Squash Source

36 responses to “Salming Race R2”

1. Blas

   July 17, 2018

   I’ve been using them for 4 months and I have to say I miss the adidas Adipower stabil. The salming have little cushion in the heel for me, I had to buy an insole with better cushion in this part of the feet because I was having heel pain after a month. This shoes are also not so durable, after 4 months the sole is starting to tear apart, probably the glue is not so good. The width is ok and grip of the sole is also ok. I play three times per week.

   Reply
   1. Pierre

      July 23, 2018

      The Adipower Stabil is missed by a lot of players. Some pros seem to have stocked up with many pairs.

      Reply
2. Rick

   February 9, 2018

   Hi All,

   Similar story about Salming Kobra, sole has peeled off from the side on both pairs.
   I have slipped in the court and injured my ankle 2 times in last 1 month.
   Now I am not sure if I should go for Salming R2/R3 or Asics (not sure which asics model is more durable + comfy)

   Can someone guide?

   Reply
   1. Lawrence

      February 9, 2018

      Hi Rick
      Salmings are comfy but not durable; asics are durable but not comfy…..I just recently got a pair of eye shoes — they felt a little tight in the beginning but now after a few sessions feel snug and stable. Good grip, strong arch and a firm heel back — all these make for a good shoe, according to my podiatrist! They look to be well-made, too. Would recommend a try.

      PS. My eye shoes are the same size as my salmings; however some of my club mates had to get eyes that were half- to one-size bigger than their salmings/asics.

      Reply
      1. Paul H

         February 9, 2018

         They look so awful though in those block colours, like a small child designing their first shoe. I went from Asics to Salming they wear out much quicker and they keep stopping the models I like, the Mid R9’s have now stopped as well, despite Ramy Ashour and Cuskelly still wearing them.

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      2. Rick

         February 10, 2018

         Thanks, Lawrence.
         I’ll keep that in view.

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      3. JLB

         February 12, 2018

         I have now had the eye shoes for approximately 5 months. They are more durable than the salming, in the fact that the sole is still holding together, however, the plastic type covering around the toe has now been torn through (this went after about 2 months of playing 2/3 times a week). I shall hopefully send a picture through to show the damage.
         But they are comfy, tight at first as i’ve got quite wide feet, but they are wonderful to move around in. Similar to the salming viper.

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         1. Pierre

            February 13, 2018

            [gallery ids="47484,47485,47486,47487,47488"]

            Thanks JLB

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3. Monica

   January 23, 2018

   Hi there! I would like to buy my first salming shoes.. Unfortunatly I can not try how they will fit me before buying (there is no local seller around..). Could you please help me? I´ve been looking for salming size chart, but there is many information and not all of it is the same, and there is no “original” salming size chart to check it out.

   I currently wear US 10 in ASICS womens or 26.5 cm for best match. I saw the picture of the shoes you were compairing and 27 cm in salming it´s equal to US 9 mens.. Any idea of what 26.5 cm means in salming womens? or men?

   Cheers!

   Reply
   1. Sanna

      January 23, 2018

      I used Salming race5 women’s model back then, and they were size 25.0. They were ok, but I would say 25.5 would have been better. In my opinion they were quite narrow.
      Salming shoes isn’t that durable, my shoes lost their best condition about in a month or two.

      I found some size chart from Salming, so 26.5 would be around 41 (women’s size) and 42 (men’s size) https://www.sportpursuit.com/salming-size

      Hope this helps!

      Reply
4. Paul

   June 27, 2017

   Hi Pierre, I have been using the Salming r2 v3 and was pretty happy with them apart from the sole has peeled off from the side on both pairs. They were close to the great Asic progressive 2;s I used to wear, apart from the footbed gets really hot as there are no ventilation holes on the Salmings.

   Unfortunately, I can’t get hold of them any more, seem to be replaced. Thinking of the Kobra but they are so expensive, I wonder how they compare.

   Thanks for the great info on this site and your Youtube channel.

