Apparel & Shoes

How to Clean Salomon Trail Running Shoes

Salomon trail shoes are built to collect the very debris that can shorten their life: mud packs into Contagrip lugs, grit enters mesh and gusseted tongues, small stones lodge around the outsole, and moisture stays beneath removable insoles. Quicklace components and waterproof membranes add areas that should not be pulled, heated, or coated indiscriminately. Salomon recommends loosening the lacing system, removing insoles, rinsing shoes, using a soft brush or sponge when needed, and drying at room temperature away from sunlight and radiators.

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Primary reference: Salomon: how to clean running shoes. Always check the manual for your exact model.

Quick reference

After a run
Loosen Quicklace, remove insoles, shake out grit, and ventilate.
Mud
Clear clumps and Contagrip lugs promptly with water and a soft outsole brush.
Upper
Use a separate soft sponge and only a little mild soap when necessary.
Avoid
Washers, pressure washers, bleach, metal picks, sunlight, and radiators.
Dry
Blot, add loose paper, and air-dry shoes and insoles separately.

What you will need

  • A soft outsole brush
  • A soft sponge or textile brush
  • Cool or lukewarm running water
  • A small amount of mild soap when needed
  • A microfiber cloth
  • Plain newspaper or white paper for drying
  • A shallow basin
  • The exact care guidance for GORE-TEX or specialty versions

Step-by-step instructions

Step 1: Clean soon after a muddy run

Remove thick mud before it becomes a hard plug around lugs and flex grooves. Outdoors, tap the soles together lightly and use a blunt soft brush to release clumps. Do not bang uppers together, scrape with metal, or wait until wet organic debris has sat sealed in a bag or car.

Step 2: Loosen Quicklace without stressing it

Release the Quicklace slider or loosen standard laces fully instead of forcing a foot from a tight shoe. Remove the lace from its pocket only as intended and inspect for grit around the slider. Do not scrub the cord with a stiff wire brush or pull hard against eyelets; replacement kits exist for damaged systems.

Step 3: Remove and clean the insoles

Pull out removable insoles, shake debris from the shoe, rinse or wipe the insoles, and leave them in a well-ventilated place. Salomon specifically recommends removing them after runs. Avoid wringing foam, placing it on a radiator, or reinstalling it damp, which traps moisture against the lining.

Step 4: Rinse the exterior and outsole

Pass the shoe under cool or lukewarm running water, directing soil away from the opening. Use the outsole brush between Contagrip lugs and flex channels, then use a separate soft sponge on textile areas. Moderate water pressure is enough; do not use a pressure washer, which can drive grit into seams and damage bonds.

Step 5: Use mild soap only when water is insufficient

For oily or persistent dirt, add a small amount of mild soap to the sponge and spot-clean. Rinse the sponge frequently so it does not carry outsole grit onto the upper. Avoid bleach, solvents, strong degreasers, and fabric softener. Waterproof-membrane models should receive only products compatible with that membrane.

Step 6: Clean the interior without flooding it

Shake out stones and use a damp cloth around the heel, tongue, and accessible lining. Rinse interior mud with controlled water when necessary, then tip the shoe opening downward to drain. Do not scrub the waterproof bootie or gusset seams aggressively, and do not pull the tongue beyond its stitched range.

Step 7: Support shape and absorb moisture

Blot the outside and loosely fill each shoe with newspaper or plain paper. Salomon recommends newspaper as a way to speed drying. Replace it when wet and leave room for air circulation. Avoid printed paper against light liners if ink transfer is a concern.

Step 8: Dry at room temperature with ventilation

Leave shoes, insoles, and laces open in a ventilated room. Salomon says not to dry in the sun or near excessive heat such as a radiator. Check deep heel padding and the tongue before reassembly. After drying, make sure Quicklace moves freely and inspect tread, seams, and upper tears before the next trail run.

Specific cleaning questions

Open a question for a concise answer about stains, odors, safety, frequency, and troubleshooting.

Can Salomon trail running shoes go in the washing machine?
Salomon's official method is rinsing by hand and using a soft brush or sponge. A washer can stress Quicklace hardware, membranes, bonded overlays, and outsole construction, so use hand cleaning.
How do I clean mud from Contagrip soles?
Remove clumps promptly, flex the dry or damp sole gently, and use a soft outsole brush with running water between lugs. Avoid metal picks and pressure washers.
How do I clean the Salomon Quicklace system?
Loosen it fully, rinse grit from the cord and slider with low-pressure water, wipe gently, and let it dry open. Do not force a jammed slider or scrub the cord with an abrasive brush.
Can I use soap on GORE-TEX Salomon shoes?
Use only a mild product compatible with the exact waterproof model and rinse it thoroughly. Avoid bleach, solvents, fabric softener, and oily conditioners that can affect textile or water-repellent performance.
Should I clean Salomon shoes after every run?
Air the shoes and remove insoles after each run. Wash when visibly dirty or after mud, salt, or contaminated water. Constant soaking is unnecessary, but leaving packed mud can abrade materials.
Can Salomon trail shoes dry in the sun?
No. Salomon says to dry at room temperature away from direct sunlight and strong heat such as a radiator. Heat can deform materials and weaken adhesives.
Why do my trail shoes still smell after washing?
Moisture may remain beneath insoles or inside heel padding. Remove the insoles, wipe residue, replace damp paper, and continue ventilation until fully dry before storing.
Can I use newspaper inside wet Salomon shoes?
Yes. Salomon recommends it to help absorb moisture and support drying. Insert it loosely, replace it when wet, and avoid overpacking the toe or using heat with it.