Gravel Grinder: Salomon DRX DFY GRVL First Run Review - RUN | Powered by Outside

Photo: Brian Metzler

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As much as I love running the trails around Boulder, Colorado, I also like the faster pace and quicker stride turnover that comes with running on paved roads and bike paths. But what I enjoy even more is running what’s known as the Boulder backroads through rural farmland just north of town. Those flat and rolling sections of dirt and gravel roads offer the best of both worlds: the opportunity for quick-cadence running and the free-feeling, soft-surface vibes that are similar to what I experience on the trails.

Lately, those backroads have become a hot spot for gravel biking enthusiasts because they offer a respite from the increasingly dangerous paved roads and that same mix of pedal turnover and uncongested freedom that runners seek. While there is a whole category of bikes made for riding and racing on dirt roads, the question I’ve asked myself recently is: Do I really need a special running shoe to run on gravel?

For years, a running shoe that could do a little bit of everything—paved roads, soft dirt trails, moderately rocky surfaces, gravel roads, and more rugged fire roads—was known as a hybrid or crossover trail running shoe. But in recent years, several running brands—including Reebok and Craft—have unveiled shoes specifically developed—and marketed—for running on gravel roads. Salomon has been working on it, too, and recently released its new DRX DFY GRVL.

I have been wear-testing this collab edition developed with Pas Normal Studios (PNS), a Copenhagen-based brand of contemporary, technical cycling clothing that has been heavily invested in the gravel-riding genre. PNS was involved in the design process of the shoe, as well as in a new line of apparel and a new Salomon Active Skin 12 hydration vest made for long gravel running efforts. In my initial runs in the DRX DFY GRVL for Pas Normal Studios, I’ve found it’s a purpose-built shoe that is up to the task of optimizing the gravel-running experience. I put the shoe to the test on a variety of surfaces and had some interesting takeaways.

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Price: $140Weight: 8.6 oz (men’s), 7.5 oz (women’s)Stack Heights: 34 mm (heel), 26 mm (forefoot)Heel-to-toe Drop: 8 mm

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Pros

Cons

What’s New:

I’ve run in the DRX DFY GRVL about 10 times over the past three weeks, purposefully varying my terrain between gravel roads, hard surfaces, and both mild and technical trails. Mostly I focused on moderate long runs on gravel roads at what I considered cruiser pace.I also did a slightly slower 14-miler in it and several runs at varying paces that crossed over between paved/concrete surfaces and gravel roads. I took it out on the trails to specifically see what kind of versatility it might offer and also to understand what its limitations are. Ultimately, my goal was to answer the question: Do I need a gravel running shoe?

When I first laced up and began running in the DRX DFY GRV, it felt like a light and agile combination of a road trainer with the grip and structure of a light-duty hybrid trail shoe. It has a medium-volume interior with enough room for my toes to wiggle and splay in the forefoot, and a well-cushioned, easy-flexing chassis that provides comfortable landings, modest support, and a mild propulsiveness. But I quickly found that my level of excitement and appreciation for the ride varied greatly on different types of surfaces.

Not surprisingly, the DRX DFY GRV feels right at home on gravel roads, both because of the traction and stability it provides and also because of the moderately energetic propulsive feel it serves up. Taking road running shoes out on gravel roads can often result in a slippery sensation—especially when cornering or running through sections with especially loose pebbles. But I haven’t felt that at all wearing the DRX DFY GRVL: I’ve been confident in my stride without having to tread delicately or adjust my pace or cadence in reaction to the surface underfoot.

On paved and concrete surfaces, the DRX DFY GRVL felt OK but seemed slightly out of place. The grip and stability structure has often felt like “too much” and the midsole doesn’t feel nearly as responsive as it does on gravel roads. It’s adequate for running at moderate paces on concrete bike paths, but it feels only about as vibrant as a mid-range road trainer and much more subdued than the many high-rebound training shoes in my quiver. That said, when I specifically planned runs that included a mix of gravel, on-road, and off-road surfaces, the DRX DFY GRVL felt like an ideal tool for the job.

Out on the trails, the DRX DFY GRVL’s smooth ride and good grip generally shined on milder surfaces without technical sections of roots, rocks, or steep slopes. But when I encountered sharp rocks or any angular trail debris, I immediately could feel those protuberances poking the bottom of my feet more than I would have liked. With no protective plate or firmer layer of material embedded in the outsole/midsole chassis, it felt out of its element running over the pointy, jagged rocks of Boulder’s Mount Sanitas ridgeline routes.

The DRX DFY GRVL could be an exceptional choice for runners who live in an area where gravel roads are the most obvious and frequent surfaces to run on. It could also come in handy as a road-to-trail crossover shoe for a runner who commonly splits time between mild trails and occasional roads runs, or someone who frequently runs from home or their office on pavement to a get to a trailhead.

Ultimately, the range of benefits you’ll realize with this shoe depend on how you look at it. It can be an immensely versatile shoe, but it’s also as unique as the paring knife or grapefruit spoon in your kitchen drawer. It’s a specialty tool that excels at one thing but could be used for more than running gravel roads. Whether that makes it worth buying ultimately depends on what else you have in your shoe quiver, such as a more capable trail running shoe or a variety of road running trainers, and whether the best running routes where you live lend themselves to single-surface specialty shoes or require versatility.

Similar Shoes

Reebok Floatzig Adventure 1, Craft Nordlite Ultra, Craft Xplor, Norda 001, Asics Fuji Lite 5, Brooks Divide 5, Saucony Xodus Ultra 3?

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