   Paul

   Reply
   1. Pierre

      June 27, 2017

      I did a video comparing the Kobra vs the Race, you can check it out above or here. There are some slight differences but I liked them both. Another one I’ve been trying is the Salming Adder. I’ve only been using it for a few weeks so I don’t know about the longevity. But in terms of how they feel on my feet, the Adder are a little closer to the Race. And they’re not exactly cheap but they’re less expensive than the Kobras. Might be worth a look. Thanks

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      1. Paul

         June 28, 2017

         Thanks Pierre, I have watched both your videos now, great information in them. Slightly worried about the silly string loop design on the Kobra, so may go for the Adders this time and see how I get on. Many thanks for the great site.

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      2. Paul H

         July 19, 2017

         Hi Pierre,
         a quick uodate, I ended up buying the Salming R9 mids and to me they feel super similar to the R2’s, I can’t even feel the difference. I am really pleased with them and have bought a spare pair as well.The extra height is minimal when I am playing. I didn’t want to take a chance on the crazy expensive Race X, that has just been released. Thanks for the info.

         Reply
5. LUIS ASTURIAS

   April 14, 2016

   I’m in confort with asics 10.5. Wich is the equivalent in Salming?

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   1. Pierre Bastien

      April 15, 2016

      Probably 10.5 also but some people report Salmings run large so you may end up needing a 10 but it’s going to depend on your foot

      Reply
   2. Paul

      June 27, 2016

      I wear a size 8 in Asics, tried size 8 in the Salming R2 and had heel pain.(I’m guessing it must have been from friction) I tried another pair of the most recent R2 in size 7.5, and they fit me perfectly with no heel pain. For me they seem to run about a half size big. I love the grip they have on the floor.

      Reply
6. Jean-Remi Desjardins

   February 20, 2016

   The Salming website does seem to point to extra heel cushioning in the R1.

   Reply
7. Sanna Koivumäki

   December 29, 2015

   I bought womens R5 which are almost same as these R2. I found out that they were smaller than my other squash shoes (39 1/2, others 40). Shoes were very comfortable and light but I wore them out after a month, I train 6-10 times in week and had two tournaments. I have been using also adidas adipower stabil 11 (also womens model) and they have been lasted almost over year! I hope salming could develop more sustainable shoes!

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8. Blas

   November 4, 2015

   I have seen many comments regarding the size of the shoes, I want to buy them online because i can’t find them in my country, so I need a little help.

   I play with a pair of Adidas adipower stabil 11, size 11.5 US, can anyone tell me if the size of the Salming is similar to Adidas or should i buy a different size, otherwise I’ll buy again Adidas. Thank you

   Reply
   1. Pierre Bastien

      November 5, 2015

      I wore the Adidas Adipower Stabil 10.1 in size 11.5 US, and now wear the Salming Race R2 also in 11.5. I am happy with the 11.5 size. The Race R2 feels a little wider than the Adipower to me. I think I probably could have been equally happy with size 11 Salmings (which I never tried on…like you, I ordered them from another country). Hope that helps.

      Reply
      1. Blas

         November 5, 2015

         It definitely helps, thank you so much, I’ll give them a try, I’m fine with Adidas but I’ve seen everyone is commenting the Salming are the most comfortable, thank you!

         Reply
9. Sven_Munich

   October 10, 2015

   Dear Friends,

   now, after 9 month playsing Squash with the Salming, I have no grip anymore on my Salming R2 2.0, but the shoe is very very durable, I’ve played 4-6 times a week (10-15 h), here you could see some picture of my shoes now:

   https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0B9irDyBVS-ItTkN3ZlZSOFNiWXM&usp=sharing

   @John

   My Ascics Gel Blade 4 was wonderful, great shoe and very wonderful, but after 3-4 month the complete shoe was damaged, especially the shoe sole, the upper shoe components, a lot of holes … :-(((

   Now I’ve bought the Asics Gel Blade 5 for 69 EUR (in Germany), the Salming R2. 2.0 was sold out in my shop, if the shoe is similar durable as the Gel Blade 4 I would like to post the relevant infos. Probably I will order then online another pair of the Salming R2 2.0, we will see.

   Best wishes, Sven

   Ps Today US Open : Rösner vs. Farag, yeah

   Reply
10. Sang

    September 1, 2015

    You can buy the white R2s in the UK at squashnuts.com.

    I have a pair of R1s and R2s and can honestly say that there is minimal difference.

