage over a marathon at 20km/h. These are marginal gains worth chasing if you’re looking to break a personal best.

Underfoot, Salomon has engineered a responsive optiFOAM+ midsole based on PEBA foam to provide cushioning without excess weight. A full‑length energyBLADE carbon plate adds rigidity and snap, while the 39mm heel/33mm forefoot stack yields a 6mm drop.

The shoe tips the scales at just 7-ounces for a men’s 9.5 and is about 10 percent lighter than the Phantasm 2 despite carrying more foam. In laboratory tests, athletes wearing the Phantasm 3 consumed 1.8–3.7 percent less oxygen thanks to the improved aerodynamics.

Salomon will release the shoe on January 16, 2026, with a price set around $275. For those familiar with our past coverage, the brand’s expertise in trail shoes – see our review of the Genesis trail runner – translates here to a road racer built for speed. The Phantasm 3 is not meant for easy miles: it’s a weapon for race day or high‑intensity training.

Runners who appreciate a propulsive ride and are willing to invest in marginal gains will find this shoe a compelling addition to their rotation.