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11. Mike

    August 9, 2015

    Check out this red/black R2 here https://www.handball-markt.de/handballschuhe/salming-handballschuhe/salming-race-r9-mid-handballschuhe-2.0-black/red.html

    Reply
    1. Pierre Bastien

       August 10, 2015

       Thanks Mike! Those are actually a new version of the Race R9, which should be dropping in September (in North America anyway). I’ve just posted them here: Salming Race R9 2.0.

       Reply
12. Sven_Munich

    July 26, 2015

    Hi friends,

    I bought the R2 2.0 (74 EUR in Germany ) six month ago, and I am very pleased about this shoe.

    Why: The shoe is very comfortable, light and the durability is unbelievable, I play 4-6 times a week (10-15 h / a week) and my old Asics Gel Blade 4 lasts only 4 month, same procedure at my asics Gel Rocket 6.

    So, the Salming shoe is my absolute favorit and buy recommendation.

    Greetz, Sven

    Reply
    1. Pierre Bastien

       July 26, 2015

       Thanks Sven

       Reply
    2. John

       August 7, 2015

       Hi Sven,

       I’ve got the Asics GB 3 and am suspicisious about some comfort during time. Reading u’re playing around same times a week I wondered about youre complaints with the Asics GB 4.

       Can u mention some complaints ?

       With regards/Mit Grusse aus Holland,

       John

       Reply
13. Ibrahim

    April 2, 2015

    Based on some reviews i’ve ordered a half size smaller us size 10.5 of the Race1 2.0 blue (usually 11). And to my surprise both 10.5 and 11 are smaller than my asics, nike, and prince, US11. So i went to a store near by and got me Viper size 11.5 (yes there’s a small gap between my fingers and the forefront) but the shoes are perfect from the sides now. This is maybe due to having having a slightly wider feet than people who wear Adidas which is “known of having shoes for narrow feet”.Anyway, Since i have a history of ankle and knees injuries and was in store I’ve started trying different models R9 cushioning was the kind of shoe that perfect for my history but these were higher than the average squash shoes. Viper on the other foot (bun intended) were very low and you would be surprise of how low they are. But they have the widest gum rubber sole which is a plus for me in terms of stability on the court.

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    1. Pierre Bastien

       July 24, 2015

       Thanks Ibrahim

       Reply
14. Rod Foster 🛡️

    April 1, 2015

    I’m fairly confident in posting about the R2 durability.

    1. i’ve had them for a good while now–over 2 months and i play 3-4 nights a week and i’m no slouch…i abuse the heck out of these and i only wear them on the court….not around the house or a latte run to starbucks

    2. i ordered a half-size smaller on these and it’s perfect….

    3. 2 months later these puppies are holding their form and feel wonderful. in fact, i’ve ordered another pair just so i can have them at the ready and use them back and forth to save on wear and tear.

    4. they are the most comfortable squash shoe i’ve ever worn and i won’t be going back to the asics or adidas. and not only that, they’re freakin cool looking…the words squash shoes and stylish are not synonymous so that’s an added bonus.

    5. great video review Pierre, thanks a ton for a great post!

    Reply
    1. Pierre Bastien

       July 24, 2015

       Thanks Rod

       Reply
15. Pierre Bastien

    April 1, 2015

    From Marc via Facebook:

    Thanks for the review, in my opinion the R2 is not durable, after 1 month the shoe got Shredded from both side. Last week got The Salming Viper. Hopefully will last longer, otherwise will get back to Asics.

    Reply
16. Pierre Bastien

    February 12, 2015

    From Rod, via email:

    I have to say I’m in love with the Salming R2

    I can say without a doubt these feel remarkably better on my feet (my opinion) than the adidas adipower stabil.

    for me, they have better arch and heel support. I get spells of plantar fasciitis and I attribute that new found discomfort to my relatively new adidas shoes–they just aren’t for me. That said, I did order a half size smaller and glad i did. They fit perfect and I immediately felt no discomfort in my foot/heel.

    Reply
17. Snelly

    October 14, 2014

    Loads of people at my club have these shoes including our attached professional. Everyone says the same thing – they are the comfiest squash shoes they have ever had but they last weeks, not months.

    Great for a month then they just wear out. No longevity but maximum comfort.

    Reply